This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
1. A synopsis of the curriculum
Consumer law is a significant area of business regulation in many parts of the world. The EU has developed an ambitious programme of harmonization, provides intriguing approaches to transnational governance of markets, and competes as an international model of consumer law with models such as the US. Standards for consumer products and services are increasingly established at the international level through "private" bodies such as the International Standards Organization (ISO)
The module is structured as follows:
• An introduction to the rationales for and explanations for the growth of consumer law and policy at the national and international level. An introduction to transnational, comparative and international dimensions of consumer regulation and relevant institutional structures.
• Critical analysis of International, regional and national regulation of selected areas of consumer law such as unfair commercial practices, product safety, internet and digital regulation, unfair contract terms and consumer credit and debt.
Total study hours: 200
Contact hours: 18
Private study hours: 182
LLM in (Specialisation); LLM in Law; PG Diploma in (Specialisation); PG Certificate in Law
Main assessment methods
The module will be assessed by 100% coursework as follows:
Essay, of no more than 5000 words (100%)
Reassessment methods
100% coursework
G. Howells, I. Ramsay, and T. Wilhelmsson, Handbook of Research on International Consumer Law (Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, 2nd ed. 2018)
I. Ramsay, Consumer Law and Policy: Text and Materials on Regulating Consumer Markets (Hart, Oxford, 3rd ed. 2012)
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of relevant institutions and sources in the area of EU and international consumer law and policy and
the ability to research and apply them.
2. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the political and economic background to consumer law at the national and international
level
3. Demonstrate a critical awareness of competing national approaches to consumer law and policy and the possible reasons for these
differences.
4. Identify and critically assess issues of effectiveness, accountability and legitimacy in the development of transnational networks and
international standard setting in consumer law.
5. Demonstrate comprehensive independent and interdisciplinary research on consumer law at the national level and international level
6. Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of the central principles and institutional frameworks of an important aspect of
international commercial law, the theoretical perspectives and the academic debates of this substantive areas of law;
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Apply their comprehensive knowledge and understanding in the form of an original reasoned argument.
2. Articulate a reasoned point of view on the relative merits of differing approaches to regulation.
3. Demonstrate comprehensive independent research and creative thinking abilities.
4. Identify and commence further research into unresolved issues.
Stage 1
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