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Law of the World Trade Organization - LAWS8972
Law Books

 
Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 2
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: Academic Program must be either 9200 or 9210 or 5740 or 9230 or 9240 or 5760 or 9231 or 5231 or 9220 or 5750 or 9281 or 5281.
 
 
Excluded: JURD7472, JURD7484, LAWS3084
 
 
CSS Contribution Charge:Band 3 (more info)
 
 
Tuition Fee:See Tuition Fee Schedule
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

This course examines the way in which the World Trade Organsiation (the WTO) regulates international trade. The course begins by examining the arguments for and against the regulation of international trade, and the historical development of the WTO Agreements. The course will then survey the major WTO Agreements, such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (the GATT) and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (the GATS). The course will also provide insight into some of the major concepts and controversies in present day international trade law. It is hoped that by completing this course, students will gain a balanced perspective into the strengths and weaknesses of the WTO system, and a working knowledge of the way in which the WTO affects domestic regulation of international trade.

LLM Specialisations

Recommended Prior Knowledge

None

Course Objectives

This course provides an introduction to the legal environment of trade transactions at an international level, focussing on the legal and policy dimensions of the World Trade Organisation (the WTO).

The course is intended to give students the tools to understand the contemporary context of international trade, the legal regime established by the WTO, and to enable them to understand and take part in contemporary policy debates about the WTO and globalization.

Main Topics

  • Globalisation and the rationales for and against free trade;
  • The history of trade liberalization and the origins of the WTO;
  • Overview of the major agreements, such as the GATT, the GATS, and the Dispute Settlement Understanding;
  • Researching WTO law;
  • Reform of the WTO and the Doha Round;
  • Interlinkages of trade and development, human rights and environmental issues.

Assessment

Preparation activities for essay (explained in class), 1,500 words (20%)
Research essay 4,000 words (80%)

Course Texts

Prescribed

  • Simon Lester and Bryan Mercurio, World Trade Law: Text Materials and Commentary. (2008, Hart Publishing). Copies of this text are available for purchase from the bookshop, and available for loan in the library

Recommended
Refer to Course Outline provided by lecturer.

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.