Commercial Law in a Global Context

Key information

Start date
End date
Year of study
Final Year
Duration
Term 1
Module code
155200062
FHEQ Level
6
Credits
15
Department
School of Law, Gender and Media

Module overview

This module will focus on the driver of commercial transactions in a global context; the application of English sale of goods law; trade terms for use in international sale of goods; the application of the Convention for the International Sale of Goods (CISG); agency relationships; internationa payment and carriage of goods.

This module will provide students with a solid understanding of the operation of sale of goods under English law and internationally.

Objectives and learning outcomes

At the end of this module you should be able to:

  • understand the importance of commercial law to global prosperity and economic development of nations
  • understand the different roles of the major players in international sale of goods and how they fit together
  • apply the English Sales of Goods Law to given scenario
  • apply the CISG to given scenario
  • understand and apply the documentary letters of credit regime to the international sale of goods
  • understand some of the major disputes resolution processes for cross border commercial transactions

Workload

  • Weekly 2-hour seminar

Scope and syllabus

Term 1

Week  
1 Introduction to the course and quick review of basic contract law (studied in Year 1) and major actors in commerce, and scope of the module
2 Theories of International Trade and link to economic development
3 Conclusion of a Sale of Goods Contract
4-5 Law of Agency
6 Reading Week
AS1 Essay on the theories of international trade (20%)
7-9 English Sale of Goods Act
10-11 Convention for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) Law
A2 24 Hour Problem Question to be submitted online (30%)

Term 2

Week  
12-14 International Trade Terms (Incoterms)
15-16 International Payment systems (Documentary Letters of Credit)
17 Reading Week
18-20 Carriage of Goods by Sea
21-22 Dispute resolution processes
AS3 Take home exam (50%)

Method of assessment

  • End of term one - AS1: 48-hour take-home assessment (50%)
  • End of term two - AS2: 48-hour take-home assessment (50%)

Suggested reading

  • Goode on Commercial Law, Chapter 1-The Nature and Sources of Law, (Penguin Reference, 2016)
  • Sealy and Hooley, Commercial Law, Text, Cases and Materials, Chapter 1-An Introduction to Commercial Law, (OUP, 2017)

These chapters are from the two recommended books for the module. The chapters overlap but it is worth reading both.

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.