LLM International Commercial Law

30 credits

This module sets to provide you with the requisite a comprehensive examination of contemporary international law and the evolving framework of global regulation.

It is designed to provide you with indepth knowledge of the characteristics of the legal system, an overview of its regulatory purview and its sources (treaties, customary law), the relationship between international law and national law, legal personality and the actors on the international legal arena, as well as the key legal principles governing their activities (jurisdiction, responsibility, and immunities).

You will be equipped with a critical understanding of how international legal norms are developed, implemented, and enforced across various jurisdictions. You will engage with key topics such as the role of international organisations, the intersection of national and international law, human rights, environmental regulation, and trade law.

Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and case studies, you will examine how global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and human migration are addressed within the international legal framework. The module will also focus on the skills necessary for effective analysis and application of international law, including legal reasoning, advocacy, and negotiation.

By the end of this module, you will be able to critically assess the effectiveness of international law in regulating global issues, understand the complexities of legal interactions between states and non-state actors, and develop your own perspectives on contemporary legal challenges. The knowledge and skills gained will prepare you for a career in law, international relations, public policy, and related fields.

Teaching and learning

The delivery of this module consists of one, two-hour lecture and a two-hour lecture each week.

Lectures will cover core topics and knowledge and are aimed at building a core understanding of the foundations of the international legal system and developing the analytical skills needed to formulate and support an international legal argument to help prepare you, within your respective degree programme, for research you will undertake in this and other modules. 

Workshops will provide an opportunity to examine case studies.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a literature review and essay plan (30%) and a research report (70%).

30 credits

This module will equip you with both an in-depth understanding and the practical skills necessary to navigate the complex field of international commercial law. It focuses on the legal frameworks and commercial practices surrounding the sale of goods across borders, the carriage of goods by sea, and methods of export finance. 

These areas form the foundation of global trade, yet they require careful handling of contractual terms, documentary requirements, and compliance with international conventions.

The early part of the module addresses the core elements of international contracts for the sale of goods, examining the respective rights and obligations of buyers and sellers. It covers the use of standard trade terms, such as CIF and FOB, and the application of INCOTERMS to allocate costs, risks, and responsibilities. You will explore the legal principles governing remedies, including damages and injunctions, and assess how contractual breaches are managed in an international setting.

Attention then shifts to the legal and practical aspects of maritime transport. You will study the nature and functions of bills of lading, the allocation of liabilities under the Hague-Visby Rules, and other relevant international regimes. This is followed by an examination of international payment systems and risk management tools, focusing on letters of credit and marine insurance.

Practical application is embedded throughout the module. You will develop skills in interpreting and drafting trade documentation, negotiating contractual terms, and providing legal advice in realistic scenarios. Case studies and discussions on contemporary developments in trade law and policy will encourage critical engagement with both the regulatory framework and the commercial realities of international transactions.

Teaching will combine lectures, problem-based exercises. By the end of the module, students will be prepared to address complex legal and commercial challenges in international trade with confidence and professional competence.

Teaching and learning

The delivery of this module consists of one, two-hour lecture and a two-hour lecture each week.

Lectures will cover core topics and relevant case studies while seminars will provide an opportunity for developing skills through group debates etc.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a case commentary (50%) and an essay (50%).

30 credits

International arbitration has become the preferred method for resolving cross-border commercial disputes, with over 90% of international commercial contracts containing arbitration clauses.

This module provides comprehensive analysis of international arbitration law, procedure, and practice as distinct from alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Students develop expertise essential for international legal practice, in-house counsel roles, and careers as arbitrators or mediators. The module addresses both commercial arbitration and investment treaty arbitration, reflecting the diverse landscape of international dispute resolution.

You will develop a sound understanding of the main international legal instruments used to regulate international commercial arbitration, develop a firm substantive and practical understanding of international commercial arbitration; develop written skills, including the clear succinct expression of ideas; and develop research skills and techniques in the field of international commercial arbitration.

You will also be able to develop your skills and abilities in research and enquiry, through e.g. selecting and deploying appropriate research techniques; personal and intellectual autonomy, e.g. developing the ability to independently assess the relevance and importance of primary and secondary sources; communication, e.g. skills in summarising and communicating information and ideas effectively in written form; personal effectiveness, e.g. working constructively as a member of an online community; technical/practical skills, throughout the course, e.g. in articulating, evidencing and sustaining a line of argument, and engaging in a convincing critique of another's arguments.

Teaching and learning

Teaching and learning will be based on a weekly programme consisting of a two-hour lecture and a two-hour workshop. These will be divided into knowledge acquisition as well as collaborative learning and applied practice.

