International Commercial Law LLM - Postgraduate MA/MSc courses

Ethics in Academic Practice

Law and Business in a Global Context

This module will consider, and critically analyse key legal areas underpinning international businesses and commercial transactions in emerging markets. It will offer you the opportunity to develop an advanced understanding of the law governing commerce and trade in today's international emerging market.

The Aston Global Advantage

The Aston Global Advantage is our professional development programme that runs throughout the LLM and MSc programmes at Aston Law School and Aston Business School. Focusing on professional development and employability, this integrated module gives you the opportunity to identify, develop and apply the key transferrable skills you will gain throughout the year.

Business Project or Dissertation

The Business Project/Dissertation is a chance for you to carry out an original piece of work applying material that you have learnt in the taught element of your degree. Specific requirements will be explained relating to different degree programmes but in summary you must demonstrate both theoretical and practical knowledge of your chosen area of specialism.

Note:Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules. Where an elective module is no longer available we will let you know and help you to make an alternative choice.

Internet Law

The growth of the internet has raised challenges for the law in many areas including: computer integrity crimes, child pornography, obscenity, image-based abuse and online privacy etc. This module will consider some of these issues from a broader legal and regulatory perspective. Due to the nature of the topics a background in law (LLB/relevant experience) will be advantageous.

International Commercial Dispute Resolution

This module covers, from a comparative perspective, challenges that frequently arise before state courts around the world in commercial disputes. This include topics such as jurisdiction, class actions and the recognition and enforcement of civil judgments in cross border disputes. Particular emphasis will be placed on the English and European rules in these areas. The latter part of the course aims to introduce students to international commercial arbitration so that they may gain an introductory insight into a specialised aspect of dispute resolution.

International Perspectives of Corporate Insolvency and Rescue

A strong and reliable corporate insolvency framework is an important element of the attractiveness of an economy to investors. It is therefore important to understand the nature of corporate insolvency, its impact on corporations, and the options available to companies in financial distress. The module will explore the concept of corporate insolvency and rescue in an international context. This will include consideration of the factors that determine the insolvency of a company and the mechanisms available to it, whether in terms of rescuing the company and/or its business or leading to the winding up of its operations. This will extend to a consideration of the inter-relationship of various states' insolvency legislation and the co-operation between them to facilitate effective resolutions of corporate insolvencies across multiple jurisdictions.

International Arbitration

The aim of this module is to provide students with a legal foundation in international commercial arbitration. The module provides an introduction to the area and addresses some of the challenges created by arbitration practice.

Competition Law and Policy

This module aims to show you how corporations function locally and internationally, and under what circumstances the regulation of competition may benefit consumers. Mechanisms exist to ensure that pro-competitive measures are adopted in the marketplace. We aim to introduce these concepts and mechanisms and critically analyse forms of anti-competitive conduct and how they are regulated in an ever-changing context.

Legal Risk Management

Legal Risk Management (LRM) introduces you to the analytical framework and methodology which general counsel and other trusted legal advisers in business, government and the non-for-profit sector use in order to manage legal risk, compliance and ultimately lead the legal governance functions of the organisations that they advise.

Banking and Financial Services Regulation

This module provides an introduction to the UK and international regulatory frameworks governing banking and financial services regulation. You will evaluate and assess the factors shaping the field of study, including the consequences of Brexit, and the justifications for regulation.

Corporate Governance Regulation and Compliance

This module has an interdisciplinary focus and its main objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the UK corporate governance framework. The influence of the UK framework in other countries is considered and comparisons with the frameworks in other jurisdictions is also made.

Intellectual Property Strategy and Management

This module will look at intellectual property strategy and management, exploring intellectual property rights that are relevant to an innovative business, which will allow you to practice your understanding of the strategy and strategic management and valuation in commercialising these valuable rights.

Note:Availability of any optional modules will be subject to staff availability and a minimum number of students who express an interest in studying the optional modules. Where an elective module is no longer available we will let you know and help you to make an alternative choice.

Block Chain and Fintech

The aim of this module is to introduce Fintech with respect to block chain applications in financial markets. It focuses on providing a clear understanding of how blockchain technology works. It will explore the impact of block chain technologies on various industries and its value propositions. The module will provide theoretical and practical knowledge of various cryptocurrencies including bitcoins along with exploring its challenges within the regulatory environment.

Employment Law

This module will develop your understanding of the UK legal framework and its practical application in a wide range of work place situations, from recruiting to dismissing people. Youll learn how to comply with employment law but also consider how organisations can go beyond their legal requirements and treat people fairly.

Economic Environment of Business

This module focuses on key economic concepts and principles that are most useful for businesses and managers. Throughout we stress their application in an international context, drawing on their real-world significance and the importance of communicating economic ideas in a clear and precise manner. In this way you will understand the significance of economics in a globalised world.

International Business Strategy

This module aims to broaden and deepen your knowledge of the key issues and activities involved in international business strategy. In addition this module aims to develop skills related to interpreting and analysing complex real-world issues using theoretical perspectives, concepts and models. The emphasis will be on using theory to inform practice and addressing real-world complex problems.

Business Finance

In this module you will learn the key principles and challenges of financial management decisions, develop an understanding of the characteristics influencing factors and the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of financing. You'll also apply mathematical techniques to support a range of business decisions such as the valuation of shares and the evaluation of investment opportunities.

CSR, Sustainable Development and Public Policy

Topics of this module are complex and this complexity make this module unique. With growing awareness on issues such as modern slavery and climate change almost everyone has now heard of these topics and hold views and opinions. At the core these are applied topics with implications for individuals businesses societies and economies. Your learning will be very relevant.

International Finance

This module explores current challenges and issues faced by organisations in the global market place. We look at how the international financial environment can affect firms and their strategies, specifically what steps they take to negate these risks. For example, firms hedging against currency fluctuations.