Postgraduate Module Descriptor

LAWM121: International Commercial Litigation

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

The main focus of the module will be on the private international law problems which will arise in a context of civil and commercial law disputes with an international element. The specific objectives of the course are:

  • To provide you with advanced instructions in the main aspects of private international law which are of relevance to cross-border civil and commercial cases;
  • To allow you to examine critically the jurisdictional rules which will be used by the national courts with a view to allocating jurisdiction in disputes with an international element;
  • To allow you to examine critically the rules relevant to the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments in relation to civil and commercial matters;
  • To allow you to analyse the rules ascertaining the law/s applicable to the merits of cross-border disputes;
  • To encourage you to consider what the potential impact of BREXIT will be on the UK legal landscape in relation to private international law.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate deep and systematic knowledge and understanding of private international law;
2. Understand the rules allocating jurisdictions in civil and commercial disputes with an international element;
3. Undertake critical evaluation of the rules for the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments;
4. Analyse the rules identifying the applicable law/s which should apply to determine the rights and obligations of the parties in cross-border cases
5. Demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of the Brexit implications in the area of private international law
Discipline-Specific Skills6. Analyse and synthesise the relevant primary and secondary sources in private international law;
7. Identify the central legal issues and problems surrounding private parties’ effective access to remedies in cross-border cases;
8. Identify and solve legal problems, considering the relevant issues and specifying the legal position of the parties in cross-border civil and commercial cases;
Personal and Key Skills9. Construct a legal argument and take an informed view at postgraduate level;
10. Coherently structure legal arguments with a view to presenting ideas and drawing conclusions;
11. Identify and engage with a wide range of library-based and electronic resources autonomously;
12. Work independently and effectively, managing time efficiently whilst preparing for the seminars and completing assignments.
13. Work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Essential Reading

J. Hill and A. Chong, International commercial disputes : commercial conflict of laws in English courts (4th edn, Hart Publishing, Oxford 2014)

J. Hill and M. Ni Shúilleabháin, Clarkson & Hill's Conflict of Laws , (5th edn, OUP, Oxford 2016)

P. Rogerson, Collier's conflict of laws (4th edn, CUP, Cambridge 2013)

T. C. Hartley, International Commercial Litigation: Text, Cases and Materials on Private International Law (2nd edn, CUP, Cambridge 2015)

P. Torremans et all, Cheshire, North & Fawcett Private International Law (15th edn, OUP, Oxford, 2017).

Recommended Reading

A. Briggs, Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments (6th edn, Informa, London 2016);

S. Bariatti, Cases and materials on EU private international law (Hart Publishing, 2011);

P. Beaumont and P. McEleavy, Private international law, Anton (SULI/W Green, 2011);

A. Briggs, Private international law in the English courts (OUP, Oxford 2014);

R. Fentiman, International commercial litigation (2nd edn, OUP, Oxford 2015);

L. Collins and others, Dicey, Morris and Collins on the conflict of laws. (15th edn. Sweet & Maxwell, London 2015);

P. Beaumont, M. Danov, K. Trimmings, B. Yuksel (eds), Cross-Border Litigation in Europe (Hart Publishing, Oxford 2017)

 

Other Reading

A. Briggs, Agreements on jurisdiction and choice of law (OUP, Oxford 2008)  

R. Garnett, Substance and procedure in private international law (OUP, Oxford 2012)

T. Hartley , Choice-of-court agreements under the European and international instruments : the revised Brussels I Regulation, the Lugano Convention, and the Hague Convention (OUP, Oxford 2013)

R. Plender and M. Wilderspin, The European private international law of obligations (4th edn, Sweet & Maxwell, 2014)

A. Dickinson and E. Lein, The Brussels I Regulation recast (OUP, Oxford 2015)