FH JoanneumInternational Business Law Course Outline

Satu PitkänenJune 2016

DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE

The aim of the course is to give the student a sound understanding of the legal framework of international business and to provide a comprehensive introduction to international business law. The course consists of lessons, individual studies and distance assignments. Attendance on each lesson is highly recommended

Literature

Satu Pitkänen 2016. Introduction to International Business Law. Available on Moodle.

Satu Pitkänen 2016. European Union Law in a Nutshell. Available on Moodle.
The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. Vienna 1980.

Additional:

August, R., Mayer, D., Bixby, M. 2013. International Business Law. 5th edition (or newer). Prentice Hall. New Jersey.

Woods, L., Watson, P. 2014. Steiner and Woods EU Law. 12th edition. Oxford University Press. Oxford, U.K.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Day / Date / Topics / Readings
1 / 20 June / Scope of International Law
Comparative Law /
  • Power point slides
  • Pitkänen. Introduction to International Business Law. Pp. 1-7

2 / 21 June / Conflict of laws, jurisdiction /
  • Power point slides
  • Pitkänen. Introduction to International Business Law. Pp. 7-12

3 / 22 June / Dispute resolution /
  • Power point slides
  • Pitkänen. Introduction to International Business Law. Pp. 31-32

4 / 23 June / International contracts /
  • Power point slides
  • Pitkänen. Introduction to International Business Law. Pp. 12-17

5 / 24 June / Cases 1-2, presentations and discussion
International trade and transportation /
  • Power point slides
  • Pitkänen. Introduction to International Business Law. Pp. 18-29

6 / 27 June / International trade and transportation /
  • Power point slides
  • Pitkänen. Introduction to International Business Law. Pp. 18-29

7 / 28 June / Cases 3-6, presentations and discussion
8 / 29 June / Trade in the EU /
  • Power point slides
  • Pitkänen. EU Law in a Nutshell. Pp. 3-20

9 / 30 June / EU competition law /
  • Power point slides
  • Pitkänen. EU Law in a Nutshell. Pp. 25-33

10 / 1 July / Exam

ASSIGNMENT

General guidelines

The assignment consists of a report and a presentation. While completing the assignment you will need background information such as literature, law and maybe other case rulings. Remember to always cite the sources in your text, and to write a list of references in the end of your report.

Notice that copying and pasting is not the correct way to work. Avoid direct quotation because it is copying and therefore not worth much unless followed by your own conclusions. Direct quotations, if used, must be separated from the text by a different font or placed inside the quotation marks.

Sources of information

Links to the CISG :

or (>Text > Explanatory note).

There is a link to each case on the case list below.

Assignment (team work)

The cases below were tried by courtsin different countries. However, all of the cases have something in common: they all deal with international contracts and trade, and they all were judged under the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, CISG. Therefore, studying the cases helps you to deepen your understanding of the CISG provisions and the circumstances of international business.

All students study all of the cases on a general level. Each team undertakes a case to study thoroughly. As a conclusion, the team writes a report and posts it on Moodle for the others to read, and gives a presentation (10-15 minutes) in the class. After the presentation the case will be discussed on, and the relevant team will answer the questions asked about the case.

a)Report

Study thoroughly the case appointed to your team, analyse it by the help of the relevant articles of the CISG. Write a report of 2-3 pages, give a printed copy to the teacher and also post the report on Moodle for the other students to read.

In your analyses, contemplate on the case focusing on issues such as

  • What the problem is
  • What legal issues are involved
  • What the learning objectives are
  • What answers the case provides

Try to make your own conclusionsbased on sources of law, since the most valuable part of the report is established by your own contribution.

CASES:

1. Case 2002/02304

Société H. H... GmbH & Co. v. SARL MG (Sales of German textiles to France)

2. Case C-01-4203 MMC

Chateau des Charmes Wines Ltd. v. Sabaté USA, Inc., and Sabaté S.A.

3. Case 04-2551

Chicago Prime Packers, Inc. v. Northam Food Trading Co.

4. Case 00 Civ. 934 (SHS)

St. Paul Guardian Insurance Co. et al. b. Neuromed Medical Systems & Support

5. Case 4 R 161/94

Dansk Blumsterexport A/s v. Frick Blumenhandel

6. Case: UTC GmbH v. S P Ky

Finnish forestry equipment

b)Presentation

The target of the presentation is to make the case summary and the team’s own analyses clear to the class. The more illustrative and interesting the better, teams can choose the form of the presentation and be as creative as they wish. The whole team must take part in the presentation.

Deadlines

Reports must be attached on Moodle and the presentations are given as follows:

Cases 1-2: June 24

Cases 3-6: June 28

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