The course explores a variety of topics in private law focusing on both substantive rules and their context, application and procedural aspects from Chinese and comparative perspectives. The topics covered may vary each year and may include Contract law, Financial transactions, Banking law, Property Law, Tort law, Medical negligence, Security regulations, Corporate governance, and Intellectual Property law-related topics.

The objective is twofold. First, the course is designed to convey necessary knowledge of the same topic in different legal traditions around the world, including common law, civil law and mixed jurisdictions such as South Africa and Scotland. The course is to focus on the main features of the legal topic in various legal systems in order to show the common features and the main differences. Second, students will be exposed to a critical analysis and a wider perspective through a comparison of different legal systems. This course will therefore cover questions of substantive rule-making, as well as the related problems of contract enforcement, corporate governance, IP enforcement and compliance and the evolution of property rights.

Scholars from other jurisdictions may be invited to give guest lectures whenever it is suitable and necessary.