Graduate Studies - LLM Modules

Below is listed an overview of all postgraduate law modules. Full module details (staff information, credit rating, semester availability and pre-requisites) are listed in the module descriptions (pdf 641kb).

We regret that all modules may not be available at your time of entry.

Commercial Conflict of Laws: Choice of Law Issues (LW7010)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: International Commercial Law.
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Lorna Gillies
Email: lorna.e.gillies@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: Only available to candidates who hold a Degree in Law (or in which Law is a substantial element) or an appropriate legal professional qualification.

This module provides an introduction to European choice of law rules and considers and assesses the application of choice of law rules as they apply to commercial transactions and disputes. It explores the policies that have influenced the development of those rules and considers the development and application of European choice of law rules in the context of, for example, tortuous and contractual liability. The module also considers proposals for reform of existing choice of law rules in the Rome Convention.

Unit 1 Choice of law and contracts: introduction to the proper law of the contract and applicable law rules in the Rome Convention
Unit 2 Choice of law and contracts: the Rome Convention 1980 – mandatory rules and public policy in the Rome Convention
Unit 3 Choice of law rules and contract:: consumer and employment contracts in the Rome Convention
Unit 4 Choice of law rules for torts
Unit 5 Choice of law and electronic commerce: emerging issues

Commercial Conflict of Laws: Issues of Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Foreign Judgments (LW7005)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: International Commercial Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Lorna Gillies
Email: lorna.e.gillies@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: Only available to candidates who hold a Degree in Law (or in which Law is a substantial element) or an appropriate legal professional qualification.

This module provides an introduction to English rules of jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgments. It considers and assesses the application of jurisdiction rules as they apply to commercial transactions and disputes and also assesses the effectiveness of rules governing the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. The module explores the policies that have influenced the development of those rules and considers the development and application of English jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement rules in the context of commercial arbitration proceedings and electronic commerce transactions.

Unit 1 Traditional jurisdiction rules for commercial matters
Unit 2 The Brussels 1 Regulation
Unit 3 Recognition of foreign judgments
Unit 4 Jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement in domestic and international commercial arbitration
Unit 5 The development of jurisdiction rules for electronic commerce

Comparative, International and European Copyright (LW7246)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: European Law & Integration; International Commercial Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Andreas Rahmatian
Email: andreas.rahmatian@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: General knowledge of European law is required; no prior knowledge of intellectual property or commercial law is required.
Only available to candidates who hold a Degree in Law (or in which Law is a substantial element) or an appropriate legal professional qualification.

This module examines in some detail the nature of common law copyright and continental droit d’auteur systems and their particular features and differences. It gives students a general overview of both national, European and international basic features of the copyright/droit d’auteur systems which in turn affect European harmonisation directives in this field. The module provides a comprehensive assessment of European harmonisation as regards copyright (i.e. 7 directives) and looks at possible future issues.

Unit 1 Introduction to Intellectual Property and Copyright
Unit 2 Exclusive Rights and Exceptions in Copyright
Unit 3 International Protection of Copyright
Unit 4 The Current Stage of European Copyright Harmonisation
Unit 5 The Future of Copyright: European and International Trends

Comparative Law (LW7014)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: Legal Research
Credits: 15
Module Convenors: Professor Mads Andenas and Dr Camilla Andersen
Email: mads.andenas@leicester.ac.uk and camilla.b.andersen@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

There are few or no research areas in today’s globalised legal environment that do not touch upon more than one legal system. As such, the discipline of comparative law has become more essential than ever. The module is designed to help the student understand what this discipline in law entails and how best to employ comparative methodologies and techniques in her work. It will help the student understand the benefits and disadvantages of comparative law and how it is used in various areas of law. Through workshops, it will also lend the basic skills to carry out a thorough comparative analysis and employ the interdisciplinary approaches that particular research calls for in aid of a more complete picture.

Unit 1 Comparative Law: Its Uses and its Methodology
Unit 2 Comparing Law in a Global World: Harmonisation, Transplantation, Globalisation
Unit 3 Three Families of Law: Civil, Common, Religious
Unit 4 Workshop 1: Understanding the Bigger Picture
Unit 5 Workshop 2: Comparative Law in Your Research Project

Contemporary Legal Problems of World Trade (LW7015)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: International Commercial Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Priscilla Schwartz
Email: priscilla.schwartz@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: LW7015 requires the student either to have studied module LW7170 or show evidence of having previously completed a course covering the material in module LW7170

The general focus of LW7015 is on specific issues currently debated in the WTO forum and which have implication for other international economic arrangements and domestic policy initiatives. The module considers how legal rules might be formulated which adequately cover these issues and how those new rules fit into the existing framework of the WTO agreements.

