Maters of Law LLM

The LLM program at UD has been designed to prepare graduates for successful careers in both legal

and non-legal organizations. The program will enhance critical thinking, increase oral and written communication skills as well as English language skills, improve decision-making in a rapidly changing global environment, and reinforce the application of knowledge and skills in the area of problem- solving.

 

The LLM has two unique concentrations in order to meet the need for professionals in these areas. Moreover, the program has been designed to permit the admission of students with any undergraduate degree from an accredited University who meet the necessary criteria.

 

Program Concentrations

The College of Laws offers an LLM with two concentrations and also gives students the option to

earn an LLM with two concentrations by combining concentrations below:

• Arbitration & Dispute Resolution
• Financial Crimes & Money Laundering

 

Educational Aims of the Program

Goals/Objectives Related to Transferable Skills, Values and Attitudes  

The Program Objectives (POs) of the Master of Laws related to transferable skills, values and attitudes   are shown in table 1 below:These are common across LLM core courses

Table 1: Program Objectives of LLM to Transferable Skills, Values and Attitudes
PO1.	Think critically, analytically and communicate effectively in English as a legally trained professional by preparing, presenting, arguing and pursuing the point of view/ case logically.
PO2.	Work in and lead dynamic international and UAE organizations in solving social and economic legal issues/ situations in specific legal fields.
PO3.	Apply written and oral communication skills in pursuit of legal professional goals.

 

Goals/Objectives common to each LLM tracks  

 

Table 2: Program Objectives of LLM
PO1.	Develop local/global perspective and adapt to dynamic international and UAE cultural environments concerning social and economic development of UAE.
PO2.	Adapt, apply and analyze specialized law knowledge to improve the business environment and Assist the UAE in social and economic development.

 

These general and specific LLM track objectives are accomplished through the following specific skills in the academic courses detailed in the respective course syllabi.

1	Professional skills: Legal research and writing skills necessary to accomplish subject specialties.
2	Formulating business policy skills and using dispute resolution techniques: Capitalizing on the UD emphasis on mediation and arbitration through DCCI and Dubai International Arbitration Centre.
3	Networking skills: available through DCCI and related organizations such as International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Chartered Institute of Arbitration.
4	Motivational and Leadership skills: Understanding the dynamics of working in teams, building commitment, involving others, creating efficiency, productivity and satisfaction in teamwork.
5	Organizational skills: Managing time, scheduling work (one’s own and others), designing systems and action plans.
6	Communication skills: Speaking and writing in English, having a viewpoint and being able to get it across in a way that is clear, crisp and concise.
7	Critical thinking skills: Analyzing, solving problems, generalizing, questioning, and managing uncertainty.
8	Abstract thinking and adaptability: Understanding how to drill down the most essential elements from a complex problem and determine frameworks or action plans for solving those problems.
9	Ability to be a continuous learner, and trainer of others: Knowing how to learn on an ongoing basis, how to/where to gather the right information. Specifically, students will exhibit language skills, computational skills, analytically skills and interpersonal skills.
10	Ethical awareness: Understanding the practical, legal and ethical implications of the spirit of the law and the letter of the law, understanding one’s ethical responsibilities and the consequences of possible decisions.
11	Responsible Lawyer’s Education: Recognition of lawyer’s responsibility towards society and the environment.

 

Program Learning Outcomes

The Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) of the LLM are shown in table 2 follows:

Table 2: Program Learning Outcomes of LLM After graduation LLM students will be able to:
PLO1.	Think critically, atypically and communicate effectively in English as a legally trained professional by preparing, presenting, arguing and pursing the point of view/case logically.
PLO2.	Work in lead dynamic international and UAE organizations in solving social and economic issues/situations in specific legal fields.
PLO3.	Apply written and oral communication skills in pursuit of legal professional goals.
PLO4.	Develop local / global perspective and adapt to dynamic international and UAE cultural environments concerning social and economic development of UAE
PLO5.	Adapt, apply and analyze specialized law knowledge to improve the business environment and Assist the UAE in social and economic development.

 

Mapping PLOs with Program objectives & UD Mission 

Table below shows the mapping between the program goals, Learning outcome and the mission of the college.

UD Mission Statement	UDCL Mission Statement (MS)	LLM Program Objectives (Linked to CLMS)
1. Serve the education need of diverse undergraduates, postgraduates and professionals.	1. Be a leading English language grade legal education institution in UAE, offering a range of subject specialty LLM degree that prepares graduates for increased responsibility in the organization.	1. Think critically, atypically and communicate effectively in English as a legally trained professional by preparing, presenting, arguing and pursing the point of view/case logically. (1,2)
2. Produce high caliber graduates.	2. Offer advance legal training, with instruction in English language.	2. Work in lead dynamic international and UAE organizations in solving social and economic issues/situations in specific legal fields. (2,3)
3. Provide education based on international standards	3. Prepare citizens and residents of the UAE greater leadership roles in specialized law, expanding the influence of UAE in the global economy.	3. Apply written and oral communication skills in pursuit of legal professional goals. (3)
4. Provide stimulating educational environment to prepare future leaders	4. Educate legal professionals using a variety of teaching methods including theory and applications of skills.	4. Develop local / global perspective and adapt to dynamic international and UAW cultural environments concerning social and economic development of UAE. (3,4)
5. Engage faculty in applied research focused mainly on the economic development of MENA Region	5. Strengthen student and faculty collaboration between CL and society for lifelong, self-directed learning through research and consultancy, management and professional development services as dictated by the dynamic business environment.	5. Adapt, apply and analyze specialized law knowledge to improve the business environment and Assist the UAE in social and economic development. (2, 3, 4)

