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27576-01 - Lecture: WTO-Law (6 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Krista Nadakavukaren Schefer (k.nadakavukaren@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Trade among nations has been taking place from the earliest days of human societies - but the questions about what the rules are and what the rules should be continue to shape the international system today. In a time of growing concern with the environmental and social impacts of moving things made in one country into another country, the law of international trade becomes central to how - or even whether - a nation can promote its own interests. This course examines the international law governing the flow of goods and services around the world. It focuses on the legal system of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the basis of the international trade law system. We start with a short overview of the development of the legal principles lying at the heart of the multilateral trading system. Then we move on to looking at the institutional elements of the WTO itself. The general principles and the exceptions to WTO law are then explained and analyzed on the basis of the treaty texts and the relevant case law. The dispute settlement mechanism is also examined thoroughly. Throughout the course, an emphasis will be set on examining if the goals we want to achieve and the policies we use to achieve them are in line with the rules of trade - and if not, how to change. |
| Learning objectives | - Students should know how the WTO works as an institution, be able to recognize and apply the general principles of trade law, and to explain and analyze the procedures of resolving disputes about trade. |
| Bibliography | Peter Van den Bossche and Denise Prévost, ESSENTIALS OF WTO LAW, 2d ed. (Cambridge University Press, 2021). Further materials may be handed out throughout the semester. |
| Comments | There will be no lecture on 25 November 2024. |
| Admission requirements | Solid English reading skills are required, as all materials will be in English. Active participation and a willingness to be prepared for each class period are also desired. |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Monday | 16.15-18.00 | Juristische Fakultät, Seminarraum S3 HG.37 |
Dates
| Modules |
Electives Master Business Law: Recommendations (Master's Studies: Business Law) Specialization Module Global Europe: Globalized Trade and Business (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Specialization Module Global Europe: International Organizations (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Specialization module: International Law (Master's Studies: Law) Specialization module: International Law (Master's Studies: Law (bilingue)) Specialization module: Life Sciences Law (Master's Studies: Law) Wahlbereich Master Rechtswissenschaft (EUCOR): Empfehlungen (Master's Studies: Law (Eucor)) |
| Assessment format | lecture examination |
| Assessment details | Oral exams will be held in December. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Registration: course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,01 |
| Repeated registration | one repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Law, studiendekanat-ius@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Öffentliches Recht |