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One Undertaking, Multiple Entities: The Evolving Legal Framework of Corporate Group Liability in EU Competition Law

Osmanovic, Dalila LU (2025) LAGM01 20251
Department of Law
Faculty of Law
Abstract
This thesis investigates the evolving framework of corporate group liability in EU competition law, with a focus on the economic unit doctrine under Article 101 TFEU. It analyses how competition liability can extend beyond traditional parent-subsidiary relationships to include various entities within a corporate group. Central to this analysis is the Akzo Nobel presumption, which assumes that a parent company owning nearly all of a subsidiary's shares exerts decisive influence and can thus be held jointly liable for competition infringements.
The study outlines the legal, structural, and functional mechanisms through which decisive influence is established and examines the evidentiary challenges of rebutting the presumption of decisive... (More)
This thesis investigates the evolving framework of corporate group liability in EU competition law, with a focus on the economic unit doctrine under Article 101 TFEU. It analyses how competition liability can extend beyond traditional parent-subsidiary relationships to include various entities within a corporate group. Central to this analysis is the Akzo Nobel presumption, which assumes that a parent company owning nearly all of a subsidiary's shares exerts decisive influence and can thus be held jointly liable for competition infringements.
The study outlines the legal, structural, and functional mechanisms through which decisive influence is established and examines the evidentiary challenges of rebutting the presumption of decisive influence. It also considers situations where liability is based not on formal ownership but on actual control, such as in joint ventures or minority shareholdings.
Two landmark cases, Sumal and Athenian Brewery, are analysed in depth. Sumal introduced the concept of downward liability, allowing victims to bring claims against subsidiaries for infringements committed by parent companies, provided they form part of the same economic unit. Athenian Brewery further extended the doctrine's procedural reach by confirming that jurisdiction under the Brussels I bis Regulation can be grounded in the presumption of decisive influence.
The thesis explores the broader implications of these developments for both public and private enforcement, including strengthened deterrence, expanded access to private damages, and emerging jurisdictional challenges. However, it also identifies unresolved issues, particularly concerning the liability of sister companies and the jurisdictional issues that arise in such contexts.
In sum, this research underscores the economic unit doctrine’s critical role in modern antitrust enforcement, its practical challenges, and its potential future evolution in an increasingly interconnected corporate world. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Denna avhandling analyserar utvecklingen av det rättsliga ramverket för företagsgruppers ansvar inom Europeiska unionens konkurrensrätt, med fokus på doktrinen om den ekonomiska enheten enligt artikel 101 i fördraget om Europeiska unionens funktionssätt. Studien undersöker hur ansvar för konkurrensöverträdelser kan sträcka sig bortom det traditionella moder- och dotterbolagsförhållandet till att omfatta fler enheter inom en företagsgrupp. En central del av analysen är Akzo Nobel presumtionen, enligt vilken ett moderbolag som innehar hela eller nästan hela aktiekapitalet i ett dotterbolag antas utöva avgörande inflytande och därmed kan hållas solidariskt ansvarigt.
Avhandlingen redogör för de rättsliga, strukturella och funktionella... (More)
Denna avhandling analyserar utvecklingen av det rättsliga ramverket för företagsgruppers ansvar inom Europeiska unionens konkurrensrätt, med fokus på doktrinen om den ekonomiska enheten enligt artikel 101 i fördraget om Europeiska unionens funktionssätt. Studien undersöker hur ansvar för konkurrensöverträdelser kan sträcka sig bortom det traditionella moder- och dotterbolagsförhållandet till att omfatta fler enheter inom en företagsgrupp. En central del av analysen är Akzo Nobel presumtionen, enligt vilken ett moderbolag som innehar hela eller nästan hela aktiekapitalet i ett dotterbolag antas utöva avgörande inflytande och därmed kan hållas solidariskt ansvarigt.
Avhandlingen redogör för de rättsliga, strukturella och funktionella kriterier genom vilka sådant inflytande fastställs och behandlar de bevismässiga svårigheter som är förknippade med att motbevisa presumtionen. Den belyser även situationer där ansvar grundas på faktisk kontroll snarare än formellt ägande, såsom vid samriskföretag eller minoritetsinnehav.
Två vägledande rättsfall analyseras, Sumal och Athenian Brewery. Sumal introducerade nedåtriktat ansvar, vilket möjliggör att talan riktas mot ett dotterbolag för överträdelser begångna av moderbolaget, under förutsättning att de utgör en och samma ekonomiska enhet. Athenian Brewery fastslog att domsrätt enligt Bryssel I-förordningen kan grundas på denna enhet, vilket underlättar gränsöverskridande prövning.
Avhandlingen belyser rättsliga och praktiska följder av denna utveckling, inklusive ökad avskräckning, utvidgad tillgång till privata skadestånd och nya jurisdiktionella frågeställningar. Samtidigt kvarstår rättsosäkerhet, särskilt vad gäller systerbolags ansvar och de jurisdiktionsfrågor som uppstår i sådana konstellationer.
Sammanfattningsvis visar avhandlingen den ekonomiska enhetens centrala betydelse i modern konkurrenstillsyn, dess tillämpningssvårigheter och behovet av fortsatt rättsutveckling i takt med förändrade företagsstrukturer. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Osmanovic, Dalila LU
supervisor
organization
course
LAGM01 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
economic unit, liability, subsidiary liability
language
English
id
9200001
date added to LUP
2025-06-16 11:12:01
date last changed
2025-06-16 11:12:01
@misc{9200001,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates the evolving framework of corporate group liability in EU competition law, with a focus on the economic unit doctrine under Article 101 TFEU. It analyses how competition liability can extend beyond traditional parent-subsidiary relationships to include various entities within a corporate group. Central to this analysis is the Akzo Nobel presumption, which assumes that a parent company owning nearly all of a subsidiary's shares exerts decisive influence and can thus be held jointly liable for competition infringements.
The study outlines the legal, structural, and functional mechanisms through which decisive influence is established and examines the evidentiary challenges of rebutting the presumption of decisive influence. It also considers situations where liability is based not on formal ownership but on actual control, such as in joint ventures or minority shareholdings.
Two landmark cases, Sumal and Athenian Brewery, are analysed in depth. Sumal introduced the concept of downward liability, allowing victims to bring claims against subsidiaries for infringements committed by parent companies, provided they form part of the same economic unit. Athenian Brewery further extended the doctrine's procedural reach by confirming that jurisdiction under the Brussels I bis Regulation can be grounded in the presumption of decisive influence.
The thesis explores the broader implications of these developments for both public and private enforcement, including strengthened deterrence, expanded access to private damages, and emerging jurisdictional challenges. However, it also identifies unresolved issues, particularly concerning the liability of sister companies and the jurisdictional issues that arise in such contexts.
In sum, this research underscores the economic unit doctrine’s critical role in modern antitrust enforcement, its practical challenges, and its potential future evolution in an increasingly interconnected corporate world.}},
  author       = {{Osmanovic, Dalila}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{One Undertaking, Multiple Entities: The Evolving Legal Framework of Corporate Group Liability in EU Competition Law}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}