LLM International Commercial and Business Law

Course Code DNT1M221101
Duration 1 Year
Attendance Full Time
Award Degree of Master of Laws

Overview
Why Choose Us
Requirements
Course Profile
Fees and Funding
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Overview

The LLM International Commercial and Business Law degree offers those who already have or who want a career in the practice of international commercial law (whether in private practice, with a government or international organisation, or in a corporate or financing environment) one of the widest selections of subjects (modules) offered by any law school in the UK.

The programme offers students more than 30 modules, including traditional subjects, such as International Sales Law, Payments and Finance in International Trade, International Carriage Law, International Commercial Arbitration and International Banking Law and Practice. In addition, students can combine these with a diverse range of further specialised modules in areas such as International Competition Law and Policy, Intellectual Property Law and International Financial Law. Many subjects are innovative and rarely taught at British universities.

The LLM International Commercial and Business Law is offered over one year full-time, or two years part-time. Students undertake a range of compulsory and optional modules taught by the Law School. They may also, with the consent of the Course Director, choose modules worth up to 40 credits from other postgraduate courses offered by the University.

This degree also offers an optional Research Methods Training component. Research methods training is likely to be of particular interest to students who are considering working in the following areas: Academic legal research, including study for an advanced research degree, such as an MPhil or PhD, Law reform bodies and legal pressure groups, for example the Law Commission or Liberty, International organisations with a policy research focus, such as OECD, The World Bank.

Key Facts

Designed to develop legal knowledge and skills for those intending to specialise in a legal career in international commerce or trade
Focus on international harmonisation and how subjects inter-relate
Over 25 subjects to choose from

See what a leading International Commercial Law Practitioner says about our Course

"The subjects available under the LLM in International Commercial and Business Law taught at the Law School will help prepare any prospective law student for international practice, particularly given the wide range of modules available and the way these subjects are taught (often by practitioners with cutting-edge knowledge of their subject areas)."

Laura O'Neill, Partner and Shareholder with Greenberg Traurig Maher, London.

Student Testimonials

“When I was choosing universities, I was mainly looking for a course structure which would offer me the best chances for future development. The LLM course offered by the University of East Anglia is one of the best courses in the United Kingdom, offering a wide range of modules covering the most contemporary and important legal areas.

In addition to this, as an international student, I was also encouraged to choose UEA because of the reputation the university has abroad and the fact that it is situated in Norwich, one of the most beautiful cities in UK.

Norwich is in the eastern part of England and is two hours from London, and is a safe and convenient place to live. The people here are very friendly and there are many places to enjoy life in Norwich, my personal favourite being the spectacular sport facilities. You can practice your favourite sport in the sport park with your friends or you can ask an instructor to really help to improve your skills.”

Emad Almutairi (Saudi Arabia), Masters of Law, International Commercial and Business Law, 2009/10

“The Law School provides a friendly and stimulating academic and social environment. The modules themselves (which are normally taught in groups of not more than twenty students to one or even two lecturers) increase the knowledge of the substance of the course and provide a deeper insight into the interconnectivity of the different fields of law taught within the LLM.

The lecturers and staff are open to discuss your problems and queries and are even happy to welcome you if you just want to talk to somebody. Due to the different backgrounds of the lecturers, academics and practitioners, every aspect of the law studied is covered and it does not become one sided. The constant positive support and feedback received from the academic staff helps you to develop an understanding of the field of law studied and to increase your legal skills, especially if coming from abroad.

In addition, the different social events, organised by both the Law School itself and the Postgraduate Law Society, give you the opportunity to meet a great variety of people with different national, cultural and legal backgrounds and hence increase the internationality of the Masters course.

I would never want to miss the opportunity to do the International Commercial and Business Law LLM as it was an absolutely positive experience both on an academic and personal basis.”

Marc Anthony Pruem (Germany), Masters of Law, International Commercial and Business Law, 2009/10

“Studying an LLM at UEA was a wonderful experience for me. The University has a great atmosphere with excellent facilities which make studying a lot more enjoyable. The library provides postgraduate study rooms with amazing views. There is also a large sports park on campus with free entry for students. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The lecturers are equipped with experience and knowledge and are keen to share it with students. Although very busy, the staff are easy to contact and are willing to answer questions. Norwich is a beautiful quite city ideal for students, with a location not far away from London and approximately 35 minute drive to the beach. There are many attractions nearby including the Broads which can be a refreshing get-away on weekends.

All in all I had a great time in Norwich and learned a lot at the UEA. I strongly recommend studying an LLM at the UEA Law School because it provides a fulfilling experience.”

Fahad Albarrak (Saudi Arabia), Masters of Law, International Commercial and Business Law, 2009/10

“My one year at UEA has been an absolutely amazing experience. I am definitely getting what I want. The Law School provides a variety of courses, it is very helpful to master your specialty and learn some new areas of law.

