International Economic Law in Times of Geo-Economic Struggle

15 credits

Course, Master's level, 2JS556

Expand the information below to show details on how to apply and entry requirements.

Location
Uppsala
Pace of study
100%
Teaching form
On-campus
Instructional time
Daytime
Study period
9 November 2026–17 January 2027
Language of instruction
English
Entry requirements

In general, Swedish students must have attained five passes out of the six courses given at basic level of the LL.M programme. All the obligatory phases of the course in which the student has not attained a pass must have been fulfilled.

Foreign students must at least have passed two years of studies in law. All students must have full command of oral and written English.

If special reasons exist the board of exemption may grant exemption from the acceptance requirements.

Admitted or on the waiting list?

Registration period
31 October 2026–5 November 2026
Information on registration from the department

About the course

Course content

Not only do multinational enterprises such as Google, IKEA, or Maersk trade and invest around the globe, but even small and medium-sized enterprises participate in cross-border economic activities daily. A solely national understanding of this development is not enough for future practitioners of law.

What you will discover in this course is the law regulating international economic relations, especially trade and investment, and its underlying economic and policy considerations. The course examines the main legal instruments in international economic law relevant to Sweden and other EU member states, i.e., the WTO treaties, the EU Treaties' external dimension, regional trade agreements, as well as international investment (protection and facilitation) agreements.

A particular focus will be placed on the question of how the previously mentioned agreements are applied (and potentially modified) in the context of an increased power struggle between the United States and China and the consequential "securitisation" of economic relations. This struggle is not only of great significance for Europe which may have to deal with supply chain disruptions and deglobalisation tendencies but also poses a challenge to global sustainable development.

The course gives you a theoretical understanding and practical legal skills to understand, critically evaluate and work with specific aspects of EU and public international law concerned with economic relations between states and between states and non-state actors, i.e. businesses.

Instruction

All teaching and course materials are in English. Teaching will take place in the form of introductory lectures, seminars and mini-mock arbitrations/negotiating sessions. Students are required to actively prepare for each class and actively participate in seminars and mini-mock sessions. Attendance at all seminars is compulsory unless exceptions are granted by the course director.

Examination

In order to pass the course, you must fulfil all compulsory elements. A written examination, for a maximum of five hours, will be given at the end of the course.

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