Prospectus

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International Commercial Law

Course
2023-2024

Admission requirements

None.

Description

The LLB course International Commercial Law offers an introduction to the core legal concepts of international trade and commerce. Specifically, the course introduces you to the main elements of transnational commercial law, its history and its sources. It focuses on the topics that are most relevant in today’s practice, such as: (i) how to litigate international disputes; (ii) which law applies to international disputes; (iii) how to conclude international sales contracts; (iv) how to finance international commercial contracts, specifically by means of guarantees and security interests; (v) how to transfer money, securities and crypto-assets across borders; (vi) what leasing and factoring contracts are; and (vii) how an instrument of international harmonisation comes into being.
Please note: It is highly recommended to have completed contract law and property law courses before taking this course.

Course objectives

Upon completion of the course, you are able to state, identify and apply, the relevant principles, rules and case law to a given case hypothetical, as well as offer a discussion and reasoned critique concerning the following subjects:

  • Private international law in commercial law litigation (jurisdiction, applicable law and recognition);

  • International commercial contracting;

  • The Vienna Sales Convention;

  • International interests in mobile equipment;

  • Guarantees and letters of credit;

  • Leasing and factoring;

  • International transfers of money, securities and crypto-assets; and

  • The harmonisation process.

Timetable

Check MyTimetable.

Mode of instruction

This course consists of 10 or 11 lectures where theory, practice and pause for reflection are combined. The lectures introduce the students to the topic and focus on the specific issues most relevant in international practice. Students must prepare the lectures by studying the materials as listed in the course calendar.

Please note: The program is subject to change.

Assessment method

Written exam (100%): 3 hours. The assessment method will be practiced during the lectures.

Regulation retake passed exams
In this course it is possible to retake an exam that has been passed (cf. art. 4.1.8.1 and further of the Course and Examination Regulations). Students who have passed the exam may retake the final written assessment (test) of the course if they meet certain requirements. To retake a passed exam, students need to ask the Student Administration Office (OIC) for permission. For more information, go to 'course and exam enrollment' > 'permission for retaking a passed exam' on the student website.

Reading list

  • McKendrick, Ewan; Goode, Roy; Kronke, Herbert Transnational commercial law: text, cases, and materials, 5th ed., Oxford University Press, 2015 (an online version of the book is available for free to the students via the library of Leiden University).

  • Bogdan, Michael; Pertegás Sender, Marta, Concise Introduction to EU Private International Law, 4th ed., Europa Law Publishing 2019.

  • Relevant statutes and cases as discussed during the lectures. A selection of international materials will be made available on Brightspace.

  • Additional cases and literature as published on BrightSpace.

Registration

Registration for courses and exams takes place via MyStudymap. If you do not have access to MyStudymap (guest students), look here (under the Law-tab) for more information on the registration procedure in your situation.

A block of seats will be reserved for exchange students and will be registered through the international office.

Contact

For questions regarding this course, please contact the secretariat of Institute for Private Law (for contact information see 'Institution/division').

  • Coordinator: Mr. L. Kremers

  • Work address: KOG, Steenschuur 25, room: C210

  • Telephone number: +31 (0)71 527 7593

  • Email: L.kremers@law.leidenuniv.nl

Institution/division

  • Institute: Privaatrecht

  • Department: Civil Law

  • Room number secretary: B2.43

  • Opening hours: 09.00-17:00

  • Telephone number secretary: +31 (0) 71 – 527 7593

  • Email: civielrecht@law.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks