3 ECTS credits
90 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 6001614FNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Alvorens men een inschrijving kan nemen voor dit opleidingsonderdeel moet de student ingeschreven zijn in de Master in de Rechten en heeft hij reeds 20 studiepunten van de opleiding Master in de Rechten verworven’, of is de student ingeschreven in de Master na Master Internationaal en Europees Recht, of is de student ingeschreven in de Master na Master Sociaal Recht, of is de student ingeschreven in de Master Criminologie, of is de student ingeschreven in de Master na Master International and European Law.
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Law and Criminology
Department
International and European Law
Educational team
Frank Hoffmeister (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

26 contact hours Lecture
Course Content

The course first provides an overview of the main international economic organizations, with particular attention for the structure and functioning of the "Bretton Woods" institutions (International Monetary Fund, World Bank). It also includes the basics of international investment law and protection offered by the International Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The course then concentrates on the main contemporary international economic organization, the World Trade Organization (WTO). After a brief introduction outlining the main theories and facts of international trade, the main trade obstacles, and a short history of trade law, the institutional aspects (structure and functioning) of the WTO are analyzed, with special focus on the dispute settlement system. Subsequently the course will deal with the main substantive provisions of the WTO system (with focus on most-favoured-nation treatment, national treatment, removal of trade barriers), in particular those concerning trade in goods (GATT, TBT, Dumping, Safeguards), agriculture (AA), services (GATS), and intellectual property (TRIPS). Some time will also be spent on horizontal issues such as trade and environment and development. Attention will be given to the dynamic development of the law in these areas, by reference, where appropriate, to selected dispute settlement cases or to ongoing multilateral trade negotiations.

 

The course will thus provide knowledge about a wide range of fields in international economic law and provide for a better understanding of the main actors, procedures and institutions.  

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : International Economic Law and Organizations
Additional info

The outline of the course, together with legal texts and selected reading is distributed at the beginning. Students are expected to have gone through the material before the scheduled lecture. Particularly important case law is highlighted and recommended for further study after the course.

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

Having followed the course, students should have thorough knowledge of the most important features of international economic law. This includes an understanding of how the most important international economic organizations function (objectives, principles, institutional frameworks, decision-making mechanisms, and most pertinent challenges). Moreover, they will have learned the core concepts of substantive trade and investment law as described above.

 

On this basis, they should be able to effectively address issues of international economic law for both academic and practical purposes. They should be able to form an opinion on contemporary trade and investment topics. Emphasis is laid on practical reasoning and a succinct and convincing way. The course should prepare students for working at European or international institutions or in law firms.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Examen Schriftelijk with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The students will be evaluated on the basis of a final written exam. They are required to solve a case study with the help of relevant legal texts that will be circulated together with the study.

The study tests the student's ability to apply his skills in a practical manner. Based on solid knowledge of the law and jurisprudence, the student is expected to formulate convincing replies to a number of questions that will be asked on the basis of the given facts. He will have to take the role of a legal advisor, lawyer or judge and reason accordingly.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of International and European Law: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of International and European Law: Standaard traject