HANOI LAW UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND BUSINESS LAW

APPROVAL OF PRINCIPAL

(FOR HLU INTERNAL USE ONLY)

HÀ NỘI - 2024

1
 Program: Bachelor of Laws (High Quality Training Program)

Course: WTO Law

Credit points: 02

Type of the
Elective
course:

1. INFORMATION OF LECTURERS
1.1 Lecturers
N Name Title Email Tel
o
1. Ngo Trong Quan LL.M. ngotrongquancbg@gmail.com 04.37731787
2. Nguyen Ba Binh Assoc.Prof nguyenbabinh@hotmail.com 04.37731787
Nguyen Thi Anh nguyenanhtho0102@yahoo.co
3. PhD 04.37731787
Tho m
Nguyen Mai Linh mailinhnguyen110@gmail.co
4. LL.M. 04.37731787
m
Doan Thanh
5. LL.M. amelia.doan@gmail.com 04.37731787
Huyen
6. Dao Gia Phuc PhD pltmdpdtqt@gmail.com 04.37731787
Nguyen Huu
7. PhD pltmdpdtqt@gmail.com 04.37731787
Huyen
Nguyen Thi
8. LL.M. pltmdpdtqt@gmail.com 04.37731787
Nhung
9. Ho Thuy Ngoc Assoc.Prof. pltmdpdtqt@gmail.com 04.37731787
10. Nguyen Ngoc Ha Assoc.Prof. pltmdpdtqt@gmail.com 04.37731787
11. Pham Minh Duc LL.M. pltmdpdtqt@gmail.com 04.37731787
1.2. Assistants
No Name Title Email Tel
1. Le Dinh Quyet LL.M. pltmdpdtqt@gmail.co 04.37731787
m
2. Do Thu Huong pltmdpdtqt@gmail.co 04.37731787
LL.M.
m

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Office of Department of Multilateral Trade and International
Investment Law
Room A1401, Building A, Hanoi Law University
No. 87, Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, Dong Da, Ha Noi
Working hours: 8h00 – 17h00 everyday (except for Saturday, Sunday, and
holidays)
2. PREREQUISITE COURSES
- Basic Legal English (CLC.ĐB09)
- Public International Law (CLC.CB20)
- International Trade and Business Law (CLC.CB23)
3. SUMMARY OF THE COURSE
This course provides students with knowledge and critical understanding of
the regulatory framework underpinning the multilateral trading system,
covering both the institutional and substantive law of the World Trade
Organisation (WTO), which has played a central role in promoting and
regulating international trade relations since its establishment on 1 January
1995. Through this course, students will explore WTO rules and
jurisprudence in the following topics: 1) Overview of the WTO Law; 2)
Basic principles and exceptions of WTO Law; 3) The WTO Agreements as
a main source of the WTO Law; 4) Other sources of the WTO Law; and 5)
Relationship between the WTO Law and national law.
4. CONTENTS OF THE COURSE
Issue 1. Overview of the WTO Law
1.1. History
1.2. Membership
1.3. Institutional Structure
1.4. Decision-making Procedures
1.5. Developing Countries in WTO Law
1.6. Regional Trade Agreements in WTO Law
Issue 2. Basic principles of the WTO Law and Exceptions
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 2.1. Reminding basic principles
2.2. Exceptions
Issue 3. The WTO Agreements - Main source of the WTO Law
3.1. Overview of WTO agreements within the Uruguay Round
3.2. Overview of WTO agreements after the Uruguay Round
Issue 4. Other sources of the WTO Law
4.1. Reports of the WTO’s dispute settlement body
4.2. International customs
4.3. Others
Issue 5. Relationship between the WTO Law and national law
5.1. Traditional theories on the relationship between the WTO law and
national law
5.2. Three ways to implement the WTO commitments in the national legal
order
5. OUTPUT STANDARDS OF THE COURSE AND MAPPING
WITH THE OUTPUT STANDARDS OF THE TRAINING
PROGRAM
5.1. The Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
 Knowledge
K1. Understand the history, functions and structure of the WTO and its
relationship with FTAs;
K2. Understand and apply the fundamental principles of the WTO;
K3. Analyse the caselaw of WTO in trade in goods and trade in services;
K4. Identify the different sources of WTO law;
K5. Understand how to implement the WTO accession commitments in the
national legal order;
K6. Analyse legal issues in trade relations among the WTO members;
K7. Applying substantive and procedural principles of WTO law to explain
the specific situations in trade relations among the WTO members;
K8. Apply legal English in the area of international trade law.
 Skills
S9. Search for and update international trade agreements and case law;
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S10. Conduct research on international trade law and WTO dispute
settlement;
S11. Design and deliver a presentation on WTO law;
S12. Work independently and collaboratively with other students to prepare
a research paper;
S13. Develop arguments and critical thinking to solve practical situations
in international trade law.
 Self-control ability and self-responsibility
T14. Be confident, willing to acquire new knowledge and open to different
viewpoints in the field;
T15. Develop a sense of honesty, striving for progress and protection of
justice;
T16. Develop a sense of respect and compliance with the law;
T17. Develop professional working ethics.
5.2. The matrix demonstrating the compatibility of the CLOs with the
TPLOs
The Knowledge The ability LOs
Course LOs of the The Skill LOs of the training program of the training
Learning training program program
Outcomes
K8 K13 K16 S17 S18 S25 S26 S27 S28 S30 S31 T32 T33 T34
K1   
K2   
K3   
K4   
K5   
K6   
K7   
K8   
S9        
S10        
S11        
S12        
S13        
T14   
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 T15   
T16   
T17   

6. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
6.1. Detailed learning objectives

Objective
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Issue
1. 1A1. Introducing the 1B1. Analysing 1C1. Giving
Overview ofhistory of the WTO. the historical comments
the WTO 1A2. Introducing the background of on the
Law purpose and functions the WTO. position and
of the WTO. 1B2. Analysing role of the
1A3. Introducing the the relationship WTO in the
structure of the WTO. among WTO's development
1A4. Presenting the agencies. of
terms and conditions 1B3. Analysing international
of entry for the the relationship trade.
applicant government between the 1C2. Giving
in WTO. WTO and other comments
1A5. Listing the legal international on the
provisions governing organizations. participation
the relationship 1B4. Analysing of
between the WTO and the legal developing
FTAs. relationship countries in
1A6. Presenting the between the WTO.
benefits for developing WTO and FTAs
countries in WTO law.
2. 2A1. Presenting 2B1. Analysing 2C1. Giving
Basic content and exceptions the impact of the comments
Principles of the principle: MFN and NT on the role
of the WTO “MFN”. principles on of basic
Law 2A2. Presenting trade principles
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 content and exceptions liberalization for
of the principle: “NT”. among WTO international
2A3. Presenting members. trade of the
content and exceptions 2B2. Explaining WTO
of the principle: “Freer the conditions to members.
trade: gradually, apply exceptions.
through negotiation”. 2B3. Applying
2A4. Presenting the exceptions
content of the principle for basic
“Predictability: through principles to
binding and solve specific
transparency”. case studies.
2A5. Presenting
content of the principle
“Promoting fair
competition”.
2A6. Presenting
content of the principle
“Encouraging
development and
economic reform”.
3. 3A1. Introducing the 3B1. Analysing 3C1. Giving
The WTO system of WTO how WTO comments
Agreements agreements within the agreements are on the WTO
- Main Uruguay Round and applied in a Agreements
Source of after the Uruguay specific trade
the WTO Round. dispute.
Law 3A2. Describing the 3B2. Applying
WTO Agreements on the WTO
Trade in Goods. agreements as a
3A3. Presenting the source of law to
basic contents of the solve specific
GATT Agreement. case studies
3A4. Presenting the
basic contents of the
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 GATS Agreement.
3A5. Presenting the
basic contents of the
TRIPs Agreement
4. 4A1. Presenting the 4B1. Analysing a 4C1. Giving
Other name and basic report of the comments
Sources of content of three reports WTO Dispute on the
the WTO of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body. application
Law Settlement Body 4B2. Analysing of other
4A2. Describing the the content and sources of
structure of a Report value of other WTO law.
of the WTO Dispute sources of WTO 4C2. Giving
Settlement Body. law. comments
4A3. Listing and on the
giving examples of relationship
other sources of WTO among the
law. sources of
WTO law.
5. 5A1. Presenting 5B1. Analysing 5C1. Giving
Relationshi content of the content of the comments
p between traditional theories on traditional on how to
the WTO the relationship theories on the implement
Law and between the WTO law relationship WTO
national and national law. between the commitment
law 5A2. Presenting three WTO law and s in practice.
ways to implement the national law.
WTO commitments in 5B2. Analyzing
the national legal order. three ways to
implement the
WTO
commitments in
the national legal
order.
6.2. Total learning objectives
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 Objectives
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Issue
Issue 1 6 4 2 12
Issue 2 6 3 1 10
Issue 3 5 2 1 8
Issue 4 3 2 2 7
Issue 5 2 2 1 5
Total 22 13 7 42

