European Union Antitrust Law & Professional Associations: the Strategic Choice of 'Soft' Weapons by the European Commission

This article highlights the strategic use of antitrust law initiatives other than formal enforcement decisions by the European Commission (Commission) in respect of professional associations. Increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of professional services in the European Union is part of the strategy voiced by the 2000 European Council in Lisbon to make Europe "the most dynamic knowledge based economy in the world" by 2010.' This article argues that, in its efforts to achieve the Lisbon objective, the Commission is trying to regulate professions to an extent which would not be possible under their formal enforcement powers.