2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LAW5585M International Trade Finance Law

15 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Karina Patricio Ferreira Lima
Email: K.Patricio@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module offers an in-depth exploration of international trade finance law, highlighting its crucial role in underpinning global trade transactions. According to the World Trade Organization, trade finance supports 80 to 90 percent of global trade. The course focuses on legal instruments such as bills of exchange, letters of credit, demand guarantees, performance bonds, standby letters of credit, and credit insurance, all within a framework of transnational standardisation. While the focus is on English law, it is examined from a transnational and comparative perspective. The module also examines the influence of key global and domestic institutions in shaping trade finance law and policy, including the roles of commercial banks, export-import credit agencies, multilateral development banks, the International Chamber of Commerce, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Berne Union. Additionally, it considers ongoing developments in the digitalisation of trade documents and the legal policy implications of trade finance for sustainable development goals.

Objectives

1. To provide students with an in-depth understanding of the scope, structure, and purpose of International Trade Finance law, emphasising its institutional structures, policy materials, and the broader economic and political context.
2. To enable students to critically analyse key legal instruments in trade finance, such as bills of exchange, letters of credit, and on-demand guarantees, along with a focused study of the roles and functions of crucial institutions like export-credit agencies, multilateral development banks, and the International Chamber of Commerce.
3. To facilitate understanding and critical analysis of the legal underpinnings and impacts of digitalisation in trade finance, assessing national, international, and transnational legal developments with a focus on English law.
4. To explore and critically discuss how trade finance law influences broader policy issues, including sustainable development and climate change.
5. To foster skills in research, analysis, and teamwork through engaging coursework and collaborative projects, focusing on the practical application of theoretical knowledge.
6. To achieve these objectives, the module employs a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures are designed to introduce and elucidate core theoretical concepts, providing a solid knowledge base. Seminars, on the other hand, are geared towards allowing students to apply this knowledge in practical settings. These seminars include various activities such as collaborative coursework, team-based projects, and individual research, enabling students to delve deeper into specific areas of interest within trade finance law. This integrated learning structure is aimed at ensuring a holistic educational experience, balancing foundational knowledge with hands-on learning.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Explain the scope, structure, and purpose of International Trade Finance law, incorporating an understanding of its institutional structures, policy materials, and the economic and political context of the subject matter.
2. Critically analyse key legal instruments in trade finance, including bills of exchange, letters of credit, demand guarantees, performance bonds, standby credits, and credit insurance, demonstrating an understanding of their application and significance.
3. Understand and critically analyse the institutional setting of trade finance, including the roles and functions of export-credit agencies, multilateral development banks, and the International Chamber of Commerce, and their influence in shaping the law and policy of international trade finance.
4. Critically analyse national, international, and transnational legal developments in trade finance, with a particular emphasis on English law, to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of their interrelationships.
5. Evaluate the effects of digitalisation on trade finance, considering national, international, and transnational developments and their implications on legal practices and policies.
6. Examine and critically discuss the influence of trade finance law on broader policy issues, with a focus on sustainable development and climate change, demonstrating an understanding of the legal implications and challenges.

Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. The ability to critically analyse and interpret legal documents and policies in trade finance.
2. Proficiency in conducting comprehensive research on national and international law and policy related to trade finance.
3. Enhanced capacity to clearly articulate complex concepts in trade finance law, both orally and in writing.
4. The ability to engage in critical thinking, especially in evaluating the effectiveness of legal frameworks in trade finance.
5. Skills in applying legal knowledge to practical problems and case studies in trade finance.
6. Understanding of the role of digital technologies in trade finance and their legal implications.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	8	1.00	8.00
Seminar	5	1.50	7.50
Private study hours			134.50
Total Contact hours			15.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A formal formative assessment opportunity will be provided, which is specifically pedagogically aligned to the summative assessment task. As part of this, each student will receive individual feedback designed to support the development of knowledge and skills that will be later assessed in the summative assessment.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/04/2024

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