Students will be introduced to the tensions in international trade and especially observe how politics, economic wealth, industrial strength, poverty and other societal concerns coupled with the globalisation trend all present varying challenges in states’ trading relationships.

Unit 1 WTO law and governing globalisation
Unit 2 Regional trade agreements and WTO legal system
Unit 3 Trade and development
Unit 4 Human rights dimension to world trade law and policy
Unit 5 Trade and public services
Unit 6 Trade and environmental protection
Unit 7 Foreign investment and WTO rules

Contracts for Carriage of Goods by Sea (LW7020)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: International Commercial Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Eki Omorogbe
Email: eki.omorogbe@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: Only available to candidates who hold a Degree in Law (or in which Law is a substantial element) or an appropriate legal professional qualification.

This module examines the nature and operation of charter parties and bills of lading, considers the economic motivations of the parties to a carriage contract, and seeks to give an understanding of the practical aspects of sea carriage which have an impact on the operation of carriage contracts.

Unit 1 Introduction: implied obligations in carriage contracts
Unit 2 Charterparties: voyage and time
Unit 3 The Bill of Lading I: the receipt function and evidence of the contract function
Unit 4 The Bill of Lading II: the document of title function
Unit 5 The Hague/Visby Rules and the Hamburg Rules: a comparison of two international carrier liability regimes

Critical Perspectives in Law (LW7041)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: Legal Research
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Professor Panu Minkkinen
Email: panu.minkkinen@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

The aim of this module is to acquaint the student with the various critical approaches to law that have developed during the past decades and to enable her to consider an alternative perspective to her research project. Starting with the Marxist tradition, the module continues to elaborate the contributions of feminism, race theory and continental philosophy for the study of law. A brief overview of contemporary interdisciplinary approaches (excluding socio-legal studies) is also included.

Unit 1 Law, Critique and Criticism
Unit 2 Law, State and Power
Unit 3 Law and Gender
Unit 4 Law, Race and Postcolonial Studies
Unit 5 Critical Legal Theory
Unit 6 Interdisciplinarity in Law

Current Trends in International Law (LW7067)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Troy Lavers
Email: troy.lavers@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: General Principles of International Law

The aims of this module are to highlight some of the more recent issues that are significant to the study of international public law that are newsworthy to a variety of students and to comment on the possible effects they may have on the development of international public law.

Students will complete an assessed essay at the end of the module no longer than 4000 words long, which will be worth 90% of the total mark. Students will also compile a reflective log throughout the semester for assessment, which will be worth 10% of the total mark.

Seminar Outline

Unit 1: General introduction to emerging trends: The Power of States.
Unit 2: The politics of international law and international relations.
Unit 3: Recent strains on the “use of force”.
Unit 4: Extraordinary actions of states: Rendition and Guantanamo Bay
Unit 5: Growth in international organisations and their power,
Unit 6: Emerging trends in environmental law.
Unit 7: The 'Special' Status of Developing Countries in International Law.

Diplomatic Law (LW7045)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Professor Malcolm Shaw
Email: malcolm.shaw@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module analyses the law relating to diplomacy. In particular, it examines the rules governing privileges and immunities of diplomats and consuls and the theory relating thereto. The situation of special missions is noted.

Unit 1 Introduction
Unit 2 The UN Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities
Unit 3 The functional theory of diplomatic immunities and privileges
Unit 4 The law relating to diplomatic privileges and immunities, part one
Unit 5 The law relating to diplomatic privileges and immunities, part two
Unit 6 Consular privileges and immunities
Unit 7 Special missions, and representatives to international organisations

Economic Governance and the Internal Market (LW7920)

Availability: Semester Two (Distance Learning)
Pathway: European Law & Integration
Credits: 30
Module Convenor: Dr Adam Cygan
Email: adam.cygan@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: For distance learning students: LW7400 The Foundations of European Union Law
For campus-based students: Either LW7920 or a sufficient knowledge of the Community legal order established to the satisfaction of the module convenor

This module provides an overview of the fundamental freedoms that underpin the Internal Market and an assessment of Economic and Monetary Union. The materials will enable you to gain an understanding of the rules relating to free movement of goods, persons and services; the specific free movement rights associated with Union Citizenship; and the legal framework of Economic and Monetary Union.

