BTX3110 - International trade law - 2019

International trade and commerce is increasingly central to business operations in Australia and around the world. This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to the legal framework governing international trade and commerce, with a particular focus on trade in goods. The unit begins by introducing the key principles of law that govern trade relations between nation states and addresses broader policy questions such as how these international laws have impacted the ability of nation states, such as Australia, to regulate trade for the purposes of protecting animal welfare and the environment and food and product safety.

The unit also introduces the fundamental contracts, documents and processes involved in international sales transactions. These include the international contract of sale, contracts of air and sea carriage, marine insurance and international payments. The unit focuses on the framework of laws, principles and other instruments within which business professionals operate when concluding and performing these contracts. The principal rights and obligations of the parties and the available remedies are analysed for the purpose of ensuring that traders are aware of and able to avoid the legal risks inherent in international commerce.

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

1. understand and analyse the key disciplines of international trade law governing the trade relations between nation states and their impact on domestic regulation, in particular domestic regulation for health and environmental protection
2. understand the principal legal rights, obligations and remedies available to the parties in fundamental international commercial contracts, which include sales, carriage, marine insurance, payments and arbitration
3. be able to identify, avoid and resolve the legal problems that arise in international commercial transactions by explaining and analysing the relevant rights, obligations and remedies available to the parties
4. develop problem-solving, research and writing skills.

Within semester assessment: 50% + Examination: 50%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information