Module Catalogue 2024/25

LAW8562 : The Law of the WTO (Inactive)

LAW8562 : The Law of the WTO (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Elliot Winter
  • Owning School: Newcastle Law School
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The law of international trade has become one of the most important areas of international law and policy, particularly since the adoption of the WTO Agreement in 1994. Trade law is now enforced through powerful dispute settlement mechanisms, and extends beyond the basic rules of non-discrimination and tariff reduction to regulating governmental policies such as safety standards, 'dumping' and environmental protection.

This module is designed for those who wish to go into trade policy work or practise in WTO law in any of its specialities, and it is instructive for those who wish to go into private commercial work but are interested in understanding the international law and policy affecting trade between nations.

The module will enable students to acquire knowledge and understanding of the law and institutions of the WTO, and their relationship with non-trade values such as human health and environmental protection.

Outline Of Syllabus

The theory behind liberalised trade
The institutional structure and powers of the WTO, including its dispute settlement procedure
The fundamental principles of GATT 1994, including tariff reduction, non-discrimination and general exceptions
Resolution of conflicts between international trade rules and non-trade policy instruments, e.g.
environmental protection measures

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

the theory behind liberalised trade

the institutional structure and powers of the WTO, including its dispute settlement procedure

the fundamental principles of GATT 1994

WTO response to conflicts between trade liberalisation rules and trade-restrictive policies

Intended Skill Outcomes

Subject Specific Skills:

ability to interpret, analyse and apply legal instruments and dispute settlement reports relating to
international trade law
ability to write, speak and think with care and precision in the analysis and synthesis of WTO law
ability to identify issues in WTO law for research and to retrieve accurate and relevant legal and other
sources in primary and secondary form.

Cognitive Skills:

further development of ability to interpret, analyse and evaluate legal materials
further development of ability to exercise critical judgement

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture22:004:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion22:004:00Group-based presentation preparation
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching62:0012:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery41:004:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study761:0076:00N/A
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

There will be lectures to convey introductory content in an efficient manner.

There will be seminars in which students will participate in class discussions based on material that they have read. As an advanced knowledge module (wherein independent student learning through reading and evaluating different primary and secondary source materials is vital) the students will benefit greatly from learning from each other as well as the module leader in these seminars.

There will be a revision seminar in which students will have an explicit opportunity for closer small group interaction with the module leader priorto sitting the examination. Students will also be able to benefit from the revision work having been done by their peers to highlight points of their own revision that require further attention.

There will be surgery hours for one-to-one contact to reflect the fact that different students have different needs and abilities and that some mayneed additional guidance in certain areas. Issues raised in surgery will be replicated on Canvas, so that other students can also benefit from surgery time they did not personally attend.

There will be guided independent study sessions in which student will prepare presentations for delivery to the rest of the class.

Finally, there will be guided independent study time in which students will carry out the bulk of the necessary reading and research for the module.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination14402A10024 hr take home exam. Answer 3 out of 6 questions.
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Written Examination2M2 questions
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

This module requires extensive reading and absorption of detailed principles and practice. Students will be asked to sit a formative examination in the middle of semester 2 to test their awareness and knowledge of issues discussed at the beginnings of the module. On this they will receive detailed feedback on their writing style, legal knowledge and argumentation abilities that will further prepare them for the exam.

The examination will be the basis for further testing of students' skills and knowledge, acquired throughout the entirety of the module; it will be broader and more demanding in terms of scope and level of knowledge demonstrated and applied.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.