Course Listing

Legal Aspects of Paperless Trade
Last Updated Date:   8 July 2025


4 Units,  Semester 2

Course Description:
This course examines the legal implications of forming and performing international sale contracts using electronic data and communications in place of paper. The law relating to transferable documents used regularly in the performance of such contracts, including transport documents in particular bills of lading and insurance policies and certificates, still assumes the use of paper in much of the world. These legal difficulties have slowed down the digitalisation of global trade transactions, which requires coordinated efforts of a large swathe of different stakeholders.

The course covers the challenges this represents for transportation service providers and cargo insurers, as well as for the providers of common financial arrangements supporting the buying and selling of goods across borders.

Course Convenor: Visiting Professor Miriam Goldby

Co-teacher(s): NA

Course Codes: LL4548 / LL5548 / LLJ5548 / LL6548

Contact Hours: 9 sessions over 3 weeks: Three 3-hour weekly seminars

Workload: Intensive: Weeks 1 – 3; Dates: 12 – 30 Jan 2026 [Mon: 6.30pm – 9.30pm, Wed: 6.30pm – 9.30pm & Fri: 3pm – 6pm]

Mode of Assessment: Class Participation - 15% & 6-hr Take Home Exam - 85% [Release: Fri, 6 March 2026 (3pm); Due: Fri, 6 March 2026 (9pm)]

Preclusions: Nil

Prerequisites: NUS Compulsory Core Law Curriculum or common law equivalent.

Examination Date: Different Mode of Examination

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