Course Details

Comparative Law

This course addresses foreign law. Not only does foreign law matter to U.S. lawyers in international business or international arbitration, but it is important within national law (consider Chicago litigation involving a contract governed by French law or a Miami resident bequeathing real estate in Italy). Indeed, a comprehensive ABA survey reveals that after 7 years of practice, 44% of U.S. lawyers report work involving foreign law, a figure that reaches 66% for lawyers in large firms and 65% for those working as inside counsel. However, the "handling" of foreign law raises formidable challenges. Is meaningful interpretation of foreign law even possible for a U.S. lawyer? How to optimize one's understanding of foreign law? Are there methods, techniques, or strategies that can overcome differences across laws, languages, and cultures — that can give reliable access to foreign law’s singularity? How best to proceed, and what can be achieved? Meanwhile, many claim that U.S. courts can rely on foreign law in adjudication. Is foreign law legitimate normative authority in the United States? Note that this course, despite its focus, finds itself effectively ranging beyond the issue of foreign law. This is because many of the insights derived from an examination of the hurdles attendant upon foreign-law interaction also prove useful in situations involving national law only. No prior knowledge of foreign law or of a foreign language is assumed or required.

Catalog Number: CONPUB 722L

Additional Course Information: Foundational Courses, International Law Conc, Perspective Elective


Course History

Spring 2023
Title: Comparative Law
Faculty: Legrand, Pierre (courses | profile)
Section: 1     Credits: 2.0
Capacity: 25     Actual: 6

Spring 2022
Title: Comparative Law
Faculty: Legrand, Pierre (courses | profile)
Section: 1     Credits: 2.0
Capacity: 25     Actual: 9