LL.M. (Common Law) Degree
The LL.M. (common law) Degree
The new LL.M. (Common law) degree provides international law
graduates from non-common law countries with a broad introduction
to the common law and the opportunity to take courses and seminars
on a variety of topics. Like the LL.M. degree, however, the LL.M.
(common law) is not an entry qualification for the Law Society of British Columbia.
The program is one-year long and combines course and seminar
work with a year long Seminar in Common Law Theory and Practice.
Students are required to successfully complete 30 credits including six for the core seminar, 18 for graduate
level courses and seminars and the remaining six in upper level LL.B. courses.
Admission to the LL.M.. (common law) Degree
To be eligible for admission into the LL.M. (Common Law), a candidate
must have a Bachelor of Laws degree or its equivalent from an approved
law faculty. The program is designed for candidates with law degrees
from countries that have
non common-law legal systems. Thus, students from countries such
as the United Kingdom, India, Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria or
the former British West Indies, are not be eligible to enroll
for this degree. In addition, all applicants must meet the Faculty
of Graduate Studies' minimum academic standards for admission.
http://www.grad.ubc.ca/
CURRICULUM
- Full-time continuous residence at the University for one academic
year;
- To satisfy the course requirements, students must satisfactorily
participate in lectures and seminars amounting to 30 credits of
study. A student must obtain an overall average of at least 70%
on work for the year, with no mark below 68%. The curriculum is
arranged as follows:
Law 550 (6 credits), Seminar in Common Law Theory and Practice
This seminar will consist of an introduction to the history and
characteristics of the common law and how it differs from other
systems of law.
Seminar in Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Law 560
- 4 credits)
This seminar will comprise enrolment in any one of the 300 or 400
level LL.B. courses taught as a seminar or workshop in a given year
and comprising no less than 4 credits, together with the completion
of a substantial written research paper consisting of an advanced
analysis relating to the subject-matter of the particular seminar
or workshop.
Graduate Courses, Seminars or Directed Research (14 credits)
Students must complete a total of 14 credits in graduate (500)
level law courses, seminars or directed research.
In addition to existing 500 level courses, seminars or directed
research students may select from the following:
- Law 552 Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Public Law
I)
- Law 553 Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Public Law
II)
- Law 554 Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Comparative
and International Law)
- Law 555 Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Legal Theory
and Practice)
- Law 556 Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Private and
Commercial Law)
- Law 557 Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Human and
Group Rights Law)
LL.M. (common law) students may not enroll in Law 500(4) Current
Legal Problems (also known as the Research LL.M. Graduate Seminar).
LL.B. Courses (6 credits)
Students must also complete 6 credits worth of any LL.B. 300 or
400 level course or seminar.
Candidates may not take any 300 or 400 level LL.B. course towards
the degree that is the same as any taken, in 500 level form, towards
the degree. Candidates may not take courses in other faculties.
The courses, seminars or directed research selected by each LL.M.
(common law) candidate must be approved in advance by the Associate
Dean in the Faculty of Law in charge of the graduate program.
Course Descriptions
Law 550, Seminar in Common Law Theory and Practice
All year, 6 credits
This seminar will examine the history and characteristics of the
common law and how it differs from other systems of law (such as
the civil law).
Law 560, Seminar in Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice
One Term, 4 credits
This seminar will comprise completion of an upper level LL.B. seminar
or workshop (4 credit minimum) and the completion of a substantial
research paper consisting of an advanced analysis relating to the
subject-matter of the particular seminar or workshop.
Law 552, Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Public Law
I)
One Term, 2 to 4 credits
This course comprises completion of a course from a cluster of
public law courses together with the completion of a significant
supplemental requirement involving advanced analysis. Information
about the courses in the cluster can be found on the Faculty of
Law website.
Law 553, Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Public Law
II)
One Term, 2 to 4 credits
This course comprises completion of a course from a cluster of
public law courses together with the completion of a significant
supplemental requirement involving advanced analysis. Information
about the courses in the cluster can be found on the Faculty of
Law website.
Law 554, Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Comparative
and International Law)
One Term, 2 to 4 credits
This course comprises completion of a course from a cluster of
comparative and international law courses together with the completion
of a significant supplemental requirement involving advanced analysis.
Law 555, Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Legal Theory
and Practice)
One Term, 2 to 4 credits
This course comprises completion of a course from a cluster of
legal theory and practice courses together with the completion of
a significant supplemental requirement involving advanced analysis.
Law 556, Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Private and
Commercial Law)
One Term, 2 to 4 credits
This course comprises completion of a course from a cluster of
private and commercial law courses together with the completion
of a significant supplemental requirement involving advanced analysis.
Law 557, Topics in Common Law Theory and Practice (Human and
Group Rights Law)
One Term, 2 to 4 credits
This course comprises completion of a course from a cluster of
human and group rights law courses together with the completion
of a significant supplemental requirement involving advanced analysis.
Oral Examination
An oral examination may be required at the discretion of the Faculty
of Law.
Time Limits
The Faculty of Law expects students to complete the LL.M.C.L. (common law) program in an academic year (eight months from September to April). Students require permission from the Faculty of Law Graduate Admissions committee in order to register for a second or subsequent year in the LL.M.C.L. (common law) program.
Inquiries
For all inquiries regarding the LL.M. (common
law) program please contact: graduates@law.ubc.ca. |
