This session will introduce students to the legal aspects of international trade, the economic assumptions that lie behind the most important multi-lateral international trade agreements, the concepts of ‘comparative advantage’, ‘reciprocity’ and related questions. Further, the focus will shift to the creation and historical development of the World Trade Organisation, its legal structure, and the dispute settlement system. Readings: - Trebilcock, M. J., Advanced Introduction to International Trade Law: p. 1-31. - Other materials marked as “Required” on NEO.

This session will focus on the Most Favoured Nation treatment obligation and will explain the three tier test required to analyze the inconsistency of a trade measure with this rule. Readings: - Van den Bossche, P., The Law and Policy of The World Trade Organisation, 2nd ed.,pg. 307 – 318. - Other materials marked as “Required” on NEO.

Description: In this session we will analyze the national treatment principle discussing the notion of "like products" and "directly competitive or substitutable products". 
 Readings: - Van den Bossche, P., The Law and Policy of The World Trade Organisation, 2nd ed.,pg. 326 – 340. - Other materials marked as “Required” on NEO.

In this session we will continue the analysis of the application of the national treatment principle on trade in goods (Art. III of GATT). The focus will be on distinguishing between the different paragraphs of Art. III GATT. Readings: - Van den Bossche, P., The Law and Policy of The World Trade Organisation, 2nd ed.,pg. 340 - 364. - Other materials marked as “Required” on NEO.

The session will discuss the two main categories of barriers to market access for goods: (i) tariffs; and, (ii) non tariff barriers to trade. Reading: - Van den Bossche, P., Essentials of WTO Law: p. 49-71. - Other materials marked as “Required” on NEO.

This session will explain the general exceptions under Article XX of GATT. Readings: - Van den Bossche, P., Essentials of WTO Law: p. 83-104. - Other materials marked as “Required” on NEO.

This session will continue the discussion on the general exceptions, focusing on the difference between Art. XX (b) and (g) of GATT. Readings: - Van den Bossche, P., Essentials of WTO Law: p. 83-104. - Other materials marked as “Required” on NEO.

This session will focus on the security exception, safeguard measures exception, the exceptions for Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs), balance-of-payments (BOP), and waivers. Readings: - Van den Bossche, P., Essentials of WTO Law: p. 110 - 139. - Other materials marked as “Required” on NEO.

This session will discuss the General Agreement on Trade in Services. Readings: - Trebilcock, M. J., Advanced Introduction to International Trade Law: p. 116-127. - Other materials marked as “Required” on NEO.

This session will familiarise the students with the areas of intellectual property covered by the TRIPS Agreement. As a specific issue we will discuss the protection of intellectual property and the need to ensure access to medicine. Readings: - Trebilcock, M. J., Advanced Introduction to International Trade Law: p. 138-148. - WTO module on TRIPS. - Other materials marked as “Required” on NEO.

This session will provide an overview of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (SPS). Reading: Materials marked as “Required” on NEO.

This session will provide an overview of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and Safeguards Agreements. Reading: Materials marked as “Required” on NEO.

As part of the second mandatory assignment for this course, the students will argue in a WTO dispute settlement simulated procedure. Readings: Materials posted on NEO page.


Open book exam, in written form. Students will receive a hypothetical case and will answer a set of questions in relation to it. Readings: None