Unit 1 Free movement of goods
Unit 2 Free movement of persons
Unit 3 Free movement of services
Unit 4 Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)

European and International Patent and Trade Mark Law (LW7050)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: International Commercial Law; European Law & Integration
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Andreas Rahmatian
Email: andreas.rahmatian@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: General knowledge of European law is required; No prior knowledge of intellectual property is required. Familiarity with commercial or international law would be an advantage.
Only available to candidates who hold a Degree in Law (or in which Law is a substantial element) or an appropriate legal professional qualification.

This module familiarises students with the main international conventions and European instruments in the field of industrial property, particularly patent and trade marks. It examines in detail the European statutory rules and case law on patent and trade marks with particular focus given to the ECJ and CFI’s case law in the field of trade marks. The module assesses how far the European Union has achieved harmonisation and unification in the area and examines the interface and relationships between the conventions and also between EU law and the conventions. The module also discusses and critically assesses future issues in the field.

Unit 1 Introduction to intellectual property law and international conventions on patents
Unit 2 International conventions on trade marks
Unit 3 The concept of intellectual property, and patents and trademarks in particular
Unit 4 European patent law
Unit 5 European trade mark law
Unit 6 Future issues

Feminist Perspectives on International Law (LW7067)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: Human Rights
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Loveday Hodson & Dr Troy Lavers
Email: loveday.hodson@leicester.ac.uk or troy.lavers@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module will introduce students to diverse modern feminist approaches to the study of international law. It begins with an examination of key feminist writings on international law, and then moves on to consider modern developments in this area of scholarship. The module then focuses on particular areas of international law, such as international criminal and human rights law, and examines them from a feminist perspective. The module will enable students to develop a critical approach to these and other mainstream areas of international law.

Unit 1: Feminist Approaches to International Law: Theoretical Perspectives
Unit 2: The Social Construction of Gender in the International Legal System
Unit 3: Violence Against Women
Unit 4: Women and International Human Rights: CEDAW and Beyond
Unit 5: Strategies for Change

Financial Services Crime (LW7070)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: International Commercial Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Mr Ian Snaith
Email: ian.snaith@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: No specific pre-requisites are required. However, it may be advantageous if students have studied Criminal Law, Criminology, Company or Financial Services Law (in any jurisdiction) at undergraduate level.

This module focuses on the specific issues raised by “white collar” crime involving the corporate and financial services sector. It assumes an understanding of the general law of crimes against property such as the Theft Act 1968 and common law offences of fraud and builds on this by dealing with the purpose, content and operation of the specific regulatory regimes and statutory offences to be found in the Companies Acts 1985 and 1989, Insider Dealing legislation, Insolvency Act 1986, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and similar legislation as well as anti-money laundering provisions. Seminars deal with the theoretical and policy debates in this area as a background to the examination of areas of substantive law.

Unit 1 White Collar crime: the criminological background
Unit 2 The general criminal law background
Unit 3 Criminal law and regulation on the financial markets
Unit 4 The example of insolvency
Unit 5 Bringing techniques together

Freedom of Expression (LW7078)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: Human Rights; Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Peter Cumper
Email: peter.cumper@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module examines the principal statutory and case authorities on protection of free expression, including the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, United Kingdom courts, United States Courts, a variety of courts in European countries and the Commonwealth; the protection afforded free expression by the legal and constitutional orders of these States and through international human rights instruments. Students will learn the reasons why freedom of expression is valued in a liberal democratic society and the grounds upon which freedom of expression can legitimately be restricted.

General Principles of International Law (LW7081)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenors: Dr Edward J Goodwin and Dr Paul Behrens
Emails: edward.goodwin@leicester.ac.uk; paul.behrens@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module introduces students to fundamental concepts and theories of Public International Law. It provides them with an understanding of the building blocks of international law and therefore offers a foundation for other options undertaken on the International Law stream.

"General Principles" explores the Nature of International Law, deals with its sources as well as with the subjects of international law, questions of jurisdiction and the role of international organisations and tribunals.

