Comparative environmental law is of growing importance to public and private institutions. For example, as multi-national corporations engage in the same manufacturing and resource development activities around the world, it is important that corporate managers and their legal advisers understand how different legal systems regulate these activities. To build that expertise, this course examines environmental regulation in the various legal systems of the world—from the common and civil law traditions to socialist laws, customary law, and Islamic law. Case studies from Canada, China, Europe, India, New Zealand, the United States, and other countries will be examined. Topics for comparative analysis include pollution control, waste management, habitat degradation, species protection, climate change, and impact assessment.
Taught by J.B. Ruhl, David Daniels Allen Distinguished Chair of Law, Director, Program on Law and Innovation, Co-director, Energy, Environment and Land Use Program
This course will provide an introduction to the procedural issues that arise in the legal resolution of disputes in international transactions. Transnational litigation in U.S. courts is the primary focus, but there will be some discussion of transnational litigation in the courts of other countries, especially the countries of the European Union. The course covers jurisdiction, sovereign immunity, service of process abroad, taking evidence abroad, parallel litigation, applicable laws and treaties, comparison of trial procedures, enforcement of foreign judgments and use of arbitration.
Taught by Ingrid Wuerth, Helen Strong Curry Chair in International Law & Director, International Legal Studies Program, Vanderbilt Law School
This course offers a comparative analysis of the national approaches of, inter alia, the United States, Israel, the European Union, and other states. This multidisciplinary course focuses on the dual interlocking axes of legal norms [flowing from international as well as national perspective] and the accompanying political and operational imperatives. Counterterrorism is a global cooperative phenomenon, and the study of its practice entails the use of case-law, legislation, international law, and national policy directives and operational decisions. Students will be exposed to case-law from a number of jurisdictions, to include international courts and commissions, reaching occasionally contradictory results. Counterterrorism also entails discussion of human rights law, humanitarian law, and comparative statutory study. The course will also entail extended use of scenario driven exercises.
Taught by Michael Newton, Professor of the Practice Law, Vanderbilt Law School
