LLM International Commercial Law with International Corporate Finance

Title:

Advanced International Commercial Law Issues

Code:

LWMTAI

Convenor:

PROF Gerard McMeel

Summary:

This is a series of seminars designed to provide students an advanced analysis and critical understanding of the most relevant areas of transactional business law issues facing lawyers in today’s globalised economy. The study of law and economics of governance provides the intellectual backbone of the course. This field, that has its origins in Ronal Coase’s work (Coase 1937, 1960), emphasizes the role of institutions in providing governance of societal interaction. The study of institutions is broadly concerned with the study of the optimal institutional forms through which social problems may be resolved. We will focus on a wide range of institutions, including property, contract, hierarchy, firm and liability.Drawing on the theoretical distinction between the market and the firm (Coase 1960; Jensen and Meckling 1976; Williamson 1986; 2000), the course will examine a number of different types of contractual relationships that may take place within the firm, in the market, or in other hybrid forms of governance, such as franchising, licensing, and sub-contracting agreements, repeated and long-term purchasing contracts and joint venture agreements. Through the lenses of this theoretical approach, it shall further explore when and why two companies may prefer to merge in a single firm as an alternative of dealing via arms-length contract as well as the role of property rights, as alternative to contracts, and their role in promoting innovation. The module will look at a series of case studies to inform this analysis in such diverse areas as financial services, corporate insolvency, competition, behavioural economics, energy, transport and technology.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Dissertation

Code:

LWMTDI

Convenor:

DR Ruvi Ziegler

Summary:

The aim of this module is to develop high-level skills in research design, management and implementation through conduct of a major independent research project and writing of the Dissertation.

Assessment Method:

Dissertation 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Contemporary Issues in Intellectual Property Law

Code:

LWMCIP

Convenor:

DR Che Ekaratne

Summary:

This module aims to provide advanced knowledge of intellectual property law. The main focus is the intellectual property law of England and Wales. Where relevant, comparative references are also made to relevant laws of other jurisdictions, and to international harmonisation where appropriate.

This module explores several areas of intellectual property law through the lens of contemporary issues informed by the latest research. Topics covered include copyright, trade marks and patents.

In discussion-based seminars, students will be encouraged to critically analyse statutory provisions and case law that govern these areas of intellectual property law, as well as the rationales justifying particular doctrines. The module also aims to build students’ abilities to apply relevant intellectual property law to issues of contemporary relevance.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Competition Law

Code:

LWMCL

Convenor:

DR Jing Wang

Summary:

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Emerging Issues in Data Protection and Copyright Law

Code:

LWMDPC

Convenor:

DR Basak Bak

Summary:

This module explores the two expert fields of law, namely data protection and copyright, through cutting-edge discussions around scholarship and case law. It analyses the legal protection afforded to privacy and personal data, with an emphasis on the processing of personal information in the UK and EU regulatory framework. It also provides advanced knowledge of the legal protection that is afforded to creative works and authors under UK copyright law. The sessions involve current debates such as AI-created works, deepfakes and automated decision-making.

The module aims to provide students with advanced and the most cutting edge knowledge of the legal, regulatory and policy issues on the protection of privacy, personal data and copyright to enable them to appreciate and critically assess both the practical day-to-day operation of these areas and their rationales.

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Financial Services Law and Compliance

Code:

LWMFIC

Convenor:

DR Andrea Miglionico

Summary:

The purpose of this course is to examine the regulation of financial institutions and markets and contribute to a critical understanding of the subject matter through the analysis of the most relevant areas of financial services regulation in the context of banking and securities framework. This subject has become very topical in response to the global financial crisis, which has brought the issues of regulation, supervision, and crisis management to the forefront of legal, economic and policy debate. The course provides a contextual approach to the study of financial consumer regulation, drawing on a comparative study of the law in relevant financial centres in the US, UK and EU as well as on the increasing corpus of international financial ‘soft law’. Focus is on the public regulation of national, European and international markets, and not on contractual or transactional aspects. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

International Organisations and Global Governance

Code:

LWMIGG

Convenor:

DR Saeed Bagheri

Summary:

