International Trade Law (LAWS0350)

This module offers a study of the rights and obligations of buyers and sellers under contracts for the international sale of goods, focusing particularly on the English law of international trade.

The selling and purchasing of goods across territorial borders is an ancient yet sophisticated commercial activity. International trade involves interlocking contracts, including letters of credit and contracts of sale, carriage and insurance, all of which concern the minds of traders whilst performing this activity for profit. In pursuit of certainty and predictability in their affairs, traders around the world typically refer to English law in their sale contracts as the governing law. This module covers all facets of CIF and FOB sales, ranging from contract formation to remedies, focusing on the problems when the interlocking contracts are not back-to-back. Due to the rise of containerisation, you will also study the IncotermsÒ Rules 2020 relevant to multimodal transport as well as the legal functions of multimodal transport documents under English law. The other major themes, which will be studied throughout the academic year, are performance bonds and The UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (The Vienna Convention).  

This module offers a study of the rights and obligations of buyers and sellers under contracts for the international sale of goods, focusing particularly on the English law of international trade. Students can study this course whether or not they have previous experience of international trade law.

Module Syllabus

•    Introduction to the law of international trade: The workings of international trade, the key concepts, the regulatory framework and Incoterms 2020
•    Passing of risk and property
•    CIF and FOB sales
•    Functions and significance of bills of lading and other shipping documents
•    Multimodal transportation and multimodal transport documents
•    Payment methods, letters of credit and UCP600
•    Frustration and force majeure
•    Remedies for breach of the sale contract
•    The Vienna Convention on International Sale of Goods 1980

Please note this module does not cover questions of trade between nation states (e.g. matters relating to the World Trade Organisation).

Recommended Materials

•    Bridge M. (2021) Benjamin’s Sale Goods (11th edition) (Sweet & Maxwell)
•    Jack R, et al (2009) Documentary Credits (4th edition) (Tottel Publishing)
•    Bridge M.G. (2017) The International Sale of Goods (4th edition) (Oxford University Press)

Module reading lists and other module materials will be provided via online module pages, once students have made their module selections upon enrolment.

Preliminary Reading

•    Bridge M. (2021) Benjamin’s Sale Goods (11th edition) (Sweet & Maxwell), Chapter 1 (this book is available online through Westlaw)

Key information