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Without an effective means to vindicate and enforce rights, substantive private and public law rights would little more than words on paper. UCL’s LLM in Litigation and Dispute Resolution provides an in-depth exploration of the means by which we apply the law both directly, through the courts, and indirectly through alternative forms of dispute resolution. In doing so it provides a wide range of modules, each of which draws on the specialist academic, research and practical expertise of UCL Faculty of Laws members.
The modules explore a range of theoretical and practical perspectives. They also involve practical engagement with developmental areas within the specialism. Students can thus gain both a deep understanding of the issues, enhance their research skills, and broaden their understanding through practical engagement.
Dr John Sorabji, Associate Professor at UCL Laws, shares some further information on the LLM in Litigation and Dispute Resolution for prospective students:
- What are the backgrounds or interests of students who normally select this specialism?
Students who take the Litigation and Dispute Resolution specialism come from a variety of backgrounds. Some students have recently completed an undergraduate law degree or professional legal training. Others take the specialism because they are interested in developing their understanding of policy issues underpinning the subjects taught.
Others take the specialism having been in legal practice or policy work for a number of years and want to deepen their understanding of issues in areas where they work. They may, for instance, want to look more deeply at the rationales underpinning civil litigation or the development and use of ADR.- What do you think are the top three highlights of this specialism?
Students who take this specialism are generally drawn from across the world, which ensures that a diversity of views and experience inform all the seminars!
The module convenors try to ensure that leading members of the UK judiciary take part in the seminars. In the past, for instance, Lord Neuberger, the President of the UK Supreme Court took a seminar class within the specialism, as did Sir Ernest Ryder, the Senior President of Tribunals.
The modules draw on the module convenors cutting edge research to inform the seminars.
- What do students who have studied this specialism usually go on to do?
Many students who take this specialism go on the develop a litigation or dispute resolution practice with a law firm or at the Bar. Others draw on the course to help them specialise in a particular in their legal practice. Others go on to work for NGOs, policy forums or the civil service.
- Which books, podcasts, blogs or newspapers do you recommend to students interested in taking this specialism?
There’s a wide range of material that you could look at if you’re interested in this specialism. In addition to the books recommended by the module convenors as background reading for their courses to give you an idea about what the specialism covers you could look at the website of the Judiciary of England and Wales for materials on the development of civil litigation. The Parliamentary website is also a good source of material, particularly the Justice Select Committee’s webpages. You could also look at the Secret Barrister’s books (Stories or the Law and How it’s Broken and Fake Law). There are also plenty of blogs that have interesting material, such as the UK Human Rights Blog, or the UKSC Blog.
- What would you say to a student who is considering taking this specialism but hasn’t made up their mind yet?
The Litigation and Dispute Resolution specialism provides you with an unrivalled opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of areas ranging from international commercial litigation and arbitration, to the nature and role of alternative forms of dispute resolution, to an insight in how judges think. Whether you are interested in developing your understanding of these areas in order to benefit your practice as a lawyer or want to engage in the deeper policy debates you will find this specialism both engaging and rewarding.