INTERNATIONAL AND EU ECONOMIC LAW

The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the nature, structure and functions of international and EU economic law. The main objective is the development of the students’ understanding and knowledge of the relevant issues and the strengthening of their ability to interact at the required levels (research, study, professional work) on the main subject-matters of the discipline.

There is no formal pre-requisite for the course.

Knowledge and understanding: students will gain a strong knowledge of the norms regulating international and EU economic law. This knowledge will be acquired through lectures, seminars and case studies. Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired at a theoretical level to the study of current events and real cases. These skills will be obtained through the study for the final exam and through individual and group exercises, as well as through the interaction with the teachers and colleagues during the discussion of cases of interest. Making judgements: students will acquire the necessary tools to understand and analyze – from a legal standpoint and starting from the study of the fundamentals of international and EU economic law – topical phenomena of global scope. Students will also develop a capacity for analysis and critical reasoning on problems and case studies, adequately applying the relevant legal framework and judicial practice to the cases examined. Communication skills: students will acquire the ability to construct, analyze and communicate their point of view and the results of their analysis. This will be achieved through the study of materials and decisions of international bodies, and also through the discussion of cases designed to help the students develop their critical thinking skills. Learning skills: students, having acquired the main notions of international and EU economic law, will have the necessary basis to manage issues pertaining to this field. They will be able to further their studies in this field and to pursue various career paths after completion of their studies, including in multinational companies, international institutions and organizations, diplomacy, and NGOs.

The course is divided into four modules. After an introductory week aimed at offering students the necessary bases for delving into the subject, the first module tackles International Trade Law. The World Trade Organization will be analyzed in depth, with a focus on its structure, its functioning, the most important agreements and the dispute settlement mechanism. The second module offers an overview of the law of international contracts. The module aims at offering students the necessary tools to navigate EU and international disputes concerning contracts. The third module is dedicated to international investment law. This module addresses the structure of this field of international and EU law, the most important standards for the protection of foreign investment, as well as the method for the settlement of disputes between States and foreign investors, with a particular focus on international investment arbitration and on EU’s role in this field. Lastly, the fourth module tackles international monetary law, focusing on both international and EU institutions relevant to the field.

D. Collins, Foundations of International Economic Law, Elgar, 2019.

Classes will be held both through classic frontal teaching and in-class interaction (e.g., active participation and discussion). Students’ participation will be taken into account for the final assessment. Due to the interactive nature of many classes, students will be expected to have already read the assigned materials.

The final grade is expressed in thirtieths. Insufficient preparation, corresponding to a score below 18, will lead to failure to pass the exam. Demonstrating an excellent level of preparation will lead to the attribution of a score of 30, possibly cum laude. The final assessment will be based on: (i) two written or oral exams (midterms), which will account for 70% of the final evaluation and will test the knowledge acquired during the course; (ii) a final written or oral exam, which will account for 30% of the final evaluation.

Successful completion of the course, passing the final exam, a keen interest in the subject and quality of eventual topics proposed.