7. THE MATRIX DEMONSTRATING THE COMPATIBILITY OF

THE DETAILED LEARNING OBJECTIVES WITH CLOs
Knowledge Skills Ability
Objective
K K K K K K K K S S S1 S S T T T T
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 12 13 14 15 16 17

1A1             
1A2             
1A3             
1A4             
1A5             
1A6             
1B1             
1B2             
1B3             
1B4             
1C1             
1C2             
2A1              
2A2              
2A3              
2A4              
2A5              
2A6              
2B1              
2B2              
2B3              

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 Knowledge Skills Ability
Objective
K K K K K K K K S S S1 S S T T T T
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 12 13 14 15 16 17

2C1              
3A1             
3A2             
3A3             
3A4             
3A5             
3B1             
3B2             
3C1             
4A1             
4A2             
4A3             
4B1             
4B2             
4C1             
4C2             
5A1             
5A2             
5B1             
5B2             
5C1             

8. MATERIALS
8.1. Compulsory Readings:
Hanoi Law University, Textbook on International Trade and Business Law,
Youth Publishing House, Hanoi, 2017,
http://pltmqt.hlu.edu.vn/SubNews/Details/17087.
8.2. Recommended Materials:
* Books

10
1. Craig VanGrasstek, The History and Future of the World Trade
Organization, 2013,
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/publications_e/historyandfuturew
to_e.htm
2. Daniel C.K. Chow, Thomas J. Schoenbaum, International Trade
Law: Problems, Cases, and Materials, Wolters Kluwer Law &
Business/Aspen Publishers, 2008.
3. Daniel Bethlehem et al., The Oxford Handbook of International
Trade Law, Oxford University Press, 2009.
4. Erich Vranes, Trade and the Environment: Fundamental Issues in
International Law, WTO Law, and Legal Theory, Oxford University
Press, 2009.
5. Henrik Horn and Petros C. Mavroidis, Legal and Economic
Principles of World Trade Law, Cambridge University Press, 2013.
6. John H. Jackson, The World Trading System, Law and Policy of
International Economic Relations, 2nd edition, 1997.
7. Jürgen Kurtz, The WTO and International Investment Law:
Converging Systems, Cambridge University Press, 2016.
8. Manfred Elsig, Bernard Hoekman, Joost Pauwelyn, Assessing the
World Trade Organization: Fit for Purpose, Cambridge University
Press, 2017.
9. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, Crafting Trade and Investment
Accords for Sustainable Development, Oxford University Press,
2021.

11
10. Michael J. Trebilcock and Robert Howse, The Regulation of
International Trade, 3rd edition, Routledge, 2005.
11. Nellie Munin, Legal Guide To GATS, Kluwer Law International,
2010.
12. Peter Van den Bossche and Werner Zdouc, The Law and Policy of
the World Trade Organization: Text, Cases and Materials,
Cambridge University Press, 2022.
13. Pierre Sauvé, Research Handbook on Trade in Services, Edward
Elgar Publishing, 2016.
14. Raj Bhala, International Trade Law - Interdisciplinary Theory and
Practice, LexisNexis Publisher, Third Edition, 2006.
15. Simon Lester, Bryan Mercurio, Arwel Davies, World Trade Law:
Text, Materials, and Commentary, Third Edition, Hart Publishing,
2018.
16. Simon Lester, Bryan Mercurio, Lorand Bartels, Bilateral and
regional trade agreements: commentary and analysis, Cambridge
University Press, 2015.
17. Thomas Cottier and Krista Nadakavukaren Schefer, Elgar
Encyclopedia of International Economic Law, Edward Elgar
Publishing, 2017.
18. UNCTAD, Course on Dispute Settlement,
https://unctad.org/publications-search?f[0]=product%3A694

12
 19. WTO, Understanding the World Trade Organization, Fifth Edition,
2015,
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/understanding
_e.pdf
20. WTO, Status of WTO Legal Instruments, 2021 edition,
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/wto_legal_instruments
_2021_e.pdf
21. WTO, WTO Dispute Settlement: One-Page Case Summaries (1995-
2022), 2023 edition,
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/publications_e/dispu_settlement_
e.htm
22. WTO, WTO Analytical Index: Guide to WTO Law and Practice,
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/publications_e/ai17_e/ai17_e.htm
* Others
1. WTO, Report of the Working Party on the Accession of Viet Nam
and Viet Nam’s WTO Commitments,
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/a1_vietnam_e.htm
2. WTO Secretariat, Trade Policy Review: Vietnam, 2021,

https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp510_e.htm
8.3. Websites
1. http://www.wto.org
2. http://trungtamwto.vn
3. http://chongbanphagia.vn
4. http://www.mofa.gov.vn
5. http://www.moit.gov.vn

