99745 - SEM. COMMON LAW. PRINCIPI, ISTITUTI E CASI

Learning outcomes

At the end of the Seminar, the student: a) has an in-depth knowledge of the fundamental institutions of common law in the private, trade, criminal, procedural (civil and criminal) legal sectors, orienting himself with sufficient familiarity in a transversal perspective of connection between them; b) knows the jurisprudential cases that have marked the evolutionary trajectory of the main institutes within the sectors and is able to make a comparison with similar institutes and cases that have characterized the Roman-Germanic legal systems.

Course contents

The cycle of seminars is aimed at offering students knowledge of the fundamental principles and institutions of common law, both in its English version and in its US version.


In addition to the analysis of the system of common law sources, particular attention will be paid to principles and institutions that find application in the private sector (contracts, torts, company law, revenue law, intellectual property law, media and communications law, family law), criminal law, procedural law (civil and criminal), as well as the fundamental jurisprudential cases that have characterized its evolutionary trajectory.


Each seminar is conducted by an expert in the sector.

Readings/Bibliography

For the preparation of the final exam students are requested to study the following book:

L. Mezzetti, Common law e Costituzione nell'esperienza britannica, Giappichelli, Torino, 2024.

Further materials will be indicated to attending students with reference to the individual principles and institutes subject to analysis in the seminars.

Teaching methods

Lectures of the Seminar will take place in presence and on line (Teams platform).

The analysis of the common law principles and institutions is conducted with constant reference to English and US jurisprudence, through the recall of the most significant cases that have been working as fundamental turning points in the evolution of both legal systems.

Assessment methods

The recognition of 3 CFU will take place on the basis of an oral exam.

Teaching tools

In order to facilitate the assimilation of concepts, also through the visualization of logical links, the illustration of the institutes will be constantly accompanied by the use of slides.


Students who for reasons dependent on disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) need compensatory tools will be able to communicate their needs to the teacher in order to be addressed to the referents and agree on the adoption of the most appropriate measures.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Mezzetti