Introductory description

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the legal and policy framework underlying various international economic exchanges

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The course is built upon the premise that trade and finance are intimately linked. As such it focuses upon aspects of international trade law and problems of regulation after the 2008 financial crisis. Students will learn about the historical development of the key trade law institutions like the World Trade Organisation (WTO), agreements and practices that raise the question of whether existing frameworks are 'fit for purpose', and if not, what can be done. In the field of finance there is no single commensurate oversight body so students will consider the degrees to which there is a coherent system of regulation, why this is so, and whether such a system can - or indeed should - regulate the affairs of nation states and corporate actors.
Students will be encouraged to critically evaluate a range of contextual issues arising from the IEL system particularly in the spheres of trade and finance. Students will be asked to read a variety of articles and extracts from international agreements and legal cases within these subject themes, thereby enhancing their general understanding of the applicability of IEL rules to individual disputes, and their impact upon wider processes of trade, development, financial stability and social justice.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Identify and critically analyse key social justice issues arising from legal rules and understand their wide-ranging relevance to modern society
• Formulate questions and engage in problem-solving exercises
• Make informed, independent and reasoned judgements.
• Undertake independent research
• Articulate arguments orally and in writing
• Make productive links between theoretical ideas and practical applications
• Understanding of the rationale for, historical development of and legal framework for the GATT and the WTO and its dispute settlement procedure
• Appreciation of the relationship between WTO law and bilateral and regional trade agreements
• Understanding of the rationale for, historical development of and legal framework for international investment agreements and their arbitration procedures.
• Appreciation of a range of key social justice issues raised by specific international trade law and international investment law rules and the ability to evaluate the extent to which existing rules successfully incorporate consideration of these issues.
• Demonstrate advanced written and oral presentational skills
• Develop oral advocacy skills
• Develop ability to utilise subject-specific research tools

Indicative reading list

VAN DEN BOSSCHE, Peter, The Law and Policy of the World Trade Organization: Texts, Cases and Materials 3rd edition (Cambridge University press, 2013)

Subject specific skills

No subject specific skills defined for this module.

Transferable skills

No transferable skills defined for this module.