Being a student of UEA Law School, you will get plenty of opportunities to build on your knowledge, both academic and extracurricular. Discussing with the professors, you can get lots of invaluable insights and ideas in law. Communicating with your classmates, who come from different countries and share different thoughts and cultures with you, is another great chance to get knowledge and inspiration. Furthermore, the most beneficial thing is the teaching method of LLM, which emphasizes more on the personal preparation and active discussion during class. This method forces the students to really familiarize and understand the topic and materials before debating on the class. It makes us more responsible and efficient in learning, benefiting me and my Chinese peers very much.

The UEA Law School is an excellent place for expanding your intellectual and knowledge horizons.”

Lian Guan (China), Masters of Law, International Commercial and Business Law, 2008/09

“Studying my Masters in Law at UEA was an enriching experience. This postgraduate course not only provides me with general legal knowledge, it allows me to specialise in particular areas of law which is contemporary and relevant to my prospective career as a legal practitioner. The critical analytical skills acquired through this course will equip me for my future undertaking, providing me a special advantage over others in practice.

Academic staff at the Law School are committed and approachable in assisting us to resolve problems encountered throughout our studies. Besides academics, the Law School often holds social events to strengthen the relationship between students and the tutors. Such informal events allowed us to have a personal take with the tutors to discuss difficulties faced in the course. As a whole, the LLM in International Commercial and Business Law offered by UEA is highly recommended because it is relevant, comprehensive and practical.”

Brennen Teo (Malaysia), Masters of Law, International Commercial and Business Law, 2008/09

“I was able to choose from an incredibly wide range of modules, covering general areas of International Commercial Law as well as really rare ones... like Islamic Finance Law and Oil and Gas Law... The way my modules were structured showed me how interwoven different legal systems and cultures can get, when it comes to world trade. The international atmosphere added to this and our truly excellent lecturers encouraged us to share our experiences from our various legal backgrounds.”

Andreas Ernst (Germany), 2008/09

Course Organiser

Mrs Jacqui Longman

Why Choose Us?

University of East Anglia Law School has a well-established reputation for excellence in its teaching standards and also for world class research. We are committed to supporting students both academically and pastorally and pride ourselves on creating an intellectually stimulating yet friendly environment, with small group teaching, ready access to leading academics and excellent research resources.

We offer a number of specialist taught Masters (LLM) degrees, supported by a diverse range of almost 40 modules. All courses provide foundational modules designed to give students a proper basis for learning and study in their chosen area.

Our postgraduate students come from a wide variety of geographical and personal backgrounds, and it is the vibrant and dynamic community which they create that completes the student experience. Though thriving, the postgraduate community rarely exceeds 100 each year, enabling us to offer small group teaching and thus ensuring that students have access to and benefit from the knowledge and experience of lecturers who are leaders in their field at both national and international levels. All students have their own Academic Adviser and assessment is by written assignment, examination, practical exercises and a dissertation.

A continuous control process ensures that our teaching quality continues to develop, and students have access to a number of quality-control channels including student feedback forms, debriefing meetings, and the Student Liaison Committee to help us monitor, evaluate and develop current practice.

There are many external indicators of the quality of our teaching and research. In relation to our teaching, we have been consistently rated as "Excellent" in the Government's Teaching Quality Assessment and over 80% of our research has been graded to be of an "international standard" in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. The National Student Survey has rated us in the top 10 Law Schools in the UK every year since 2005.

Career Opportunities

Law School graduates have progressed to a wide variety of successful careers, from private practice in local and international firms to government legal departments and international organisations, from universities to industry and commerce.

The University of East Anglia provides a professional Careers Centre and, together with the School's Academic Careers Adviser, we will help students to choose their career path and develop their employability skills.

Please click to view endorsements from some of the Law School's recent graduates and to view Law School videos.

Come and Visit Us

Our Open Days will give you the opportunity to experience the University of East Anglia's unique campus atmosphere.

You will have the chance to attend subject-specific talks and presentations about student life and finance. You will also be able to talk directly to academics, admissions staff and current students giving you a first-hand impression of life at the University of East Anglia - check out the accommodation, learning resources, student support, and our sport and entertainment facilities.

If you are not able to visit us in person, check out our Virtual Open Day experience which we hope will help to provide you with an insight into life and study at the University of East Anglia.

Further Information

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances with the Admissions Office prior to applying please do contact us:

Admissions Office (Law)
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591738
Email: pglaw@uea.ac.uk

Please click here to download the Law School Postgraduate Prospectus or register your details
via our Online Enquiry Form.

International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the University's International section of our website.

Year 1

Year 1

Compulsory Study (40 credits)

Students will select 40 credits from the following module(s).

Name	Code	Credits	Period
Foundations of International Commercial Law This module forms the grounding of the International Commercial and Business Law and International Trade Law courses, and aims to introduce students to the essential foundational elements of international commercial law, not studied at undergraduate level. It aims to give students an understanding of what drives the law governing international commerce, the reasons for harmonisation of the law in the area, the institutions involved in the harmonisation process and the scope of that process. We examine the various ways in which harmonised instruments are created and the major problems and policy issues which have to be confronted. In doing so, we explore several areas of international commercial practice in which attempts have been made to harmonise or codify the law, and consider how successful these efforts have been, and ways in which the harmonisation process can be improved. more...	LAW-MA1Y	40	Year Period

Essential Study (60 credits)

Students will select 60 credits from the following module(s).

