LLM Corporate and Commercial Law

Core modules

Legal Research & Writing Skills

This module introduces students to the basic skills of legal research and legal writing, both essays and problem solving. The module includes lectures by academic staff, library staff and on-line specialists, hands-on workshops and structured seminars. The modules also covers referencing and the use of unfair means. Students are given formative feedback on essays. Students are introduced to the skills necessary to give effective oral presentations. Time will also be given to self-reflect on future employment opportunities.

Dissertation (LLM in Law)

Students must complete a 10,000-12,000 word dissertation on a legal topic of their choice, subject to approval by the Head of School or her or his delegate. The approval will include consideration of whether the dissertation is suitable for the student to graduate from one of the specialised pathways. To this end the student will be asked to nominate on the paperwork their interest in graduating with one of the specialised pathways. The dissertation gives the student the opportunity to explore an area of their interest in some depth. To achieve a Masters standard the student is required to demonstrate an up-to-date critical analysis of the topic chosen for discussion.

60 credits

Optional modules - examples include:

WTO Law: Foundations, Institutions, Challenges

This module introduces the rules, institutions and policies of international trade law including the study of law and governance of the WTO, including core principles and institutional structures. The module will examine the functions and limits of international law in governing world trade in goods/services. Taking into account political, economic and historical contexts, it will discuss the effects of international trade law on states' interests, policies and individuals' lives/wellbeing. Topics may include trade negotiations, dispute settlement, core disciplines reciprocal exchanges, discriminatory treatment, interaction of trade rules with economic development, trade regionalism, intellectual property rights, environmental protection, and other societal values.

15 credits

Information Technology Law

This module will address the regulatory framework that governs information technology within international, European and domestic settings. Information technology is an umbrella term for different areas of what can is commonly described as 'internet law' such as electronic commerce, intellectual property in the online context, privacy and data protection. The module will first discuss the legal challenges raised by the internet by, inter alia, looking at Internet Governance, the jurisdictional challenge of the internet as well as online dispute resolution. The module will then focus on electronic commerce. It will discuss e-contracts, both in the business-to-business and business-to-consumer scenario. The module then particularly focusses on the role and regulation of internet intermediaries (including key entities such as Google, eBay, YouTube) which has led to a number of cases recently, including diverging interpretations of the E-Commerce Directive in Member States. Hereafter, the module will address intellectual property as specifically applied to information technology. Finally, the module will critically discuss online privacy and data protection such as in the context of revenge pornography.

15 credits

Introduction to Company Law and Corporate Governance

This module begins with an outline of the principles of company law for those who have not studied it before. It then offers an overview of directors duties, decision-making, and minority protection versus market protection. These topics are then set in their broader corporate governance context, with an overview of theoretical approaches to corporate governance, as well as some of the main mechanisms characteristic of the UK system

15 credits

Current Issues in Company Law and Corporate Governance

This module explores in detail a number of topical issues in company law and corporate governance. Topics may include corporate theory, board composition, remuneration, takeovers, codes of conduct, introduction to corporate social responsibility, corporate finance including creditor protection, stakeholder corporate governance and corporate governance and the financial crisis.

15 credits

Corporate Social Responsibility and the Law

This module will critically look at the developing legal regulation of CSR. The module will first look at the meaning of CSR, how it has evolved as a concept and how it is linked to law. The module will then approach CSR from the perspective of different legal fields. The focus will be on English law, but examples from other systems will also be referred to. The module will first look at CSR from a company law perspective, particularly focussing on reporting duties on CSR issues, but also covering directors' duties and the role of shareholders. Secondly, the module will address CSR in global supply chains, focussing on contract law. Thirdly, the module will discuss liability-based approaches to promoting greater CSR such as transnational tort litigation and corporate criminal liability with extraterritorial effects. Fourthly, the module will study CSR from a consumer (law) perspective which particularly raises questions of enforcement. Finally, the module will shift its focus to CSR in emerging economies 

15 credits

International Law and the Protection of Foreign Investment

This module introduces students to States' obligations under public international law toward foreign investors and their property and examines the substantive and procedural rules applicable in settling investment disputes. International law concerning the treatment of foreign nationals and their property has important consequences in facilitating foreign direct investment and for host States' capacities to define and pursue the public interest. Students will be encouraged to critically engage with existing law and practice concerning investment protection and the settlement of investment disputes, and to consider whether, and how, these rules and practices might be improved.

15 credits

International Intellectual Property Law and Sustainable Development

The module examines the international frame of Intellectual Property (IP) and how, and to what extent, this can contribute to fulfil the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) whose agendas overlap with IP-related issues, i.e. most of them. In particular, the module will (a) analyse the 'Agreement on the Trade-Related aspects of IP Rights (TRIPs)', focusing on its key principles and outlining the key IP rights regulated therein; (b) discuss selected issues of international importance connected with IP and the SDGs frame such as: access to medicines; access to educational materials; protection of biodiversity and traditional heritage.

15 credits

International Trade Law: Advanced Issues

This module covers in-depth topics of international trade law and governance. Building upon the foundational knowledge of international trade law (as offered in WTO Law: Foundations, Institutions, Challenges), this module explores advanced issues that are at the core of contemporary challenges facing the world trading system.
This module will address some of the following themes:
Advanced issues of the law and policy of the World Trade Organization;
The world trading system in a context of deglobalization of complex global value chains and increasing economic nationalism;
The future of global trade governance in a brave new world of regional trade agreements.

15 credits

Discrimination in Employment Law

This module examines the law of age, religion or belief, disability, race, sexual orientation and sex discrimination including direct and indirect discrimination, genuine occupational qualifications, justification, remedies and the duty of reasonable adjustment. Also investigated are positive action and positive discrimination, theoretical aspects including the economics of discrimination, the position of groups in the law, and the limits of the law.

15 credits

Legal Tech and Lawyering in the Digital Age

This module will consider the changing face of 21st century legal practice, with a particular emphasis on the growing influence of digital technology. Students will explore the current and future uses of a range of legal tech and critically evaluate its impact on various aspects of legal practice, including professional ethics and notions of professionalism. Students will have the opportunity to contextualise this through reflection on the wider currents of change within the legal profession, enabling them to develop a vision for the future of lawyering in a digital age.

15 credits

Employee Rights Within the Company

This module explores topical issues relating to the protection of employee rights within the company. The core question addressed is how does, and should, the law attempt to strike a fair balance between the fundamental rights of employees and the interests of the company. The use of technology within the company, and the impact that this has on employee rights, will also be covered. Illustrative employee rights that may be discussed include freedom of association, freedom of expression, the right to work, the right to privacy, and freedom of religion.

15 credits

Trade Law and Government Procurement

The module explores the global regulation of government procurement. The module will examine the core international regulatory instruments on government procurement, including the European Union and World Trade Organisation rules.

15 credits