Prevention and resolution of disputes in international sales transactions

The Blended Intensive Programme “Prevention and Resolution of Disputes in International Sales Transactions” aims to introduce students into the goals and different ways of international harmonization of private and commercial law (unification as well as approximation of domestic laws in view of cross-border civil and commercial cases between citizens and companies of different countries). As part of the broader area of private-international law, the technique applied to every cross-border civil or commercial matter will be illustrated.

Methods:

• classical teaching for the required basic knowledge regarding international organizations and conventions in the field of private international law
• active analysis of the text of the underlying international convention (the “CISG”)
• exercises to apply the techniques of private-international law in smaller hypothetical cross-border cases
• exercises to implement the acquired knowledge as to the CISG on smaller cases according to the relevant legal issues covered by the CISG
• applying what has been learned so far within a bigger hypothetical case that will be used for the moot court exercise at the end of the on-site session
• coaching toward the final moot court exercise
• final moot court.

Outcomes:

• Structural understanding of the different ways of unification as well as approximation of domestic laws in view of cross-border civil and commercial cases between citizens and companies of different countries
• Basic knowledge of the techniques used in private-international law
• Insight into the possibility to become a member of one’s university’s moot court team (in particular for the VIS Moot Court on the CISG in Vienna)
• Improved oral skills and presentation skills as a basis for broader advocacy skills