 

LLM Program Learning Requirements

LLM Program Curricula
The LLM program is composed of 33 Credit Hours, distributed as illustrated below:

#	Category	Number of Courses	Credit Hours
1	Pre - LLM courses	3	-
2	Core LLM courses	5	15
3	Concentration Courses	5	18
Total		10	33

 

The LLM curriculum is structured into two main components: a core curriculum required for all LLM students and a set of specialized courses organized into specific tracks or concentrations. All students will complete a thesis based on independent legal research and analysis. To earn the LLM degree, students must complete 33 credits, in line with the requirements of most American LLM programs.

The College of Law offers an LLM with two concentrations, with an option to combine any two concentrations as part of the degree:

• Arbitration & Dispute Resolution
• Financial Crimes & Money Laundering

Each student must select a concentration/track. Each track includes at least one practice-oriented course, indicated with an (*), which involves a team project, in-class drafting exercises, multiple writing assignments, or the application of other legal skills. The table below outlines the LLM curriculum, which consists of five core courses. Each of the two concentrations includes four specialized courses (3 credit hours each), followed by a thesis worth 6 credit hours. In total, LLM candidates must complete 33 credit hours, equivalent to 10 courses (5 core courses, 4 specialization courses, and 1 thesis) to be awarded the LLM degree.

Non-law graduates are now required to complete three Pre-LLM courses before admission to the LLM program. These courses are designed to provide the necessary legal foundation for those without a law degree. Students must complete 45 contact hours and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0, with no grade lower than a B. The Pre-LLM courses are as follows:

• Introduction to Law
• Business Law
• Criminal Law and Procedure

Pre - LLM courses

S.No	Course Code	Course Title	Prerequisite	Co-requisite	C.H.
1	P-LLM57001	Introduction to Law			3
2	P-LLM59001	Business Law			3
3	P-LLM58001	Criminal Law and Procedure			3
Total					9

 

Core LLM courses

 

S.N0	Course Code	Course Title	Prerequisite	Co-requisite	C.H.
1	LLM 600	Legal Research & Writing Skills			3
2	LLM 610	Legal Systems			3
3	LLM 63501	Corporate Law			3
4	LLM 645	International Business Transactions*			3
5	LLM 651	Litigation – Principles & Practice*			3
Total					15

 

LLM in Arbitration & Dispute Resolution (ADR)

 

S.N0	Course Code	Course Title	Prerequisite	Co-requisite	C.H.
1	LLM ADR 701	UAE Arbitration Law*			3
2	LLM ADR 712	International Arbitration Law*			3
3	LLM ADR 725	International Investment Law & Arbitration			3
4	LLM ADR 730	Alternative Dispute Resolution*			3
5	LLM ADR 740	Thesis			6
	Total				18

 

LLM in Financial Crimes & Money Laundering (FCML)
These are also elective courses for FCML track, if when completed with second Thesis will qualify the student for awarding the second major in LLM.

 

S.N0	Course Code	Course Title	Prerequisite	Co-requisite	C.H.
1	LLM FCML 700	Bribery & Corruption			3
2	LLM FCML 710	Money Laundering			3
3	LLM FCML 720	Competition Law			3
4	LLM FCML 730	Financial Crimes & Governance, Compliance & Assurance			3
5	LLM FCML 740	Thesis		To be taken in the last term	6
Total					18

 

Completion Requirements

 

The LLM degree is awarded upon the successful completion of 33 credit hours and a CGPA of 3.0 or above, within the maximum specified timeframe of twelve (12) terms. Only students who have completed all degree requirements prior to the graduation ceremony are eligible to be considered for degree honors. The categories for academic distinction are based on the following scale which is based on the graduation/cumulative GPA: • Summa Cum Laude: CGPA >= 3.90 through 4.0 (Excellent) – with Highest Honors • Magna Cum Laude: CGPA >= 3.70 through 3.89 (Very Good) – with Great Honors • Cum Laude: CGPA >=3.50 through 3.69 (Good) – with Honors This distinction shall appear on the student’s transcript and degree.

Curriculum

Financial Crimes and Money Laundering (FCML) Concentration

Total Credit Hours:

33

Term 1

LLM 610	Legal Systems	3
LLM 600	Legal Research and Writing Skills	3
FCML 700	Bribery and Corruption	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

Term 2

LLM 645	International Business	3
LLM 651	Litigation Principles & Practices	3
FCML 710	Money Laundering	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

Term 4

FCML 740	Thesis	6
Total Credit Hours:		6

Term 3

LLM 635	Corporate Law	3
FCML 720	Competition Law	3
FCML 730	Financial Crimes and Governance, Compliance and Assurance	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (ADR) Concentration

Term 1

LLM 610	Legal Systems	3
LLM 600	Legal Research and Writing Skills	3
ADR 730	Alternative Dispute Resolution	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

Term 2

LLM 645	International Business	3
ADR 701	UAE Arbitration Law	3
LLM 651	Litigation Principles & Practices	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

Semester 3

LLM 635	Corporate Law	3
ADR 725	International Investment Law & Arbitration	3
712	ADR	3

Semester 4

ADR 740

Thesis

6