Name	Code	Credits	Period
Dissertation This module is intended to give each student the opportunity to develop a research proposal and write a dissertation on a research question formulated by the student using the subject matter of the degree for which the student is enrolled. The purpose of the dissertation is for the student to demonstrate his or her ability to carry through an independent piece of work on a subject of his or her choice. more...	LAW-M14X	40	Year Period
Postgraduate Legal Skills and Research This Module will be compulsory for all taught Law Masters Programmes and will be taught in the first two weeks of the first semester with combined assessment by way of attendance, course test and submission of a short coursework in the first semester. The aim of this module is to assist students in developing a number of core legal study skills needed during the LLM year (and thereafter). The Module will commence with a standard Induction Day followed by seminars on subjects such as Using electronic research resources, Plagiarism and how to avoid it and proper citation of Sources, The Role of Conflicts of Law and Comparative Law in international commercial law, Identifying and understanding sources of law: Reading and analysing legislation, cases and legal articles, Academic legal skills: Writing a coursework, assignment or project and Answering Problem Questions and Preparing for Exams. more...	LAW-M593	20	Semester 1

Option A Study (40 credits)

Students will select 40 credits from the following module(s).

Name	Code	Credits	Period
Comparative Corporate Governance This module examines the principal forms of corporate governance, control and regulation of the firm across countries. In particular, it introduces the key features of corporate governance and considers the legal relationship between directors, managers, and shareholders, including the contribution shareholder activism can make to improving corporate governance. The module also discusses the market for corporate control and the growing empirical research on comparative corporate governance. The overall purpose is to provide a theoretical and practical grasp of corporate governance, which can be useful for academic as all well as professional work in this field. more...	LAW-M672	20	Semester 2
Globalisation of Intellectual Property Law This module will provide an introduction to intellectual property and the phenomenon of globalisation. It will concentrate on the international legal regime under the WTO TRIPs agreement, and specifically on how copyright law is governed by international conventions. The geographical focus will be Global. This module it open to all LAW PGT students and to interested students from other schools, subject to the module leader's discretion. It does not assume any previous knowledge of intellectual property law. more...	LAW-M641	20	Semester 1
International Banking: Law and Practice This module starts with a review of the types of business undertaken by an international bank, the risks inherent in those businesses and the ways in which regulators seek to regulate the conduct of those businesses; with an emphasis on credit risk and prudential regulation. It includes sessions on credit agreements (including syndicated credits) and the Loan Market Association documents, guarantees and other forms of credit support, basic insolvency principles, and taking security. more...	LAW-M591	20	Semester 1
International Commercial Arbitration International arbitration has become the established method of determining disputes between international commercial businesses, with new arbitral centres emerging and the law and practice of international commercial arbitration evolving rapidly. This module examines the legal theory and practice of international commercial arbitration. The module's thrust is on understanding the nature and operation of the arbitral process in the context of international commercial relationships, as a means of resolving disputes that arise in international commercial transactions. In addition to providing an overview of the arbitral process, the module also focuses on key problems and issues that arise in arbitral practice, such as the interaction and application of the various relevant laws, and the application and interpretation of the most important international legal instruments relevant to international commercial arbitration such as the New York Convention and the UNCITRAL Model Law. more...	LAW-M610	20	Semester 2
International Commercial Litigation This module will provide an introduction to the issues which arise in the litigation of commercial disputes on an international basis. It will cover the treatment of jurisdiction and applicable law in commercial disputes by reference mainly to UK and European legal sources, and introduce some of the principal features of the common law legal systems (UK and USA), as they apply to commercial cases. The module it open to all LAW PGT students. It is particularly relevant to students taking the ICBL or International Trade LLMs. more...	LAW-M646	20	Semester 2
International Competition Law Competition laws have been adopted in around 120 countries around the world over the last thirty years, and have become of great significance to international firms wishing to successfully merge or avoid costly punishment for anti-competitive conduct. This module is designed to allow an understanding of the core concepts of competition and the substantive law and procedure of competition law, in particular of the European Union, but also of other jurisdictions as relevant. Seminars will be built around the legal provisions and case law on each topic. Classes will investigate the means by which competition laws tackle such problems as cartels and anti-competitive agreements among undertakings, monopolies and the abuse of dominant positions, vertical agreements, merger control and state aid. Broader issues ' such as remedies and enforcement strategies and wider questions of policy and regulatory design ' will also be reviewed. more...	LAW-M647	20	Semester 1
International Investment Law Foreign direct investment refers to an investment made in a foreign jurisdiction to achieve a long term economic benefit. Almost 3000 treaties worldwide regulate foreign direct investment, and it is the interpretation of these treaties by arbitral tribunals, together with customary international law, which forms the basis of international investment law. This module examines the nature of international investment law and investor-State dispute resolution procedures, and looks at recent developments in the area. The module considers the policies underlying international investment law and how these impact upon the operation of international investment law in practice. more...	LAW-M662	20	Semester 2
International Oil and Gas Law This module examines the participants in international oil and gas transactions and the legal and contractual rules which govern exploration and production. It deals with the rights associated with the ownership and development of hydrocarbon reserves, and the types of agreements that can be entered into (such as concessions, production sharing, participation and service contracts). The module also explores the issues of risk, control and investment; and examines the impact of law and policy on the manner in which oil and gas development projects are negotiated and implemented. more...	LAW-M673	20	Semester 1
