The LL.M. in International Law is available on both a full and part-time basis over a 1 or 2 year period. Please note: The LL.M. in International Law is a cognitive masters. In order to be eligible for the course you will need to possess the following:
2.2 degree in Law or a related discipline (that has a 50% legal component to the degree) or foreign equivalent
Relative work experience may also be taken into consideration.
The LL.M. in International Law programme aims to develop students' academic capabilities to their fullest, enhance their communication skills and develop their research skills, preparing them for career progression and/or laying the foundations for Ph.D. study.
This course will next commence September 2020.
"The LLM in International Law, was one of the hardest but most rewarding experiences I have had. Since I started University in Venezuela, my dream was always to study this area of law and then gain the necessary qualification to be able to work in an NGO that promotes Human Right causes. Luckily, I can now say that I have accomplished both. The LLM definitely helped me with my research and writing skills. It improved my time management skills and it allowed me to better understand the Irish Legal system. But most importantly it gave me the possibility to learn, critically analyse and discuss topics of International Law that are currently being debated in the world. This LLM opened a great door for my professional career and I am now working in New Communities Partnership, a national organisation that supports the integration of migrant individuals and groups in Ireland."
"The LL.M. at Griffith College Dublin was extremely beneficial to me, both on an academic and work related basis. Griffith College Dublin’s LL.M. provided me with the opportunity to work full time and to comfortably complete a full-time course in one year. The lecturers were extremely helpful and enthusiastic about the course material. The course work required a higher level of diligence and commitment than the level 8 LL.B. Degree, which combined with the dissertation portion of the course, further developed my research and legal writing skills to be adapted to my own work environment and my pursuit of further academic study".
The LL.M. in International Law is normally one year in duration but it is possible to split this programme over two years. The student will complete six subjects and a dissertation. In the first semester, the student will complete three mandatory subjects (including a choice of either International Commercial Law or International Human Rights Law). In the second semester, they will choose three electives. Assessment in the taught modules in semesters 1 and 2 is by way of assignments and examinations. A dissertation is completed over the summer months under the guidance of a designated supervisor.
Public International Law is concerned with both the relations between States and with the relationship between individuals, international organisations and States. This module enables the learner to understand and evaluate Public International Law and its role, potential and limitations in International affairs. It enables learners to identify the sources of Public International Law and develop their ability to apply these appropriately to a range of actual and theoretical situations. The module examines the operation of international organisations such as the United Nations and their impact on the wider principles of International Law. Learners gain an understanding of the formation and formalisation of international treaties and an awareness of the principles of State sovereignty. The module addresses a number of current legal issues in the development of international law and Learners become familiarised with the treaties on which International Law is based, the rules of Customary International Law and a knowledge of the institutions which apply International Law.
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The aim of this module is to inculcate in the learner advanced legal research and writing skills. The module initially focusses on the development of online research skills and search operators. The learner develops an understanding of various research methodologies which can be employed when conducting research; doctrinal, comparative, socio-legal etc. Furthermore, the module fosters within learners the ability to write excellent legal prose with style, precision and accuracy. Learners master a legal house style; the Oxford University Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities (OSCOLA).
Typical international commercial transactions involve numerous contracts over national boundaries. The objective of the module is to make participants familiar with the key contracts and institutions in international commerce. Learners examine private international law (conflict of laws) issues, international contract terms (INCOTERMS), and the Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) and UNIDROIT principles as they apply to international contracts. Attention is paid to the role of the WTO as it is considered one of the most important developments in the history of international trade law. GATT is another significant area upon which there is significant focus.
This module examines the development of International Human Rights Law with specific reference to its expansion in the 20th and 21st centuries. The evolution of the protection of Human Rights from purely a national concern to a global concern is a central theme and involves analysis of the birth of international enforcement mechanisms. The divisions between civil and political rights and socio-economic and cultural rights are discussed with particular focus on the relationship between both sets of rights. Current International Human Rights issues form the final part of this module with learners looking at specific concerns of the international community.
This module is designed to provide a broad overview of the legal and practical aspects underpinning International Commercial Arbitration. The objective of any arbitration is to resolve a dispute. So as to facilitate resolution, all unnecessary obstacles need to be removed. In the context of international disputes there can be many obstacles, such as language barriers, different jurisdictions, different legal principles etc. To alleviate these difficulties a number of international instruments have been enacted throughout the years culminating in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law in 1985.
This module focusses primarily on both the substance and application of the UNCITRAL Model Law, and also its integration into Irish law. Candidates are required to achieve a high level understanding of the UNCITRAL Model Law so as to discuss in a competent manner the practice and procedure involved in International Commercial Arbitration, and the applicable legal principles.
*Please note that electives are run subject to demand and discretion of the faculty.
This module focusses on an analysis of principal features of the International Tax Law system, from the perspective of Irish and EU law. The module looks generally at the main theories, concepts and principles of International Tax Law and then more particularly at the main substantive areas of the subject such as Public International Law and Taxation, the OECD Model Income Tax Convention and EC law as it affects Member States’ tax systems. Thereafter, the module examines important issues such as the different approaches to Corporate Income Taxation, tackling International Tax Avoidance, International Tax Law as it applies to developing countries, and the issues in modifying established International Tax Rules to regulate E-commerce activity.
At a time of tentative emergence from crisis on the global markets, this module seeks to enable learners to address the major regulatory and contractual aspects of Financial Services Law. The module deals with the institutional structures created to protect international financial transactions. There is a particular focus on the impact that European Union legislation is having on the area, with a number of the key regulations being examined in detail. There is also a strong emphasis on the 2008 Financial crisis and the impact that it has had on the financial services industry. The module is suitable for those seeking to work in law firms which have International Financial Services as a significant part of their workload, but also for those who hope to work directly in the Financial Services sector.
