LAWS6306 - Health, Development, Trade & Investment Law

Objectives

This unit will examine the constraints imposed by trade and investment agreements by reference to contemporary case studies such as plain tobacco packaging.
The unit will explore the legal constraints imposed by trade and investment agreements as well as ongoing policy debates surrounding these agreements.
The unit will draw upon theories and empirical evidence concerning the effects of such agreements on regulatory decision-making and health more generally.
The unit will also examine these issues in light of specific challenges faced by developing countries.

Content

Claims brought under a bilateral investment treaty and at the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning Australian tobacco packaging laws have highlighted the constraints international trade and investment agreements impose on the power of sovereign nations to regulate in the interests of health. These and other recent claims have also spurred local and global policy debates about the impact of trade and investment agreements on health.

In the context of the law of the WTO and international investment agreements, this unit will explore contemporary case studies on a range of issues such as product regulation (in the contexts of tobacco control, alcohol control and food safety) health worker migration and the implications of intellectual property protection for health. These case studies will also be examined in the context of international investment agreements.

Assumed knowledge

Basic understanding of one of international economic law, public health law or environmental law would be advantageous

Assessment

Class Participation (10%)
Take-Home Exam (40%)
4,500 Word Essay (50%)

or

Class Participation (10%)
7,000 Word Essay (90%)

Session

Semester 2 Intensive
15-18 July 2013

The timetable is subject to frequent changes. Please refer to the latest version of the Postgraduate Timetable.

Legal Professional Development (LPD)

You can credit this unit towards Legal Professional Development (LPD). Units of study that are part of Sydney Law School’s Postgraduate Program meet the necessary Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) of the Law Society of New South Wales and the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements of the New South Wales Bar Association. You may complete this unit of study by enrolling on a non-degree basis or on an audit basis only with no assessment via Single Unit Enrolment.

Courses this unit is available in

The University of Sydney - Sydney Law School