Background

Trade agreements are treaties of a specific kind; they regulate cross-border trade between two or more nations. These agreements establish trade-related rights and obligations for the State Parties and provide for additional matters such as the establishment of institutions and their powers. Unlike traditional trade agreements which cover trade in goods only, modern trade agreements cover a range of additional trade-related disciplines such as trade in services, dispute settlement, investment, intellectual property rights, competition policy, electronic commerce, trade and gender, sustainable development, and public procurement, among others. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is an example of a new generation trade agreement covering, in addition to trade in goods, trade in services, investment, competition policy, intellectual property rights, and digital trade and women and youth in trade.

Trade agreements are, as a rule, not self-executing. They must be implemented through domestic measures taken by state organs in the State Parties. Customs administration is a typical example for trade in goods. National regulators perform the required domestic tasks in respect of trade in services.

While disputes about trade agreements must be settled by the State Parties (private parties do not normally enjoy standing before international courts or tribunals), private parties and firms may approach domestic courts for judicial review and other public law remedies available under the law of the land. Trade remedies (re anti-dumping & countervailing measures) and safeguards are increasingly important. Private parties may also, if provided for in the legal instruments of regional trade arrangements (such as the East African Community), enjoy standing before Regional Courts and Tribunals.

There are several reasons for offering courses dealing with the legal instruments underpinning trade and integration initiatives. Multilateral and regional trade agreements are of growing importance but are specialised legal instruments with their own logic and terminology. They need to be interpreted to be implemented as intended on inter-state and intra-state levels. This course will cover the basic principles, scope, coverage and structure of international trade agreements, with a special focus on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Practical Arrangements

• Participants will be required to register in advance. 20 participants will be accepted for the course.

• A course outline and background reading materials will be provided.

• The sessions will be interactive, requiring prior preparation.

• Candidates who have satisfactorily completed the course (including a case study), will receive a tralac Certificate of Completion.

To apply

Send your CV and a brief motivation (100 words) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Subject line: RIITA short course)

Closing date: 20 June 2024