International Sales Law I - the Vienna Sales Convention This module focuses on a single, albeit very important, category of international trade, namely the international sale of goods. Coverage is provided of both Incoterms and the law contained in the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, also referred to as the 1980 Vienna Sales Convention. In the module, we will examine how Incoterms are used and how the Convention regulates contracts and resolves any dispute to which it applies. more...	LAW-M587	20	Semester 1
International Sales Law II - the English Law Relating to the International Sale of Goods Carried By Sea This module explores the English law of international sales and aspects of the English law relating to the international carriage of goods by sea. The focus of the module will be on the sale and carriage of commodities, an area of practice in which English law remains pre-eminent with English law governing the vast majority of sales contracts concluded for such goods even where neither parties to the contract are UK nationals. So far as the carriage of goods by sea is concerned, there has been a considerable amount of international activity and there are currently three carriage of goods by sea conventions (known as the Hague, Hague Visby and the Hamburg Rules) which are in force around the world. The most important in practice are the Hague and Hague Visby Rules and the module will be examining these. However several states have ratified the Hamburg Rules and we will therefore have a look at these in passing in order to identify the main ways in which they differ from the Hague and Hague Visby Rules. more...	LAW-M602	20	Semester 2
Internet Law and Governance Legal issues relating to Internet use are increasingly important. Students are introduced to the key principles of Internet law, including competing views on its status and its relationship with other legal principles. The question of the relationship between law and technology is also considered. Case studies of alternative forms of governance are explored, including international co-operation and stakeholder-driven processes, in the context of issues such as domain names, social networking and the regulation of Internet service providers. Current issues in Internet law are included on the syllabus each year, as is a primer on relevant aspects of Internet technology and history. more...	LAW-M643	20	Semester 1
Law and Practice of International Commercial Payments This module examines the law and practice relating to the different payment methods and mechanisms that may be adopted by commercial parties to discharge the payment obligations of international buyers of goods and services. The different payment mechanisms are analysed and compared, their fundamental characteristics identified and their advantages and disadvantages considered. These include direct payment by means of electronic funds transfer and bills of exchange systems, but the main focus of the module is on the most common terms of payment in international trade utilising the intervention of banks, that is to say, documentary collections and payment under documentary credits. We undertake a detailed examination of the most recent version of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP 600). more...	LAW-M671	20	Semester 1
Media Markets and Regulation This module compares the approach to regulation of communication markets in the EC to other jurisdictions, in particular the US. It also considers the application of competition law to media markets, including protecting the interests of media plurality. Content regulation being a matter principally of national law is considered from a comparative perspective. more...	LAW-M667	20	Semester 1
Technology Transfer Technology transfer agreements determine how patents and trade secrets may be licensed from one party to another, or shared between them in a collaborative venture. This practice-orientated module will introduce the student to issues of technology ownership and exploitation in a variety of contexts, and will examine typical provisions of national and international technology transfer agreements. No prior knowledge of intellectual property law is required. This module is taught using 'Problem-Based Learning' techniques. This module it open to all LAW PGT students and to interested students from other schools, subject to the module leader's discretion. It does not assume any previous knowledge of intellectual property law and it is intended to be suitable for students on the ICBL LLM who would like to have some exposure to intellectual property in a commercial context. This module is OPTIONAL for the ITIP LLM. more...	LAW-M626	20	Semester 2
The Law and Practice of International Project Finance This module will commence with an overview of the aims and objectives of International Project Finance transactions leading into an examination of some fundamental legal issues and risks which accompany a significant infrastructure project examining : the contractual nexus and roles and responsibilities , intercreditor transactions , the use of financial derivatives contracts and contracts of performance guarantees to manage risk including consideration of documentation terms , the background of insolvency risk and the use of securitisations to release profit as well as the issue of sovereign risk in relation to state participation in International Project finance. more...	LAW-M608	20	Semester 2
The Law of Electronic Commerce The law of electronic commerce is concerned both with the application of existing legal concepts (such as contract formation, taxation, liability and consumer protection) to electronic business and transactions, but also with the development of new legal instruments (at national level, within the EU and internationally) and electronic money to deal with the e-commerce sector. Students explore a range of statutory and judicial approaches, including online dispute resolution (ODR), and also consider the legal and commercial challenges of `doing business online'. The module involves some practical, problem-based activities, but also more general questions of international harmonisation. more...	LAW-M654	20	Semester 2
The Protection and Management of Privacy and Reputation In the intrusive, multi-faceted world that exists today, with 24/7 media and an ever-expanding internet, the potential for damage to reputation and interference with privacy has never been greater. This module focuses on the various ways in which the law protects rights to reputation and privacy and examines ways in which the law can be used to manage reputations in this complex world. The module will focus on the law of defamation, the laws relating to the protection of privacy interests, and the developing interplay between law and technology. While the approach taken by English law will form a significant part of the module's content, comparative study will also be made of the laws of America and other common law jurisdictions as well as the laws of the European Union and some specific European countries. more...	LAW-M598	20	Semester 2

Option B Study (40 credits)

Students will select 40 credits from the following module(s).

