http://hdl.handle.net/1893/11 Electronic theses of Law and Philosophy students. Sat, 03 Oct 2026 21:20:30 GMT 2026-10-03T21:20:30Z http://hdl.handle.net/1893/37519 Title: Competition Law in relation to Cartels that have a Cross-Border Impact: Investigation, Enforcement and Co-operation - A Critical Appraisal of Practice in the EU, Algeria and Egypt Author(s): Omran, Mohamed Mustafa Ali Abstract: This thesis examines how the EU Commission investigates, enforces, and cooperates with other jurisdictions—specifically Algeria and Egypt—in addressing the anti-competitive effects of hard-core cross-border cartels. It aims to assess the effectiveness of these enforcement and cooperation mechanisms and to identify the lessons that Algeria and Egypt can draw from the EU’s experience in developing their own competition law frameworks. The study relies on two complementary methods suited to the nature of the topic. It first draws on a doctrinal analysis to understand how each jurisdiction defines and treats hard-core cartels—whether they are considered unlawful by their very nature (“by object”) or only when their effects on competition are proven. These distinctions influence how cases are handled in practice and the kind of sanctions applied. The second strand of the research uses a comparative approach to assess how the EU, Algeria, and Egypt design and implement their rules on anti-cartel enforcement. While both African systems show traces of the EU model of competition law, their enforcement practices and policy choices remain shaped by domestic priorities and institutional realities. The findings show that effective action against cross-border cartels requires both proactive market monitoring and reactive investigation in response to credible information or complaints. Strong cooperation and coordination between competition agencies—grounded in confidentiality and mutual trust—are essential for success. Although the EU has developed advanced mechanisms for enforcement and cooperation, Algeria and Egypt continue to rely on traditional procedures for recognising and enforcing foreign judgments, which remain largely untested in cartel cases. The research highlights the potential role of the 2019 Judgments Convention in strengthening cross-border recognition and enforcement of competition judgments. It recommends that Algeria and Egypt consider accession to this Convention to enhance their enforcement capacities and to ensure that judgments against cross-border cartels can be recognised and enforced across other contracting jurisdictions. Wed, 07 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1893/37519 2025-05-07T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1893/36599 Title: An Analysis of the Adequacy of the Law in the Republic of Cyprus Concerning the Prevention, Reduction, and Control of Accidental Pollution from Offshore Oil and Gas Activities Author(s): Matsiou, Andriani Abstract: A significant increase in offshore hydrocarbon activities has been observed since the discovery of a natural gas field within Cyprus’s Exclusive Economic Zone in 2012. Despite the economic boon, there is a greater risk of accidents due to the dense marine traffic and offshore activities, which loom like the Sword of Damocles over the Mediterranean’s sensitive marine environment. The thesis scrutinises Cyprus’s current legal framework aimed at preventing, reducing, and controlling accidental pollution from offshore hydrocarbon activities. As part of the assessment, key domestic legal instruments are evaluated for their effectiveness in safeguarding the marine environment against accidental pollution under the Cyprus regime, including the Hydrocarbon Laws, the Environmental Impact Assessment Laws, and various environmental and safety regulations. Given the catastrophic potential of offshore accidents, as historically evidenced by incidents like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the study is significant for ensuring that Cyprus’s legal and regulatory regime is robust enough to prevent future disasters. In response to existing and emerging offshore safety and environmental challenges, this research was inspired by an unyielding desire to enhance the legal framework and protect the fragile Mediterranean marine environment. This research employs a comprehensive assessment method, including doctrinal and socio-legal analyses. Doctrinal analysis involves examining the letter of the law, its adequacy, as well as its alignment with EU and international standards. A socio-legal approach evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of these laws through interviews with key stakeholders, as well as analysis of incident reports and environmental assessments. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Cyprus’s legal framework in preventing offshore accidents, assess compliance with EU and international law obligations, and recommend legal reforms. It also explores how current regulations are implemented in practice and questions the effectiveness of these laws in preventing accidents. This research is premised on the assumption that, despite Cyprus’s establishment of a comprehensive legal framework vis-à-vis EU Directives and international conventions, critical gaps persist in implementation, enforcement, and specific regulatory provisions. Consequently, the recommendations for legal reform will focus on addressing these deficiencies, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and bolstering the regulatory framework in its entirety to protect against accidental pollution. Wed, 01 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1893/36599 2024-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1893/36132 Title: An Analysis of the Renewable Energy Regime in Nigeria Through the Lens