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Module Catalogue

IB3N4-15 International Trade Law

Department
Warwick Business School
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Hassan Nizami
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

This module focuses on international transactions involving the sale and shipment of goods and payment for such goods. It will provide students with a detailed understanding of the significance of international conventions and privately promulgated rules in addressing the issues encountered by the parties to an international sales contract.

Module web page

Module aims

This module focuses on international transactions involving the sale and shipment of goods and payment for such goods. It will provide students with a detailed understanding of the significance of international conventions and privately promulgated rules in addressing the issues encountered by the parties to an international sales contract. While this module is not primarily concerned with national law, it does aim to provide students with a comparative and contextual understanding of International Sales Law. Therefore, where reference to national law is required, this module will principally examine English, Germany and United States law. This module will address the core aspects of the international law on the sale of goods from the perspectives of the most prominent international sales law regimes namely the INCOTERMS, The UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods 1980
(CISG), Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits (UCP 600) and the Hague-Visby Rules.

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.

Introduction to international sales: Trade Terms, INCOTERMS
CISG: Coverage and Interpretation
CISG: Contract formation
CISG: Rights and obligations
CISG: Remedies
CISG: Overview
Bills of Lading
Transport Conventions, especially the Hague-Visby Rules
Payment, especially Letters of Credit and the UCP
Revision

Learning outcomes

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

  • Understand the role of the law in regulating the conduct of the parties to a contract for the international sale of goods.
  • Understand the significance of standard trade terms in international business transactions and the ability to identify the optimal trade term for a transaction in light of its specific circumstances.
  • Articulate and analyse the strategic and tactical issues that are likely to arise in the international sales of goods.
  • Identify the optimal set of substantive rules for an international transaction for the International Sale of Goods in light of its specific circumstances.
  • Understand the different methods of how international sale contracts are financed.
  • Critically engage with and apply the substantive law on the contracts of international sale of goods to solve problem questions reflecting real-world commercial situations.

Indicative reading list

Required reading:
Carr, International Trade Law (Routledge 6th ed. 2017).
Further reading:
Chuah, Law of International Trade (Sweet & Maxwell 6th ed. 2019).
Gillette & Walt, The UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CUP 2d ed. 2016).
Schmitthoff, The Law & Practice of International Trade (Sweet & Maxwell 12th ed. 2014).
Goode, Kronke & McKendrick, Transnational Commercial Law (2d ed. 2015).

Subject specific skills

Identify and apply the substantive legal rules for an sale of goods international transaction.

Transferable skills

Critical thinking and legal problem solving.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Seminars 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Online learning (independent) 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Private study 48 hours (32%)
Assessment 73 hours (49%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

Private Study.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group D2
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Participation (15 CATS) 10% 7 hours Yes (waive)
Online Examination 90% 66 hours No

~Platforms - AEP

  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
Assessment group R2
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Online Examination 100% No

~Platforms - AEP

  • Online examination: No Answerbook required
  • INCOTERMS 2010, The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, UCP 600, and The Hague-Visby Rules
Feedback on assessment

Feedback provided via my.wbs.

Past exam papers for IB3N4

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
    • Year 3 of L1CA Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
    • Year 3 of L1CC Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Behavioural Economics Pathway)
    • Year 3 of L1CD Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Economics with Philosophy Pathway)
    • Year 3 of L1CE Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Philosophy and Psychology Pathway)
  • UPHA-L1CB Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of L1CG Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Behavioural Economics Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of L1CH Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Economics with Philosophy Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of L1CJ Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Philosophy and Psychology Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of L1CB Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (with Intercalated Year)

This module is Unusual option for:

  • UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
    • Year 2 of L1CA Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
    • Year 3 of L1CA Economics, Psychology and Philosophy