Law LLM

Explore the concepts and operation of international law, a framework of detailed rules that govern the interaction of States and their legal systems. Content aims to ground you in an understanding of the fundamental concepts and systems that underpin the subject, and explain how these operate together, in connection with international institutions, in the context of international relations. We will explain the differences between public and private international law, and where these differences lie.

The module will examine the two main sources of international law, namely treaties and customary law. The role of international institutions, such as the United Nations, the African Union and the World Trade Organisation, and the development of international rules will be explored. You may have the opportunity to engage with Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) project in this module², offering you the chance to interact with other international universities and professional institutions.

Compulsory

This module inverts the traditional model for teaching law, starting by looking at a contemporary challenge, then considering the role the law plays in addressing that challenge. Each week, you will be introduced to a contemporary issue and identify how different areas of law are connected to that issue. We will then explore how a variety of different areas of law can be utilised to address that challenge. This exploration is enabled by the development and application of a range of skills appropriate to scholarship at the postgraduate level, including the use of enhanced research and legal skills relevant to the preparation and writing of written assessments.

Compulsory

Develop practical skills in arbitration, a growing method of global dispute resolution and explore key concepts and principles of English arbitration law and practice. This is achieved through a consideration of the unique role of arbitration and its legal framework, including applying this to practical sale of goods dispute scenarios. You should acquire a holistic understanding of the legal theoretical underpinnings and resulting practical consequences of arbitration from the standpoint of all parties involved including, but not limited to, arbitrators, parties in disputes and legal practitioners.

Compulsory

Examine on a comparative basis the differing institutional structures for organising government/state power, together with the protection of human rights and provision for judicial and constitutional review. This module has a perspective on constitutional law that examines more than Europe, the US and the UK which are typically surveyed in modules of this type, and will look at East and South Asia, South America and Africa. The module crosses borders by examining overarching themes and engaging in a comparative analysis of the constitutional treatment of global issues. The added benefit is that course materials are post-colonial and apolitical, treating all constitutions equally and not holding any particular constitution as an exemplar. Contemporary constitutional issues confronting many modern states will be examined, such as constitutional populism and the need to update constitutions to reflect contemporary society.

Compulsory

Equip yourself with the key academic skills needed to tackle international crises through this module's practical focus. It provides an advanced exploration of the interplay between international law and global security and crisis, focusing on the ways international systems attempt to regulate, react to and resolve crises. You will critically explore the legal frameworks governing aspects of, inter alia, public international law, human rights, humanitarian law, the use of force and international criminal law, developing working understandings of the role the law plays in dealing with situations such as armed conflict, terrorism, atrocities, natural disaster and population displacement.

Compulsory

You will carry out a substantive piece of independent research into a legal issue relevant to your course. You will be expected to draw upon the knowledge acquired, and the intellectual, technical and analytical skills developed throughout your course. You will be supported in this module through a series of group supervisions and will be allocated a project supervisor. The module includes two routes, and you will be given the opportunity to select your preferred route, although all project titles must be approved by the project supervisor in advance of commencing the project. The two routes are:

• Route 1: An individual research-based dissertation.
• Route 2: An individual project report.

Compulsory