LAW37590 International Economic Law

Academic Year 2021/2022

Whilst Public International Law governs the legal relationships between sovereign states, International Economic Law is that area of Public International Law dealing with the trading relationships between states. The scope of this area covers not only international trade law but also international investment law; this module will concentrate on the former through an analysis of the law developed within the World Trade Organisation.
The first part of the module is devoted to an examination of the fundamental principles of the trading regime (the most-favoured-nation and the equal treatment principles, and the policy space given to WTO Members through an examination of the exceptions to these principles) and the dispute settlement system in the WTO. The second part of the module is devoted to a discussion of domestic regulation through an examination of the Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and Technical Barriers to Trade before discussion turns to "unfair trade" which involves an examination of the rules on dumping, subsidies and safeguards.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students should have an enhanced appreciation and understanding of:
- the nature and sources of international economic law,
- the fundamental principles of the international trading system established under WTO rules, and
- the scope of the issues relating to the policy space allowed to Members of the WTO.

On completion of this module, students should also have enhanced the generally transferable skills and specific skills already developed throughout their degree programmes. This module aims to enhance the following skills:
- the ability to conduct legal research, especially using international legal materials and
- the ability to present a coherent written legal argument.

Students will be expected to demonstrate these learning outcomes through the completion of two pieces of coursework.

Indicative Module Content:

Introduction to the history of international economic law since 1945
The WTO Dispute Settlement System
The fundamental principles of the GATT - Articles I and III
The exceptions to the fundamental principles - Articles XX, XXI and XXIV GATT
The treatment of developing countries in the WTO

Domestic Regulation
- Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
- Technical Barriers to Trade
Unfair Trade
- Dumping
- Subsidies
- Safeguards

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Autonomous Student Learning

113
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module involves the delivery of a series of lectures with presentations in lectures being made available on Brightspace. These will indicate general reading for the topic along with additional readings. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: A 2000 word research project Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

50
Assignment: Essay on topics in weeks 1-6 Week 8 n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided on both coursework assignments. Students will be afforded the opportunity to arrange an individual meeting during student consultation hours.