Unit 1: The Nature of Public International Law
Unit 2 / 3: Sources of Public International Law – Custom and other sources under the Statute of the International Court of Justice
Unit 4 / 5: Subjects of Public International Law – States and Non-State actors
Unit 6 / 7: Jurisdiction, Rights and Obligations – On land and at sea
Unit 8: International Organisations and International Tribunals

Genocide and the Law (LW7167)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: Public International Law and Human Rights
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Paul Behrens
Email: paul.behrens@le.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

The massacres in Darfur, in Rwanda and in Bosnia-Herzegovina have triggered a passionate and lasting debate about the crime of genocide, but the concept and the elements of the crime are still very much in dispute. This module is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the crime of genocide, of the current academic discussion relating to its concept and the controversies which its legal elements have triggered.

Students will have the opportunity to examine and discuss prominent genocide cases and to debate ongoing situations which have developed a genocidal character.

The assessment consists of a research paper of no more than 5,000 words.

Unit 1: The Concept: Social and legal concept, history.
Unti 2: The Protection of Groups: Protected, forgotten, abandoned groups
Unit 3: The Commission of Genocide: Context, alternatives of genocide.
Unit 4: The Subjective Element: Specific Intent, Motives.
Unit 5: Incitement to Genocide: Public and Direct Incitement.
Unit 6: Genocide and State Responsibility: Duties under the Genocide Convention.
Unit 7: Genocide Today: Current Troublespots.

Global Protection of Human Rights: Core Principles (LW7085)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: Human Rights; Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Professor Malcolm Shaw
Email: malcolm.shaw@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None
This is a compulsory module for the human rights pathway.
This module analyses a number of core principles in international human rights law in order to demonstrate the nature of the substantive protection of human rights in international law. It examines the rights and responsibilities derived from treaty and customary law, as well as the rights under regional human rights systems.

Unit 1 The principles of equality and non-discrimination
Unit 2 The protection of minorities and groups
Unit 3 The rights of women and children
Unit 4 Prohibition of Genocide
Unit 5 Economic, social and cultural rights

Global Protection of Human Rights: Implementation Methods (LW7090)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: Human Rights; Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Professor Malcolm Shaw
Email: malcolm.shaw@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None
This is a compulsory module for the human rights pathway.
This module examines the range and nature of systems, mechanisms and methodologies for protecting substantive human rights in international law. These include both global (the United Nations) and regional (European, Inter-American and African) approaches.

Unit 1 The United Nations System for the protection of human rights: Charter-based Mechanisms
Unit 2 The United Nations System for the protection of human rights: Treaty-based Mechanisms
Unit 3 The European Systems for the protection of human rights
Unit 4 The Inter-American and African Systems for the protection of human rights
Unit 5 Implementation of international humanitarian law

Graduate Conference (LW7091)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: Legal Research
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Professor Panu Minkkinen
Email: panu.minkkinen@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

The Graduate Conference is a three day seminar setting in which the students will be able to demonstrate the skills that they have learned during the course of their studies. For students in the beginning of their research project, the emphasis will be on shorter presentations on the hypothesis and structure of the thesis. Each presentation will be recorded and later given to the student herself. For more advanced PhD students the emphasis will be on presentations of a research paper that has specifically been written for the occasion. All presentations will be recorded and the recordings delivered to the presenters after the conference. With the help of feedback from both peers and staff the students are encouraged to redeliver their revised papers at professional academic conferences and/or submit them for publication in appropriate journals. The module will begin with a brush-up on presentation skills.

Health Care Law and European Law (LW7055)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: European Law & Integration
Credits: 15
Module Convenor:
Email:
Pre-requisite: None

This module outlines the legal and institutional frameworks that deliver health policy in Europe. The EU regulation of health policy and the significance of free movement of goods, persons, service and capital are examined. Finally, the involvement of the EU in the regulation of research as a case study is considered along with an examination of convergence of health law and policy in the EU.

Unit 1 Introduction to the scope of EU health
Unit 2 EU regulation and health policy I
Unit 3 EU regulation and health policy II
Unit 4 The four freedoms and health care law
Unit 5 A case for convergence

Human Rights and Health Care Law (LW7096)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: Human Rights
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Jose Miola
Email: Jose.Miola@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module examines the nature of health care rights and their development in the context of international human rights standards. Particular questions such as the allocation of health resources, consent to medical treatment, privacy and confidentiality, and end of life decisions are examined in detail.

Unit 1 Enforcing health care rights in the courts
Unit 2 Health care rights and resources
Unit 3 Consent and enforcing treatment
Unit 4 Reproductive rights
Unit 5 Human rights and decision making at the end of life

Institutional Structure and Constitutional Governance in the EU (LW7900)

Availability: Semester One (Distance Learning)
Pathway: European Law & Integration
Credits: 30
Module Convenor: Dr Adam Cygan
Email: adam.cygan@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None
(Please note this module is a pre-requisite to LW7920 in Semester 2)

This module is concerned with the economic, political and legal development of the European Community and the Union. The course materials will provide you with a working knowledge of the EU institutions; an understanding of the Community law-making process; the interpretative approach of the European Court of Justice; the relationship between Community law and national law and the application of general principles of law including the development of fundamental rights protection afforded under EU law. Finally the Module concludes with an examination of new forms of governance in the EU.

Unit 1 From EEC to an EU Constitutional Treaty: The Progress of European Integration
Unit 2 The Institutional Architecture of the European Union and the Community Decision-Making Process
Unit 3 Enforcing Community Law Rights within the Member States
Unit 4 The European Court of Justice and the Judicial Protection of Treaty Rights
Unit 5 The Protection of Fundamental Rights in the European Union
Unit 6 New Forms of Governance in the European Union

Intellectual Property and the European Internal Market (LW7120)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: European Law & Integration; International Commercial Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Adam Cygan
Email: adam.cygan@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: Sufficient knowledge of basic principles of European Community Law established to the satisfaction of the module convenor. An outline knowledge of European Community competition law would be an advantage
Only available to candidates who hold a Degree in Law (or in which Law is a substantial element) or an appropriate legal professional qualification.

This module examines in detail the interaction between EC treaty law and intellectual property, in particular in the area of free movement of goods, exhaustion of rights, competition law and external relations.

Unit 1 Intellectual property rights in the EC Treaty: starting points and main principles
Unit 2 The scope of the intellectual property exception to the free movement rules in Articles 28-30 of the EC Treaty
Unit 3 Intellectual property and its relationship with Article 82 of the EC Treaty
Unit 4 Intellectual property licensing agreements in breach of Article 81 of the EC Treaty and the block exemption system
Unit 5 The European Union’s competence in relation to intellectual property

International Boundary Disputes (LW7125)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Professor Malcolm Shaw
Email: malcolm.shaw@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module examines the kinds of land and maritime boundary disputes that arise between states and analyses the methods available for their resolution. The main principles developed in this context are discussed. Issues covered include the role and interpretation of boundary treaties, the role of acquiescence and recognition, the nature of effective control, and the special rules governing maritime delimitation.

Unit 1 Territory in international law
Unit 2 Modes of acquiring title
Unit 4 The territorial heritage
Unit 4 International maritime disputes
Unit 5 Acquiescence, protest, recognition, equity and estoppel

International Courts and Tribunals (LW7140)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Professor Malcolm Shaw
Email: malcolm.shaw@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module analyses the range of international inter-state and individual courts and tribunals now operating. Questions such as jurisdiction and admissibility, interim measures, enforcement and supervision are examined. Courts and tribunals discussed will include the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, the regional human rights courts, the war crimes tribunals, the International Criminal Court and the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.

Unit 1 Inter-state courts 1
Unit 2 Inter-state courts 2
Unit 3 International courts and tribunals and individuals 1
Unit 4 International courts and tribunals and individuals 2
Unit 5 Quasi-judicial and related international bodies

International Environmental Law (LW7143)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Edward J. Goodwin
Email: edward.goodwin@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None.

The aim of this module is to enable students to acquire a deep understanding of the principal norms of international environmental law and the forces which shape their creation and effectiveness. As to the latter, students will be introduced to the notion that the choice and content of instrument for international environmental regulation is determined by the interaction of the rule of law, economics, politics, ethics and science, and that these disciplines also inform debates on the development of this area of law in the era of globalisation. The course also aims to equip students with the practical and critical skills needed to pursue their own further research in this field of international law.

This module will be delivered via two-hour seminars as follows:

Unit 1 – The Historical Development of International Environmental Law and Justifications for Environmental Protection.
Unit 2 – General Principles of International Environmental Law.
Unit 3 – Pollution Regulation.
Unit 4 – Trade and the Environment.
Unit 5 – Sectoral Conventions for the Conservation of Habitats, Flora and Fauna.
Unit 6 – The 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity.
Unit 7 – Resources Exploitation and Environmental Damage.
Unit 8 – Compliance With and Enforcement of International Environmental Law.

