COURSE STRUCTURE

Module 1: Introduction to International Business Law & International Trade Law Frameworks

• Definition and scope of international business law

• Key institutions and bodies: WTO, UNCITRAL, UNIDROIT, World Bank, ICSID

• Comparative legal systems: common law, civil law, mixed systems, implications for contracts

• WTO Framework: Core WTO principles (most-favoured-nation and national treatment), Structure and overview of dispute settlement process

• Types of trade agreements: multilateral, regional, bilateral, PTAs and FTAs

• Trade barriers (tariffs, quotas, subsidies, etc.) & Trade remedies (anti-dumping, countervailing duties, safeguards)

• Sanctions, export controls and compliance implications

• Trade sanctions and embargoes

Module 2: Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions

• Indian laws governing cross-border M&A (Companies Act, 2013,and FEMA compliance)

• Valuation norms, pricing guidelines and regulatory filings

• Deal structuring & key transaction documents

• Identifying red flags in cross-border transactions.

• Comparative look: inbound vs outbound M&A (India, Singapore, US)

• Recent Updates and Case Studies (e.g. reverse flipping)

Module 3: International Commercial Contracts

• Formation of cross-border contracts: offer, acceptance, electronic contracts

• Choice of law and jurisdiction clauses, forum selection vs arbitration clause drafting

• Key contract clauses: payment, delivery, inspection, warranties, limitation of liability

• Incoterms: commonly used terms, risks and responsibilities under each term

• Force majeure, hardship and material adverse change clauses: drafting and triggers

Module 4: Trade Finance and Payment Instruments

• Payment methods: open account, documentary collections, documentary credits

• Letters of credit: types, parties, UCP rules, typical documentary discrepancies

• Bank guarantees and standby LCs: differences and use

• Documentary bills and shipping documents: bills of lading, airway bills, multimodal transport docs

• Payment risk mitigation: factoring, forfaiting, credit insurance basics

Module 5: International Investment Law

·       Investment treaties: BITs, MITs, NAFTA/USMCA overview

·       Protections for investors: fair and equitable treatment, national treatment, MFN, umbrella clauses

·       Expropriation: direct and indirect, standards of compensation

·       Cross-border investment structuring: SPVs, tax havens, and treaty benefits.

·       Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS): arbitration fora, typical procedures, enforcement

Module 6: Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, Mediation and Litigation

·       Arbitration basics: seat, law of the seat, institutional vs ad hoc arbitration

·       Drafting enforceable arbitration clauses and multi-tier dispute clauses

·       Enforcement of arbitral awards: New York Convention mechanics and defenses

·       International mediation and expedited ADR options, settlement drafting

·       Cross-border litigation issues: jurisdiction, service abroad, recognition of foreign judgments

Module 7: Insolvency law in developed countries in UK, USA, Germany and Japan

·       Application Procedure

·       ⁠Working and hierarchy of Courts

·       Power of Registrar

Module 8: Data, IP, Digital Trade and ESG

·       Cross-border data flows: data protection basics, GDPR extraterritoriality, transfer mechanisms

·       IP protection strategy: territoriality, patents, trademarks, international filings (Madrid, PCT)

·       E-commerce and digital trade legal issues: platform liability, jurisdiction, consumer protection

·       ESG and sustainability