This module delves into the intricacies of Private International Law of business transactions within the European Union, focusing on the legal frameworks that govern cross-border transactions and disputes involving businesses and private parties. Students will engage with key EU legal instruments such as the Brussels I Regulation (Recast), Rome I and Rome II Regulations. The module will analyze how these regulations interact with national laws and international agreements, providing a coherent legal structure for cross-border litigation of businesses within the EU. The module will also delve into the role of international institutions, such as the Hague Conference on Private International Law, and the impact of regional legal frameworks like the European Union’s approach to private international law focusing on business transactions.

The module offers a comprehensive exploration of the principles and practices that govern multinational corporations in today’s global economy. It delves into the frameworks of corporate governance, emphasising the role of boards, executive leadership, shareholders in ensuring accountability and transparency and the importance of designing an appropriate organisational structure to avoid conflicts of interest. Additionally, the module highlights the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in corporate strategy and compliance. Students will learn to assess and implement ESG criteria, understand regulatory requirements across different jurisdictions, and explore the impact of sustainability on corporate reputation and long-term performance. Students will analyse case studies of companies integrating ESG into their strategies, examine regulatory frameworks regarding environment, labour rights and corporate governance at national, EU and international level. Key topics include compliance with environmental legislation, ethical leadership, sustainable finance, corporate social responsibility (CSR), protection of social rights, especially protection against violence and harassment at work and whistleblowing protection.

The module examines in-depth the competition law of the European Union and its interplay with international competition regulations. Students will explore the legal frameworks that govern market competition, focusing on the enforcement of antitrust laws, abuses of dominant position, as well as merger control and the regulation of state aid within the EU. Additionally, the module will address the challenges and opportunities arising from globalisation, including the interaction between EU competition law and the competition policies of other major jurisdictions, such as the United States and the emerging economies.

This module is designed to provide students, particularly those from non-EU countries, with a comprehensive understanding of European Union (EU) internal market function. It aims to introduce students to the structure and functioning of EU institutions, the creation of EU legislation, and the mechanisms for judicial protection within the EU to be able to in-depth comprehend the ‘four freedoms’ of the internal market—namely, the free movement of goods, establishment, services, and capital. The primary objective of the module is to familiarise students with the core legal materials of EU law and internal market, laying a solid foundation for the students’ comprehension of the specialised modules in the following semesters.

The module provides the students with an insight in the fundamental elements of modern transactions. Students will get familiarised with the general traits of commercial transactions, such as precontractual (information) duties (including confidentiality clauses); contract formation (validity of the contract); interpretation of contracts and the principle of good faith; allocation of liabilities; hardship and frustration; remedies. Further, the module will also focus on the examination of specific commercial contracts, such as the sale of goods and services contract (under Vienna Convention); contracts for the provision of digital content or services (Dir. 2019/770); and consumer contracts (Dir. 93/13, 2011/83, DSA)

The module offers a comprehensive exploration of the mechanisms and legal frameworks used to resolve disputes within both European and international contexts. Students will study the key institutions and legal instruments that govern dispute resolution in the European Union, such as the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), as well as international bodies like the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and the World Trade Organization’s Dispute Settlement Body (WTO-DSB). They will also get familiarised with the various methods of dispute settlement, including litigation, arbitration, mediation, and negotiation, with particular emphasis on their application in cross-border conflicts and the enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards across different jurisdictions.

This module offers an in-depth analysis of financial crime primarily within the framework of EU law. It explores the multifaceted nature of financial crimes, and particularly of fraud against the financial interests of the EU, corruption, market abuse and money laundering. Students will analyse the key EU legislation and case-law that address financial crime, including the Anti-Money Laundering framework, the Market Abuse framework and the EU’s approach to combating fraud and corruption, as well as review and compare international conventions and soft-law instruments on the same subjects. The module also examines key EU tools for enhancing judicial cooperation on combating financial crime, such as asset recovery and investigations under the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

In today’s interconnected world, international trade law serves as a fundamental framework that shapes economic relations, influences policy, and impacts public welfare globally. This module delves into the complex regulatory landscape of international trade, focusing on the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the central institution governing cross-border commerce and shaping global economic governance. By examining the core agreements and principles underpinning the multilateral trading system, students gain an understanding of the foundational norms that guide trade in goods, services, intellectual property, and investments.

The module provides an in-depth exploration of the legal frameworks and policies governing maritime activities and port operations on a global and regional scale. It covers key areas such as international maritime law, port regulations, and the environmental, safety, and security issues related to shipping and port management. Students will examine the roles of international organisations, such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), in shaping maritime and port policies, as well as the responsibilities of flag, coastal, and port states in enforcing regulations.

The module has the objective of developing practical skills in legal research and writing. It aims at assisting students with developing expertise in legal research, i.e. systematic practice of studying and delving deep into the details of laws to make improvisations (if required), reach an analysis and interpret them in the best way possible, and legal methods, especially the doctrinal law and comparative law research. The module objective is to get students familiarised with conducting legal research and adopting legal methods in order to be able to write their thesis at the last exam of the program, as well as prepare them for conducting PhD research in the future.