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Overview
The LLM in Litigation and Dispute Resolution provides an in-depth exploration of how we apply the law both directly through the courts, and indirectly through alternative forms of dispute resolution. The specialism gives students 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.
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. Previously, leading members of the UK judiciary have taken part seminars including Lord Neuberger, the President of the UK Supreme Court and Sir Ernest Ryder, the Senior President of Tribunals.
Why choose this programme?
The programme explores a range of theoretical and practical perspectives, including 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.
Whether you are interested in developing your understanding dispute resolution, litigation and arbitration 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.
Who should apply?
Students applying for the LLM in Litigation and Dispute Resolution come from a variety of backgrounds. You may have recently completed an undergraduate law degree or professional legal training, and wish to develop your understanding of key policy issues underpinning these subjects.
You may have also worked in legal practice or policy for several years, and wish to enhance your career by deepening your understanding of relevant litigation and dispute resolution topics. For example, you want to look more deeply at the rationales underpinning civil litigation or the development and use of ADR. Please visit our LLM applying and entry requirements page to find out the exact requirements for this programme.
Programme structure
The programme is delivered through a combination of seminars, lectures and tutorials. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions, particularly for seminars and tutorials.
Assessment in taught modules is often by examination, an assessed coursework essay, or through a combination of both. There may be other forms of assessments such as oral presentations, output for audience or group projects.
During the programme, you will research and write a 9000 word Research Essay which counts towards your final grade.
- Full-time students
Terms one and two
During the first week of term one, you will attend the LLM Induction Programme, which includes a series of events to welcome you to UCL Laws and to UCL as a whole, and to complete your formal registration onto the LLM programme.
In the second week of term, you will begin your first classes.
There are ten weeks of classes per term, with a break for reading week after week five. Throughout the term, you will be able to take advantage of the wide range of events held within the faculty and across UCL, including special lectures, mooting, debating and activities organised by the UCL Graduate Law Society.
Term three
Your assessments, including any coursework essays are normally submitted in the first week of term three. All examinations take place during term three and can be scheduled at any time during this term. The examination schedule is published at the end of term two.
During the entire year from September to June you will work on your Research Essay (RE) which will be submitted at the end of term three.
- Part-time students
You will follow the same programme as full-time students above, except for the following:
- Your degree will be completed over two academic years
- In your first year, you will take 90 credits of taught modules
- In your second year, you will take the remaining 45 credits of taught modules and the 45 credit Research Essay
- You will therefore complete module selection twice: once at the start of your programme and again in the summer before you return to your second and final year.
You will be invited to attend induction at the start of your first year with the full-time students.
Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and flexi LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9am-8pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.
- Modular/flexible students
You will follow the same programme as full-time students above, except for the following:
- You will have up to 5 academic years to complete your degree.
- You can plan how you would like to complete your 135 taught module credits over that 5 year period based on your personal circumstances (or earlier if you plan to complete the degree in fewer than 5 years).
- We will prompt you to select modules each year. You may wish to have a year or more where you do not take any modules; this is possible.
- It is recommended that you only complete your Research Essay at the end of your degree, in the same year that you are due to complete all of your taught module credits.
- You will be invited to attend induction at the start of your first year with the full-time students.
Please note that you will be attending classes with full-time and part-time LLM students. Module teaching can be scheduled between 9am-8pm on weekdays. You will be able to reference the timetable when making your module selections each year.
Modules
Students will need to obtain a total of 180 credits consisting of taught modules and a research essay to successfully complete the programme. Students choosing a LLM specialist degree are required to select a minimum of 60 credits from the qualifying modules listed below. Students are required to write their Research Essay in the area of the specialism.
Students are advised to plan their modules choices and research essay carefully and in advance. You will select your modules at pre-enrolment, before arrival.
Below is an example of the suite of modules you can expect to chose from. The taught modules offered on the LLM programme vary from year to year. Please note that modules are subject to cancellation and change, including changes in module convenors and type of assessment and the modules listed below are to be confirmed for the 2025/26 session. Applicants and offer-holders are therefore advised to check this site regularly for further updates and changes prior to the start of the programme in September. Module places may be limited and will be subject to availability where there is a high demand and exceeds resources.
- Modules for LLM in Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Aspects of National Security
Environmental Lawyering
International and Commercial Trusts Law
International Arbitration
International Commercial Litigation
Principles of Civil Justice- Modules across LLM Law
Access to Justice: Theory & Practice
Advanced Foundations of Environmental Law
Advanced Foundations of International Law of Foreign Investment
Carriage of Goods by Sea
Commercial Remedies
Comparative Constitutional Law
Comparative Corporate Governance
Comparative Human Rights Law
Competition Law (EU & UK)
Competition Law, Regulation and the Intangible Economy
Constitutional Theory
Copyright and Related Rights, Law of
Corporate Finance
Corporations, Finance and the Environment
Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions
Decolonizing Law
Foreign Relations Law
Foundations and Principles of International Law
Human Rights at Work
International and Comparative Secured Transactions
International and European Refugee Law
International and Global Environmental Law
International Criminal Law
International Human Rights Law
International Trade Law
Jeremy Bentham and the Utilitarian Tradition
Jeremy Bentham and the Utilitarian Tradition A
Jurisprudence & Legal Theory
Jurisprudence & Legal Theory A
Law and Policy of Climate Change
Law and Policy of International Trade and the Environment
Law of Patents
Law, Economics and Society: The Foundations of Capitalism
Legal Aspects of International Finance
Liquidation and its Consequences
Marine Insurance Law
Privacy, Data and Surveillance Law
Regulation of Financial Markets
The Law and Regulation of Banks and FinTech Services
The Rule of Law in the European Union
Trade Marks and Unfair Competition in the UK, Europe and the United States
Career prospects
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. The specialism can also help you develop a career outside of the legal sector, with students going on to work for NGOs, policy forums or the civil service.