International Law and Development (LW7144)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: Public International Law; International Commercial Law; Human Rights Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Priscilla Schwartz
Email: priscilla.schwartz@leicester.ac.uk
Prerequisites: None

The course aims to unravel some of the complexities which surround the ‘development debate’ in international law, in particular, to consider why despite the employment of considerable international public and private resources to facilitate development, more countries remain ‘developing’. Students will acquire critical knowledge relevant for addressing this debate in specific areas of international law.

They will examine methods of applying international law and the policies of international institutions and actors to address development issues and consider the challenges facing developing countries in the international legal order.

The course will be invaluable to graduates, professionals, policy-makers and NGOs in developed and developing countries, with interest in interdisciplinary courses or international economic, development and human rights issues.

Unit 1 General themes on international law and development
Unit 2 International institutions in the development process
Unit 3 International financing for development
Unit 4 Trade related aspects of development
Unit 5 Regulation of foreign investment in developing countries
Unit 6 Multinational enterprises (MNEs) in natural resource exploitation
Unit 7 Human rights and development

International Regulation of Companies (LW7145)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: International Commercial Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Mr Ian Snaith
Email: ian.snaith@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module examines the international regulation of companies from a theoretical perspective. It uses theoretical studies as a springboard for the examination of key corporate concepts. The module considers European Company Law by comparing it to the US system and focuses on corporate personality and corporate governance as major themes.

Unit 1 Corporate personality
Unit 2 Theoretical issues
Unit 3 EC Company Law
Unit 4 EC Company Law
Unit 5 Comparative corporate governance

International Sales Transactions (LW7150)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: International Commercial Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Camilla Andersen
Email: camilla.b.andersen@leicester.ac.uk
Co-requisites: LW7075 Financing of International Sales

It examines the principal legal issues arising in international sale contracts. The module focuses on the CISG (the Vienna Convention) and the SGA 1979 (as England has not yet ratified the CISG). It focuses on the substantive rules and principles module compares English commercial law with and explores the basic policies underlying international sales law.

Unit 1 The nature of international sales (theoretical issues of commercial law; sources of law, Trade vs Sales, explaining documentary sales, harmonisation)
Unit 2 Understanding the CISG (sphere of application of the Vienna Convention
Unit 3 Understanding English Law (SGA 1979 and Documentary Sales) and the Bill of Lading
Unit 4 Comparing Aspects of the CISG and English Law: Remedies, Anticipatory Breach, Frustration and Passing of Property and Risk
Unit 5 Comparative look at remedies (cont), and an introduction to INCOTERMS, PECL, Unidroit Principles

Issues and Procedures in European Union Competition Law (LW7155)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: International Commercial Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Professor Cosmo Graham
Email: cosmo.graham@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: Principles of European Union Competition Law (LW762) or demonstrating adequate knowledge of the principles of EU competition law, e.g., through having taken an undergraduate course."

This module examines the procedures and means of enforcement available in EU Competition Law, as well as the European Union’s treatment of certain key issues, such as Article 86. There is some flexibility in the choice of topics, depending on the interests of the students.

Unit 1 Merger Control
Unit 2 Competition Law and the State
Unit 3 Private enforcement and modernisation

Law and Organisation of the World Trading System (LW7170)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: International Commercial Law; Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Priscilla Schwartz
Email: Priscilla.schwartz@leicester.ac.uk
Co-requisite: LW7015 Contemporary Problems of World Trade in Semester 2 unless you can show evidence of having previously completed a course covering the material in LW7170

This module focuses on the complex legal and institutional framework governing international trade and the legal rules in WTO Agreements, including GATS, TRIPS and GATT. It examines the tensions created by the simultaneous application of politics and law in international trade.

The course would prove useful to students with academic interest in the law and organisation of the world trading system and to practitioners and policy planners involved with the task of advising national governments or international institutions on WTO law, policy, principles and practice.

Unit 1 Introductory overview of international trade relations
Unit 2 Institutional Aspects I: Fundamental principles, policy and framework of the WTO
Unit 3 WTO Decision-making and Disputes Settlement mechanism
Unit 4 Regulation Goods: GATT principles and core concepts
Unit 5 Annex 1A WTO Agreements: relationship between those agreements
Unit 6 Trade in Services: The GATS Agreement
Unit 7 TRIPS Agreement: Trade related aspects of intellectual property rights

Legal Argumentation and Method (LW7171)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: Legal Research
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Professor Panu Minkkinen
Email: panu.minkkinen@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

The aim of the module is to develop the student’s understanding of the theory and methodology of legal research within the doctrinal tradition. During the course of the module, particular research related issues (e.g. the relationship between law and politics, the nature of legal knowledge, the systematisation and interpretation of legal norms in the doctrinal tradition) will be discussed in seminar sessions centred on key readings. By completing this module, the student will have gained in-depth knowledge enabling her to successfully conduct a research project within the doctrinal tradition.

