LLIR9516 Law of the World Trade Organisation

This topic looks at the law of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the prime global regulator of international commerce. WTO law is located at the crossroads of the rules of international law and the politics of international relations, though this topic will focus mostly on the international law element. During the six weeks this intensive topic spans, we will explore: the background and structure of the WTO; dispute resolution within the WTO (and whether it is effective); the Most Favoured Nation and National Treatment principles (which are the WTO's "non-discrimination" principles); trade barriers and barriers to trade (including those that are relevant in the modern digital world); exceptions to WTO rules (both general and specific); and WTO law and The Peoples (which has a specific focus on indigenous populations).

This topic aims to teach students to:

• Understand the (political) background to the international trade regime
• Examine the rules applicable to international trade
• Explore the relevance of exceptions to "universal" rules
• Appreciate the workings of international dispute resolution
• Think critically about the effectiveness of international law
• Assess the impact of modern-day conditions on the international trade regime
• Evaluate the implications of international trade rules for different populations
• Consider what could be done to improve existing rules

This topic further aims to:

• Encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning
• Provide students with the opportunity to develop their opinions
• Develop students' awareness of the different types of arguments (legal, moral, practical) that inform debates on international trade law
• Cultivate students' analytical skills
• Offer the opportunity to research a topic in-depth
• Support students in successful cooperation with peers

1. Have a broad understanding of the World Trade Organisation regime and its laws
2. Apply the main principles (rules) of World Trade Organisation law
3. Understand how the World Trade Organisation dispute resolution system operates
4. Debate the effectiveness of the current world trade system
5. Recognise the impact of modern society on established rules
6. Appreciate the position of different populations vis-à-vis the world trade regime