You may pick any of the modules that begin with:

LAW-M

Information Technology&internet Law Students will examine the legal structures in which information technologies function, and investigate the challenges posed to law and society by the growing importance of IT and Internet use. Selected case studies of development in computer hardware and software and communications systems such as the Internet and mobile technologies are considered. A key question is the determination of jurisdiction in a quintessentially international sphere (and the relevance of national law in this environment). The module promotes an understanding of the ways in which these technologies, being a part of our daily lives, challenge current legal systems. No special technical knowledge is assumed, and the module is open to non-LAW students with the approval of the organiser. more...	LAW-M638	20	Semester 2
Practical Employment Law This module aims to give students the opportunity to acquire certain key skills of an employment law practitioner, including the drafting and varying of employment contracts, handling redundancies and business transfers, solving employment problems (e.g absence management issues) and the preparation and defence of employment tribunal claims. The module is assessed by means of two practical exercises, and some sessions are led by practising employment lawyers/employment relations experts. The module carries 40 M-level credits. more...	LAW-M19Y	40	Year Period
Foundations of International Commercial Law This module forms the grounding of the International Commercial and Business Law and International Trade Law courses, and aims to introduce students to the essential foundational elements of international commercial law, not studied at undergraduate level. It aims to give students an understanding of what drives the law governing international commerce, the reasons for harmonisation of the law in the area, the institutions involved in the harmonisation process and the scope of that process. We examine the various ways in which harmonised instruments are created and the major problems and policy issues which have to be confronted. In doing so, we explore several areas of international commercial practice in which attempts have been made to harmonise or codify the law, and consider how successful these efforts have been, and ways in which the harmonisation process can be improved. more...	LAW-MA1Y	40	Year Period
Foundations of Employment Law This module aims to give students a basic knowledge of the history, sources and institutions of employment law and a good working knowledge of all the main employment law subject areas. Students will be able to consider the nature of the employment relationship and the economic, social and political factors influencing the development of UK employment law. The module carries 40 M-level credits. more...	LAW-M17Y	40	Year Period
Globalisation of Intellectual Property Law This module will provide an introduction to intellectual property and the phenomenon of globalisation. It will concentrate on the international legal regime under the WTO TRIPs agreement, and specifically on how copyright law is governed by international conventions. The geographical focus will be Global. This module it open to all LAW PGT students and to interested students from other schools, subject to the module leader's discretion. It does not assume any previous knowledge of intellectual property law. more...	LAW-M641	20	Semester 1
International Commercial Arbitration International arbitration has become the established method of determining disputes between international commercial businesses, with new arbitral centres emerging and the law and practice of international commercial arbitration evolving rapidly. This module examines the legal theory and practice of international commercial arbitration. The module's thrust is on understanding the nature and operation of the arbitral process in the context of international commercial relationships, as a means of resolving disputes that arise in international commercial transactions. In addition to providing an overview of the arbitral process, the module also focuses on key problems and issues that arise in arbitral practice, such as the interaction and application of the various relevant laws, and the application and interpretation of the most important international legal instruments relevant to international commercial arbitration such as the New York Convention and the UNCITRAL Model Law. more...	LAW-M610	20	Semester 2
Technology Transfer Technology transfer agreements determine how patents and trade secrets may be licensed from one party to another, or shared between them in a collaborative venture. This practice-orientated module will introduce the student to issues of technology ownership and exploitation in a variety of contexts, and will examine typical provisions of national and international technology transfer agreements. No prior knowledge of intellectual property law is required. This module is taught using 'Problem-Based Learning' techniques. This module it open to all LAW PGT students and to interested students from other schools, subject to the module leader's discretion. It does not assume any previous knowledge of intellectual property law and it is intended to be suitable for students on the ICBL LLM who would like to have some exposure to intellectual property in a commercial context. This module is OPTIONAL for the ITIP LLM. more...	LAW-M626	20	Semester 2
Dissertation This module is intended to give each student the opportunity to develop a research proposal and write a dissertation on a research question formulated by the student using the subject matter of the degree for which the student is enrolled. The purpose of the dissertation is for the student to demonstrate his or her ability to carry through an independent piece of work on a subject of his or her choice. more...	LAW-M14X	40	Year Period
Work-Life Balance This module aims to enable students to: ' achieve a sound knowledge and understanding of UK and EC anti-discrimination law ' understand the conceptual basis of UK and EC anti-discrimination law, and to identify the different meanings of "equality" and "discrimination" ' understand the economic and social causes of discrimination ' identify the weaknesses in current UK and EC anti-discrimination law and to consider ways in which the law might be improved ' identify the gaps in the coverage of UK and EC anti-discrimination law and to consider whether, and if so how, those gaps might be addressed more...	LAW-M613	20	Semester 1
