LLM International Commercial Law

Title:

Advanced International Commercial Law Issues

Code:

LWMTAI

Convenor:

DR Andrea Miglionico

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:

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:

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:

Legal Aspects of International Financial Regulation

Code:

LWMFIN

Convenor:

DR Andrea Miglionico

Summary:

This module aims to help students understand:

• The legal basis, nature and purpose of financial regulation.
• The financial context and the organisation, purpose and structure of regulators.
• Soft law and hard law mechanisms – how regulators seek to address the risks posed to various stakeholders. 
• Regulatory policy development.
• Prudential and conduct of business aspects to regulation when managed and supervised by multi-agency regulatory bodies in financial markets. 
• The role of governance and culture in financial firms.
• Factors that make the financial services regulation and supervision complex or problematic. 
• The interaction between regulators, senior managers, risk managers, compliance professionals and auditors.
• The change and evolution of the regulatory architecture and framework for domestic and international financial institutions, especially post-crisis. 

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:

Introduction to International Law

Code:

LWMIIA

Convenor:

DR Alex Gilder

Summary:

Introduction to International Law teaches the basics of international law succinctly, but to an advanced level. The module is designed to provide a starting point for students entering the LLM programme who do not already have a background in international law. The module covers the key features of the international legal system, such as the nature of the international law, treaties and other sources of international law, the subjects of the international legal system, dispute settlement and the establishment of state responsibility.  It also gives students the opportunity to put some of the mechanisms of the international legal system into practice, through interactive group exercises.

This module is taught twice to two different cohorts of students, one in the Autumn term and one in the Spring term.  The contact hours are listed for the first iteration of teaching in the Autumn term and these same contact hours are repeated for the second iteration of teaching in the Spring term.

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 Investment Law and Arbitration

Code:

LWMILA

Convenor:

MISS Stanislava Nedeva

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:

International Trade and WTO Law

Code:

LWMITW

Convenor:

DR Anne Thies

Summary:

This module examines the law governing international trade, with a particular focus on the law established by the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements. After introducing the historical development of the international economic law system and institutions, the module analyses core principles of WTO law and the WTO dispute settlement system. The module also examines the role of regional trade agreements that complement the WTO agreements, and it reflects on how current challenges might influence the future of international trade law.

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:

MR Yong Han

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:

International Commercial Arbitration (CIArb Accredited)

Code:

LWMTAR

Convenor:

DR Jorge Guira

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:

Intellectual Property Law: Copyright and Designs

Code:

LWMTCC

Convenor:

DR Basak Bak

Summary:

This module provides advanced knowledge of the legal protection that is afforded to creative works and industrial designs. Students will be encouraged to critically assess statutory provisions and common law principles that govern copyright and design law, as well as the rationales justifying particular doctrines and the effects of the practical operation of these fields of intellectual property. Subject to discussion will be emergent topics in the area of copyright and design law, such as online copyright infringement, internet platform liability, artificial intelligence and parallel trade issues.

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:

Privacy and Data Protection

Code:

LWMTDP

Convenor:

DR Basak Bak

Summary:

The module explores the legal protection afforded to privacy and personal data, with emphasis on the processing of information in the online environment. Subject to discussion will be the way in which privacy is protected under EU law, the tension between privacy and freedom of speech, the protection of personal and sensitive data (eg medical data), the UK and EU regulatory framework, including the data protection laws and the freedom of information provisions.

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 Wangwei Lin

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:

Research Methods for LLM Students

Code:

LWMTLM

Convenor:

PROF Aleardo Zanghellini

Summary:

Assessment Method:

Assignment 90%, Oral 10%

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:

Legal Issues in Oil and Gas

Code:

LWMTOG

Convenor:

DR Jorge Guira

Summary:

This module will introduce students to the basics of oil and gas law in its modern energy transition context. The course will cover fundamental topics such as ownership of natural resources such as oil and gas, the licensing regime for oil and gas exploration and production, basic elements of oil and gas agreements, the rights and obligations of oil and gas companies, the institutional context of oil and gas exploration and production the tortious elements of oil and gas exploration and production, and including decommissioning. This includes relationship to geopolitics, energy security, energy access, and affordability and poverty, climate change and arbitration and dispute resolution.

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

Code:

LWMTRM

Convenor:

PROF Aleardo Zanghellini

Summary:

This module aims to assist students in the formulation of a research question appropriate to their chosen area of study and to develop 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. Students will also be expected to gain an appreciation of the social, ethical and policy context of research. 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.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 70%, Oral 30%

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:

Internet Law

Code:

LWMTWB

Convenor:

DR Wangwei Lin

Summary:

The module explores the issues related to the law and regulation of the ‘borderless’ internet. These include allocation of jurisdiction; e-privacy and data protection; liability of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for online crimes and infringements; regulation of domain names; legal issues of cloud computing, software licensing and ‘open source’ distribution; data ownership, big data and mass digitization projects; freedom of speech on the internet and intellectual property issues of the information society.

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:

Financial Markets and Institutions

Code:

ICM332

Convenor:

DR Alfonso Dufour

Summary:

This module provides an introduction to international financial markets and an overview of financial institutions. The main characteristics and risks of a range of financial markets are presented: equity, fixed income, foreign exchange, futures and commodity markets. A series of interactive workshops are used to learn about ethical investing and alternative trading systems.

Assessment Method:

Exam 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:

MS 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.

Title:

Financial Regulation

Code:

ICM338

Convenor:

MS Deepa Govindarajan Driver

Summary:

This module develops a broad understanding of and critical perspectives on the basis for, purpose of, design, application and consequences of financial regulation globally. 

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:

Ethical and Responsible Management & International Corporate Responsibility

Code:

MMM157

Convenor:

PROF Kleio Akrivou

Summary:

This module is delivered at University of Reading UK.  Students will learn key knowledge enabling ethical management and corporate responsibility. First, the cross-disciplinary Corporate Social Responsibility subject involving firms, individuals and wider society with a focus on corporate responsibility and sustainability are explored. Also, a strong component of Ethical theory is being learnt as part of the foundational knowledge of this module with the aim to stimulate a reflective awareness and evaluation of business and management practices and how to apply knowledge on students’ own future professional practice in the field of business and management practices, and decision making.

Assessment Method:

Assignment 60%, Oral 40%

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.