LL.M. in Chinese and Comparative Law
Description
Formally known as LL.M. in Chinese and Comparative Law. Students are able to pursue their interests in either commercial law or general comparative law by choosing different courses offered by the program.
Purpose:
The purpose of the program is to provide advanced and practical knowledge of Chinese law to students and practitioners across the world, who feel more comfortable in using English as a medium of study. To promote further and wider legal exchange and cooperation between CUPL and foreign students and practitioners is also one of the main concerns of the program.
Period of Study
The period of study is normally 2 years. However, a student who has obtained the necessary credits for graduation is able to complete the course in one or one and a half years. Students will also have the opportunity to take Chinese Mandarin lessons, and it is also possible to arrange law experience working in Beijing.
Curriculum and Credits Awarded
An LL.M. candidate must obtain a minimum of 26 credits to fulfill the requirements for the award of the LL.M. in Chinese and Comparative Law (English Mode). Students can obtain credits by attending lectures or seminars and writing research papers as directed by their supervisor. The credits for each course offered by the program are set out as follows:
1) Compulsory subjects (3 credits each, 12 credits in total)
* Introduction to Chinese Law 54 contact hours
* Chinese Constitutional and Administrative Law 54 contact hours
* Chinese Contract Law 54 contact hours
* Foreign Investment Law of China 54 contact hours
2) Optional subjects (2 credits each, optional courses offered each term may be adjusted depending on the availability of lecturers)
* Human Rights in China 36 contact hours
* Criminal Law and Criminal Procedures 36 contact hours
* Civil Law and Civil Procedures 36 contact hours
* Company Law of China 36 contact hours
* Intellectual Property Law of China 36 contact hours
* International Law and Chinese Practices 36 contact hours
* China and Law of WTO 36 contact hours
* Arbitration Law of China 36 contact hours
* Maritime Law of China 36 contact hours
* Securities Law of China 36 contact hours
* Competition Law of China 36 contact hours
* Commercial Laws of Mainland China and
* Hong Kong in Comparison 36 contact hours
Students may obtain credits by writing study reports and research papers. During the course of study, each student must complete at least two study reports and two annual research papers (each carries 1 credit). Students may also attend prescribed public seminars and be accredited for so doing.
The staff in the Overseas Development Office, Faculty of International Law, will provide advice to each candidate on how to organize his or her study plan.
Internships and Training
Legal services in China has been internationalized. There are opportunities for our students to take an internship in a number of law firms in China. The program will provide assistance to our students who wish to have an internship or receive some practical training in law firms in Beijing or other major cities in China.
Internet connection is available on campus. The CUPL library has a small collection of books in English. The program is also building up a small collection of English publications on Chinese law. Access to electronic databases including LexisNexis, Westlaw and Isinolaw (database in English on Chinese law) are available on campus.
Highlights
Mode of Teaching
Intensive teaching on Saturday and Sunday (7 hours/per day) is the major mode of teaching for taught courses. Summer courses may also be available depending on the availability of the lecturer and the demand from students.
Dissertation and Supervision
An LL.M. candidate must submit a dissertation of about 30,000 words in length to fulfill the requirements for the LL.M. degree. Only those candidates who have acquired minimum credits for graduation and defended their LL.M. dissertations successfully in front of an examination panel of three members are eligible for the award of LL.M. in Chinese and Comparative Law. An LL.M. candidate will be assigned a supervisor during the course of his/her study, and the supervisor is responsible for guiding the candidate's research and dissertation.