Postgraduate Legal Skills and Research This Module will be compulsory for all taught Law Masters Programmes and will be taught in the first two weeks of the first semester with combined assessment by way of attendance, course test and submission of a short coursework in the first semester. The aim of this module is to assist students in developing a number of core legal study skills needed during the LLM year (and thereafter). The Module will commence with a standard Induction Day followed by seminars on subjects such as Using electronic research resources, Plagiarism and how to avoid it and proper citation of Sources, The Role of Conflicts of Law and Comparative Law in international commercial law, Identifying and understanding sources of law: Reading and analysing legislation, cases and legal articles, Academic legal skills: Writing a coursework, assignment or project and Answering Problem Questions and Preparing for Exams. more...	LAW-M593	20	Semester 1
Internet Law and Governance Legal issues relating to Internet use are increasingly important. Students are introduced to the key principles of Internet law, including competing views on its status and its relationship with other legal principles. The question of the relationship between law and technology is also considered. Case studies of alternative forms of governance are explored, including international co-operation and stakeholder-driven processes, in the context of issues such as domain names, social networking and the regulation of Internet service providers. Current issues in Internet law are included on the syllabus each year, as is a primer on relevant aspects of Internet technology and history. more...	LAW-M643	20	Semester 1
Theory of Competitive Markets Theory of Competitive Markets covers the theory and reality of how markets with small numbers of firms function. Students will develop an appreciation of the effects the action of one firm can have on consumers and other firms, and how competition law and its enforcement responds to this. This is invaluable for those intending to work in competition law, whether in legal practice or beyond. more...	LAW-M660	20	Semester 2
The Law of Electronic Commerce The law of electronic commerce is concerned both with the application of existing legal concepts (such as contract formation, taxation, liability and consumer protection) to electronic business and transactions, but also with the development of new legal instruments (at national level, within the EU and internationally) and electronic money to deal with the e-commerce sector. Students explore a range of statutory and judicial approaches, including online dispute resolution (ODR), and also consider the legal and commercial challenges of `doing business online'. The module involves some practical, problem-based activities, but also more general questions of international harmonisation. more...	LAW-M654	20	Semester 2
The Law and Practice of International Project Finance This module will commence with an overview of the aims and objectives of International Project Finance transactions leading into an examination of some fundamental legal issues and risks which accompany a significant infrastructure project examining : the contractual nexus and roles and responsibilities , intercreditor transactions , the use of financial derivatives contracts and contracts of performance guarantees to manage risk including consideration of documentation terms , the background of insolvency risk and the use of securitisations to release profit as well as the issue of sovereign risk in relation to state participation in International Project finance. more...	LAW-M608	20	Semester 2
MRES Dissertation Dissertation - the code will vary according to which pathway you are taking. The final dissertation should not exceed 15,000 words (excluding abstract and bibliograhpy). All Dissertations are double-marked. You will be provided with a dissertation outline by your pathway school. more...	LAW-M18X	60	Year Period
Media Markets and Regulation This module compares the approach to regulation of communication markets in the EC to other jurisdictions, in particular the US. It also considers the application of competition law to media markets, including protecting the interests of media plurality. Content regulation being a matter principally of national law is considered from a comparative perspective. more...	LAW-M667	20	Semester 1
Current Issues in Employment Law This module will be used to allow students to study in depth the major issues of topical importance in the Law relating to Contracts of Employment. This area of Law is constantly evolving, with employees' lawyers in particular looking for new ways to further their clients' interests, in relation to both substantive rights under the contract (eg in relation to implied terms), and remedies available to breach by the employer, during employment and on termination. In addition, topical issues arise with some regularity in relation to the very nature of 'employment'. These will be examined in this module from both a theoretical and practical standpoint. more...	LAW-M630	20	Semester 2
Competition Law in the Global Economy This module examines the challenges of competition law enforcement in the international context. Key themes include: (1) Jurisdictional issues: the extraterritorial application of national competition laws, bilateral co-operation, harmonisation and soft-multilateralism, international law and the WTO; (2) Comparative insights: the manifestation of competition policy issues across a number of important national jurisdictions; (3) Advanced case studies: looking in detail at competition cases where a number of jurisdictions have been involved and where competition policy has intersected with other national and international policy agendas (in particular, trade and development policy). more...	LAW-M604	20	Semester 2
Research Methods for Law By the time they have completed the module, students should be able to: ' Identify relevant research questions within a given area, and to formulate and operationalise (or, in the case of more `exploratory' research designs, to identify) hypotheses for investigation ' Evaluate different research designs and identify which of these are relevant to their chosen research questions and hypotheses ' Identify which sources of data will be of assistance in the investigation of a particular research topic, and which techniques of data-gathering and analysis are appropriate ' Write up a research project, and to organise skilfully and present the results of their research, to consider whether hypotheses are confirmed or falsified by the evidence and to consider, in either case, the reasons for the findings more...	LAW-M16Y	20	Year Period
International Sales Law I - the Vienna Sales Convention This module focuses on a single, albeit very important, category of international trade, namely the international sale of goods. Coverage is provided of both Incoterms and the law contained in the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, also referred to as the 1980 Vienna Sales Convention. In the module, we will examine how Incoterms are used and how the Convention regulates contracts and resolves any dispute to which it applies. more...	LAW-M587	20	Semester 1
