Law

International Trade Law

Module code: M5015
Level 6
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Seminar
Assessment modes: Essay

Globally, international trade is an increasingly controversial and prominent issue. In the UK’s process of leaving the EU, technical trade concepts, such as the ‘Most Favoured Nation’ principle and ‘customs union’, have obtained broad significance.

In this module you will examine the core legal principles that underpin both Free Trade Agreements and the World Trade Organisation.

You will consider how international trade agreements are structured and implemented, their key principles, and how they interact with regulatory ‘sovereignty’ in areas such as health, environmental protection and the digital economy.

This module complements the International Economic Disputes module.

Module learning outcomes

• Systematically understand key international trade law principles and how they are implemented through Free Trade Agreements and the World Trade Organisation
• Critically evaluate arguments regarding the tensions that can arise between Free Trade Agreements and domestic regulation
• Extend and apply knowledge regarding the aims of economic integration and the legal structures that are negotiated in trade agreements to facilitate this integration.