LLM in International and European Business Law (Distance Learning)

The aim of the Distance LL.M. in International and European Business Law is to provide a course of advanced study to those who aspire to   know the legal aspects of International and European business, in order to be able to use them in their competitive professional life. The program’s curriculum is designed to explore the essential elements of International and EU business law and to prepare students for increasingly complex transactions and legal negotiations sectors such as bunking, transport and energy. The core curriculum emphasizes both the skills and knowledge required to effectively understand multijurisdictional transactions in the broader international and EU legal regime. This is emphasized by specific exercises and assessment methods as they are cited in the study guide of each course and generally the methods of formative methods.

The LL.M. in International and European Business Law curriculum is designed to equip current and future professionals with the skills, knowledge and tools they need to manage the difficulties of complex legal matters in Business law with transnational character. It is a degree which is designed to utilize participants’ work. This is confirmed by the formative assessment methods and the participation of each student at the assessment of the others through the peer review method, in a way that the experience of each one is highly utilized. The forum of students and the course discussion also contribute to this aspect.

The LL.M. in International and European Business Law provides up to date knowledge in a number of legal areas that make up the field of International & European Business Law, such as trade law, competition law and regulation, energy law, banking and securities law.  In addition, the LL.M. Program equips lawyer or graduates with relevant background such politics and economics with analytical, accountability, and leadership skills to enhance their decision-making ability and to promote organisational well-being within the context of a continually changing and competitive International and European legal environment.  This is emphasized by methods such as audio and video recordings while students are analyzing a given audio recording and submit a report.

This approach broadens and deepens student understanding of multijurisdictional cases and cross-border legal issues; it fosters skills of research, analysis, synthesis and creativity; and it encourages awareness of the role and importance of legal advice in international transactions.

DURATION

1.5 academic year (3 academic semesters, 90 ECTS)

In accordance with the relevant announcements made by the Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education, students have the opportunity to complete their postgraduate studies in two academic semesters (12 months) as long as they start the conduction of their Master’s Dissertation during the first or second semester of their studies, including the summer period. In this case, the completion of the Master’s Dissertation may be prolonged during the summer period, for one or two months. In any case, the total ECTS remain 90.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PROGRAMME

• The international prestige and recognition of Neapolis University Pafos.
• Excellent academic staff with strong expertise in the taught subjects.
• International collaborations with many Universities.
• The flexibility of distance learning.
• The use of advanced technology and resources.
• The dynamic choice between synchronous and asynchronous distance education.
• The adjustment of the LL.M. in International and European Business Law to current academic trends and market requirements.
• Competitive tuition fees.

Students who will attend and complete the LL.M. in International and European Business Law will become able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and other attributes in the specific areas of expertise provided by the program. Specifically, graduates of the LL.M. program shall therefore have:

1. Critically analyse case law that is relevant to the program module
2. Independently research legislative texts and ongoing legislative initiatives
3. Discuss the institutional framework of international and EU business law
4. Evaluate contract clauses that are used in the context of international transactions
5. Discuss the Europeanisation of business law in selected key aspects
6. Interpret the rights of private actors in the context of international and EU business law
7. Question the role of the State in the context of international and EU business law
8. Question the functionalities of dispute settlement in the context of international and EU business law

Independently conduct extensive and original research in specific areas of international and EU business law

For successfully completing their studies, students need to accumulate a total of 90 Credits (ECTS). The teaching language is Greek and English.

During the first semester the students attend three compulsory and one elective course from the total offered. In the second semester, students also attend three compulsory and one elective course from those offered. Each of the courses (compulsory and elective) is equivalent to 7.5 Credits (ECTS).

During the academic year, educational meetings are held for each of the courses (compulsory and optional), as follows: six (6) telemeetings of a duration of two hours with the adviser for each course, who is responsible for informing, guiding, advising and evaluating the students. These meetings are primarily aimed at the general support of students as well as in the elaboration, deepening and development of all the courses that the students are studying. The presence of students at these meetings is not mandatory. However, the experience so far has shown that the participation of the students in these meetings contributes to a fuller understanding of the subject matter and increases the probability of a more positive performance of students, both in the written assignments and in the final exams.

Each course is evaluated through a written assignment during the semester, an interactive activity, and exams at the end of the semester in appropriate premises which are determined in time according to the geographic distribution of the students. Each course’s syllabus specifies precisely the method and procedure of the assessment.

In the third semester, students prepare their dissertation, corresponding to 30 Credits (ECTS). The prerequisite for the start of the third Semester is the successful completion of eight (8) courses. The dissertation can be submitted for up to one academic year after the successful completion of the second semester of study. The dissertation must be relevant to the content of the postgraduate student’s studies, be original, be based on research or full use of the published sources and exhaustive study of the relevant international literature and concluding with convincing conclusions. The extent of the dissertation cannot be less than 10,000 words and more than 15,000 words. The conclusions, the bibliography and the abstract are included. After submission, the principal supervisor submits a written and reasoned report with his / her consent for public support, which is done publicly or via an electronic videoconference before a three-member committee.

The overall academic performance of students is based on the assessment of the written assignment, the formative assessment and the final exams. The physical presence of students in the final exams is mandatory. A passing mark in the mid-term assignment is not a prerequisite for his/her participation in the final exams. The final grade awarded to each student is the sum of the grades awarded for the assessment components. All assessment components are marked in the scale 0 (complete failure) to 100 (absolute success).

• The grade awarded for the assignment represents the 20% of the Course’s final grade.
• The grade awarded for the interactive graded activities represents the 10% of the Course’s final grade
• The grade awarded for the final exams represents the 70% of the Course’s final grade.
• In order to get an overall passing mark, a student must be graded with at least 50/100 in any of the above assessment components.

In order to be admitted to the LL.M. in International and European Business Law, candidates must possess a Bachelor Degree or equivalent in Law or in any other field related to Law. The general admission criteria are based on the type and quality of previous studies, the grade obtained in previous studies and the suitability of the candidate for the LL.M. in International and European Business Law of study that has been applied for.

The University’s admission policy is to make admission offers to applicants who are judged to have legal and legal-related background and abilities to have a reasonable expectation of success in the LL.M. in International and European Business Law to which they are made an offer and who are likely to benefit from university study.

The LL.M. in International and European Business Law Coordinator will be actively involved in the review of applications and his approval will be required before admitting any student to the LL.M. program.

Required documents include:

• Completed application form
• Official transcript of academic work (degree, etc.) completed to date.
• Evidence of English language proficiency (B2 level language certificate). By decision of the Director of the Postgraduate Program, foreign language examinations may be held for candidates who are not adequately qualified, or another test, which demonstrates the candidate’s ability to meet the requirements of the Master’s Program.
• Two (2) confidential recommendation letters, one of which must be from an instructor familiar with the student’s academic work.
• A personal statement of interest in pursuing graduate studies.

The University reserves its right to define the electives offered on an academic year basis.