9. TEACHING – LEARNING FORMS

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 9.1. General Schedule
Teaching-learning forms
Week Unit Group Self- Total
LectureSeminar Assessment
work study
1 1 4 2 3 Receiving Assignments
2 2 2 4 2 3
3 2 2 4 2 3
Submitting Teamwork
4 2 2 4 2 3
Assignment
5 3 2 4 2 3
Total hours 12 16 10 15 53

9.2. Detailed Schedule

WEEK 1 – ISSUE 1
Teaching –
Requirements for students’
Learning Hours Main contents
preparation
form
- Reading the Course
- Introduction of the
Outline
Course
- Reading:
- Overview of the
+ Hanoi Law University,
Lecture 1 2 WTO and WTO Law
Textbook on International
(History, Institutional
Trade and Business Law,
Structure,
Youth Publishing House,
Membership,
Hanoi, 2017, Chapter Two,
Decision-Making)
Section One and Eight.
- Reading:
- Regional Trade + Hanoi Law University,
Agreements in WTO Textbook on International
Lecture 2 2 Law Trade and Business Law,
- Developing Countries Youth Publishing House,
in WTO Law Hanoi, 2017, Chapter Three,
Section One and Six.
Groupwor 2 - Formation of teams - Reading the materials and
14
 the teamwork assignments
- Discussion of
k - Outlining the discussion
teamwork assignments
contents
and allocation of tasks
- Reviewing the lecture notes
- The participation of
developing countries in
Self-study 3 the WTO - Reading the materials and
cases cited in textbook
- Current challenges
facing the WTO
- Content: To give professional advice on the methods of
studying; tutoring on searching and reading references; other
Tutoring questions related to the course.
- Time: From 14:40 to 16:10 Monday every week.
- Venue: Faculty of International Trade and Business Law,
Room A1401.
WEEK 2 – ISSUE 2
Teaching –
Requirements for students’
Learning Hours Main contents
preparation
form
- Reading:
+ Hanoi Law University,
Basic Principles of Textbook on International
Lecture 2 WTO Law and Trade and Business Law,
Exceptions Youth Publishing House,
Hanoi, 2017, Chapter Two,
Section Two and Seven.
- Reading Textbook and
Seminar 1 2 Case study on MFN and
lecture notes
NT
- Questions given by lecturer
Case study on GATT - Reading Textbook and
Seminar 2 2 Article XX and GATS lecture notes
Article XIV - Questions given by lecturer
Groupwor 2 - Discussion of - Reading the materials and
k teamwork assignment cases

15
 - Outlining the discussion
- Discussion of the
contents
lecture content
- Reviewing the lecture notes
Vietnam’s commitments
Self-study 3 in GATS and recent - Reading the materials and
cases cited in textbook
FTAs
- Content: To give professional advice on the methods of
studying; tutoring on searching and reading references; other
Tutoring questions related to the course.
- Time: From 14:40 to 16:10 Monday every week.
- Venue: Faculty of International Trade and Business Law,
Room A1401.
WEEK 3 – ISSUE 3
Teaching –
Requirements for
Learning Hours Main contents
students’ preparation
form
- Reading:
+ Hanoi Law University,
Textbook on
The WTO Agreements -
International Trade and
Lecture 2 Main Source of WTO
Business Law, Youth
Law
Publishing House,
Hanoi, 2017, Chapter
Two, Section Three to
Six.
- Reading Textbook and
Seminar 1 2 Case study on TBT and lecture notes
SPS - Questions given by
lecturer
- Reading Textbook and
Seminar 2 2 Case study on Trade lecture notes
Remedies (ADA/SCM/SG) - Questions given by
lecturer
Groupwor 2 - Discussion of teamwork - Reading the materials

16
 and cases
assignment - Outlining the discussion
k - Discussion of the lecture contents
content - Reviewing the lecture
notes
- Other Trade in Good - Reading the materials
Self-study 3 Agreements and cases cited in
- The TRIPS Agreement textbook
- Content: To give professional advice on the methods of
studying; tutoring on searching and reading references; other
Tutoring questions related to the course.
- Time: From 14:40 to 16:10 Monday every week.
- Venue: Faculty of International Trade and Business Law,
Room A1401.
WEEK 4 – ISSUE 4
Teaching –
Requirements for students’
Learning Hours Main contents
preparation
form
- Reading:
+ Hanoi Law University,
Textbook on International
Lecture 2 Other Sources of
Trade and Business Law,
WTO Law
Youth Publishing House,
Hanoi, 2017, Chapter One,
Section Two
Case study on other
- Reading Textbook and lecture
Seminar 1 2 sources of law in
notes
WTO dispute
- Questions given by lecturer
settlement
Case study
(Continued) - Reading Textbook and lecture
Seminar 2 2 * Submitting notes
Teamwork - Questions given by lecturer
Assignment

