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| Unit name |
International Sale of Goods |
| Unit code |
LAWDM0143 |
| Credit points |
30 |
| Level of study |
M/7
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Mark Campbell |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Description including Unit Aims
Following a general introduction to international sale of goods, the unit will address two main areas. First, the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (Vienna, 1980) (CISG), a measure aimed at harmonising legal rules on international sales, and which has been adopted by more than 80 countries (although not the UK). There will be consideration of matters such as CISG’s sphere of application, the correct approach to its interpretation, and remedies. Second, aspects of English law relevant to international sales, including the particular rules that have developed in relation to FOB and CIF contracts. This part of the unit will consider the Sale of Goods Act 1979, including provisions relevant to passing of property and risk, as well as remedies.
The aims of the unit are as follows.
- To understand the legal issues raised by an international sale of goods.
- To understand the particular forms of contracts that have developed to meet the needs of international sales transactions (e.g. FOB/CIF contracts, INCOTERMS).
- To understand and analyze the relevant provisions of the CISG.
- To understand and analyze relevant aspects of English law.
- To be able to identify the legal problems posed by complex factual situations and to understand how the applicable rules and principles provide answers to such problems.
- To understand the ways in which current legal frameworks dealing with international sales might be reformed.
- To understand the significance of measures aimed at harmonizing legal rules relevant to international trade.
Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, the student will be able, to a degree commensurate with the level at which the unit is taught, to do the following.
- Demonstrate a good understanding of legal issues that arise in connection with contracts for the international sale of goods and be able to offer a critical analysis of those issues.
- Demonstrate a good understanding of relevant aspects of CISG and English sales law and be able to engage in a critical assessment of such legal rules and principles.
- Critically assess the rationales for, and significance of, measures aimed at harmonizing legal rules relevant to international trade.
- Be able to apply relevant legal rules and principles to hypothetical problem scenarios.
Teaching Information
Teaching will be delivered through a variety of asynchronous and synchronous activities
Assessment Information
2 x summative assessments: 1x coursework and 1 x Timed Open Book Assessment with a specified word count
The assessment will assess all of the intended learning outcomes for this unit.
Reading and References
- United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (Vienna, 1980) (CISG)
- UNCITRAL Digest of Case Law on the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (2016)
- Sale of Goods Act 1979
- Michael Bridge, International Sale of Goods (4th edn, OUP 2017)
- Clayton P Gillette, An Advanced Introduction to International Sales Law (Edward Elgar 2017)
- Ingeborg Schwenzer, Christina Fountoulakis and Mariel Dimsey, International Sales Law: A Guide to the CISG (3rdedn, Hart 2019)
- MA Clarke, RJA Hooley et al, Commercial Law: Text, Cases and Materials (5thedn, OUP 2017)
- Ewan McKendrick, Goode on Commercial Law (5th edn, Penguin 2016