The Protection and Management of Privacy and Reputation In the intrusive, multi-faceted world that exists today, with 24/7 media and an ever-expanding internet, the potential for damage to reputation and interference with privacy has never been greater. This module focuses on the various ways in which the law protects rights to reputation and privacy and examines ways in which the law can be used to manage reputations in this complex world. The module will focus on the law of defamation, the laws relating to the protection of privacy interests, and the developing interplay between law and technology. While the approach taken by English law will form a significant part of the module's content, comparative study will also be made of the laws of America and other common law jurisdictions as well as the laws of the European Union and some specific European countries. more...	LAW-M598	20	Semester 2
Copyright, Contract and the Creative Industries Creative industries are understood to be commercially and culturally important; artists, audiences and investors all have an interest in the legal arrangements that are found across these industries. This module considers the commercial practices of media organisations, and how contract and copyright law influence the production, distribution and consumption of print and audiovisual works. Topics include the management of media-related IPRs, licensing arrangements, financing and promotion agreements, and the development of new business models. Reference is made to a range of industries include film production, book publishing, recorded music, television advertising and the Internet. more...	LAW-M645	20	Semester 1
Current Issues in Intellectual Property Law This module will provide students with an in-depth look at a number of current issues in intellectual property and information technology law. The relevant issues will change each year, but issues will be drawn from a wide variety of topics. Students will have an opportunity to consider how intellectual property law is challenged by these current issues and to analyse its responses and proposed responses. Students will be expected to have taken either Globalisation of Intellectual Property Law or Internet Law and Governance in the Autumn Semester, or have demonstrated knowledge in either area. For students not taking the ITIP LLM admission to the module will be at the discretion of the module organiser, and previous knowledge may be required. more...	LAW-M622	20	Semester 2
Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law This module is aimed principally at solicitors in practice and personnel managers/HR professionals (who will often already hold the CIPD qualification). It covers the whole of modern employment law from first principles, being taught in 10 fortnightly seminars and a 10,000 word dissertation, written under personal supervision. The aim is to teach both the major principles and the detailed applications, so that the candidate will be able to handle employment related problems with confidence. more...	LAW-M70X	60	Year Period
Issues in Free Speech The extent to which we are all able to express views ' whether agreeable or abhorrent ' to obtain and receive information and to participate in 'communicative activities' alone or with others is the focus of this module. Although legal in outlook and origins, it will be taught drawing on a variety of socio-political perspectives. It is not a module that is avowedly doctrinal or rule-based; there will be limited exploration and analysis of cases and rules, certainly not in any detail. Instead, we will consider the topic of free speech ' what it is, why it is valued, what constraints there are on its exercise, the tensions that underpin it and its relationship with other rights and social interests ' from a normative perspective: the 'oughts' will be as interesting and as relevant as the 'ises'. more...	LAW-M658	20	Semester 2
Discrimination in Employment Law This module examines the economic and social causes of discrimination in employment, the meaning of the concepts of 'equality' and 'discrimination', and the substantive UK and EC Law concerning discrimination on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, racial or ethnic origin, disability, genetic inheritance, religion or belief, and age. Particular emphasis is placed on the impact of EC Law on the development of UK anti-discrimination law, on the difficulties of applying and enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and on future directions in discrimination law. This module carries 40 M-level credits. more...	LAW-M18Y	40	Year Period
Collective Labour Law This module examines the legal issues that arise out of the relationship between employers, trade unions, employee representatives and employees. It includes a study of the legal status of trade unions and employers' associations, freedom of association in the workplace, the rights of trade union officials and members to time off work for union duties/activities, internal trade union law (including enforcement of union rule books and the rules governing union elections, membership, ballots and funds), the law on collective bargaining and trade union recognition, the legal status of collective agreements, information and consultation of employees, the legal requirements governing the organisation of industrial action, and the consequences of unlawful industrial action. While the main focus of the module is on UK law, the impact of EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights on UK Collective Labour Law is also considered. more...	LAW-M670	20	Semester 2
International Oil and Gas Law This module examines the participants in international oil and gas transactions and the legal and contractual rules which govern exploration and production. It deals with the rights associated with the ownership and development of hydrocarbon reserves, and the types of agreements that can be entered into (such as concessions, production sharing, participation and service contracts). The module also explores the issues of risk, control and investment; and examines the impact of law and policy on the manner in which oil and gas development projects are negotiated and implemented. more...	LAW-M673	20	Semester 1
Advanced Topics in Competition Law and Economics Using the link between the Law School and the ESRC Centre for Competition Policy (CCP), this module utilises the cutting-edge research which is going on in the CCP. The module is convened by a law faculty member of the CCP and the convenor attends all the seminars, but the module involves the other law faculty members of the CCP as well as CCP research associates, post-docs and research students. The module is research-led, based around a number of recent research papers either by CCP members or others and interdisciplinary. The topics change year by year, depending on who on the faculty are involved and the interests of the students. Three or four different topics within competition law and economics are chosen for the semester. Each topic opens with an introductory lecture ' by a faculty member who gives a thorough overview of the subject and the current state of research in that area, along with potential research avenues - followed by a general discussion of these issues in class. For the remaining seminars on that subject, there are two types of presentations for each subject: a CCP member presents a piece of his/her research to and a student presents a piece of research by a CCP member with the author in the audience. The second type of presentation is to be preceded by the author explaining the background to the paper, eg the choice of that particular subject, the choice of that particular methodology, etc. Both types of presentations are to be followed by a discussion of the paper in the class. Each student on the module presents a research paper, thereby determining the number of papers presented by a CCP member. The module will be open to research students who will be encouraged to participate. more...	LAW-M616	20	Semester 2
