In this course, students as "managers" learn how they may acquire and use knowledge of national and international legal environments to protect and enforce the Firms' legal rights, perform its obligations and position the Firm to maximise its potential competitiveness.
The course covers a broad spectrum of legal issues faced by organisations when entering into international transactions relating to goods and services and direct private foreign investment.
Students will be introduced to:
It is recommended for business students as well as law students wanting a broad introductory understanding with practical application of the sources of international commercial law relevant to business transactions in import and export of goods, foreign trade and investment.
No previous study of law is necessary, but a lot of law will be covered in the lectures. Law will be covered at both a conceptual and literal level to form a level of knowledge that can be applied to factual scenarios to enable business decision makers to identify and assess risk in a firm's international business transactions and investments.
Before attempting this course, students are advised that it is important to complete the appropriate prerequisite course(s) listed on the front of this course profile. No responsibility will be accepted by the School of Business, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law or The University of Queensland for poor student performance occurring in courses where the appropriate prerequisite(s) has/have not been completed, for any reason whatsoever.
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
IBUS2301
Quota: Minimum of 35 enrolments
All Course Coordination and Course enquiries should be directed to Honorary Professor Gary P Campbell who will address. All Timetabling, Tutorial Allocations and scheduling matters should be raised directly with the UQBS Timetabling Team and not the Course Coordinators.
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
This course aims to give students an appreciation of the legal risks associated with the complexity of the international legal environment, inform students of the importance of the various legal systems and cultures within legal environments for successful management of international business as connected citizens with cultural awareness and provide students with the ability to apply acquired knowledge in the current international legal environment by making appropriate decisions with knowledge of business ethics and input from other relevant disciplines to identify and manage risks whilst seeking appropriate competitive advantage.
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply key sources of international commercial law and legal environments that impact international business practice and the Firm when entering into various transactions.
LO2.
Identify key differences in national legal systems and the sources of international commercial law that impact on international business practice.
LO3.
Critically evaluate the implications of international commercial law and relevant national laws on international business practice, business ethics and the Firms' rights, liabilities and obligations when contracting across different legal environments.
LO4.
Identify contemporary legal hazards and ethical risks to be managed by the Firm with its qualified advisors in its business risk planning and international business legal strategy.
LO5.
Propose effective and ethical business recommendations as managers within the Firm that are compliant with relevant sources of national and international commercial law.
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Weekly Quiz
|
20% Cumulative |
Quiz 1 6/03/2025 4:00 pm Quiz 2 13/03/2025 4:00 pm Quiz 3 20/03/2025 4:00 pm Quiz 4 27/03/2025 4:00 pm Quiz 5 3/04/2025 4:00 pm Quiz 6 10/04/2025 4:00 pm Quiz 7 17/04/2025 4:00 pm Quiz 8 1/05/2025 4:00 pm Quiz 9 8/05/2025 4:00 pm Quiz 10 15/05/2025 4:00 pm Quiz 11 22/05/2025 4:00 pm Quiz 12 29/05/2025 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
In-Semester Exam
|
40% |
In-semester Saturday 29/03/2025 - 12/04/2025 |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Quiz 1 6/03/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz 2 13/03/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz 3 20/03/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz 4 27/03/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz 5 3/04/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz 6 10/04/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz 7 17/04/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz 8 1/05/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz 9 8/05/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz 10 15/05/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz 11 22/05/2025 4:00 pm
Quiz 12 29/05/2025 4:00 pm
Refer to the Course Blackboard site for the Release Date and times shown in the Course Map. Note these Release Dates and times and Due Dates and times for each Quiz so you manage your time to prepare and submit your assessment within the Assessment period provided for each Quiz. Short weekly quiz questions will be based on the previous week's lecture content that was covered in the lecture slides, Required and Recommended Readings, lecture recordings and tutorials.
More details will be discussed in class.
Best 10 of 12 Quizzes submitted within each assessment window each week from Week 2 -13 are taken to determine the cumulative mark out of 20% of the course Assessment.
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Each Quiz is accessed via a link given in the course Blackboard site. All completed, unsubmitted or incomplete Responses recorded in Inspera will be taken and submitted as final Responses at the expiry of the Assessment time period. You must click the submit button within the assessment time period to submit a compliant Response for the assessment piece.
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
No extensions can be granted for this assessment item, your best 10 of 12 quizzes will be used for your overall mark. A missed quiz receives 0 marks.
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
No late submissions.
In-semester Saturday
29/03/2025 - 12/04/2025
This In-Semester Exam will be an invigilated exam administered via Inspera.
The exam will be based on a choice of multiple response answers/multiple choice selections to factual scenarios and/or stimulus and short answer response. Each answer will be allocated marks. Where ALL correct responses are required to be correctly identified and selected to attain marks this will be identified in the specific question.
You will need to identify the issue from the facts given or stimulus material provided; demonstrate your knowledge and apply it to the questions relevant to each of the factual scenarios by selecting and making the correct/most correct/true /false response and or provide a short answer response.
Each factual scenario has questions related to it.
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Bring your own device that is loaded with the safe exam browser. Mobile phones used for verification of Identity are to be powered off before Planning Time starts and must be placed and kept under your seat in the Exam venue until the assessment period has ended. |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
The Inspera In-Semester link will be provide in the course Blackboard site or as may be otherwise announced by Central Exams. Detailed submission instructions will be published in the Announcement Section of the Blackboard site.
