LAWS 3036 International Trade Law

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 200639

Coordinator John Juriansz Opens in new window

Description This unit examines the legal regime governing the international exchange of goods, services and capital. The focus of the unit will be the WTO and the GATT, GATS, and TRIPS agreements with attention given to the interaction of trade and investment issues, and the interplay of law, politics and diplomacy in regulating these issues. Topics include: the international legal framework for international trade and investment, structural and transactional aspects of international trade and investment, dispute settlement, bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, the impact of national and foreign trade policies on world trading activities, the role and interest of Australia as a trading nation, and trade as a political issue.

School Law

Discipline International Law

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) LAWS 3045

Assumed Knowledge

The subject being an advanced year alternate subject draws upon all of the core subjects learnt in a typical Law degree program and the skills learnt from exposure to other disciplines.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the field and explain, identify and critically evaluate the key concepts, policies and issues on defined topics.
  2. Apply an understanding of the relevant legal concepts and aspects of policy analysis to analysing and solving practical problems and theoretical legal issues in a clear, logical and effective way.

Subject Content

International Law and International Economic Relations (Historical and contemporary)
The Legal structure of the WTO
GATT, GATS, TRIPS, and TRIMS
Dispute Settlement under the WTO
Tariffs Quotas, and Non tariff Barriers
Non discrimination and the Most favoured nation clause
The National Treatment clause
Bilateral and Multilateral Free Trade agreements
Escape Clauses, safeguards and adjustment policies
The regulation of Dumping (injury analysis, subsidies and Countervailing duties)
Developing countries and the WTO system

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Participation ongoing 10 N Individual
Intra-session exam 3,000 words 45 N Individual
Intra-session exam 3,000 words 45 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Mitsuo Matsushita, Schoenbaum,Thomas J., Mavroidis, Petros C. , and Hahn, Michael., The World Trade Organization: Law Practice and Policy (OUP, Clarendon 3rd ed., 2015).

Teaching Periods

Structures that include subject