We live in a world where international business is increasingly shaped by trade disputes, rising protectionism, and a weakening multilateral trading system. The World Trade Organisation (WTO), which was once seen as a central arbiter of global trade, now faces significant challenges. Its dispute settlement system is in crisis, major economies are bypassing multilateral rules through unilateral or regional trade measures/agreements, and geopolitical rivalries are arguably reshaping the balance of power in trade governance. Against this backdrop, the study of international business law has never been more urgent or relevant.
This course, International Business Law and Institutions examines the evolving role of international trade law and arrangements in governing cross-border commerce. Together, we will explore the international legal and institutional framework regulating international business. We will also examine how national laws, bilateral and multilateral treaties, and global regulatory bodies shape businesses across borders. We will also consider the contested legacy of the GATT, the WTOs declining authority, tensions between trade regulation and other global priorities such as health and environmental protection, and the implications of these tensions on developing countries.
Delivered by research experts, our workshops combined with independent research will give you a critical and practice-oriented understanding of how law responds to the challenges of a fragmented global economy.