Introduction to comparative law - theory and practice 2200-1CWPM24

Development of Poland’s legal commerce with foreign countries, especially with the EU Member States, in matters of private law, results in the rising importance of the comparative legal research focused on the domestic and foreign substantive and procedural law, as well as the conflict of laws. The course is devoted to the main questions of the comparative law, with special reference to the leading legal macrosystems in Europe and within this framework - to the legal systems which constitute the so-called Germanic and Romanic legal family. It aims at introduction to the theory and the practice of comparative law research.

Type of course

optional courses

Prerequisites (description)

The classes are open to both Polish and foreign exchange students (Erasmus and bilateral cooperation agreements with the University of Warsaw). Knowledge of English at least at the B2 level is required (there is no need for the formal certification). It is desirable but not necessary to have the general knowledge about private law (optimally a course in the civil and possibly in the commercial law) and command of languages other than English, in particular German and/or French.

Learning outcomes

1. Knowledge
a) The student knows the notion, functions and objectives of comparative law
b) The student knows the basic methods of comparative law
c) The student characterizes the main macro systems of private law in the world
2. Skills
a) The student distinguishes the basic methods of comparative law
b) The student applies the basic methods of comparative law
c) The student determines the origin of particular legal institutions
3. Approach
a) The student detects the connections between Polish private law and other legal systems
b) The student understands the differences and similarities between particular legal systems
c) The student appreciates and reasons the variety of the systems of private law in the world

Assessment criteria

Constant evaluation, current preparation for the class, activity, attendance control
grading

Bibliography

In English
1) K. Zweigert, H. Kötz, An Introduction to Comparative Law, Clarendon Press Oxford 1998 (repr. 2011)
2) The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Law, red. M. Reimann, M. Zimmermann, Oxford 2006
3) W. Hug, The History of Comparative Law, “Harvard Law Review” Vol. 45, No. 6 (Apr., 1932), s. 1027 i n.
4) P. de Cruz, A Modern Approach to Comparative Law, Boston 1993
5) M. A. Glendon, M. W. Gordon, P. G. Carozza, Comparative Legal Traditions in a Nutshell, St. Paul 1999
6) H.P. Glenn, Legal Traditions in the World. Sustainable Diversity in Law, Oxford 2007
7) J. Gordley, An Introduction to the Comparative Study of Private Law: Readings, Cases, Materials, Cambridge 2006
In Polish
1) M. Ancel, Znaczenie i metody prawa porównawczego, Warszawa 1979
2) J. Poczobut, Uwagi o tłumaczeniu tekstów prawa prywatnego międzynarodowego – na przykładzie tłumaczenia z języka niemieckiego na język polski, „Kwartalnik Prawa Prywatnego” 1993, z. 2
3) R. Tokarczyk, Komparatystyka prawnicza, wyd. 9, Kraków 2008
4) Tokarczyk R., Współczesne kultury prawne, wyd. 8, Warszawa 2010

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2200-1CWPM24 in USOSweb