LAW565
International Business Transactions
(Reif)
Prerequisite courses:
Prerequisite for:
Instructor(s): Professor Linda C. Reif
Method of presentation: Lecture
METHOD OF EVALUATION
The primary method of evaluation in this course is a research paper worth 75% of the Grade.
The remainder of the grade in the course will be made up of: an outline of the research paper worth 10% and class participation worth 15% (involving submission of a written class participation record at end of term).
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Canadian business increasingly is conducted internationally and many foreign businesses trade and invest in Canada. As a result of the globalization of business, it is important for Canadian lawyers to have an understanding of the many facets of international business transactions. This course will provide an introduction to (1) the transactional aspects of international business (with emphasis on the export/import of goods and foreign direct investment) and (2) international and domestic law affecting companies doing business internationally. You do not need to have taken Public International Law to enrol in this course.
Information on research paper writing techniques and on conducting international law research will also be provided at the end of the first month to enable students to enhance their legal research and writing skills through the research paper method of evaluation.
The course will address the following topics:
1) introduction to public international law and international business transactions;
2) contracts and contract drafting for international business transactions;
3) UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and its domestic application;
4) international indirect sales (agency, distributorships, franchises);
5) contract dispute settlement (litigation, mediation, international commercial arbitration);
6) export and import controls, conflict diamonds and conflict minerals cases studies;
7) bribery of foreign public officials in IBTs: treaty law, Canadian and US law;
8) multinational corporations, codes of conduct and human rights; and
9) introduction to international investment law: transactional issues, BITs/FIPAs, free trade agreement investment chapters and investment treaty arbitration.
SPECIAL COMMENTS
Description updated 2020-21. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.
REQUIRED TEXTS (IF ANY):
TWEN reading list (links to primary materials and selected readings).