Postgraduate (PG)

Aims and Objectives
This is an introductory module to the LLM that has as its primary aim the acquisition of skills and knowledge that will enable students of international trade and maritime law to better appreciate and apply themselves in their studies. The module introduces students to some core concepts of common law, the role of public versus private international law and how Trade and Maritime law fit into a broader context of transnational commerce. As such the module focusses on current issues and developments impacting on trade and shipping. We look at the harmonisation of transnational commercial law including why it is necessary, how it is undertaken and when it can be said to have been achieved. We also look at topics that have given rise to debates among shipping practitioners and academics such as Brexit and Shipping, the modern phenomenon of autonomous ships and the demands and challenges and developments in modern logistics and shipping.

This module aims to apply the comparative and case study methodologies to examine the national and global legal, philosophical, historical and socio-political contexts of business law and commercial relationships and transactions. The comparative methodology enables students to investigate, identify and analyse issues across different jurisdictions and other differentiating factors. The case study method enables the investigation of contemporary events and provide multiple evidence for resolution of issues. It facilitates learning by using real examples to highlight the potential and actual effectiveness and limitations of commercial and business law principles and models. Case study exercises will be derived from recent legislation, case law and factual or hypothetical incidents. The module identifies and evaluates contemporary, technological, emergent and historical issues and the legal and other forces driving, shaping and challenging business law and the interaction of these forces and their relative effectiveness in national and transnational contexts. The module draws upon, where relevant, materials from UK and other jurisdictions and materials prepared by international institutions and non-governmental organisations. The explore broad questions such as: What are the public and private law sources of commercial and business law? What are the institutional, contextual, emergent and other challenges to commercial and business law in national and transnational contexts? What ideologies and philosophies influence business regulation? What are the legal principles for governing key business relationships? The module will combine elements of taught instruction and group discussion in weekly lectures and interactive seminars requiring students’ active participation in the whole group under guidance of the tutor. As part of a formative assessment process, students will be asked to make presentations in seminars and to undertake independent research. In addition, students will work independently on the summative assessment exercise. No pre-requisites or co-requisites are required.