The objectives of this module are twofold. Firstly, it seeks to develop within the learner an in-depth understanding of the economic and political basis for the Internal Market of the European Union and the laws that ensure its operation. Secondly, it requires the learner to critically analyse the European Union’s policies in the sphere of Competition Law. The module will address a number of current legal issues in the development of the Internal Market, such as the future of the Eurozone, the position of Public Services and the impact of the developing jurisprudence on Citizenship. The learner is encouraged to critically assess the basis for Competition Law within the EU and engage with academic commentary and court decisions to determine whether the overall policy goals are being met.
This module provides a detailed overview of the principles regarding the key aspects of Intellectual Property Law: International Copyright, Patents, Design Rights, Trademark and Passing Off and Misappropriation of Personality and Publicity and Privacy Rights. Case law illustrating the application of these principles along with international treaties dealing with Intellectual Property is addressed. The module seeks to enhance the learner’s ability to apply theoretical aspects of the jurisprudence to real life situations through the use of case studies.
The primary objective of this course is to impart a critical understanding of the structure, objectives and mechanisms of Corporate Governance, and the legal and other issues affecting systems by which corporations are directed and controlled. Themes and issues explored include: theoretical and overview perspectives on Corporate Governance; the nature of the corporation, the basic model of the firm, principal-agent theory; the legal framework of Corporate Governance; the role and responsibilities of directors and boards; enforcement of director duties; monitoring and legal compliance issues; executive compensation, takeovers, and shareholder activism. This module also deals with the emergence of Corporate Governance requirements in developed/developing capital markets. The module sets out the divergent ways in which Corporate Governance is applied across the globe, in particular examining the reliance on principles or alternatively, rules. It examines both country specific codes and international practices. Case studies on major corporate scandals are carried out in detail in order to assist in the understanding of Corporate Governance principles.
This module extensively examines the development of the laws of armed conflict derived from the 1863 Lieber Code and the 1868 St Petersburg Declaration and its application to the theatre of hostilities. Far-reaching advances in the categorisation of conflicts, the dynamics of warfare, weapons and aerial bombardment have resulted in an international struggle to apply a dated international Humanitarian Law framework to altered realities on the ground. In parallel, developing Human Rights norms now extend to armed conflict but the relationship and interpretation of the competing sets of norms is open to dispute. This module examines the categorisation of armed conflicts, the status of parties to the conflict, PoW’s, civilians, belligerent occupation, methods and means of warfare, and self determination and armed conflict. Accordingly, the module analyses the application of the laws of armed conflict in contemporary battle grounds through case studies examining inter alia Iraq, Palestine and Syria.
This module examines the protection of Social and Economic Rights within International Law. It seeks to locate social and economic rights within the wider scope of International Human Rights Law protection and addresses the theoretical debates over the method of protection that these rights should be given. Learners study the operation of the UNESCR and assess its effectiveness. The UNESCR is compared to a range of regional instruments and the contrasts between the various methods of protection discussed. Case studies are undertaken focusing on the protection of specific rights within developing and developed nations.
This module provides a detailed and comprehensive understanding of International Asylum and Immigration Law. The learner studies the principles, doctrines and rules underpinning International Asylum and Immigration law, along with relevant international legal instruments. The module addresses the political, social and philosophical issues raised by asylum seeking, while also providing learners with the tools to solve technical asylum problems.
The module in International Criminal Law examines selected issues and current problems involving the criminal law aspects of International Law. The module looks at the origin and purpose of International Criminal Law and it examines the duty to prosecute those who commit international crimes. It also focuses on the application of domestic and international law to the question of jurisdiction over international criminal activities. The course further examines the substantive international criminal law as contained in multi-lateral treaties concerning, war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Lastly, the course covers the International Criminal Tribunals for Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the permanent International Criminal Court.
This module combines analysis of current law with a critical exploration of the structures, potential, and limits of law and legal reform. The focus of the module is human rights, both as a legal regime with specific application to gender and sexuality issues, and as a political sphere within which issues relating to gender and sexuality are negotiated. The module includes discussions of domestic, European, and international developments. As such, this module provides grounding in the key issues of gender, sexuality and human rights discourse whilst ensuring that learners will gain an understanding and appreciation of those issues which are at the cutting edge of these discussions.
This module provides an explanatory overview to data protection and privacy law, taking an international perspective that encompasses Irish and EU law. The module will consider theoretical and practical approaches in understanding the power and significance of handling personal information securely.
The module aims to provide a conceptual and analytical framework with which to understand the link between peace building and human rights in post-conflict contexts, primarily through developing a critical understanding of transitional justice, while applying critical approaches to international law, such as Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL), Critical Race Theory (CRT), Feminist Theories on International Law (FTIL) Law et al.
The research dissertation is designed to permit learners to delve into a topic which is of particular interest to them, and it comes at the end of the LLM, at a point in time when continuous assessment and examinations in all taught modules have been completed, and therefore, learners are well placed to undertake independent research. Those learners who are obtaining the general LLM in International Law are free to choose either a commercial or human rights dissertation subject.
A copy of the timetable is attached below. Please be aware that this timetable may be subject to change.
Semester 1 Daytime Timetable 2019
Semester 1 Evening Timetable 2019
2.2 degree in Law or a related discipline (that has a 50% legal component to the degree)or foreign equivalent or relevant work experience.
All applicants must apply online here uploading a copy of the following:
For purposes of fee calculation, residence is counted from time of application.
An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below. The fees below relate to Year 1 fees only.
Dublin
EUR 7,400.00
An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.
EUR 8,200.00
Non-EU students: a Medical Insurance, Student Services and Administration fee of EUR300 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.
Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.
Students wishing to pay for their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please download our Fee Payment Information document to review the payment plan schedule and how to apply.
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