LL4AL Half Unit
International Business Transactions: Commercial Litigation
This information is for the 2020/21 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr. Jacco Bomhoff, NAB 6.09
Availability
This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time) and University of Pennsylvania Law School LLM Visiting Students. 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 English (common and statute) law, European Union 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
This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 20 hours in Lent Term. Students will usually have two additional hours in the Summer Term. This year teaching will be delivered through recorded online lectures and a mix of both in-person and online classes to accommodate students who are unable to physically be on campus. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Lent Term.
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, or newer) (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, 6th edn, 2018); Fentiman (Richard), International Commercial Litigation (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2nd edn, 2015).
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the summer exam period.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2020/21 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the situation of students in attendance on campus and those studying online during the early part of the academic year. For assessment, this may involve changes to mode of delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.
Key facts
Department: Law
Total students 2019/20: 29
Average class size 2019/20: 29
Controlled access 2019/20: Yes
Value: Half Unit
