Course 2014-2015 a.y.

50078 - INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW


CLMG - M - IM - MM - AFC - CLAPI - CLEFIN-FINANCE - CLELI - ACME - DES-ESS - EMIT

Department of Legal Studies

Course taught in English

Go to class group/s: 31
CLMG (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  IUS/13) - M (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  IUS/13) - IM (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  IUS/13) - MM (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  IUS/13) - AFC (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  IUS/13) - CLAPI (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  IUS/13) - CLEFIN-FINANCE (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  IUS/13) - CLELI (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  IUS/13) - ACME (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  IUS/13) - DES-ESS (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  IUS/13) - EMIT (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  IUS/13)
Course Director:
GIORGIO GIUSEPPE SACERDOTI

Classes: 31 (I sem.)
Instructors:
Class 31: GIORGIO GIUSEPPE SACERDOTI



Course Objectives

This course deals with the international regulation of trade relationships between nations in the framework of the globalized world economy at the beginning of the second Millennium. The focus is on the law of the World Trade Organization as the main multilateral regulation of trade. The WTO is put in the perspective of the coexistence of a multiplicity of international organisations dealing with different aspects of the world economy in general (the IMF and the World Bank as to monetary and development issues), together with regional organisations not limited to trade (the European Union, OECD, NAFTA, ASEAN, etc).
The course concentrates on the origins of the multilateral commercial system (ITO and GATT 1947), on the WTO institutional framework including the dispute settlement solution system, on issues raised by the current Doha Development Round and on the main sectorial agreements (on goods, including the GATT disciplines, GATS on services, TRIPS on intellectual property). The main subjects are analyzed through case studies subject to Panels and the Appeals Body of the WTO. The role of private players is also examined as well as the importance of international discipline for business choices, including the relevance of the WTO law in the EU legal system based on the European case law.
The course consists primarily of seminars and group work. Attending students are involved in the study of legal cases, discussion of the issues raised and elaboration of oral presentation.

Course Content Summary

  • Multilateralism and regionalism in the governance of the world trade.
  • From GATT 1947 to the WTO: the Uruguay Round Results.
  • The WTO institutional framework.
  • The Dispute Settlement System.
  • Basic issues under GATT 1994; non discrimination and MFN treatment.
  • Dumping, Subsidies, Safeguards.
  • Sanitary and Phitosanitary Measures: the precautionary principle.
  • GATS: national regulation and liberalization of services.
  • The WTO and the protection of non-trade interests: exceptions, environment, human rights.
  • The challenge of economic regionalism to the multilateral system.
  • Protection of foreign investments and dispute settlement.

Detailed Description of Assessment Methods

Written exam.


Textbooks

  • The WTO Agreements and texts of Panels and Appellate Body Reports (http://www.wto.org/).
  • P. VAN DEN BOSSCHE, W. ZDOUC, The Law and Policy of the WTO, Cambridge Un. Press, 2013, paperback.
  • J. BAGWATI, In Defence of Globalization, Oxford Press, 2004.
Exam textbooks & Online Articles (check availability at the Library)
Last change 03/09/2014 14:46