This module identifies, examines, and critically evaluates a number of key international organisations as well as interdisciplinary content on their role in global governance. The module covers relevant legal principles, ranging from the creation of an international organisation with separate legal personality, its outputs and role in the global order, its legal obligations and dispute settlement, recognising the historical, political and economic context in which organisations operate and interact with other subjects of the international legal order. The module is taught through a focus on different international organisations as case studies throughout the module, and with the development of thematic understanding throughout the module.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 50%, Oral 50%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

International Investment Law and Arbitration

Code:

LWMILA

Convenor:

DR Chang Wang

Summary:

This module offers an in-depth introduction to the law of foreign investment and investment treaty arbitration. Through a close analysis of the substance of bilateral investment treaties and the settlement of investor-state disputes via arbitration, students will acquire understanding of the law, politics and economics of the investment treaty regime.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Legal Aspects of Corporate Rescue

Code:

LWMLCR

Convenor:

DR Bolanle Adebola

Summary:

Credit is the ‘life-blood’ of modern market economy. Its corollary, however, is insolvency. No corporate entity is immune from the prospect of failure, though the effects may vary in severity. Across the globe, the notion of an alternative to failure for financially distressed entities is justifiably receiving prime focus. With both emerging and developed entities concerned to reform their insolvency systems to facilitate the rehabilitation of financially distressed entities, rescue models, both formal and informal, are being created or modified with varied levels of success. The module invites students to explore the rescue concept, assess the perspectives and objectives aspired to by international rescue systems, examine the challenges faced by policy-makers and evaluate the effectiveness of the choices that are made. The module introduces students to the issues peculiar to the rescue of various types of corporate entities; highlighting how the differences in their requirements impact the design of effective international rescue models. At the end of the module, students would have developed significant knowledge of a fast-paced, rapidly developing area of the law with national and international significance.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Research Methods for LLM Students

Code:

LWMRLM

Convenor:

PROF Aleardo Zanghellini

Summary:

This module aims to assist students in formulating a suitable research question for their dissertation and in identifying an appropriate methodological approach to their research. It aims to impart relevant knowledge and to assist students in developing the skills necessary to plan and execute their research programme within the time and resources available. The module aims to foster the practical, generic and personal transferable skills necessary to conduct independent research. The module also aims for students to gain insight into the wider context of academic legal research, by helping them appreciate: a) what makes Law a distinctive discipline and what makes academic legal research a distinctive form of legal writing; and b) what the main different methodological approaches to legal research are, and what the main different genres of academic legal writing are. Finally, the module also aims to provide practical assistance for students in developing skills in using the internet, electronic library resources, and other documentary sources for undertaking research. Students will benefit by acquiring knowledge and skills conducive to success in designing and completing their dissertation as well as, more generally, other legal research projects. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Research Methods (Advanced)

Code:

LWMRRM

Convenor:

PROF Aleardo Zanghellini

Summary:

This module aims to support specifically PhD and MRes students in designing, refining and executing their research projects. 

It aims to assist students in the formulation and/or refining of a research question appropriate to their chosen area of study and to develop the methodological and other skills and knowledge necessary to plan and execute an academic research programme within the time and resources available. The module covers both methods of data collection and different theoretical frameworks to orient data analysis. Students will learn what is distinctive about law as an academic discipline, and about its methods of research, as well as how legal research relates to, and may be combined with, other disciplinary perspectives and their methods. This includes, but is not limited to, empirical social science. Emphasis is placed on the connection between choice of research questions and choice of research methods. The relationship between ideological and methodological commitments in academic research will be examined. Students will also acquire criteria for critically assessing legal scholarship. The module includes important practical components: it is designed to foster the practical, generic and personal transferable skills necessary to conduct independent research and it provides practical assistance for students in developing skills in using the internet, electronic library resources, and other documentary sources for undertaking research. 

For MRes students (or LLM students choosing the module in lieu of LWMTLM): In addition to supporting students in designing and executing their Masters dissertation, the module also aims to assist them in producing a high-quality doctoral research proposal that they will be able to use when seeking admission into a PhD programme, and when applying for funding for future doctoral studies. Additionally, it aims to facilitate the integration of Masters students into Reading Law School’s PG Research student community, in the event that they choose to pursue doctoral studies at Reading. 

