Master of Laws

International Trade Law

Modules, teaching and learning

What you'll learn

Examine the legal system of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that governs the relations of states and other international players in the legal framework within the nation’s trade. You will give special consideration to the resolution of international trade disputes and the control of abuse of powers by the states, and the ways in which the WTO Member States approach the control of anti-trade behaviour. You will also consider regional trading blocs, such as EU, NAFTA, ASEAN, as examples of successfully operating regional trading agreements.
This module equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct rigorous legal research, exploring both qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches. You'll engage with the fundamental principles of legal philosophy and examine a range of conceptual tools that can be applied to research and resolve complex legal problems. By developing these research skills and analytical frameworks, you'll be well prepared to undertake your LLM or MRes Dissertation with confidence and intellectual rigour.
An in-depth study of the key aspects of modern international commercial law, this module helps you understand and critically evaluate its substance, structure, and complexities. You'll explore essential elements of international commercial contracts, including forms and modes of finance and payment, and examine widely used international contractual terms (INCOTERMS) such as EXW, FCA, FAS, FOB, and CIF. The module also covers the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), exploring its legal character and substantive provisions. In the shipping law component, you'll examine the contract of carriage and the rights and duties of shippers and carriers. Specific topics include Bills of Lading, Charterparties, the Hague-Visby Rules, Hamburg Rules, Rotterdam Rules, Multimodal Transportation, and Marine Insurance. Throughout the module, you'll develop a critical understanding of international commercial law and consider its evolving nature, enabling you to assess the future direction and dynamic challenges of global commerce.
Produce an independent research project of between 15,000 and 18,000 words. This will allow you to develop your ideas on a legal topic which you've chosen to explore in-depth. You'll be supported in your dissertation research and writing process by an academic supervisor.
Examine the legal system of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that governs the relations of states and other international players in the legal framework within the nation’s trade. You will give special consideration to the resolution of international trade disputes and the control of abuse of powers by the states, and the ways in which the WTO Member States approach the control of anti-trade behaviour. You will also consider regional trading blocs, such as EU, NAFTA, ASEAN, as examples of successfully operating regional trading agreements.
This module equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct rigorous legal research, exploring both qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches. You'll engage with the fundamental principles of legal philosophy and examine a range of conceptual tools that can be applied to research and resolve complex legal problems. By developing these research skills and analytical frameworks, you'll be well prepared to undertake your LLM or MRes Dissertation with confidence and intellectual rigour.
An in-depth study of the key aspects of modern international commercial law, this module helps you understand and critically evaluate its substance, structure, and complexities. You'll explore essential elements of international commercial contracts, including forms and modes of finance and payment, and examine widely used international contractual terms (INCOTERMS) such as EXW, FCA, FAS, FOB, and CIF. The module also covers the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), exploring its legal character and substantive provisions. In the shipping law component, you'll examine the contract of carriage and the rights and duties of shippers and carriers. Specific topics include Bills of Lading, Charterparties, the Hague-Visby Rules, Hamburg Rules, Rotterdam Rules, Multimodal Transportation, and Marine Insurance. Throughout the module, you'll develop a critical understanding of international commercial law and consider its evolving nature, enabling you to assess the future direction and dynamic challenges of global commerce.
Produce an independent research project of between 15,000 and 18,000 words. This will allow you to develop your ideas on a legal topic which you've chosen to explore in-depth. You'll be supported in your dissertation research and writing process by an academic supervisor.

What you'll learn

Effective business competition should produce lower prices, better products and wider choice; however, some firms try to avoid competition. In this module, you’ll develop your understanding of policies and rules in promoting competitive, efficient, consumer-friendly markets. We’ll introduce you to key legal frameworks which shape and enforce competition law in the UK, EU and USA; exploring how they regulate anti-competitive practices. In today's rapidly evolving digital economy, understanding competition law is crucial. Looking at real-world examples, from companies like Google and Microsoft, you’ll examine how globalisation and technological advances, like AI and machine learning, challenge traditional competition laws.
Explore how the concepts of democracy, rule of law and human rights have evolved to underpin the modern international political and legal order. You'll examine whether these concepts are robust enough to cope with contemporary economic and political challenges.
Engage in professional learning experiences and build your practice skills and capabilities to enhance your future career with this placement option. You'll learn to reflect on your previous, current and future practical work experience with an organisation relevant to your area of study. Experience the world of law first-hand, developing your understanding of theory and practically applying your knowledge of law and related policy, legal, professional and ethical principles to real experiences. You'll be primed to kickstart your career or take your existing role to the next level.
This module explores how international human rights law protects the rights of disabled people and addresses the multiple and intersecting disadvantages that they may face in exercising those rights. With a particular focus on the 2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), you'll examine disability as a human rights issue rather than solely a medical concern. You'll explore the requirements set out to support the inclusion of disabled people across areas including education, employment, healthcare, criminal justice, community life, political participation, leisure, and sport. Throughout the module, you'll be encouraged to critically challenge medicalised understandings of disability and engage with the social model of disability as a framework for equality and inclusion. As the module progresses, you'll engage with current debates and challenges, from inequalities in education, employment, and democratic participation to the marginalisation of disability within armed conflict and humanitarian contexts.
Effective business competition should produce lower prices, better products and wider choice; however, some firms try to avoid competition. In this module, you’ll develop your understanding of policies and rules in promoting competitive, efficient, consumer-friendly markets. We’ll introduce you to key legal frameworks which shape and enforce competition law in the UK, EU and USA; exploring how they regulate anti-competitive practices. In today's rapidly evolving digital economy, understanding competition law is crucial. Looking at real-world examples, from companies like Google and Microsoft, you’ll examine how globalisation and technological advances, like AI and machine learning, challenge traditional competition laws.
Explore how the concepts of democracy, rule of law and human rights have evolved to underpin the modern international political and legal order. You'll examine whether these concepts are robust enough to cope with contemporary economic and political challenges.
Engage in professional learning experiences and build your practice skills and capabilities to enhance your future career with this placement option. You'll learn to reflect on your previous, current and future practical work experience with an organisation relevant to your area of study. Experience the world of law first-hand, developing your understanding of theory and practically applying your knowledge of law and related policy, legal, professional and ethical principles to real experiences. You'll be primed to kickstart your career or take your existing role to the next level.
This module explores how international human rights law protects the rights of disabled people and addresses the multiple and intersecting disadvantages that they may face in exercising those rights. With a particular focus on the 2006 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), you'll examine disability as a human rights issue rather than solely a medical concern. You'll explore the requirements set out to support the inclusion of disabled people across areas including education, employment, healthcare, criminal justice, community life, political participation, leisure, and sport. Throughout the module, you'll be encouraged to critically challenge medicalised understandings of disability and engage with the social model of disability as a framework for equality and inclusion. As the module progresses, you'll engage with current debates and challenges, from inequalities in education, employment, and democratic participation to the marginalisation of disability within armed conflict and humanitarian contexts.
login