LL4AL Half Unit
International Business Transactions: Commercial Litigation
This information is for the 2021/22 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr. Jacco Bomhoff
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 has a limited number of places and we cannot guarantee all students will get a place.
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 will have two hours of teaching content each week in Michaelmas Term, either in the form of a two hour seminar or an online lecture and one hour class. There will be a Reading Week in Week 6 of Michaelmas 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.
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Important information in response to COVID-19
Please note that during 2021/22 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 differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching 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 2020/21: 29
Average class size 2020/21: 14
Controlled access 2020/21: Yes
Value: Half Unit