of Energy Justice: Lessons from the UK Author(s): Abraham, Etisang Etims Abstract: Nigeria has an abundance of energy resources including coal, oil and gas, and renewables. However, these resources have not been effectively deployed to promote energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability (energy trilemma). Moreover, renewable energy sources (RES) have been identified in law and policy instruments as being key to accelerating energy security, energy access, and emission reduction in Nigeria. This thesis observes that the extant legal framework is inadequate to facilitate RES development in Nigeria. The thesis therefore argues that the development of a comprehensive RES planning and consenting regime comprising strategic plans, policies, robust institutions, support schemes, and fiscal measures underpinned by renewable energy legislation, is germane to facilitate widespread deployment of RES infrastructure. It is further argued that the deployment of grid, off-grid and mini-grid RES technology will address issues of energy security, energy access and tackle energy poverty. Given that RES technology is not environmentally benign, a comprehensive RES planning and consenting regime will engender the conduct of relevant environmental, socio-cultural, and economic impact assessments of RES developments. Furthermore, the thesis acknowledges that oil and gas are the mainstays of the Nigerian economy, accounting for over 70% of the country’s national revenue as well as supporting jobs, host communities, and indigenous peoples. Thus, the transition from fossil fuels to RES should be carried out within the confines of energy justice to foster a just energy transition which mitigates the adverse impacts of the transition on these affected groups. Having effectively implemented legislation, policy and programmes, institutions, support schemes, and fiscal measures to maximise its RES potential, the UK RES planning and consenting regime provides a workable exemplar for Nigeria to learn from. Similarly, the incorporation of just transition principles in the Scottish regime and a practical example of a people-centred energy transition programme offers a useful guide for Nigeria. The thesis contends that the implementation of a just energy transition tailored to domestic circumstances is fundamental to promoting energy justice. Wed, 26 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1893/36132 2023-07-26T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1893/35140 Title: Thought and action Author(s): Williams, Ieuan Abstract: This thesis is concerned with the relation between thought and action. Philosophical accounts of this relation are inevitably based on assumptions about the nature of language. The first purpose of this inquiry is to assess the validity of these assumptions and the cogency of the theories they support. In order to accomplish this it will be necessary, in the first chapter, to discuss a number of general difficulties in the philosophy of language. Th° chapters that follow attempt to show how a particular way of meeting these difficulties has a significant bearing on how the relation between thought and action is to be understood. "human thought", as Geach reminds us, "is both theoretical and practical: we are concerned both with the way things are and with what we ourselves have to do."^^ Our ultimate purpose is to show that the two aspects of thought Geach refers to are related and to indicate how this relationship is possible. Thinking is an intellectual activity and the word "thought" is sometimes used to refer to intellectual activities in general. What divides theories of thought is not disagreement over its intellectual character but rival conceptions of the intellect. Accounts of thought in modern and, in some respects, ancient philosophy complement two contrasting conceptions of mind. For convenience, the terms "internalist" and "externalist" may be used to suggest how these conceptions differ. The internalist conception is an essential feature of the philosophies developed by Descartes and Locke, and the externalist view is exemplified in the work of such different twentieth century philosophers as Wittgenstein and Ryle. In the internalist tradition the mental or intellectual character of thought is elucidated by reference to the idea of privacy, and in the work of Descartes and Locke the privacy of thought is connected with the assumption that the contents of minds are ideas. Locke defined ideas as what the mind is "applied about whilst thinking", by which he meant that ideas are the instruments, materials or vehicles of thought. On this account thoughts are mental acts involving ideas in various ways. Although Locke's account of thought and language and the relation between thought and action is defective there are a number of assumptions in his philosophy which, if interpreted correctly, suggest how our discussion ought to proceed. In order to bring out the difficulties in Locke's account, and to justify the interpretation we believe it requires, his work will be discussed in considerable detail. Locke has been chosen as a representative of internalism in preference to Descartes because a consideration of the latter's excessively generous interpretation of thought to cover all forms of consciousness falls outside the scope of our inquiry. It is now common to describe thought more specifically, mainly by reference to the notions of reflection, deliberation and rationality. We shall follow this practice, although it is worth mentioning that there are philosophers who still regard "thought" as a general term covering a wide range of mental states anil processes. Sun, 01 Jan 1978 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1893/35140 1978-01-01T00:00:00Z