LLM International Corporate and Commercial Law

This module is designed to introduce the basic principles of law and policy on the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital within the internal market of the European Union. Current developments in legislation and case law on freedom of movement of goods, persons and services in the European Union will, in turn, be evaluated; as will the limits of integration. The module will also seek to examine recent legislative developments in and the evolving concept of Union citizenship involving critical examination of the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

This module aims to give students the opportunity to develop an insight into the legal issues arising from and surrounding bank borrowing and the means by which banks seek to document these transactions. In doing so, the module will provide students with an opportunity to develop a solid understanding of the legal aspects of a lending transaction. The module will also aim to introduce the key concept of “risk” and how banks use various legal documents to limit and manage this risk. The module will also examine the issues which arise when the bank-customer relationship turns sour and the bank enforces its security.

The module will introduce students to the operations of international businesses and how their activities are influenced by legal frameworks. Students will be exposed to the legal and socio-economic factors that affect businesses that operate in the global marketplace. It commences by providing a primer on the nature of international businesses. Against this background, it expounds on the concept of globalisation and its link with international business. The course then focuses on the regulatory environment within which international businesses are developed and in which they operate. Proposed expansion strategies of businesses are also considered within the context of the local and global environment in which they operate.

This module aims to give students the opportunity to develop a thorough insight into the theoretical, legal, practical and ethical issues surrounding corporate governance and its influence on the management structure of modern companies. It will explore the relationships which exist between directors, shareholders, management, the company itself and other internal and external stakeholders. Students will have the chance to develop a firm understanding of the concept of corporate governance and the basic principles underlying the implementation of UK and international corporate governance codes.

In this module students will be introduced to the different methods of international dispute resolution in both a public and private law context. This module explores the legal frameworks governing international dispute resolution along with both the political and legal context and concerns relating to them. The module will examine the principal approaches to the settlement of international disputes in public international law and will also introduce students to the increasingly important area of private international law. Students will gain an understanding of the nature of international disputes, both public and private, and the options for resolving them and how a chosen option might be informed by the type of dispute presented.

The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the principal legal frameworks that underpin the functioning of the international economy and international investment. As such students have the chance to analyse the legal architecture relating to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as international foreign investment and multinational corporations. The module therefore aims to provide a broad foundation for students’ critical understanding of the international economy and the ways that international economic and investment law can affect developing countries, human rights, and the environment.

This module examines the development and operation of international environmental law, considering in particular the historical evolution of the law, the elaboration of multilateral environmental regimes and the increasing judicial attention given to environmental issues. The module will also consider the issue of responsibility and liability for harm from environmental degradation as it is tackled at the international level.

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the debates surrounding it so that they are able to critically analyse the concept itself and its practical implications for companies, regulatory bodies and policy makers in a globalised environment. Students will also be introduced to the relevant areas of corporate law and practice to develop an understanding of the underlying reasons why CSR initiatives have become necessary. Finally, they will develop a critical understanding of the regulatory frameworks (both mandatory and voluntary) that exist to facilitate the implementation of CSR on national and international levels.

The Dissertation module comprises two elements:

1. Research methods (20%)

The research methods element of the dissertation module comprises a total of four research training workshops (4 x 2hrs), two taking place in the Autumn term and two taking place in the Spring term. Students are assessed through a dissertation proposal.

2. The Dissertation (80%)

The production of the dissertation itself provides the student with an opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of investigative academic work on a chosen area of international corporate and commercial law. In the dissertation the students may develop ideas encountered in the taught modules or with other issues relevant to international corporate and commercial law.

The completed dissertation is expected to be an original and independent piece of work. It should, in the context of existing knowledge, demonstrate in-depth understanding, critical analysis and original thinking, as well as general academic and communication skills. Undertaking the necessary research and writing the dissertation is designed to provide academic opportunities to apply the research skills and presentational techniques developed during the programme.

The financial services industry in various countries have undergone extensive regulatory reforms, particularly after the financial crisis. This course is focused on the law governing the regulation of the financial industry across various states. It starts by unearthing the rationale for regulation, particularly for banking institutions. It then focuses on the role and responsibilities of regulatory bodies. It specifically examines the process of authorisation and supervision throughout the lifespan of financial industries, for example banks and investment businesses. It also looks at how the regulators facilitate good governance in regulated institutions, effect sanctions to mandate compliance with the legal framework, or assist in the restructuring or resolution of such institutions.

This module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop an insight into the international role of the European Union (EU) and its global presence in an increasing number of areas beyond the regulation of external trade. The module offers a critical and contextual analysis of the role of the EU as a global actor, which is subdivided into two main parts: the constitutional aspects of EU External Relations Law and substantive aspects of EU External Relations Law.

The module covers the following policy areas: the EU Common Commercial Policy (CCP), the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EUROMED), the role of the EU in global humanitarian and development action and EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).