LL4AL      Half Unit
International Business Transactions: Commercial Litigation

This information is for the 2014/15 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Trevor Hartley NAB 6.02

Dr Jacco Bomhoff NAB 6.29

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Law and Accounting, Master of Laws and Master of Laws (extended part-time study). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Specialism International business law.

This course is capped at 30 students. Students must apply through Graduate Course Choice on LSEforYou.

Pre-requisites

Knowledge of conflict of laws (private international law) would be useful but is not essential.

Course content

Jurisdictional problems arising in litigation resulting from international business transactions. The following topics will be studied from the point of view of European Union law, English (common and statute) law, Canadian law and US law: a. Jurisdiction over companies and individuals; b. Branches and agents; c. Constitutional limitations on jurisdiction in the United States; d. Choice-of-court clauses; e. Forum non conveniens; f. Lis pendens.

Teaching

20 hours of seminars in the MT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.

Formative coursework

All students are expected to produce one 2,000 word formative essay during the course.

Indicative reading

Core textbook: Trevor C Hartley, International Commercial Litigation (Cambridge University Press, 2009) (Chapters 1–8 plus selected parts of other chapters). Further reading: Born (Gary B) and Rutledge (Peter B), International Civil Litigation in United States Courts: Commentary and Materials (Wolters Kluwer, Austin, Boston, Chicago, New York, the Netherlands, 5th edn, 2011); Briggs (Adrian), Agreements on Jurisdiction and Choice of Law (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2008); Fentiman (Richard), International Commercial Litigation (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2010); Hill (Jonathan) and Chong (Adeline), International Commercial Disputes (Hart Publishing, 4th ed. 2010); Layton (Alexander) and Mercer (Hugh) (eds), European Civil Practice (Sweet and Maxwell, London, 2nd edn, 2004).

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.

Key facts

Department: Law

Total students 2013/14: 26

Average class size 2013/14: 25

Controlled access 2013/14: No

Lecture capture used 2013/14: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information