Assessment Method:

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

International Commercial Arbitration (CIArb Accredited)

Code:

LWMTAR

Convenor:

DR Bolanle Adebola

Summary:

Arbitration has been one of the most important dispute resolution processes for several centuries. Though other methods of dispute resolution have evolved in recent years, mediation being an example, arbitration continues to retain its importance in both domestic and international contexts. This module seeks to provide a critical understanding of important aspects of international commercial arbitration. It explores the characteristics of arbitration and discusses its operation in various international fora.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

International Banking and Finance Law

Code:

LWMTBL

Convenor:

DR Andrea Miglionico

Summary:

The course reviews the major issues in international banking and financial law. It therefore examines the main aspects of banking and finance law such as capital adequacy, international securities, derivative markets and loan agreements. It also aims to provide a strong working overview of the major themes and core questions that academics and policymakers view as the core challenges to the existing international financial architecture and to efforts at reform.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

International Corporate Finance and the Law

Code:

LWMTCF

Convenor:

DR Andrea Miglionico

Summary:

The aim of the module is to analyse the different aspects of corporate finance from an international perspective. This will enable students to identify common aspects in the dynamics and mechanisms to obtain financing and discover innovative trends in a continuous developing area. From a practical standpoint, the module will provide the tools to recognize the key elements to implement a successful financing technique by means of the analysis of theoretical issues and actual case studies. The module will assess general corporate principles and financing techniques. It is a theoretical and practical module with case studies that will enable students to approach a corporation that needs capital (e.g. due to an enlargement of its business operations or because it facing a distressed situation) and understand the issues at stake and contribute in successfully obtaining the required financing.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

International Corporate Governance and the Law

Code:

LWMTGL

Convenor:

DR Jorge Guira

Summary:

Effective corporate governance structures are fundamental to the corporate and financial systems of any market economy. The failure of many companies, as well as the recent global systemic crisis have been attributed to poor governance practices, amongst other factors. Across the globe, countries structure their governance systems to suit their ownership and control models on one hand, and their chosen policy directions, on the other. This module invites a contextual analysis of corporate governance systems with particular reference to that of the United Kingdom, the internationally renowned governance system which introduced the Comply or Explain model. It examines the structure and components of the UK governance system; explores its rich history and underlying debates; analyses the empirical studies which seek to measure the effects of the extant model on corporate practices. Using the UK system as a point of reference, it examines the key theoretical and policy debates underlying the structure and direction of contemporary corporate governance practices. It engages in the comparative analysis of the approach in the UK and those of other market economies. Finally, it invites international scholars to examine the corporate structures in their economies in light of the principle-based insight gleaned from the discussions.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Legal Aspects of International Mergers, Acquisitions and Takeovers

Code:

LWMTMA

Convenor:

DR Jorge Guira

Summary:

This module is an advanced corporate law and financial regulation module analyzing transactions (acquisitions, mergers and proxy contexts) using sophisticated methodologies. The module will focus on issues such as: why merge or acquire a business; core considerations of the process; due diligence, purchase sale agreements and contractual governance; the role of the board of directors; the permissibility and regulation of takeover defenses in the UK, the US and the EU; the protection of minority shareholders through regulation of the bid process; the protection of other constituencies such as employees affected by control transactions; and financial assistance regulation in the UK and the EU. The course will be focused on understanding the literature related to these issues, how to do research, as well as how to do deals and work with policymakers. The views of shareholders, bankers, investment funds, stakeholders, management, and "society" are all considered.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Title:

Governance, Power and Accountability

Code:

ICM336

Convenor:

DR Deepa Govindarajan Driver

Summary:

This module introduces students to the theory and practice of governance. The module then focuses on a critical discussion of power and accountability, with an emphasis on accountability to a range of  societal stakeholders. 

Assessment Method:

Assignment 100%

Disclaimer:

The modules described on this page are what we currently offer. Modules may change for your year of study as we regularly review our offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.