• Home
• Study
• Study Information
• Modules
• Module Information

International Arbitration

Module description

International arbitration is one of the most important methods for resolving private international commercial disputes. Disputes relating to international commercial sales and foreign investments are often resolved by arbitration.

The module is suitable if you are interested in international commercial law and international dispute resolution. The module aims to provide you with a practical understanding of the mechanisms governing the arbitration of private commercial law disputes and is thus particularly valuable for students considering working or pursuing further research in this area. No previous experience in the area is required/necessary. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

The main aims of the module are to provide you with a solid understanding of international commercial arbitration, its practical applications, alongside its underpinning legal principles. The module aims to provide legal insight in respect of many aspects of an international commercial arbitration agreement/procedure. This ranges from the procedural aspects of international commercial arbitration to the procedure of dispute resolution regarding the World Trade Organization. These topics are the basis for critique of the resolution of disputes in the context of trade and investment.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of the practice of international arbitration with reference to commercial, investment or trade examples
• 2. Undertake complex critical evaluation of the main legal rules and procedures using specialist literature and research.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Use internationally relevant legal and non-legal materials in relation to international commercial arbitration;
• 4. Demonstrate detailed and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of legal concepts and critical awareness of their social and political implications.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Demonstrate the ability to comprehensively use a range of resources for specific learning tasks;
• 6. Present, explain and critically evaluate a range of substantive and theoretical arguments in assessments and teaching sessions;
• 7. Work independently and manage time efficiently in preparing for learning activities and assessments.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• the main principles of international commercial arbitration: the legal regime of arbitration agreements
• the key stages and processes the arbitral procedure (from the appointment of the arbitrators to the ways in which the award can be challenged and the main rules of arbitration
• The economic and political context in which arbitration operates with specific focus on trade and investment

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Nigel Blackaby, Constantine Partasides, Alan Redfern, Redfern & Hunter on International Arbitration – student version (7th ed, OUP 2022).

Key words search

International arbitration ; commercial arbitration