International trade and investment are driving forces in world economic growth and global interdependence. This programme focuses on the international legal codes of conduct that govern economic relations between states and regions.

A significant part of the study programme concerns the Geneva-based World Trade Organization. The WTO provides the legal framework for the multilateral trading system for goods and services, including its advanced system of dispute resolution with a large and developing body of case law. WTO agreements also go beyond traditional market access issues into the realm of international legal harmonisation to consider intellectual property rights and international product and food safety standards.

International investment law is also a significant part of the curriculum. Here, a network of bilateral investment treaties (BITS) provide frameworks for foreign investor treatment and international dispute arbitration. The growth of state-investor arbitral awards is evidence of the emerging importance of international investment law.