Academics Areas of Study

International and Comparative Law

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At Cornell Law School, we’ve had a passion for international law and a commitment to global engagement since our founding. In 1948, Cornell became only the fourth law school in the United States to establish an international legal studies program. Over the ensuing decades, our commitment to teaching international and comparative law has become a central part of our mission.

At Cornell Law School, we’ve had a passion for international law and a commitment to global engagement since our founding.

Contemporary understanding of the complexities facing the world’s legal and business communities, policymakers, and public-service organizations has resulted in a legal-education program at Cornell Law School devoted to a global vision of law that includes multinational economic cooperation and development, human rights, comparative law, environmental preservation, and increased understanding among the world’s culturally diverse nations and regions.

Students can choose from a wide range of international and comparative law courses taught by world-renowned faculty. In addition, students can participate in unique international joint- and dual-degree programs, a renowned international law journal, study abroad and exchange opportunities, a summer institute in Paris, and internationally focused clinics, programs, and centers.

An introduction to the legal rules governing the conduct of states vis-à-vis other states, individuals, and international organizations, with reference to major current events and issues. Topics include the nature, sources, and effectiveness of international law; the establishment and recognition of states; principles concerning state sovereignty, territory, and jurisdiction; the law of treaties; state responsibility; international criminal and humanitarian law; terrorism; and human rights. Special attention is given to the law governing the use of force.
This course studies legal aspects of direct foreign investments. It seeks to identify legal problems that are likely to affect a commercial investment in a foreign country. Inter alia, it deals with the public international law principles and rules governing the establishment by foreign businesses of various factors of production (persons and capital) on the territory of other states and the protection of such investments. Thus, the course includes a discussion of the following topics: economic development and foreign capital; obstacles to the flow of investments to developing countries; guarantees to investors and investment codes; bilateral treaties; nationalization; joint ventures; project financing; transfer of technology; arbitration; investment insurance; unification of trade law; and the settlement of investment disputes.
This course will focus on select aspects of international law that help to shape contemporary global governance, but that are not generally covered by conventional international law courses, such as: international trade law as it affects the global South, international law combating organized crime, and international law on movement of persons. Central inquiries will rest on the efficacy and justice of international legal rules and practices. The course will begin with an overview of competing schools of thought related to international law, and will proceed with a series of case studies. Final grades will be based on class participation, a paper, and a brief in-class presentation on the paper topic.
This course will examine the foundations of international arbitration, both commercial and investor-state, and discuss strategies for practicing in this field, including identifying applicable law, drafting effective arbitration clauses, selecting arbitral institutions and appointing arbitrators, gathering evidence, handling parallel proceedings, mediating settlements, requesting interim measures, and enforcing arbitral awards. Several classes will also turn specifically to investor-state arbitration (or “investment treaty arbitration”), a relatively new and revolutionary area of international adjudication that is growing in prominence. Through lectures and classroom simulations, the course will introduce students to the practice of international commercial and investment arbitration. Students will have a chance to sharpen their written and oral advocacy skills by preparing written pleadings and engaging in a lively series of debates. The class will leave the students with a toolkit of practical skills that prepare young lawyers for careers in this field. No prior coursework in public international law or international commercial arbitration is required.