Winter Term 2025–2026

Course Content:
The course covers the fundamentals of European private law, with a particular focus on current developments in contract law within the European Union. In addition, the most significant directives and case law are analyzed, and the issue of legal system formation within the framework of European private law is discussed.

The course focuses on general contract law, examining both comparative law and Community law perspectives.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.5611

ECTS:
1 or 4

Course Content: The course “European Private Law II (Torts)” covers European law on non-contractual obligations. The main focus is on issues of compensation for damages, such as in cases of product liability, as well as on unjust enrichment. For example, the question of whether the concept of damages under Article 82(1) of the GDPR is identical to the understanding under the German Civil Code (BGB) or whether there is an autonomous concept within European law will be discussed.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.6163

ECTS:
1 or 4

Course Content:
Course Language: English, but only if there are visiting students in the course. Course Content: The course covers the European legal framework governing cross-border litigation. Its main focus is on the Brussels I bis Regulation and the issue of jurisdiction. In addition to civil and commercial litigation, the course addresses the basics of cross-border insolvency, international disputes related to family law and the law of succession, and international cooperation regarding the service of documents and the taking of evidence.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.519

ECTS:
1 or 4

Course Content:
This course will examine the provisions of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.
Particular attention will be given to the scope of application, the general provisions, the formation of the contract, and the interpretation of the contract. In addition, the rights and obligations of the buyer and the seller will be discussed.

The course will also include a presentation of the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods as the result of a unification process. This includes, in particular, the question of how the different legal traditions were brought together into a uniform law on sales. Also of interest will be the case law that has been handed down on the basis of the CISG.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.616

ECTS:
1 or 4

International Arbitration

Course Content:
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the law of (international) arbitration. Among other topics, it covers the fundamentals of arbitration, the distinctive features of arbitration proceedings compared to civil proceedings, legal assistance provided by state courts, the recognition and enforceability of arbitral awards, and much more.

In addition, the course offers numerous insights into the practice of international arbitration.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.517

ECTS:
1 or 4

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.6164

ECTS:
1 or 4

Course Content:
This course is primarily intended for international students and is taught in English. It will cover the main areas of German law (civil law, criminal law, public law), outline their basic structures, and, where appropriate, analyze case studies and discuss comparisons with the participants’ home jurisdictions.

Term:
Winter and Summer Term

Course Number:
10.6162

ECTS:
2 or 6

Course Content:
This course examines the basic legal structures of the European Union, its main institutions and their powers, the rights and freedoms guaranteed within the internal market, and the rules and procedures for effective legal protection provided by the EU judicial system.
In addition, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights are covered, as they are increasingly recognized as fundamental rights essential for protecting individual autonomy and dignity in the digital age.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.0092

ECTS:
1 or 4

Course Content:
This course introduces the fundamentals of British constitutional law, including the sources of law in this area and fundamental principles such as the rule of law and parliamentary sovereignty. The course examines the “unwritten” nature of the constitution in the sense that there is no single codified document, such as the Basic Law in Germany or the Constitution in the United States. Students will learn how Acts of Parliament, common law (case law), and conventions play their respective roles. The course introduces the voting system, how laws are made, the role and composition of Parliament, the Crown, the Government, its function, and the various forms of scrutiny. The course also examines human rights issues, devolution, and judicial review. The UK’s relationship with the EU will also be examined, with a particular focus on Brexit.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.863

ECTS:
6

Course Content:
Students enrolled in this course will take an in-depth look at various aspects of the fundamental rights enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. They will do so by examining several cases that have been or are currently making their way through the U.S. court system. These cases will be introduced to students in the first session and will be referenced throughout the course. More specifically, students will begin by examining Second Amendment rights as they learn about the methods used by U.S. courts to interpret the U.S. Constitution. The course will then turn its attention to the First Amendment, which contains provisions addressing freedom of speech and religious liberty, among others. From there, students will explore how the Supreme Court has addressed the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. We will then conclude by examining how courts can and have interpreted rights into the Constitution.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.823

ECTS:
6

Course Content:
This course will focus primarily on common law contract principles. In some semesters, basic common law tort concepts will also be covered.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.825

ECTS:
6

Course Content:
This course introduces students to the common law system, with an emphasis on the English legal system. It examines the legal profession—including solicitors, barristers, and judges—and the court system, ranging from the Magistrates’ Court to the UK Supreme Court. Students will learn about the sources of law, including Acts of Parliament and case law. The course introduces the adversarial system in criminal and civil law and examines the jury system in Crown Court trials. Students will learn about the roles of lawyers, judges, and juries within the system and the importance of the burden and standard of proof. The course examines how cases are constructed and the roles of evidence, fact witnesses, and expert witnesses. Students will learn about the doctrine of precedent in common law legal systems and statutory interpretation. This is a foundational course that provides students with the background knowledge necessary to take the more advanced FFA UK courses.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.683

ECTS:
6

Common Law Methodology (US English)

Course Content:
This course introduces FFA English USA participants to the common law legal system and its methods of analysis. Throughout the semester, students will follow a personal injury case as it progresses through the U.S. judicial system. All course materials will be available in Courseware. ERASMUS students are strongly encouraged to take the course English II: Introduction to Common Law Legal Systems (Foreign Language Certificate) as an alternative to this one.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.824

ECTS:
6

Course Content:
This course focuses on the largely common law area of torts. Torts are civil wrongs that cause individuals to suffer loss or harm, resulting in legal liability for the person who commits these wrongs. As such, torts cover a wide range of situations, from harm caused by negligent medical practice to harm resulting from the publication of libelous information in the press. The most important tort of all is negligence, as it forms the foundation of many other tortious actions. This course, therefore, explores the case law governing the tort of negligence, and then moves on to consider the torts of nuisance, occupiers’ liability, and defamation. In addition, it explores the defenses and remedies available to parties through the court system.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.864

ECTS:
6

Course Content:
This course provides an introduction to certain aspects of common law legal systems, with a strong focus on how the systems in England and the United States operate. Participants will learn about the structure of these systems as well as the methods of legal analysis used within them.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.371

ECTS:
6

Course Content:
This course examines, from a comparative perspective, how the law regulates the treatment of animals. The following topics will be covered:

• Introduction - What is Animal Law? - The nature of animals - The relationship between humans and animals - Major theories in ethics and philosophy
•    History of animal-related legislation and law
• Animal-related law in practice - Legislation relating to animals in different contexts - Exemplary problems in contract, tort, liability, criminal law, and administrative law
• Elements of animal protection in the legal system (impacts of WTO, EU, and US legislation)
• Justification – Meaning and significance of unnecessary suffering and reasonable cause
•    Law enforcement and effectiveness of current law - Is there a need for a global Animal Law?
• Perspectives on the moral and legal status of animals - From Animal Welfare to Animal Rights?

Note: ECTS requirements:
75% attendance in classes and a written (home) exam (essay, 2000 words, graded on a pass/fail scale)
 

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.0011

ECTS:
4

Course Content:
The aim of this course is to improve participants’ proficiency in legal English. It will focus on the use of legal English in a variety of contexts, including various types of presentations and group discussions. Course discussions and presentations will focus on current legal topics and topics of interest to participants. Participants will be asked to help lead at least one group discussion on a topic of their choice. Throughout the course, participants will receive guidance on how to improve their English communication skills, particularly in a legal context.

ERASMUS: This course is also open to ERASMUS students. ERASMUS students requiring 6 ECTS credits will be given the option of taking an oral exam at the end of the course.

Term:
Winter Term

Course Number:
10.803

ECTS:
2 or 6