"International economic law" is an increasingly seminal field of international law that involves the regulation and conduct of states, international organizations, and private firms operating in the international economic arena. As such, international economic law encompasses a broad range of disciplines touching on public international law, private international law, and domestic law applicable to international business transactions. For several decades, international economic law was most often associated with international trade, largely due to the fact that trade had developed the most mature multilateral legal institutions for governing international commerce. Today, however, a range of disciplines are routinely acknowledged as being as impactful and relevant to the field, including:
Because of the breadth of international economic activities and transactions, international economic law is a highly interdisciplinary field of study. Decisions in one area, such as tax or financial regulation, can impact the transmission of monetary policy, which can, in turn, impact the effectiveness or operation of a trade regime, and vice versa. Consequently, a wide range of notable governmental and intergovernmental organizations are involved in formulating international economic law and policy. Among the most important are:
National finance ministries, trade officials, and financial market supervisors;
“Minilateral” institutions associated with regional and bilateral trade, IP, financial regulatory accords, and other targeted diplomatic efforts.
Following research popularized in the 1990s by scholars in international law, political science, international relations, and commercial law, academic institutions have become increasingly engaged in the study of the international economic law. Among the most notable are:
The University of Zurich, which offers an LLM in International Business Law;
Stetson University and Toulouse University, which offer a joint dual degree program with a Master in International Economic Law;
New York University Law School, which offers LLMs in International Business Regulation, International Legal Studies, and International Taxation, and hosts the Hauser Global Law School Program;
Kent Law School, which offers an LLM programme in International Economic Law at its Brussels campus and an LLM programme in International Commercial Law at its Canterbury UK campus;
The International Economic Law and Policy LL.M. Programme, based in Barcelona, Spain;
The University of Antwerp, which is establishing a PhD programme in international economic law with structured training and collaboration with the World Trade Institute;
The World Trade Institute of the University of Bern, which hosts the one-year Master programme MILE focusing on the legal, economic and international relations perspectives of international trade regulation;
