CALENDAR, Course Schedule: (subject to modification)
Lesson #
(number)
and Date
of Class
Topic and/or Activity (to be prepared
for discussion/presentation that day)
Text and Pages or other Source*
#1
Tue.,
Oct. 6
"International Business Contracts": definition and
discussion of law of commercial transactions, in
comparative perspective, review of syllabus, how to
brief cases, how to present a case
Handouts and text distributed in class
#2
Wed.,
Oct. 7
PART I: The Study of International Commercial
Law. Presentations (cold call Q&A) of sections I A
- D and II A- F
Morrissey & Graves, pp. 1 – 45; Discuss
Problem 1-1
#3
Thur.,
Oct. 8
CISG, Transactions Covered, Opting In and Out,
Case 10-1: Asante v. PMC Sierra, review briefs
and present arguments as moot court; present and
discuss other material
August pp. 535 – 540
#4
Tue.,
Oct. 13
Presentation and discussion of materials, including
chart: Sales Defined, Goods Defined and, Mixed
Sales; Contractual Issues Excluded from the
Coverage of CISG; Interpreting CISG, General
Principles, Rules of Private International Law;
Interpreting Sales Contracts: Statements and
Conduct of the Parties, Negotiations
August pp. 541 – 549;
ProForce Recruit Ltd. v. The Rugby Group Ltd
Court of Appeal (Civil Division), 17.02.2006,
No. 2006 EWCA Civ 69.
http://www.unilex.info/case.cfm?pid=2&do=ca
se&id=1156&step=FullText
The Square Mile Partnership Ltd v
Fitzmaurice McCall Ltd, Court of Appeal (Civil
Division), 18.12.2006, No. A3/2006/0290.
http://www.unilex.info/case.cfm?pid=2&do=case
&id=1156&step=FullText
Chartbrook Limited v. Persimmon Homes
Limited, Court of Appeal (Civil Division),
12.03.2008, No. 2008 EWCA Civ 183. For more
details see www.unilex.info
Morrissey & Graves, pp. 51 – 101; Discuss
Problems 2-1 – 2-9
#5
Wed.,
Oct. 14
PART II: Enter the CISG: Chapter 2: Application
and General Provisions: Interpreting the CISG,
Scope of Application, General Provisions
#6 Thur.,
Oct. 15
Continue with Chapter two presentations and
problems.
#7
Tue.,
Oct. 20
Read Claimant, “F” v. Respondent, “B”; Review
“notes and commentary,” Discuss “burden of
proof”. Cold calls re claimant’s and respondent’s
arguments. p. 99 Morrisey & Graves. Qs 1 & 2
pp. 91 - 99; Finish Problems 2-1 – 2-9, pp.
101 – 103. Morrisey & Graves
#8
Wed.,
Oct. 21
Case 10-2 MCC v. Cera. mica: review briefs and
present arguments as moot court; present and
discuss other materials; Practices and Usages, Pro
Forma Invoice, Formation of the Contract (Offer,
Definiteness, Effectiveness of an Offer) Purchase
Order, Acceptance
August pp. 549 – 556
IBC Syllabus Fall 2015
Page 1
#9 Thur.,
Oct. 22
Chapter 3: Forming a Contract under the CISG
Morrissey & Graves, pp. 101 - 146; Discuss
Problems 3-1 – 3-5
Tue.,
Oct. 27
Present and discuss problems 3.1 – 3.5 Do not brief
but read and write out only a precise issue for the
case “Dutch Seller and Swiss Buyer, Review,” and
review “notes and commentary,” following that
case, on pages 112 and 113. In addition, Read
Filanto v. Chilewich, contained in the Ray August
book from pages 563- 569 and write a precise
statement of the issue(s) in that case also.
pp. 110 – 113. Morrisey & Graves
Ray August book from pages 563- 569.
#11
Wed.,
Oct. 28
Case 10-3: Note UTI v. Magyar case in Ray
August, but BRIEF final Sp. Ct. decision, from link
below. Review briefs and present arguments as
moot court; present and discuss other materials.
