LA9FN-20 Foundations of International Commercial Law
Introductory description
This module is the core module for the LLM in International Commercial Law and examines the nature of ICL, the way ICL is created, and covers selected areas of ICL.
Module aims
The aim of this module is to introduce students to fundamental legal issues affecting international commercial transactions. There will be 3 broad strands to this:
(i) the specific issues associated with international commercial contracts;
(ii) the different instruments and institutions, the process of harmonisation, and the lex mercatoria;
(iii) specific areas such as agency, security interest in mobile equipment
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.
What is International Commercial Law?
Practical Challenges of International Commerce
Theories of International Commercial Law
Commercial Dispute Resolution: PIL and Arbitration
Making international commercial law: instruments and institutions
The challenge of interpreting international conventions
Harmonisation of International Commercial Law
Using Contracts in International Commercial Law
Standard Trade Terms (e.g., INCOTERMS)
Lex Mercatoria - myth or useful concept?
Security Interests in Mobile Equipment: Cape Town Convention
UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts
Receivables financing
The Agency Convention
Leasing
Challenges for International Commercial Law: Digitalisation, Sustainability, global value chains and ethics
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Knowledge and Understanding of the nature of International Commercial Law
- Knowledge and Understanding of selected substantive areas of law
- Ability to evaluate and critique legal developments and associated academic debates
Indicative reading list
To follow
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Subject specific skills
Gaining an understanding of key elements of International Commercial Law and an appreciation of how law can be utilised to address specific obstacles to international commercial activity
Transferable skills
Evaluation of source materials
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 sessions of 1 hour (9%) |
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (4%) |
| Private study | 170 hours (85%) |
| Assessment | 3 hours (2%) |
| Total | 200 hours |
Private study description
Guided reading after lectures and in preparation for seminars
Preparation for seminars
Formative coursework
Revision for final exam
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group B1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take-home examination | 100% | 3 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
An open book exam to be completed within the specified period. |
|||
Feedback on assessment
Generic feedback will be provided via Moodle, with individual feedback via Tabula.
Courses
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 1 of TLAA-M223 Postgraduate Taught International Commercial Law
This module is Optional for:
- Year 1 of TIMA-L981 Postgraduate Social Science Research
- Year 1 of TLAA-M3PJ Postgraduate Taught Advanced Legal Studies
- Year 1 of TLAS-M3P7 Postgraduate Taught International Economic Law
- Year 1 of TLAS-M221 Postgraduate Taught LLM in International Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation