This course will examine the role of international law in the formation of the contemporary international trading regime, with a particular focus on the World Trade Organization (WTO). After reviewing the general institutional features and characteristics of the WTO, it will introduce the student to the main principles and components of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (including the Most-Favoured Nation principle, the National Treatment regime, and the regime of general exceptions) and the law of contingent protection (safeguards, anti-dumping measures, and countervailing measures).

10 x 2 hour seminars in semester 2.

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The course is assessed by an essay of 1500 words (25%) and a 2 hour final examination (75%).

The aim of the course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts, principles and institutions of international trade law.

In particular, the course aims to:

■ enhance students' knowledge and understanding of the substantive principles and institutional regulation of international trade;

■ develop skills in legal reasoning, problem solving and the assessment of trade law policy;

■ develop research skills by requiring students to undertake an assessed research project; and

■ provide students with practice in the use of information technology such as the Internet.

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the main actors, processes, and principles of international trade law;

2. critically evaluate principal trends and recent developments in international trade law;

3. evaluate in a theoretically informed manner the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different substantive and institutional components of the international trading regime, with a particular emphasis on the World Trade Organization;

4. apply a critical approach in analysing the various issues at the intersection between international trade and other international legal regimes.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course summative assessment.