International Business Law

Code:

2EGI08

Acronym:

DNI

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Legal Sciences

Instance: 2020/2021 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Secção Autónoma de Direito
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in International Economics and Management

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MEGI	37	Bologna Syllabus since 2012	1	-	7,5	56	202,5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The course unit “International Contract Law” focuses on the study of the legal mechanisms through which international trade operates, particularly focusing on the specificities that characterize private contracting across-borders.

Learning outcomes and competences

Students are expected to:
- Identify the most suitable legal instruments for promoting business activities across-borders.
- Choose the most adequate contract clauses for maximizing profits and reducing risks in international private contracting.
- Indicate the main legal obstacles to the internationalization of business activities and the possible means to overcome or mitigate those obstacles.

Working method

Presencial

Program

PART I: Introduction and general theory of international contracts

1.The international contract and its specificities.
2. General principles of international contracts.
3. Determination of the law applicable to international contracts.
4. Negotiation and formation of contracts in international trade.
5. Analysis of the most common clauses in international commercial contracts.
6. Breach of contract in international trade.

PART II: Analysis of specific types of international contracts

7. International Sale of Goods.
8. International distribution contracts:
     8.1. Contractual agency and similar contracts.
     8.2. International Franchising.
9. International financing agreements:
     9.1. International Leasing.
     9.2. International Factoring.
     9.3. Forfaiting.
     9.4. Project finance.

 

Mandatory literature

Pinheiro, Luís de Lima; Direito Comercial Internacional, Almedina, 2005
Almeida, Carlos Ferreira de/ Carvalho, Jorge Morais; Introdução ao Direito Comparado, Almedina, 2018. ISBN: 9789724050669
Monteiro António J. M. Pinto; Direito comercial. ISBN: 972-40-1614-5
Vasconcelos Luis Miguel D. P. Pestana de; O^contrato de franquia (franchising). ISBN: 972-40-1331-6
Morais, Fernando Gravato; Manual da Locação Financeira, Almedina, 2011. ISBN: 9789724046259
Pereira Alexandre Dias 070; Estudos em homenagem ao Professor Doutor Jorge Ribeiro de Faria. ISBN: 972-32-1190-4

Complementary Bibliography

Costa, Mariana Fontes da; Ruptura de negociações pré-contratuais e cartas de intenção, Coimbra Editora, 2011
Fontaine, Marcel / Ly, Filip De; Drafting International Contracts: an Analysis of Contract Clauses, Brill Academic Publishers, 2009
Monteiro António J. M. Pinto 020; Contrato de agência. ISBN: 972-40-1437-1

Teaching methods and learning activities

The first approach to each subject on the syllabus will consist on a theoretical exposition, followed by the presentation and critical analysis of examples gathered from international business life, including the use of models of agreements, case law and arbitration awards. After the theoretical exposition, the approach will consist on the presentation of practical exercises on the matter under discussion

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	10,00
Teste	60,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	15,50
Estudo autónomo	50,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Trabalho de investigação	45,00
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Total:	202,50

Eligibility for exams

All students properly enrolled may complete the course unit by approval in a final exam.

Calculation formula of final grade

 Students may choose between:
- Distributed evaluation, composed by three elements: one exam: 60%; written report: 30%; active participation in class: 10%.
- Final exam

Classification improvement

Students are allowed to improve their grade only by final written exam