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Teaching cases

Real disputes, classroom decisions and contract risk simulation.

Each card gives students a role, legal issue, clause focus and discussion prompt before sending the scenario into the simulator.

MUR Shipping BV v RTI Ltd

Case theme
Force majeure, sanctions, payment currency and reasonable endeavours.
Student role-play prompt
You represent a party that must decide whether payment in another currency is commercially acceptable.

Video briefing

Legal issue
Can a party rely on force majeure when performance may be possible through alternative payment arrangements?
Contract clause focus
Force majeure, sanctions compliance, payment currency and mitigation obligations.
Classroom question
Should a reasonable endeavours clause require acceptance of non-contractual performance?

Summary

This case shows how force majeure clauses operate when sanctions affect payment performance. Students analyse whether a party must accept alternative non-contractual performance, such as payment in another currency, under a reasonable endeavours obligation.

Sources / Further reading

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Scafom International BV v Lorraine Tubes S.A.S.

Case theme
CISG Article 79, hardship and steel price increase.
Student role-play prompt
You are counsel for a buyer or seller facing a dramatic raw material price shock.

Video briefing

Legal issue
Can hardship be handled under CISG Article 79 and require renegotiation?
Contract clause focus
Hardship, price adjustment, renegotiation and termination rights.
Classroom question
Should international sale contracts include a price review mechanism for extreme market movement?

Summary

This case explores hardship in international sale of goods contracts under CISG Article 79. Students examine whether a dramatic increase in raw material prices can justify renegotiation or adaptation of contractual obligations.

Sources / Further reading

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GAFTA/FOSFA commodity trading

Case theme
Standard forms, default clauses and damages calculation.
Student role-play prompt
You are a trader handling a late delivery or default under a commodity form contract.

Video briefing

Legal issue
How do standard form default rules shape liability and damages?
Contract clause focus
Default, extension, quality, delivery, notice and damages clauses.
Classroom question
Why can a standard form be more important than the parties' emails?

Summary

This teaching case explains why standard forms dominate commodity trading. Students analyse default clauses, notice requirements, delivery obligations, quality terms and damages calculation under GAFTA/FOSFA-style contracts.

Sources / Further reading

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COVID-19 and international sales contracts

Case theme
Force majeure and hardship under CISG.
Student role-play prompt
You are negotiating delivery obligations during border closures and supply disruption.

Video briefing

Legal issue
When does pandemic disruption excuse performance, and when does it only make performance harder?
Contract clause focus
Force majeure notice, hardship, allocation, delay, substitute supply and termination.
Classroom question
What evidence should a party keep to prove the disruption caused non-performance?

Summary

This case examines when pandemic-related disruption may excuse non-performance and when it merely makes performance more difficult. Students focus on evidence, causation, mitigation, substitute supply and force majeure notice requirements.

Sources / Further reading

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UNIDROIT Principles case study

Case theme
Good faith, fair dealing and soft law in arbitration.
Student role-play prompt
You are an arbitral tribunal considering whether soft law helps interpret a vague contract.

Video briefing

Legal issue
How can non-binding principles influence commercial expectations and arbitral reasoning?
Contract clause focus
Good faith, interpretation, cooperation, hardship and gap filling.
Classroom question
When should parties expressly incorporate soft law, and when should they avoid it?

Summary

This case introduces the role of soft law in international commercial arbitration. Students assess how principles of good faith, fair dealing, cooperation and gap filling may influence the interpretation of vague or incomplete contracts.

Sources / Further reading

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GAFTA damages evidence case

Case theme
Liability vs proof of market damages.
Student role-play prompt
You must prove loss after a commodity default and decide what market evidence is enough.

Video briefing

Legal issue
Winning liability does not automatically prove damages.
Contract clause focus
Damages formula, market price evidence, notice, mitigation and documentary proof.
Classroom question
What should a contract team preserve from day one to prove market damages later?

Summary

This case demonstrates that proving breach is not the same as proving recoverable damages. Students examine market price evidence, documentary proof, mitigation and how tribunals assess loss in commodity disputes.

Sources / Further reading

Use in simulator