CCI partners with several Law Schools to launch Knowledge Partnership Initiative

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has recently launched a Knowledge Partnership Initiative (KPI) with prominent law schools in India. The KPI has been launched with the objective to build a strong knowledge base in the field of competition law, to promote competition law compliance in India and expand the outreach of competition law..The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has recently launched a Knowledge Partnership Initiative (KPI) with prominent law schools in India. The KPI has been launched with the objective to build a strong knowledge base in the field of competition law, to promote competition law compliance in India and expand the outreach of competition law..The first phase of the KPI involves initiating a “knowledge partnership” with several law schools across the country. The CCI initially identified a few law schools which were autonomous, statutory universities created by a separate law . Finally, after holding discussions, ten law schools joined the initiative..These ten law schools include NLSIU Bengaluru, NALSAR Hyderabad, NUJS Kolkata, NLU Delhi, NLU Jodhpur, RGNUL Patiala, NLUJA Guwahati, NUSRL Ranchi, ILS Pune and JGLS, Sonepat..Speaking to Bar & Bench about the KPI, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Pandey CCI’s Joint Director (Law) said, “We have limited resources and we cannot carry out lot of research at our level. Also, competition advocacy is one of the main pillars of Competition law but we cannot reach to the masses or all the stakeholders across the country. So, we visualised this concept of a KPI where law schools will do extensive research in this area and create awareness about this law in their respective states.”.He added, “The main focus will be research in Competition law area. The other areas where CCI and law schools will partner include education and training, advocacy, conferences, workshops, publications and internships for students of these law schools..We will also be focusing on teachers’ competency building and motivate more students to study this area of law”..The first meeting under the initiative was organized at the CCI office on September 14, 2012 chaired by CCI Chairman Ashok Chawla..Pandey said, “This initiative with law schools will benefit both CCI and law schools. Given that tomorrow’s economy will be largely competition driven, this initiative of creating awareness about the Competition law will help in the future”..In the second phase, the CCI will rope in Management schools and Institutions of Excellence in Economics,.In the third phase, the CCI is contemplating making a suggestion to both, the Bar Council of India and the University Grants Commission to have Competition Law as a separate subject in law schools across the country..“Once it becomes a full fledged course, then we can just be a knowledge provider.” notes Pandey..“In February this year, the CCI had started a pilot project with NLU Delhi and NUJS Kolkata to design the course curriculum in this area. We have now integrated this with KPI. Once we will come out with a syllabus, we shall share the same with the BCI.”.Pandey said, “If all law schools are networked with CCI, it could turn around things completely in this area of law. Competition advocacy is the statutory mandate of CCI and with the help of these law schools we can achieve this objective ”.