Professional Summer School on International Trade Negotiation 2023

5th - 16 June 2023

International trade and the structure and skills needed for trade negotiations are the subject of increased interest in view of the UK’s departure from the EU, the US trade war with China, the shift against international trade liberalisation and the increased emphasis on sustainable development issues in trade policy. Added to these realities is the crisis in multilateralism and the recent call by most economic powers for WTO reform.

The current international trade negotiations raise challenges for governments, businesses, industry associations and non-governmental organisations.

The course provides an advanced introduction to twenty first century international trade policy and an understanding of the processes and conduct of international trade negotiations. It also provides participants with skills and techniques required to become successful negotiators. 

At the end of the two-week programme, participants will be equipped with the essential background in international trade rules and the skills and strategic aspects of negotiating trade deals.

Legal Professionals working with trading businesses that import and export goods or services or who are interested in acquiring the transferable skills of a treaty negotiator.

This will appeal to those interested in:

• navigating the complexities of trade law against the backdrop of a post-Brexit United Kingdom
• understanding the structure, processes and conduct of international trade negotiations
• exploring the power dynamics and politics of treaty negotiations and
• developing the skills and techniques required of a successful negotiator

The course is suitable for:

• Solicitors
• Barristers
• Government Officials
• Legal Executives
• Paralegals

• Customs and trade disciplines in trade agreements
• Bilateralism and multilateralism
• Trade negotiation process at bilateral and multilateral level
• The importance of sequencing and control
• The politics of trade negotiations
• Skills and techniques
• Negotiating with local and foreign governments
• Inter-agency negotiation simulation
• Business-government sector negotiation simulation
• International trade negotiation simulation
• Analysis of negotiating styles of the US, EU and China
• The Multilateral Trading System: rise and decline
• Negotiating regulations in trade agreements
• Negotiating trade in services
• Negotiating investment protection
• Negotiating trade and social policies (labour, human rights and environment)

The course will be delivered by Luis Gonzalez Garcia of Matrix Chambers, London. He will provide insight into the art and science of negotiating trade and investment agreements based on his decades of experience in government and private practice. Luis served as trade negotiator for Mexico from 1998-2008. He participated in the negotiation of more than 10 free trade agreements and six bilateral investment treaties. He also participated in the negotiation and amicable settlement of international disputes between governments and foreign investors. Luis was responsible in Mexico for the implementation of the FTA with the European Union which was the first comprehensive trade agreement ever negotiated by the EU with a nation in the Americas. He has been an external consultant to several States and international organisations including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on international dispute settlement, trade and investment policy.

The Summer School will run from 5th – 16th June 2023 with classes scheduled from Monday to Friday between the hours of 09.30-17.00.

Attendance on the two -week CPD course*, including formative assignments and a certificate of completion, costs £2,000.

*The course complies with the basic requirements of the Law Society of Scotland, the Solictor's Regulation Authority, and the Bar Standards Board. However, attendees are advised to confirm with their regulatory body, firm or company that the course meets their CPD requirements.

To find out how to apply, register your interest here.