LLM Business Law
An LLM Business Law degree is designed to give you extensive knowledge of the intricate frameworks, procedures and challenges within business law. This field has many parallels with commercial and corporate law; in fact you will find that many courses will involve the study of these areas as part of the course, or even as a combined Master of Laws.
Business law itself covers the regulations and legal obligations involved in the business sector. Lawyers will work on drafting contracts for things such as transactions, negotiate on behalf of clients, and oversee insolvency, insurance, tax, fraud, intellectual property and competition and environmental law cases.
Modern advancements, for example in technology, have created intriguing new challenges within this field. For example, businesses must now also closely adhere to legislation regarding data protection and information technology and keep up with rapidly developing industries. Ever-expanding global markets and transnational deals mean that international law and the study of areas such as Chinese or Islamic law is also becoming increasingly important to business and finance professionals.
An LLM Business Law degree draws on the relationship between all of these areas within business. Many practising business professionals and lawyers study one of these qualifications as part of their Continued Professional Development (CPD) requirements. The knowledge and analytical skills you will develop can be advantageous for business employers and enhance your career projects.
Core modules
A Master of Laws business degree will require completion of modules in subjects such as:
- Business tax law
- International tax law
- Fraud and financial crime
- Corporate law
- Financial regulation and compliance
- Corporate securities regulation
- Commercial law
- Business organisations law
- International trade law
- Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Owing to the nature of business, many courses will have an international focus.
Course structure
Most LLM Business Law degree providers will deliver their courses in the form of lectures and small group discussion (i.e. a ‘taught’ programme). Each law school will determine their methods of assessment independently. In general you can expect to have to produce a dissertation on a related topic and submit additional essays and/or complete written examinations for each module.
Business LLMs are a very popular choice, and there are plenty of UK institutions that offer course options for this particular area of law, and/ or a closely-related specialism such as commercial law, corporate law or finance law. Many programmes are international business specialisms, and may have further specialisms within that.
The University of Gloucestershire provides international business LLMs with a number of different focuses, for example intellectual property or company law. Part-time study options are also available. Distance learning courses also exist, for example the University of Liverpool’s online programmes or De Montfort University’s international business LLM.
Law schools who offer an LLM by Research options may also be interested to hear research proposals in this field.
Entry requirements for LLM Business Law
You will need at least a 2:2 (some institutions ask for a 2:1) in a law degree. Non-law graduates will also be considered if they have a relevant qualification, like the GDL (Graduate Law Diploma) or a business, economics or management degree, and/or sufficient professional experience in the business sector.