Course description
LLM (Master of Laws) / PGDip
In this rapidly globalising world, a sound understanding of international trade and commercial law is one of the most sought-after attributes of modern legal practice. Law firms, enterprises and governmental organisations place a very high premium on graduates with commercial law expertise and skills. The LLM programme provides the opportunity to study some of the most important aspects of international trade and commercial law. Options available for this degree include international trade law; international investment law; international commercial arbitration; transnational corporations; international banking law; trade, human rights and labour standards; international labour law; international capital market regulation; international and comparative banking regulation.
The LLM in International Trade and Commercial Law is ideally suited to the student from a law, business, management, politics or other social science background, offering an opportunity to explore this dynamic area of law. The skills and knowledge offered are particularly useful for the student who wishes to work in law, import-export, insurance, investment, banking and finance, shipping and freight, commodities, or intellectual property. It would also appeal to those who intend to pursue careers in international and national trade and marketing bodies.
Course content
Students studying for the LLM/PGDip in International Trade and Commercial Law are required to complete the double compulsory module in International Law (40 credits) and the single compulsory module in Advanced Legal Research Methods (20 credits) during Semester 1.
In Semester 2 you must take the compulsory module in International Trade Law (20 credits). In addition, you can choose any two of the following options (20 credits each, totalling 40 master's-level credits):*
* International Banking Law
* International Investment Law
* GATT Law
* Trade, Human Rights and Labour Standards
* International Capital Markets Regulation
* International Commercial Arbitration
* Independent Study Module
* International Intellectual Property Law
In addition, students studying for the LLM in International Trade and Commercial Law are required to complete a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic related to any aspect of international trade and commercial law as agreed with the dissertation module leader. Full-time students will normally begin preliminary work on the dissertation in Semester 1 and formalise the topic and structure of the dissertation in Semester 2. The main work on the dissertation will normally take place from June to mid-August.
*Note that availability of options may vary from year to year.
Teaching, learning and assessment
A wide diversity of teaching methods are employed throughout the LLM programmes in order to provide a high-quality learning experience. These include lectures, seminar discussions, individual and small group tutorials, case studies, and group and individual presentations. Particular emphasis is placed on skills training with opportunities provided to acquire and practise legal reasoning as well as research and IT skills. Opportunities are also provided for extra-curricular activities such as the LLM student conference and the annual trip arranged for students to visit a range of international tribunals in The Hague. Assessment methods include coursework assessments and individual and group presentation assessments.
LLM (Master of Laws) / PGDip
In this rapidly globalising world, a sound understanding of international trade and commercial law is one of the most sought-after attributes of modern legal practice. Law firms, enterprises and governmental organisations place a very high premium on graduates with commercial law expertise and skills. The LLM programme provides the opportunity to study some of the most important aspects of international trade and commercial law. Options available for this degree include international trade law; international investment law; international commercial arbitration; transnational corporations; international banking law; trade, human rights and labour standards; international labour law; international capital market regulation; international and comparative banking regulation.
The LLM in International Trade and Commercial Law is ideally suited to the student from a law, business, management, politics or other social science background, offering an opportunity to explore this dynamic area of law. The skills and knowledge offered are particularly useful for the student who wishes to work in law, import-export, insurance, investment, banking and finance, shipping and freight, commodities, or intellectual property. It would also appeal to those who intend to pursue careers in international and national trade and marketing bodies.
Course content
Students studying for the LLM/PGDip in International Trade and Commercial Law are required to complete the double compulsory module in International Law (40 credits) and the single compulsory module in Advanced Legal Research Methods (20 credits) during Semester 1.
In Semester 2 you must take the compulsory module in International Trade Law (20 credits). In addition, you can choose any two of the following options (20 credits each, totalling 40 master's-level credits):*
* International Banking Law
* International Investment Law
* GATT Law
* Trade, Human Rights and Labour Standards
* International Capital Markets Regulation
* International Commercial Arbitration
* Independent Study Module
* International Intellectual Property Law
In addition, students studying for the LLM in International Trade and Commercial Law are required to complete a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic related to any aspect of international trade and commercial law as agreed with the dissertation module leader. Full-time students will normally begin preliminary work on the dissertation in Semester 1 and formalise the topic and structure of the dissertation in Semester 2. The main work on the dissertation will normally take place from June to mid-August.
*Note that availability of options may vary from year to year.
Teaching, learning and assessment
A wide diversity of teaching methods are employed throughout the LLM programmes in order to provide a high-quality learning experience. These include lectures, seminar discussions, individual and small group tutorials, case studies, and group and individual presentations. Particular emphasis is placed on skills training with opportunities provided to acquire and practise legal reasoning as well as research and IT skills. Opportunities are also provided for extra-curricular activities such as the LLM student conference and the annual trip arranged for students to visit a range of international tribunals in The Hague. Assessment methods include coursework assessments and individual and group presentation assessments.