Decision of the Hungarian Supreme Court in the
case United Technologies v. Magyar:
August pp. 556 – 562
http://cisgw3.law.pace.edu/cases/920925h1.h
tml
#12
Thur.,
Oct. 29
Brief and present oral arguments for Chateaux
des Charmes v. Sabatè USA. (pp. 141 et seq
Morrisey and Graves) citing and distinguishing the
Filanto case; present and discuss other materials;
Acceptance with Modifications; General Standards
of Performance, Fundamental Breach, Seller’s
Obligations, Buyer’s Obligations
August pp. 563 – 569
#13
Tue.,
Nov. 3
Chapter 4: Obligations of the Seller, Brief and argue
The Rijn Blend Condensate Case (Dutch seller and
English buyer) pp. 183, et seq. Do two separate
sections in brief: “Questions of Fact” and “Findings
of Fact.” Discuss notes and commentary
pp. 147 – 205. Morrisey & Graves.
#14
Wed.,
Nov. 4. 7
Continue/finish Chapter 4. A “volunteer” will
present Inco-Terms.
Problems 4-1 – 4-4, pp. 204 – 205.
#15
Thur.,
Nov. 5
Case 10-5: Natural Gas Case, review briefs and
present arguments as moot court; present and
discuss other materials; Passing of the Risk,
Remedies, Reading 10-1 The Buyer’s Right to
Avoid the Contract
August pp. 570 - 576
#16
Tue.,
Nov. 10
Case 10-6: The Shoe Seller’s Case; review briefs
and present arguments as moot court; present and
discuss other materials, Seller’s Remedies Mock
Trial: The Shoe Seller’s Case, preparation, break
into plaintiff and defendant groups. Assign roles.
August pp. 577 – 582
Materials online. Read Mock trial online
materials for today.
#17
Wed.,
Nov. 11
Excuses for non performance, dirty hands.
Chapter 5: Remedies for Breach
Problems 5-1 – 5-5, pp. 265 – 266.
August pp. 587, 590.
IBC Syllabus Fall 2015
Morrisey & Graves, pp. 208 - 266.
Page 2
#18 Thur.,
Nov. 12
Continue and finish Chapter 5.
#19 Tue.,
Nov. 17
Work in groups for Mock Trial.
#20 Wed.,
Nov. 18
Mock Trial: The Shoe Seller’s Case (Opening
statements and Plaintiff’s case)
#21 Thur.,
Nov. 19
Mock Trial: The Shoe Seller’s Case (Defendant’s
case and closing statements) Debrief trial.
#22 Tue.,
Nov. 24
Chapter 6: Damages, Present and discuss materials.
Questions pp. 296-297.
#23 Wed.,
Nov. 25
Continue and finish Chapter 6.
#24 Thur.,
Nov. 26
Introduction: Art and Science of Effective Lawyer
Negotiation –
Initial discussion: Overview of negotiation module;
Strategy, Style and Stages and the Fundamentals of
Preparation; Intro to Assessment; Confidential
Information for HSN-OCN (one on one
negotiation).
Britzke & Harbaugh, Primer; Harbaugh,
Chap. 14, online
#25 Tue.,
Dec. 3
Discussion: Assessment (continued) & Persuasion
(intro). Prepare HSN-OCN in client team groups.
Preparation strategies for HSN-OCN.
#26 Wed.,
Dec. 4
Negotiate and debrief: HSN and OCN
Negotiation conclusions
#27 Thur.,
Dec. 5
Finish unfinished business. Review
#28 Tue.,
Dec. 10
Review (if needed)
To Be
Announced
(TBA)
FINAL EXAM
Prepare roles/work for Mock trial
Morrisey & Graves, pp. 267 - 297.
Where the texts provide edited cases, students should look up full case reports – especially when
presenting moot court arguments. Similarly, the UNIDROIT Principles and supporting and
recommended reading materials cited above should also supplement assignments as appropriate.
*
IBC Syllabus Fall 2015
Page 3