Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2025-2026

Module LAW49215: International Financial Law

Department: Law

LAW49215: International Financial Law

Type Open Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2025/2026 Module Cap None.

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce students to the structure and functioning of the global financial system and its regulatory problems.
  • To provide a good knowledge of the architecture and governance of global finance, including international organisations, transnational regulatory networks, and industry bodies.
  • To introduce students to the business of cross-border banking and finance.
  • To provide a good understanding of the private law of international finance.
  • To provide a good understanding of sovereign debt financing.
  • To encourage an awareness of the social and economic contexts and the systemic goals that influence the regulation of global finance.

Content

  • The regulation and liberalisation of capital movements (IMF and EU) and the rise of global finance.
  • Supranational Regulatory Networks (Basel Committee, FSB, IOSCO) and regulatory cooperation.
  • Cross-border banking (supervision and resolution).
  • Global securities law (Mutual Recognition regimes, MoUs on securities listing, Passporting, US law).
  • Sovereign Debt and the International Monetary Fund.
  • Capital and currency controls (private law aspects).
  • Private law aspects of international financial transactions.
  • Sanctions.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students will gain an understanding of the global financial system and its architecture
  • Students will gain an understanding of the principles of financial law as applicable to international financial transactions.
  • Students will gain a good knowledge of the secondary literature on international financial law and policy.
  • Students will gain knowledge of the key legal, regulatory, and supervisory issues relating to the working of cross-border banks, international issuers, and sovereign and private borrowers
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students will be able to identify the legal issues relevant to specific problems relating to cross-border finance.
  • Students will be able to articulate and apply the core principles of financial law and regulation to real financial scenarios.
  • Students will be able to engage in informed debate on the evolution of the law in the field of global finance.
  • Students should be able to identify the main legal and institutional features of the law governing major banking and capital markets and to explain the differences between them.
  • Students should be able to demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of selected topics of particular relevance to international financial lawyers.
Key Skills:
  • Demonstrate developed research and writing skills, including working independently and taking responsibility for their own learning.
  • Develop expertise in conducting research into regulatory materials from a variety of national and comparative sources.
  • Describe accurately and comprehensibly the arguments and analysis of other commentators.
  • Show the skill of formulating complex policy arguments.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The teaching will be based on seminars supported by substantial but targeted reading assignments before each seminar to provide a deeper understanding of the issues. The readings are selected from established doctrinal sources and cutting-edge scholarship in the area.
  • The assessment supports the aims of the teaching methods. The summative essay will assess the ability of the students to analyze the subject material, conduct research, and present a structured and articulate argument on the subject.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminars 8 Weekly 2 16
Preparation and Reading 134
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 3000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

The formative will entail the analysis of a legal, regulatory, or policy issue on a topic covered by the syllabus. The analysis will be 1000 words in length.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University