Unit 1 Introduction to Legal Research
Unit 2 Law: Science or Practice?
Unit 3 Legal Norms and the Legal System
Unit 4 Law, Politics and Morality
Unit 5 Law and Interpretation
Unit 6 Law and Globalisation

Managing and Communicating Research (LW7002)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: Legal Research
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Joan Smith
Email: pgevents@le.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

The module, taught in co-operation with the University’s Student Learning Centre and Library, will teach students the more advanced skills in research that they will need in completing a doctorate level thesis successfully and the professional skills required of a legal academic. In addition to the more technical skills of planning a research project, finding the right source material and managing a literature list, the module will give insights on the ethical questions involved in legal research, on delivering conference papers and on the skills and attributes required for academic progress and development.

Unit 1 Managing a Research Project
Unit 2 Research Ethics
Unit 3 Advanced Library Skills
Unit 4 Using Reference Managers
Unit 5 Presentation Skills
Unit 6 Personal Development Planning (PDP)

Principles of European Union Competition Law (LW7195)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: International Commercial Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Professor Cosmo Graham
Email: cosmo.graham@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module aims to provide an understanding of the fundamental rules of EU competition law. Through an analysis of case law from Community Courts and Commission publications, the module endeavours to discover the principles and policies that underpin the regulation of competition in the EU via Articles 81 and 82 (ex Articles 85 and 86) EC and the Merger Control Regulation.

Unit 1 Introduction: Why Competition Policy? An introduction to the economics and control of cartels
Unit 2 Article 81 EC - Controlling anti-competitive agreements 1
Unit 3 Article 81 EC - Controlling anti-competitive agreements 2
Unit 4 Article 82 EC - Dominance and abuse
Unit 5 Article 82 EC - Refusal to supply to essential facilities and IP licensing

Regulation of Financial Markets (LW7202)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: International Commercial Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Ms Andromachi Georgosouli
Email: a.georgosouli@le.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: No specific pre-requisites are required. However, a general knowledge of European Union law would be advantageous.

Financial services, products and markets are dynamic and evolving rapidly. Whether in the UK or in other leading financial jurisdictions, the regulatory scope over financial services, products and markets has been challenged and modified in recent years. This course intends to examine the current scope of regulation over financial services, products and markets, and raises issues about the grey areas and areas for potential reform. Specific emphasis will be placed on the ideas of systemic risk and financial stability. In this connection, recent developments in the UK, EU and international level will be considered. Other themes under examination are the present state of affairs of EU market integration with respect to financial markets, issues of financial architecture in the UK, EU and international level, the better regulation movement and regulatory innovation.

Unit 1: Introduction to the Regulation of Financial Markets
Unit 2: Banking Regulation and Capital Adequacy Beyond Basle
Unit 3: Securities Regulation Investor Protection and the implementation of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive
Unit 4: The Regulation of Market Abuse
Unit 5: European Market Integration and the Regulation of Financial Markets in EU –Part I
Unit 6: European Market Integration and the Regulation of Financial Markets in EU –Part II
Unit 7: Financial Architecture and the Global Governance of Financial Systems

Socio-Legal Research (LW7216)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: Legal Research
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Loveday Hodson
Email: loveday.hodson@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

The aim of the module is to offer a basic understanding of socio-legal research skills in order to enable students to use socio-legal methods in their own doctoral research. The different units cover both social science theory and methodology. Different approaches and styles of research are discussed and, through workshops, the students will apply the approaches to both real and hypothetical research questions. Guidance is given on collecting and analysing both quantitative and qualitative research data.

Unit 1 Introduction to Socio-legal Research
Unit 2 Planning an Empirical Project
Unit 3 Quantitative Research in Law
Unit 4 Qualitative Research in Law
Unit 5 Devising a Survey
Unit 6 The Ethical Implications of Socio-Legal Research

The European Convention on Human Rights: Convention Rights (LW7240)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: European Law & Integration; Human Rights; Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Professor Robin White
Email: robin.white@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: LW7235 or a sufficient knowledge of the institutional framework of the Strasbourg system and of Article 15 of the Convention established to the satisfaction of the module convenor.

