LLM Advanced Studies in International Civil and Commercial Law Leiden University

What effects has globalisation had on international trade? What are the essential elements of international business contracts? When there is a dispute concerning a cross-border business transaction, which country's or region's laws apply and which court has jurisdiction? Learn how to deal with questions like these from both an international and comparative perspective.

Learn how to answer and deal with these and other questions from an international law perspective.

What does this master's programme entail?

Globalisation and increasing international trade have led to the rapid internationalisation of civil and commercial law, thus forming a complex and multi-layered discipline. Leiden University’s International Civil and Commercial Law programme deals with different levels of international, EU and national laws as they coexist and interact with one another. This programme will equip you with the skills necessary to fully understand and apply such intertwined layers to domain-specific legal issues.

You will study transnational sources of hard law (treaties, regulations and directives) and soft law (model laws, legislative guides, principles), as well as relevant case law. You will also investigate the comparative side of international civil and commercial law, in particular looking at the differences between civil law and commercial law and between certain national legal systems.

Reasons to choose International Civil and Commercial Law at Leiden University?

As a student of the advanced master’s European and International Business Law, you will benefit from:

1. Comprehensive approach: This programme is truly all-inclusive in its quest to shed light on transnational, international and comparative aspects of law.
2. Unique case studies: Many lecturers in the ICCL programme work in civil and commercial law practice and use their real-life cases to enhance your learning experience.
3. Excellent reputation: Leiden Law School has developed its reputation for excellence by combining a high level of academic teaching with acclaimed and innovative research. Its tradition of quality attracts prestigious professors and professionals from around the world who teach you in a challenging and supportive atmosphere.

Is International Civil and Commercial Law the right programme for you?

Are you interested in gaining an in-depth understanding of the intertwined layers of international, EU, UN and national laws which make up the complex area of international civil and commercial law? Then this could be the programme for you.

This Advanced Master’s Programme is a good fit if you are a law graduate with an excellent academic record wishing to pursue a challenging LL.M. or a legal practitioner seeking to further specialise in various private and commercial law aspects of cross-border trading, contracting and competing.

You can either complete this programme in one year as a full-time student or in two years as a part-time student (only open to students from the EU/EEA).

As a graduate of the ICCL programme, you will be qualified for top positions in international legal practice.

Our graduates go on to work at organisations such as:

• private law firms
• multinational companies
• international courts
• governmental organisations
• research institutes

Many of our graduates also contribute to legal scholarship in international civil and commercial law by pursuing postgraduate or PhD research.