Corsi di Studio del Dipartimento di Giurisprudenza

This course is designed with the primary objective of equipping students with an in-depth knowledge of fundamental concepts, key actors, and the legal foundations of international trade. This knowledge is essential to understand the dynamics of international contracting in global markets, both at the European and international levels.

Moreover, embracing a dynamic approach that integrates theoretical and practical knowledge, this course aims at providing students with the essential skills required to work in the field of international contracting.

The acquisition of these essential skills serves as a strategic asset, greatly enhancing students' professional prospects. With this knowledge and expertise, they are well-equipped to pursue diverse career paths, including roles as corporate lawyers, professionals in European Union institutions, or valuable contributors to international organizations within the field of international trade.

  

Upon completing this course, students will have developed the following key competencies:

Knowledge and Ability

- Students will be proficient in identifying the applicable rules governing international contracts, considering their origin (national, supranational, or private) and their nature.

- Students will understand the factors to be considered when selecting the most suitable legal structure for a specific international contract or global value chain.

- Students will be adept at reading and comprehending the content of international contracts.

Autonomous intellectual approach and critical thinking

- Students will be able to assess the legal implications of a specific transaction and its regulatory framework, including the allocation of risks among parties, rights and obligations.

- Students will gain insight into the advantages and drawbacks of various conflict management techniques.

 

The course covers the following topics:

I. Introduction to the main instruments governing international contracts.

II. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG): history and background of the CISG; overview and structure; the CISG Advisory Council and case law databases; scope of application.

III. Disputes over international sales contracts: the concept of breach of contract; the concept of remedy; outline of the system of remedies.

Lectures covering both the discussion of theoretical aspects and the examination of practical cases. Students engagement is a prerequisite for critical learning and developing the ability to independently apply theoretical knowledge to solve case studies. In order to encourage students engagement, during classes they will be invited to discuss practical cases and theoretical issues, under the guidance of the teacher.

Attending students: Written exam consisting of multiple choice questions and one open question.

Non attending students: Written exam consisting of three open questions.

 

The Moodle e-learning page of the course will host:

- all specific information concerning activities of the course

- reading materials

- cases discussed during the classes

Attending students can prepare for the exam by studying lecture notes and the readings that will be uploaded on Moodle in the folder “Readings for attending students”

Non-attending students can prepare for the exam by studying the following texts:

1. P. Huber and A. Mullis, The CISG: A new textbook for students and practitioners, Sellier European Law Publishers, 2007.

2. S. Wrbka, The Common European Sales Law, in European Consumer Access to Justice Revisited, Cambridge University Press; 2014:190-262.

 

Classes will be held on Thursdays and Fridays from 2pm to 4pm starting on Thursday 22 February.

Course attendance is highly recommended.