17
 - Reading the materials and
- Discussion of
Groupwor cases
2 teamwork assignment - Outlining the discussion
k - Discussion of the
contents
lecture
- Reviewing the lecture notes
Applicable laws in
Self-study 3 WTO - Reading the materials and
dispute
cases cited in textbook
settlement
- Content: To give professional advice on the methods of
studying; tutoring on searching and reading references; other
Tutoring questions related to the course.
- Time: From 14:40 to 16:10 Monday every week.
- Venue: Faculty of International Trade and Business Law,
Room A1401.

WEEK 5 – ISSUE 5
Teaching –
Requirements for students’
Learning Hours Main contents
preparation
form
- Reading:
+ Hanoi Law University,
Relationship Textbook on International
Lecture 2 between WTO Law Trade and Business Law,
and national law Youth Publishing House,
Hanoi, 2017, Chapter Two,
Section Eight
Implementation of
WTO Law in the - Reading Textbook and lecture
Seminar 1 2 domestic legal notes
system in EU, US - Questions given by lecturer
and Vietnam
Presentation of - Reading Textbook and lecture
Seminar 2 2 Teamwork notes
Assignment - Questions given by lecturer
18
 - Discussion of - Reading the materials and
Groupwor teamwork cases
2 assignment - Outlining the discussion
k
- Discussion of the contents
lecture - Reviewing the lecture notes
Theories on the
Self-study 3 relationship between - Reading the materials in
international law and textbook
domestic law
- Content: To give professional advice on the methods of
studying; tutoring on searching and reading references; other
Tutoring questions related to the course.
- Time: From 14:40 to 16:10 Monday every week.
- Venue: Faculty of International Trade and Business Law,
Room A1401.

10. POLICIES OF THE COURSE

- Course delivery is in accordance with the University’s regulations.
- Assignments must be submitted by the deadline.
- Plagiarism in any forms will result in FAIL for the related academic work.
- Cheating on any exam also results in FAIL to the student who commits
the cheating and to the person who allows others to copy his/her work.
- No excuses for the ignorance of the guidelines for academic works set by
Hanoi Law University.
11. ASSESSMENT METHODS
11.1. Regular assessment
- Inspections: Students participate in 75% or more of the prescribed hours
for each theory or seminar part.
- Participation in seminars and team assignment.
11.2. Periodical assessment
Type of assignment Weight
Assessing knowledge and attitudes to participate in seminar 10%
01 Teamwork Assignment 30%

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 Final Exam 60%
11.3. Assessment criteria
 Assessment of understanding and in-class contributions
- Assessing knowledge: Self-study and understand the lesson (1-7 mark)
- Attitudes to participate in seminar: negative/ positive (1-3 mark)
- Total: 10 mark
 Teamwork assignment
- Format: Essay
- Content: Issues covered in the course
- Assessment criteria:
 Understanding of relevant law and legal policy
 Critical and analytical response to the topic
 Structure and organisation of ideas
 References to, and engagement with, relevant primary legal and
secondary scholarly sources
 Written expression, including use of legal terminology, proof-
reading, grammar, and punctuation
- General requirements on assignments
 Referencing style: Follow the University’s guidelines on citations
and bibliography for graduation thesis, available at
https://dt.hlu.edu.vn/SubNews/Details/21468. Plagiarism in any
form is strictly penalized.
 Formatting style: Paper Size: A4, Font: Times New Roman, Size:
13, Margins: Top 2cm, Bottom 2cm, Left 3cm, Right 2cm, Line
Spacing: Multiple at 1.3, Spacing: Before 6pt, After 6pt.
 Final examination
- Condition to participate in the final exam:
 Students participate in 75% or more of the prescribed hours
for each theory or seminar part.
 Team assignment or individual exam must be greater than 0.
- Format: 100% multiple-choice questions
- Content: All issues given in class and other self-studied issues, including
all learning objectives listed in Section 6 of this Outline.
- Assessment criteria: In accordance with the detailed answers given by
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lecturers.
LEADER OF SUBJECT

Ngo Trong Quan

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
1. Information of lecturers 2
2. Prerequisite courses 2
3. Summary of the course 3
4. Content of the course 3
5. Output standards of the course 3
6. Learning objectives 5
7. The matrix learning objectives with CLOs 8
8. Materials 9
9. Teaching – learning forms 11
10. Policies of the course 18
11. Assessment methods 19

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