You will explore in detail some aspects of the substantive law of the European Convention on Human Rights; and consider critically the effectiveness of the protections offered by the Convention.

Unit 1 The right to liberty and security
Unit 2 The right to a fair trial
Unit 3 The right to respect for family and private life, and to marry and found a family
Unit 4 Property rights
Unit 5 Discrimination and freedom of movement

The European Convention on Human Rights: Institutions, Procedures and Fundamental Rights (LW7235)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: European Law & Integration; Human Rights; Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Professor Robin White
Email: robin.white@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None
(Please note this module is a pre-requisite to LW7240 in Semester 2 unless you can establish a satisfactory knowledge of the material covered in this module)

You will learn about the institutions of the European Convention system; the procedures for dealing with individual and inter-State complaints; and the fundamental rights protected by the Convention and the concept of derogations under Article 15. The module is linked to LW7240 which examines a number of Convention rights in detail.

Unit 1 The judicial architecture of the European Convention on Human Rights
Unit 2 The admissibility of applications
Unit 3 The right to life
Unit 4 The right to be protected against torture, and inhuman or degrading treatment
Unit 5 The concept of derogations from accepted standards laid down by the Convention

The Law of Armed Conflict (LW7166)

Availability: Semester One
Pathway: Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Eki Yemisi Omorogbe
Email: eki.omorogbe@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module examines the laws that regulate international armed conflict. Through an exploration of current developments and contemporary issues, it demonstrates the challenge of applying and enforcing international law in the midst of armed hostilities.

Unit One: The classification of armed conflicts
Unit Two: The United Nations and international security
Unit Three: Humanitarian intervention
Unit Four: Status, and the Principle of Distinction
Unit Five: The Principles of Necessity and of Proportionality
Unit Six: Ending Conflict
Unit Seven: Occupation Law

The State, Law and Religious Freedoms (LW7250)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: Human Rights
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Mr Peter Cumper
Email: peter.cumper@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module examines some of the ways in which the state regulates the rights of citizens to exercise their freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Whilst particular attention is paid to the relevant legal position in the United Kingdom, reference is also made to a number of other national legal jurisdictions and to contemporary international human rights standards.

Unit 1 Freedom of religion – a general introduction
Unit 2 Law, religion and education
Unit 3 Accommodating difference – tolerance, diversity and the liberal state
Unit 4 New religious movements and the law
Unit 5 Freedom of conscience and the law

Theories of Rights (LW7255)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: Human Rights
Credits: 15
Module Convenor:
Email: virginia.mantouvalou@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module considers the meaning and theoretical underpinnings of rights and rights-discourse and looks at the role of human rights in contemporary moral and political thought. It examines common critiques of rights as well as the relationship between rights and democratic thought. The module also analyses the relationship between cultural diversity and the idea of universal rights and considers the importance of ‘socio-economic’ rights and ways in which they can be implemented.

Unit 1 Understanding rights
Unit 2 Challenging rights and rights-discourse
Unit 3 Rights, cultural relativism and multiculturalism
Unit 4 Rights and democracy
Unit 5 Obligations of states and social rights

Transitional Justice and International Criminal Law (LW7254)

Availability: Semester Two
Pathway: Public International Law
Credits: 15
Module Convenor: Dr Troy Lavers
Email: troy.lavers@leicester.ac.uk
Pre-requisite: None

This module is designed to enable LLM students to obtain comprehensive knowledge of diverse issues involved in international criminal law. It starts with detailed appraisal of basic concepts and principles of international criminal law and their historical development from the crimes of international humanitarian law. The module then turns to the examination of general principles including jurisdiction, admissibility, extradition, and problems associated with domestic prosecutions. Emphasis is placed both on the scrutiny of case-law and on legal theoretical analyses. The module also covers issues in comparative and transnational criminal justice.

Students will complete an assessed essay at the end of the module no longer than 4000 words worth 90% of the total mark. Students will also compile a reflective log throughout the semester for assessment which will be worth 10% of the total mark.

Unit 1: Origins of international criminal law
Unit 2: Jurisdiction, admissibility and extradition
Unit 3: Comparative and transnational criminal
Unit 4: The advent of the International Criminal Court
Unit 5: What next for international criminal law?

School of Law

LLM Programmes