International Commercial Litigation This module will provide an introduction to the issues which arise in the litigation of commercial disputes on an international basis. It will cover the treatment of jurisdiction and applicable law in commercial disputes by reference mainly to UK and European legal sources, and introduce some of the principal features of the common law legal systems (UK and USA), as they apply to commercial cases. The module it open to all LAW PGT students. It is particularly relevant to students taking the ICBL or International Trade LLMs. more...	LAW-M646	20	Semester 2
Law and Practice of International Commercial Payments This module examines the law and practice relating to the different payment methods and mechanisms that may be adopted by commercial parties to discharge the payment obligations of international buyers of goods and services. The different payment mechanisms are analysed and compared, their fundamental characteristics identified and their advantages and disadvantages considered. These include direct payment by means of electronic funds transfer and bills of exchange systems, but the main focus of the module is on the most common terms of payment in international trade utilising the intervention of banks, that is to say, documentary collections and payment under documentary credits. We undertake a detailed examination of the most recent version of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP 600). more...	LAW-M671	20	Semester 1
International Sales Law II - the English Law Relating to the International Sale of Goods Carried By Sea This module explores the English law of international sales and aspects of the English law relating to the international carriage of goods by sea. The focus of the module will be on the sale and carriage of commodities, an area of practice in which English law remains pre-eminent with English law governing the vast majority of sales contracts concluded for such goods even where neither parties to the contract are UK nationals. So far as the carriage of goods by sea is concerned, there has been a considerable amount of international activity and there are currently three carriage of goods by sea conventions (known as the Hague, Hague Visby and the Hamburg Rules) which are in force around the world. The most important in practice are the Hague and Hague Visby Rules and the module will be examining these. However several states have ratified the Hamburg Rules and we will therefore have a look at these in passing in order to identify the main ways in which they differ from the Hague and Hague Visby Rules. more...	LAW-M602	20	Semester 2
International Banking: Law and Practice This module starts with a review of the types of business undertaken by an international bank, the risks inherent in those businesses and the ways in which regulators seek to regulate the conduct of those businesses; with an emphasis on credit risk and prudential regulation. It includes sessions on credit agreements (including syndicated credits) and the Loan Market Association documents, guarantees and other forms of credit support, basic insolvency principles, and taking security. more...	LAW-M591	20	Semester 1
International Competition Law Competition laws have been adopted in around 120 countries around the world over the last thirty years, and have become of great significance to international firms wishing to successfully merge or avoid costly punishment for anti-competitive conduct. This module is designed to allow an understanding of the core concepts of competition and the substantive law and procedure of competition law, in particular of the European Union, but also of other jurisdictions as relevant. Seminars will be built around the legal provisions and case law on each topic. Classes will investigate the means by which competition laws tackle such problems as cartels and anti-competitive agreements among undertakings, monopolies and the abuse of dominant positions, vertical agreements, merger control and state aid. Broader issues ' such as remedies and enforcement strategies and wider questions of policy and regulatory design ' will also be reviewed. more...	LAW-M647	20	Semester 1
Comparative Corporate Governance This module examines the principal forms of corporate governance, control and regulation of the firm across countries. In particular, it introduces the key features of corporate governance and considers the legal relationship between directors, managers, and shareholders, including the contribution shareholder activism can make to improving corporate governance. The module also discusses the market for corporate control and the growing empirical research on comparative corporate governance. The overall purpose is to provide a theoretical and practical grasp of corporate governance, which can be useful for academic as all well as professional work in this field. more...	LAW-M672	20	Semester 2
International Investment Law Foreign direct investment refers to an investment made in a foreign jurisdiction to achieve a long term economic benefit. Almost 3000 treaties worldwide regulate foreign direct investment, and it is the interpretation of these treaties by arbitral tribunals, together with customary international law, which forms the basis of international investment law. This module examines the nature of international investment law and investor-State dispute resolution procedures, and looks at recent developments in the area. The module considers the policies underlying international investment law and how these impact upon the operation of international investment law in practice. more...	LAW-M662	20	Semester 2
Termination of Employment This module will enable students: ' To identify what amounts to a termination of employment and what legal mechanisms exist to maintain continuity of employment ' To distinguish between contractual and statutory rules on termination ' To enable students to identify situations where an employment relationship can or must be lawfully terminated ' To understand the dual element of procedural and substantive unfairness in Unfair Dismissal ' To be aware of remedies and enforcement in relation to both Wrongful and Unfair Dismissal claims more...	LAW-M675	20	Semester 1

Disclaimer

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.

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