The lectures will be developed around the key concepts, theories, principles, and mechanism of international commercial arbitration and investment arbitration, procedure, costs, and ethical questions as explained in the indicative course content. They will be confronted with a range of real-world examples and cases from arbitral practice to demonstrate their ability to apply the law accurately.

The seminars will be designed to foster analytical proficiency through a variety of activities, including drafting which is a key skill for the Bar and solicitor profession, discussions, mooting, quizzes, and case studies. This interactive approach will provide a solid foundation for making real-life decisions and encourages group reflection to enhance your understanding and proficiencies of how to integrate conflicting legal sources and build effective and strong arguments to prepare you for legal practice.

You will be expected to use the module resource lists, learning materials, and other Moodle resources for independent studying.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a written advocacy (30%) and a presentation (70%).

30 credits

This module will give you the opportunity to gain advanced knowledge and understanding of corporate crime and business integrity. Investigations conducted by public authorities in various countries on a wide range of cases, from bribery to tax evasion, have shown that crimes committed within businesses have serious human, social, environmental and economic impacts.

The efforts to counter these unlawful phenomena have increased in the last decades, and significant responses in public and private sectors have been designed and developed at the national and international levels. Nevertheless, countering corporate crime continues to be a big challenge.

This module explores these issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. More specifically, the first part of this learning path focuses on the causes and effects of corporate crime on society, economy and environment. Corporate crime represents one of the most significant challenges in contemporary legal practice, with far-reaching implications for businesses, society, and the global economy.

This module covers the main types of corporate misconduct, including corporate manslaughter, bribery, fraud, tax evasion, money laundering and environmental crimes. The interconnections between corporate crime and organised crime are also discussed. Legal regimes governing corporate liability and sanctions are critically analysed from a legal comparative (United Kingdom, United States of America, France and other common law and civil law jurisdictions) and international perspective. 

The second part of this module explores the purposes, nature and key elements of compliance programmes, codes of ethics and due diligence to prevent corporate offences. It also focuses on innovative methods to detect, investigate and prosecute corporate crime from a national and cross-border perspective. You will learn how to handle whistleblowing reporting, corporate internal investigations, self-disclosure, negotiations and resolutions of cases. 

Real-world examples inform teaching. Through readings, case studies, seminars, guest lectures and other learning activities designed with inputs of professionals and experts, you should be able to practically understand the daily work of policymakers, judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officials, lawyers, compliance officers, NGO experts, researchers and other specialists. In other words, this module supports you in your personal and professional development process required in today’s world of work  

Teaching and learning

The teaching delivery for this module is one, two-hour lecture and one, two-hour workshop each week.

Lectures will cover core topics and relevant case studies and large-group sessions introducing consultancy concepts and professional skills.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a policy brief (50%) and a case commentary (50%).

30 credits

This module provides an in-depth exploration of the principles, frameworks, and challenges associated with intellectual property (IP) law on a global scale examining how different jurisdictions approach IP protection and the challenges of harmonisation in an international context. In an increasingly interconnected global economy, intellectual property rights have become fundamental to international trade, innovation, and economic development.

The module aims to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal mechanisms that protect intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, in an increasingly interconnected and digital world.

IP law plays a vital role in encouraging innovation and creative society and provides a valuable commercial and financial asset to companies. These have become more evident during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. This exposed the unease between protecting intellectual property and protecting access to affordable medicines in the developing world.

You will examine the international treaties and agreements that govern IP, such as the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and analyse how different jurisdictions interpret and enforce IP laws. The module will also address the impact of globalisation, technological advancements, and cultural considerations on the development and enforcement of IP rights.

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through one, two-hour lecture and one, two-hour workshop each week.

Lectures will cover doctrinal content of the module, while workshops will consist of detailed discussions and debates regarding the application of the legal rules.

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a memorandum to a client (30%) and a presentation (70%).

60 credits

In this capstone module, you will undertake an indepth research project in the field of international commercial law.

You will select a relevant topic, conduct comprehensive legal research, and produce a substantial written report that demonstrates your understanding of international legal principles and their application to real-world commercial issues. The project will emphasise critical analysis, legal reasoning, and the ability to communicate complex legal arguments effectively.

You will undertake research in an area of international commercial law that is of interest to you including areas like:

• International Sales Law and CISG
• International Commercial Arbitration
• International Trade Finance
• Cross-Border Insolvency and Restructuring
• Transnational Contract Law
• Emerging Technologies and Commercial Law

Support will be provided to identify the area of interest and to undertake the necessary research.

Teaching and learning

The module will be delivered through one, two-hour lecture and a two-hour workshop each week.

Lectures will cover in depth understanding and practice of the components and conduct of legal research, while workshops will be dedicated to individual support, guidance, and supervision in the development of the research project. 

Assessment

This module will be assessed by a research propsoal and methodology plan (30%) and a dissertation (70%).