You may be able to defer this exam.
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
All completed, unsubmitted or incomplete Responses recorded in Inspera will be taken and submitted as final Responses at the expiry of the Assessment time period.
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
The Final Exam will be an invigilated exam administered via Inspera.
The Final Exam will cover lectures 2 - 13 and will consist of MCQs, Multiple Response to Stimulus and/or short answer questions you will be required to respond to in the time available.
Further details about the exam will be discussed in class and posted to our course Blackboard site.
AI Statement:
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Materials | Bring your own device that is loaded with the safe exam browser. Mobile phones used for verification of Identity are to be powered off before Planning Time starts and must be placed and kept under your seat in the Exam venue until the assessment period has ended. |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
The Inspera End of Semester link will be provide in the course Blackboard site or as may be otherwise announced by Central Exams. Detailed submission instructions will be published in the Announcement Section of the Blackboard site.
You may be able to defer this exam.
Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.
All completed, unsubmitted or incomplete Responses recorded in Inspera will be taken and submitted as final Responses at the expiry of the Assessment time period.
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Grades will be allocated according to university-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Lecture |
Introduction & International Legal Systems World legal systems; Context within which Business is done; Need for certainty and predictably in commerce; What at first is complex but exists to facilitate trade and investment across different legal systems. The importance of being aware of a legal system's interaction with Customary Law as a recognised source of law or co existing legal system within a jurisdiction. Readings: (Twigg-Flesner) Chapter 1 |
Week 2 |
Lecture |
International Commercial Law Sources Private International Law; Harmonisation of Laws; Contract; Trade Usage; International Trade Terms; Self-Regulation (Codes); Regulatory measures (affecting transactions); |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 1 Discuss application of lecture content to factual scenario discuss in Week 1 Lecture. Clarify any questions about the Unit. |
|
Week 3 |
Lecture |
Principles of Contract Law-Common Law Systems Capacity of Parties; Privity of Contract; Elements of a Contract; Uncertainty; Conditional Contracts; Consideration; Need for Writing; Express Terms; Implied Terms; How to Read a Contracts Meaning; Classification of Terms; Exclusion Clauses; Illegal Contracts; Effects of Illegality; Severance of Clauses; |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 2 Discuss application of lecture content from week 2. Clarify any questions about the Unit. |
|
Week 4 |
Lecture |
The International Regime on Sale of Goods UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG); UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts; Lex Mercatoria; International Chamber of Commerce IncoTerms 2020 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 3 Discuss application of lecture content to factual scenario. Clarify any questions about the Unit. |
|
Week 5 |
Lecture |
Identifying Risk & Mitigation Business Ethics, Strategic Business Planning and Due Diligence: Anti-Bribery, Corruption & Anti-Money Laundering; Sanctions (UN; AUST; UK; USA; EU); Extra- Territorial Application of a Laws affecting performance or trade. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 4 Discuss application of lecture content to factual scenario. Clarify any questions about the Unit. |
|
Week 6 |
Lecture |
Identifying Risk & Mitigation Contracting Terms: |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 5 Discuss application of lecture content to factual scenario. Clarify any questions about the Unit. |
|
Week 7 |
Lecture |
Identifying Risk & Mitigation Contracting Terms: Payment in International Transactions; Imports and Exports; Intellectual Property |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 6 Discuss application of lecture content to factual scenario. Clarify any questions about the Unit. |
|
Week 8 |
Lecture |
Direct Private Foreign Investment Foreign Investment: Contracts and Contractual Structures: Agency; Memoranda of Understanding; Confidentiality Agreements. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 7 Discuss application of lecture content to factual scenario. Clarify any questions about the Unit. |
|
Mid-sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break Chill Time |
Week 9 |
Lecture |
Direct Private Foreign Investment Foreign Investment-Contracts and Contractual Structures: |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 8 Discuss application of lecture content to factual scenario. Clarify any questions about the Unit. |
|
Week 10 |
Lecture |
Direct Private Foreign Investment Foreign Investment-Contracts and Contractual Structures: Participation Agreements; Incorporated & Unincorporated Joint Venture Agreements. Labour Day Public Holiday - Monday 5 May 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 9 Discuss application of lecture content to factual scenario. Clarify any questions about the Unit. Labour Day Public Holiday - Monday 5 May 2025 - Check Blackboard for announcements about affected classes. |
|
Week 11 |
Lecture |
Direct Private Foreign Investment Foreign Investment-Contract/Investment Considerations with State Owned Entities: Sovereign Immunity; Absolute or Restrictive Theory; Security over assets; Enforcement of arbitration awards and Court Judgments. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 10 Discuss application of lecture content to factual scenario. Clarify any questions about the Unit. |
|
Week 12 |
Lecture |
International Commercial Arbitration Investor & Investor Disputes: |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 11 Discuss application of lecture content to factual scenario. Clarify any questions about the Unit. |
|
Week 13 |
Lecture |
International Commercial Arbitration Investor & State Disputes: |
Tutorial |
Tutorial 12 Discuss application of lecture content to factual scenario. Clarify any questions about the Unit. |
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.