2 Credit/Certificate Course (Online) on Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence

14 Aug 2025

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE

International trade and investment are the main catalysts of globalization. Major wars in the 19th and 20th centuries have been for trade. It is always an important agenda in any diplomatic relations and any international summit or negotiations. Trade is an aspect of human interaction an like all human interactions it involves issues of access, self-preservation and self-interest, dominance, equality, benefits, fairness, rights, culture, disputes, dispute resolution etc.

The World Trade Organization was established to ensure that trade being an essential requirement of human civilization and growth does not become a reason for destructive wars. The Agreements under WTO are basic undertakings of countries to other countries. The course based on these WTO Agreements is essential for a law students. It is an essential part of international commercial law and provides students who have mastered the subject opportunities to work with international organizations, governmental departments and commercial law firms. In addition to this, students educated in international trade law are better able to understand underpinnings of international political developments and many domestic issues such as farmer suicides and farm laws.

Course Objectives

The main purpose of the course is to spread WTO literacy. Many aspects of our lives are affected by international agreements and we are not aware about it. This ignorance breeds misconceptions about various government policies and we end up either wrongly blaming the international treaties or passively accepting where we should be cautious. International trade treaties have come to stay. Hence, general awareness about this law should be encouraged so that our interests are better safeguarded in the international forum. The two-credits course being offered by NLUO Center for International Trade Law is an effort in this direction.

The main objectives of the course are :

To impart knowledge about the basic legal framework of the WTO Agreement.
To clarify the concepts of international trade law under the WTO.
To guide through case laws how legal provisions are used and applied in disputes.
To help students analyze and evaluate the Agreements and case laws in the background.of academic debates around them.
To guide students in research and writing on issues relating to international trade law.

COURSE OUTLINE

The course is broadly divided into four parts with specific modules in each part.

PART I

Theoretical and Organizational Background Module

Module 1: Theoretical and Historical Background

In this historical background to the creation of WTO and theories of international trade will be discussed along with a discussion about the need for governmental regulation of trade.

Reading: 1. Sheela Rai, An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence (Thomson Reuters, 2022), Chapter 1.

Sheela Rai, Eluckiaa A. and Kapil Sharma (ed.) Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports Volumes 1 and 2 (Satyam International and CITL, 2021 & 2023).
Rafael Lima Sakr, Beyond Histories and Boundaries: Rethinking International Economic Law (June 12, 2018) LSE Legal Studies Working Paper No. 9/2018.
Steve Charnovitz, Historical Lens in International Economic Law Journal of International Economic Law 22, 1(2019)93-97.

Module 2: The Structure of the World Trade Organization

Organizational Structure of WTO
Dispute Settlement Mechanism

Reading: 1. Sheela Rai, An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence (Thomson Reuters, 2022), Chapter 2, pp. 21-43.

Sheela Rai, Eluckiaa A. and Kapil Sharma (ed.) Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports Volumes 1 and 2 (Satyam International and CITL, 2021 & 2023).
P. Van den Bossche, “From Afterthought to Centrepiece: The WTO Appellate Body and its Rise to Prominence in the World Trading System” Maastricht Faculty of Law Working Paper 2005/1 (University of Maastricht, 2005).
B.S. Chimni, “The World Trade Organisation, Democracy and Development: A View from the South” Journal of World Trade 40, 1 (2006): 5–36.

PART II

Rules on Trade in Goods: The Three Pillars

Module 3: The First Pillar-Market Access

Elimination of quantitative restrictions and tariff bindings

Reading: 1. Sheela Rai, An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence (Thomson Reuters, 2022), Chapter 3, pp. 71-83.

Sheela Rai, Eluckiaa A. and Kapil Sharma (ed.) Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports Volumes 1 and 2 (Satyam International and CITL, 2021 & 2023).
Bin Gu “Mineral Export Restraints and Sustainable Development—Are Rare Earths Testing the WTO’s Loopholes” Journal of International Economic Law 14, 4 (2011): 765–805.

