Course description
LLM (Master of Laws) / PGDip / PGCert
The importance of effective regulation and supervision of banking and financial services is clearly evident when the history of capital markets is reviewed, as it demonstrates that a weak system of regulation and supervision will increase the likelihood of bank and financial crisis. In response to such events, a range of domestic, regional and international legal measures have been put in place. The LLM in International Banking Law provides the opportunity to analyse these issues from both theoretical and practical perspective within the context of international law in its widest sense. The course will examine from a legal perspective the business of banks domestically, regionally and internationally, with a focus on the macro and micro prudential tools to regulate and supervise the activities of banks and other financial services firms. It will embark on this through the compulsory module in International Banking Law by focusing on the entry and exit mechanisms put in place for banks to operate in the marketplace and examine how banks are supervised. To complement this, the compulsory module in International Law provides a general introduction to international law while a range of specialist modules dealing with aspects of banking and financial services regulation are offered.
Course content
Students studying for the LLM/PGDip in International Banking Law are required to complete the double compulsory module in International Law (40 credits) and the single compulsory module in Advanced Legal Research Methods (20 credits) during the first semester.
In Semester 2 you must take the compulsory module in International Banking Law (20 credits). In addition, you can choose any two of the following options (20 credits each, totalling 40 master's-level credits):*
* International Investment Law
* International Capital Markets Regulation
* Independent Study Module.
In addition, students studying for the LLM in International Banking Law are required to complete a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic related to an aspect of international banking law as agreed with the dissertation module leader. Full-time students will normally begin preliminary work on the dissertation in Semester 1 and formalise the topic and structure of the dissertation in Semester 2. The main work on the dissertation will normally take place from June to mid-August.
*Note that availability of options may vary from year to year.
Teaching, learning and assessment
A wide diversity of teaching methods are employed throughout the LLM programmes in order to provide a high-quality learning experience. These include lectures, seminar discussions, individual and small group tutorials, case studies, and group and individual presentations. Particular emphasis is placed on skills training, with opportunities provided to acquire and practice legal reasoning as well as research and IT skills. Opportunities are also provided for extra-curricular activities such as the LLM student conference and the annual trip arranged for students to visit a range of international tribunals in The Hague. Assessment methods include coursework and individual and group presentations.
