Economic Sanctions

Since March 2014, the imposition of complex sanctions by the US, the EU, the UK and other countries on Russian individuals and legal entities has significantly impacted trade and investment in Russia. With the recent escalation of these sanctions and new rules with respect to exports to and imports from Russia, it is crucial for businesses and individuals to understand how these sanctions and export restrictions work and how to navigate the associated challenges. This expanded course aims to provide comprehensive knowledge on economic sanctions, including their history, legislative basis and types as well as compliance strategies, and possible litigation tactics.

This course focuses on the various types of sanctions, including export and import restrictions, the background, history and legislative framework for economic sanctions, the application of U.S. secondary sanctions and their implications for businesses, and case law involving companies and individuals fined for sanctions violations; it also equips students with strategies to conduct business in compliance with sanctions regimes and explores methods to litigate improper application of sanctions. While the course is primarily focused on US sanctions, we will also review EU and UK sanctions, UN sanctions and Russian counter sanctions measures.

While the precise class schedule and outline of topics is still being determined, this expanded course consists of 24 clock hours and provides 2 credits towards Pericles' LL.M. degree. The sessions will be conducted in an interactive format, combining lectures, case studies, group discussions, and practical exercises. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts in the field and gain insights from real-world scenarios.

The materials will be provided electronically via Moodle. There is no book to be purchased, although some books and paid on-line materials may be recommended.

This class applies Chatham House Rules: no private recordings are allowed, and remarks made by members of the class should not be attributed to the person making the remarks. The course will be officially recorded for members of the course only, to facilitate any difficulties in understanding online. The professor will control the recording and may order it turned it at some points during the class. All recordings will be deleted soon after the end of the course.

Some guest speakers and students may want to raise sensitive situations regarding their own companies and clients, and this interesting discussion can be stifled if someone is privately recording the lecture. So please respect this policy so that everyone can feel comfortable bringing up real questions and proposed solutions.