Courses / Module

Overview: Private international law module aims to introduce students to the historical origins, theoretical foundations and the development of this topic. For this purpose, the course provides a thorough study of the principles and the practice of private international law, with particular emphasis on Irish private international law, but the comparative aspects of the course will also be discussed.

Module Content: Private International Law traditionally covers three areas important to cross-border transactions and dispute settlement: jurisdiction, the determination of applicable law, and the recognition and enforcement of judgments. These three sub-fields will be studied through the perspective of harmonised private international law rules through various EU Regulations and Hague Conventions. In this regard, the attention will be given to Brussels I Recast, Rome I and Rome II Regulations that will be analysed in the light of the relevant caselaw. Where necessary, complementary common law rules will also be analysed. The main focus of the module will be on student-centred learning and the developing practical legal skills. These skills will include case analysis, writing skills and practical legal research. The lectures will not solely focus on the interpretation of legal rules and caselaw but also give rise to class discussions on challenges faced by participants to arbitration proceedings. Private international law is closely linked with civil procedure. Therefore, it is very important to legal disputes with foreign elements that are more and more common with globalisation. This module will hence help prepare students for employment in private international law as solicitors, barristers, scholars, or in-house counsels.