Module 4: Second Pillar: Non-Discrimination (Most Favoured Nation Treatment and National Treatment

Like Products
MFN
National Treatment

Reading: 1. Sheela Rai, An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence (Thomson Reuters, 2022), Chapter 4.

Sheela Rai, Eluckiaa A. and Kapil Sharma (ed.) Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports Volumes 1 and 2 (Satyam International and CITL, 2021 & 2023).
Richard E. Baldwin, “Multilateralising Regionalism: Spaghetti Bowls as Building Blocs on the Path to Global Free Trade” The World Economy, 29, 11 (2006): 1451–1518
Jason Potts “The Legality of PPMs under the GATT: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Trade Policy” (International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2008) available at https://www.iisd.org/system/files/

publications/ppms_gatt. pdf.

Module 5: Third Pillar: Trade Facilitation

GATT provisions relating to trade facilitation
The Trade Facilitation Agreement
Other Agreements under Annex IA relating to trade facilitation

Reading: 1. Sheela Rai, An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence (Thomson Reuters, 2022), Chapter 5.

Sheela Rai, Eluckiaa A. and Kapil Sharma (ed.) Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports Volumes 1 and 2 (Satyam International and CITL, 2021 & 2023).

PART III

Exceptions to the Rules on Trade in Goods and Regulation of Non-Tariff Barriers

Module 6: Policy Based Exceptions

General Exceptions under GATT
Security Exceptions

Reading: 1. Sheela Rai, An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence (Thomson Reuters, 2022), Chapter 6.

Sheela Rai, Eluckiaa A. and Kapil Sharma (ed.) Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports Volumes 1 and 2 (Satyam International and CITL, 2021 & 2023).
Prabhash Ranjan, National Security Exception in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and India-Palistan Trade Journal of World Trade 54 no. 4 (2020) 643-665.

Module 7- Exceptions to Protect Particular Industries

Antidumping Measures
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures & Fisheries Subsidies
Safeguard Measures

Reading: 1. Sheela Rai, An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence (Thomson Reuters, 2022), Chapter 7.

Sheela Rai, Eluckiaa A. and Kapil Sharma (ed.) Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports Volumes 1 and 2 (Satyam International and CITL, 2021 & 2023).
Robert Howse, ‘From Politics to Technocracy -And Back Again: The Fate of the Multilateral Trading Regime’ American Journal of International Law vol. 96, no. 1 (2002): 94-117.
Timothy Meyer, ‘The Political Economy of WTO Exceptions’ Washington University Law Review 99, no. 4 (2022): 1299-1370.
Sheela Rai, ‘Imposition of Safeguard Measures and Unforeseen Developments’ Foreign Trade Review 41 no. 4 (2007): 48-69.

Module 8-Regulation of Non-Tariff Barriers

Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary Measures
Technical Barriers to Trade

Reading: 1. Sheela Rai, An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence (Thomson Reuters, 2022), Chapter 8.

Sheela Rai, Eluckiaa A. and Kapil Sharma (ed.) Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports Volumes 1 and 2 (Satyam International and CITL, 2021 & 2023).
Pritam Banerjee, “SPS-TBT Measures: Harmonisation and Diversification” in Dipankar Sengupta, Debashis Chakraborty, and Pritam Banerjee (eds), Beyond the Transition Phase of WTO: An Indian Perspective on Emerging Issues (New Delhi: Academic Foundation and Centre de Sciences Humaines, 2006), 47–74.

Module 9-Agreement on Agriculture

Market Access
Domestic Support
Export Subsidies
Food Security

Reading: 1. Sheela Rai, An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence (Thomson Reuters, 2022), Chapter 9.

Sheela Rai, Eluckiaa A. and Kapil Sharma (ed.) Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports Volumes 1 and 2 (Satyam International and CITL, 2021 & 2023).
Sachin Kumar Sharma, Teesta. Lahiri, Suvayan Neogi, and Raihan Akhter, “Revisiting Domestic Support Negotiations at the WTO: Ensuring a Level Playing Field” Journal of International Trade and Economic 2021
A. Jayagovind, “India and Food Security: WTO Perspective” Indian Journal of International Law 54, 3&4 (2014): 505–513.

