Course description
Course Description
The LLM in European Business Law (Pallas Programme) is designed for those thinking of a legal practice which requires knowledge of the major national systems of law in Europe, as well as of the norms coming from the Union itself. It is located at Essex and teachers come from partner universities and elsewhere to teach.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
Compulsory: BANKING AND CAPITAL MARKETS
Compulsory: COMPANY LAW
Compulsory: COMPETITION LAW
Compulsory: CONTRACTS IN EUROPE
Compulsory: DISSERTATION: LLM EUROPEAN BUSINESS LAW
Compulsory: ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
Compulsory: INTELLECTURAL PROPERTY
Compulsory: INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Compulsory: INTERNATIONAL/ EUROPEAN TAXATION
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : General principles underlying the law of contract in the countries of the EU. The difficulties surrounding application will be illustrated using examples from everyday practice.
A2 : The participation of the EU in the international trade system resulting from the establishment of the World Trade Organisation and its settlement of disputes system. Also the legal relationships with Eastern European countries. Private international Law: Regulations/Conventions on recognition of judgements and the law applicable to contracts and arbitration.
A3 : Focus on issues concerning corporate structure and governance. The issues are approached via a mixture of Community measures and comparative domestic law, as well as policy debates about future directions to be taken.
A4 : An insight in to the corporate tax systems of selected European countries as well as the law and principles affecting the interaction.
A5 : The legal aspects of EC Competition Policy, taking in to account the underlying economic principles and wider policy issues
A6 : Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights in both EC and Comparative Law.
A7 : The legal implications of changes in the financial sector both at national and international levels.
A8 : Consideration of relevant law and policy debates concerning corporate social responsibility.
Teaching Methods
A1-A8 - Topics are taught in pairs in six week blocks. Approximately 16 hours teaching per week. Two workshops take place per topic. These are 'practice' based. There are also visits to law firms and European courts throughout the programme.
The learning and teaching strategy employed has been refined during the 11 years of Pallas existence. Pallas teachers come from a number of EU countries with various teaching styles, which is good trainingg for lawyers who aim to operate across Europe.
Students are given materials well in advance, so that they can prepare questions for the lecturers.
Feedback: Students work with one of their lecturers on the design of their dissertations, and they are provided with written comments on each of the examinations taken after each module.
Assessment Methods
Testing the knowledge-base for A1-A8 is through exams at the end of each 6 week block and a dissertation at the end of the course.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Identify accurately the issue(s) which require researching
B2 : Apply relevant primary and secondary legal sources
B3 : Reason critically, identify and analyse complex problems, even in the absence of complete data and communicate the conclusions clearly
B4 : Recognise, rank and collate items and issues in terms of relevance and importance
B5 : Produce a coherent synthesis of relevant doctrinal and policy issues in relation to a topic
B6 : Critically evaluate the merits of particular arguments in the field
B7 : Present and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions or methodologies
B8 : Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgments in the absence of complete data and communicate the conclusions clearly
B9 : Demonstrate and exercise originality of thought in the application of knowledge
Teaching Methods
Skills B1-B9 are obtained and developed through seminars and large group interactive classes where there is an emphasis on group discussion and analysis of case material and problems (hypothetical and actual). All skills are complemented by the preparation of exams and dissertation.
Assessment Methods
Skills B1-B8 are assessed through examinations and the dissertation. B9 is assessed by the dissertation only.
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Identify, select and retrieve up-to-date legal information,using both paper and electronic sources
C2 : Identify, select and retrieve non-legal information both paper and electronic sources
C3 : Use and apply legal terminology and legal concepts not only in legal settings but to applied problems, actual and hypothetical
C4 : Plan and undertake tasks in and beyond complex areas of law that have already been studied; and and autonomously undertake independent research
Teaching Methods
Skills C1 and C2 are developed through preparation for case studies and the large group interactive classes and through research for exams and dissertations. Skills C3 and C4 are developed through seminars involving problem solving and group discussion. Skill C4 is developed particularly through the preparation of the dissertation. In addition to traditional research methods, students are expected to use the internet, LEXIS and WESTLAW when researching their assessed work in order to find primary and secondary sources, either in on-line or paper format.
Assessment Methods
Testing the knowledge-base is done through exams at the end of each 6 week block and a dissertation at the end of the course.
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : A student should be able to: (D1A) read and speak English proficiently so as to be able to understand and explain relevant primary and secondary legal materials; (D1B) present knowledge or an argument in a clear, coherent and relevant manner; (D1C) analyse legal materials that are complex and technical.
D2 : A student should be able to: (D2A) Produce a word-processed essay and other text in an appropriate form; (D2B) Use the worldwide web, e-mail, and also some electronic information retrieval systems.
D3 : A student should be able to: (D3) Where relevant and as the basis for an argument, use, present and evaluate information provided in numerical or statistical form.
D4 : A student should be able to: (D4A) analyse a complex set of facts, where necessary in unpredictable situations, and apply relevant law thereto.
D5 : Students do work together in all courses, but it is not assessed, so it cannot be recorded as a skill acquired though this LLM.
D6 : A student should be able: (D6A) with limited guidance, to reflect on his or her own learning, and to seek and make use of feedback; (D6B) to appreciate when s/he does not know enough and needs to undertake further research; (D6C) to continue to take his/her own knowledge and understanding further and to develop new skills to a sophisticated standard; (D6D) to exercise initiative and personal responsibility.
Teaching Methods
Skills D1-D6 are acquired through seminars and case studies where students debate legal issues and problems. The structure of the exams and the dissertation also aids the development of these skills.
Assessment Methods
Testing the knowledge-base is done through exams at the end of each 6 week block and a dissertation at the end of the course.
