Course structure - LL.M. Programme

The LL.M. is an intensive course of one full year duration structured in three different parts as follows:

PART I

DISTANCE LEARNING - 10 European Credits

During this first part participants will be provided with preliminary and essential material in order to acquire the pre-requisite entry level knowledge in the disciplines of Part II.
In this phase of preparation students will be assisted on the following topics:

introduction to trade economics, including evolution and features of the world’s current trading system
introduction to contract law in major legal systems
international trade and other regulatory issues
preferential trade agreements and regional trade agreements

During this phase of distance learning, participants will have access to an on-line platform, through which they will be given access to the material, while receiving advisory support from a dedicated tutor.

(15 November 2011 - 4 February 2012)

PART II

FACE TO FACE LEARNING - 40 European Credits
(18 weeks’ duration)

Module I - 10 European Credits

Institutions Specialized in the Field of International Trade Law and English Legal Drafting Techniques

(20 February - 16 March 2012)

The Role of UNCITRAL and its Working Mandates – An Overview
Issues of Harmonization of Laws in International Trade from the Perspective of UNCITRAL
Introduction to International Trade Theory, Policy and Institutions: Harmonization of International Trade Law: Multilateralism and Bilateralism
Globalisation and Harmonisation: Recent Economic Issues
Visit to the Library and Documentation Centre of the University Institute of European Studies (IUSE) - Presentation on: "EU Legal and other Official Online Databases"
Visit to the Law Library - Presentation on: “Legal Databases”. How to Conduct Legal Research; How to Draft a Thesis
Terminology. Legal Writing and Drafting Techniques
The International Chamber of Commerce and its Work – An Overview
International Business Transactions and WTO Rules (1 week)
Legal Writing: False Friends
Trade Law and Human Rights

Module II - 20 European Credits

Contracts: General Principles, Contract Types, Corporate/Investment, IPR, Competition and Taxation Laws

(19 March - 25 May 2012)

General Aspects

The UNIDROIT General Principles of Contracts
General Principles Governing the Law of International Contracts
Contract Formation
Letters of Intent and Other Pre-contractual Documents
Frustration, Hardship and Force Majeure
Vienna Convention
Council Regulation (EC) n. 44/2001 (Brussels I)
(EC) Regulation Rome I and Rome II
EU Contract Law
Vienna Convention: Case Study
Council Regulation 44/2001and Regulation Rome I - Case Study
Export Transactions – Links between Sale, Carriage and Banking Contracts
INCONTERMS 2010
Council Regulation 44/2001
Regulation Rome I, Brussels I and Vienna Convention - Case Study and Exercise
Contract Damages from the Standpoint of Domestic and International Perspectives
Payment Warranties
Modes of Payment
International Aspects of Insolvency Law
Refinement of Research under the Supervision of the Personal Tutor and the Professors

Types of international contracts

Agency and Distribution Agreements
Construction, Engineering and Supply Contracts
Public Procurement
Contracts Financing (Leasing Contract/Factoring Contract)
State and Oil Contracts
Consumer Contracts - Distance Sale and E-commerce Consumer Contracts

Corporate and company laws

Models of Corporate Governance: Theory and Practise
International Merger & Acquisitions
Due Diligence/R&W/Price Mechanisms
Structuring an International Joint Venture (Case study)
How to Conduct a Successful Acquisition of a Company - Case Study

Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual Property Rights
Trade Marks and Patents
Legal Protection of the Design
Technology Licence Agreements
Trade Marks in Cyberspace
Contracts for the Exploitation of IP Rights Merchandising/ Licensing/ Franchising Contracts
Technology Licence Agreements – Case Study

Antitrust

Introduction to Competition Policy
Key Aspects of Cartels and Concentration in EU-USA
Key Aspects of Abuse of Dominant Position in EU-USA
China: Economic Performance, Competition and Cooperation

Taxation - Investments

International Taxation Rules and their Influence on Multinational Enterprises’ Performance
Case study: Impact of Tax Policy in Establishing a New Company in EU/USA
Investment Protection under Multilateral and Bilateral Treaties- Washington Convention
Role-play: Negotiation of an International Contract

Module III - 10 European Credits

Moot Court & Arbitration

(28 May -22 June 2012)

Introduction to International Dispute Resolution
International Commercial Arbitration
Recognition and enforcement
Presentation of the ICC Arbitration Rules
Commercial Mediation: Introduction, Rules, Proceedings and Mock Case
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Moot Court
Career Day
Submission of Final Draft of Students’ Dissertations
Presentations of Essay or Dissertation
Closing Ceremony

During each module participants will be requested to sit for writing exams:

Distance Learning:	Written Test
Module I:	Written Test
Module II:	A) Written Test B) Case study (which will be advanced from a simulation) C) Oral discussion of case study
Module III:	Written Test

PART III.

FINAL DISSERTATION - 10 European Credits

The third part consists of the submission of the final thesis/dissertation by the end of November 2012 supervised by an advisor or by a Module coordinator.

The Master Thesis will deal with an issue raised in general terms in the taught course, whereby the student will further analyse the topic in its specific context presenting his/her own arguments and findings.

The Master Thesis has to be written in English.