PART IV

Expanding Horizons of WTO

Module 10- Trade in Services

Modes of supply of service
Specific Commitments
General Obligations
Exceptions and Built in Agenda.

Reading: 1. Sheela Rai, An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence (Thomson Reuters, 2022), Chapter 10.

Sheela Rai, Eluckiaa A. and Kapil Sharma (ed.) Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports Volumes 1 and 2 (Satyam International and CITL, 2021 & 2023).

Module 11- Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights

Negotiation Background
General Principles
Specific IPRs protected under TRIPs
Administration of IPRs

Reading: 1. Sheela Rai, An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence (Thomson Reuters, 2022), Chapter 11.

Sheela Rai, Eluckiaa A. and Kapil Sharma (ed.) Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports Volumes 1 and 2 (Satyam International and CITL, 2021 & 2023).
Cassandra Mehlig Sweet and Dalibor Sacha Eterovic Maggio, “Do Stronger Intellectual Property Rights Increase Innovation?” World Development 66 (2015): 665–677.

Module 12 -Trade and Investment

Agreement on Trade Related Investment Measures
Trade Facilitation Agreement

Readings: 1. Sheela Rai, An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence (Thomson Reuters, 2022), pp. 394-400

LECTURE PLAN

Class No.	Module	Topic
Class 1	Module 1	General Introduction and History
Class 2	Module 1	History and Creation of WTO
Class 3	Module 1	Theories on Trade
Class 4	Module 2	Organisational Structure of WTO
Class 5	Module 2	Dispute Settlement Under WTO
Class 6	Module 2	Dispute Settlement Under WTO
Class 7	Module 3	Market Access (Articles XI & II of GATT and Exceptions)
Class 8	Module 3	Market Access (Article II of GATT)
Class 9	Module 4	MFN and Exceptions
Class 10	Module 4	National Treatment
Class 11	Module 5	Trade Facilitation
Class 12	Module 5	Trade Facilitation
Class 13	Module 6	General Exceptions under GATT
Class 14	Module 6	Security Exceptions
Class 15	Module 7	Antidumping Measures
Class 16	Module 7	Antidumping Measures
Class 17	Module 7	Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
Class 18	Module 7	Subsidies and Countervailing Measures & Fisheries Subsidies
Class 19	Module 7	Safeguard Measures
Class 20	Module 8	Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosantiary Measures
Class 21	Module 8	Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosantiary Measures
Class 22	Module 8	Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade
Class 23	Module 9	Agreement on Agriculture
Class 24	Module 9	Agreement on Agriculture
Class 25	Module 10	General Agreement on Trade in Services
Class 26	Module 10	General Agreement on Trade in Services
Class 27	Module 11	Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
Class 28	Module 11	Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
Class 29	Module 12	Trade and Investment
Class 30		General Discussion

ABOUT THE RESOURCE PERSON

Sheela Rai is Professor of Law at the National Law University Odisha. She teaches International Trade Law and International Investment Law. She has published four books- An Introduction to WTO Jurisprudece (Thomson Reuters South Asia Pvt. Ltd. 2022), Antidumping Measures: Policy, Law and Practice in India (Partridge: A Penguin Random House Company, 2014), Recognition and Regulation of Safeguard Measures under GATT/WTO (London & New York: Routledge, 2011), Recognition and Regulation of Antidumping Measures under GATT/WTO (Lucknow : Eastern Book Company, 2004). In addition to the above she has published edited volumes- Trade Facilitation and the WTO (Co-edited with Prof. Jane K. Winn of Washington Law School) (Cambridge Scholars Press, 2019), Women and Trade: The Indian Context (Thomson Retuers, 2024), Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports Volumes 1 and 2 (Satyam International, 2021 & 2023). She has also published articles in Indian and international journals. She has more than 20 years of teaching and research experience in International Trade Law.

NLUO National Law University Odisha Accredited By NAAC

NLUO National Law University Odisha Accredited By NAAC

2 Credit/Certificate Course (Online) on Introduction to WTO Jurisprudence