International Trade Law

Overview

Following a brief overview of the events that led to the formulation of World Trade Organisation, the module will concentrate on the substantive obligations in the agreements that form part of the WTO Agreement, including the general principles of most-favoured nation treatment and non-discrimination, subsidies, antidumping and countervailing duties, safeguards, trade in services and trade-related intellectual property rights.

It will also examine the dispute settlement system of the WTO and consider future needs trends in international trade regulation, including competition law, environmental protection and the growing role of developing countries.

Learning Objectives

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

- Explain the origins and identify the general principles of WTO law;
- Explain the functioning of the dispute settlement system of the WTO;
- Explain and analyse the effect of WTO law on its Contracting Parties;
- Have an understanding of hte current debates taking place within the WTO in relation to the areas covered.

Skills

By the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate the following employability and personal development planning skills:

1. Knowledge and Understanding
a) appreciate the basic aim, function and structure of the WTO legal system
b) understand the general principles of the WTO legal system
c) understand the function and working of the dispute settlement system
d) appreciate the major developments in international trade with a view to future trends in trade regulation.

2. Practice : Applied Knowledge and Understanding
a) apply legal knowledge and understanding to a wide range of legal problems drawing on a wide range of sources and coming to reasoned conclusions
b) analyse the current trends in international trade law and identify future trends

3. Generic Cognitive Skills
a) develop skills of investigation, interpretation and reasoning
b) undertake critical analysis and evaluation of international trade law concepts
c) evaluate evidence based solutions/responses to defined and/or routine problems
d) formulate evidence based solutions based on a range of approaches through personal responsibility and initiative

4. Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills
a) Make formal and informal presentations in a variety of situations to a range of audiences
b) communicate reasoned, analytical solutions to a range of legal problems relating to international trade law
c) use a range of routine legal skills and techniques in complex situations
d) demonstrate ability to use a wide range of databases for independent research

5. Autonomy, Accountability and Working with Others
a) exercise autonomy and initiative with appropriate guidance
b) take account of individual and others' performance and contributions in carrying out and evaluating tasks
c) identify, reflect upon and address personal learning needs

Assessment

100% Coursework Assessment