From www.eac.int
International Trade and Business (GBL4107) - Course Outline
Instructor
Oryem Nyeko
Email: oryemn@gmail.com
Website: http://oryem.legalafrican.com
Course Description
This course teaches the complex legal norms of international trade legislation and customs. It deals
with contracts involving international movement of goods and services, trade practices and the
handling of trade disputes. It also contextualises Uganda’s role in international trade and the
multilateral trading system known as the World Trade Organisation.
Objectives
By the end of this course unit the student students should have an overview of the complexities of
international trade law as well as Uganda’s role in it; an understanding of the unique characteristics
and implications of the international trade contract; and an understanding of the multilateral trading
system.
Duration, credits
Course duration: 60 hours
Credit units: 4
Year when offered: Year 4 Semester 1
Method of delivery: Formal lectures; seminars; group presentations and projects; independent
study.
Assessment
Individual written assignments, tests, group work and active seminar participation will account for
40% of total marks possible, while the final examinations will constitute the remaining 60%.
Resources
Required texts:
Cornish W, Llewelyn D and Apli T. 2010. Intellectual Property, Patents, Copyright, Trade marks and
allied Rights. 7th ed. Sweet& Maxwell: London.
MacIntyre Ewan. 2012. Business Law (6th ed). Pearson: Essex.
Robert J. Carbaugh. 2004. International Economics. 9th ed. Thomson South Western: Mason.
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Other recommended books and other resources are listed in the course content section below.
In addition to books and other library resources the internet is a helpful resource for international
trade law. Be sure to visit these websites in the duration of this course for current information and
developments in international trade:
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The World Trade Organisation website – wto.org
Ministry of Trade, Information and Cooperatives - mtic.go.ug
Uganda Legal Information Institute (ULII)- ulii.org
UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law) -uncitral.org
In addition to these websites, I will be posting international trade related articles, news and other
updates regularly on my blog (http://oryem.legalafrican.com/tradelaw). I will also post courserelated information (including this outline).
Course content
This course is divided into four key areas over 15 weeks of classes. These areas are: an introduction
to international trade and business, the international trade contract, the multilateral trading system
and a course conclusion. Each area will be assessed at its conclusion through tests and/or
presentations.
Introduction to international trade and business – an overview of the complexities of international
trade law and Uganda’s role in it
Weeks 1 – 5 (Aug 18 – Sep 19)
1. Introduction to international trade and business law – syllabus and class expectations
2. Theory of trade – why do we trade?
3. The history of international trade and business – the law merchant/lex mercatoria and
maritime to the WTO
4. Sources of international trade and business law
a. National legislation and existing frameworks - Ministry of Trade, Industry and
Cooperatives, Department of External Trade; the National Trade Policy
b. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods
(Vienna, 1980) (CISG) (Uganda’s accession on 12 Feb 1992 )
c. Regional and international membership and trade agreements– i.e. EAC, COMESA,
the WTO, Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA’s)
Robert J. Carbaugh. 2004. International Economics. 9th ed. Thomson South Western: Mason.
International trade relations 25-303
Foundations of modern trade theory 27 – 57
The international trade contract - an outline of the unique characteristics and implications of the
international trade contract
Weeks 6 – 10 (22 Sep – 24 Oct)
5. Drafting the international trade contract
6. Commercial terms
7. Dispute resolution and the international trade contract
a. Alternative dispute resolution - forms and institutions
b. Private international law/conflict of laws considerations
8. Other considerations – i.e. intellectual property,
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MacIntyre Ewan. 2012. Business Law (6th ed). Pearson: Essex.
International sales 287 – 296
Cornish W, Llewelyn D and Apli T. 2010. Intellectual Property, Patents, Copyright, Trade marks and
allied Rights. 7th ed. Sweet& Maxwell: London.
The multilateral trading system - an overview of fundamental World Trade Organisation rules and
principles
Weeks 11 – 15 (27 Oct – 29 Nov)
9. Introduction to the WTO: the evolution of the world trading system (from GATT to the WTO,
the Uruguay Round)
10. Fundamental WTO principles – free trade, tariff regulation, national treatment, mostfavoured nation, development, fair competition etc.
11. WTO dispute resolution
Robert J. Carbaugh. 2004. International Economics. 9th ed. Thomson South Western: Mason.
Tariffs 117 – 151
Non tariff barriers 155 – 184
General Agreement on Trade and tariffs – A New Round of Trade Negotiations for the WTO
192- 200
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights 212
Trade policies for the developing nations 231 - 264
Conclusion
12. Theory and benefit(s) of the multilateral trading system and the regulation of international
trade (presentation?)
Robert J. Carbaugh. 2004. International Economics. 9th ed. Thomson South Western: Mason.
International trade relations 25-303
Does trade make the poor even poorer 80 – 83
Trade and the environment 98 – 102
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