LL4AL      Half Unit
International Business Transactions: Commercial Litigation

This information is for the 2017/18 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Jacco Bomhoff NAB 6.09

 

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. A good general understanding of commercial law is 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. General jurisdiction over companies and individuals; b. Jurisdiction over branches and agents; c. Specific jurisdiction over contract and tort claims; d. Constitutional limitations on jurisdiction in the United States.

Teaching

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

There will be a reading week in Week Six of the MT

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, 2nd edn, 2015) (selected 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); Fentiman (Richard), International Commercial Litigation (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2010).

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the main exam period.

Key facts

Department: Law

Total students 2016/17: 27

Average class size 2016/17: 27

Controlled access 2016/17: Yes

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information