International Economic Law, Justice and Development (LLM) - 2012/2013 entry

Should those who are relatively poor regard international economic law as a means, end, obstacle or irrelevance to improving their lives?

From Shock Therapy 1992, to Seattle 1999, to Shock and Awe 2003, to Live8 2005, to Financial Crisis 2007, to G20 2009, to Haiti 2010: the impact of international economic law and institutions upon justice and development justifiably commands increasing attention from all quarters – local politicians and international celebrities, savvy pharmaceutical companies and bewildered farmers, moral philosophers and foreign investors.

This the only postgraduate programme in the UK to address the law, institutions and practice which constitute global and local economies from an avowedly critical perspective, part- and full-time, in face-to-face evening sessions. It is particularly well suited to (current and aspiring) lawyers and non-lawyers within non-governmental organisations, government departments and in-house corporate social responsibility departments, who wish to critically reflect on their role as practitioners.

Find out more about studying law at Birkbeck.

• Unique programme, training you in the critical examination of the law, institutions and practice that constitute global and local economies.
• Taught by established experts on theory and practice in the field.
• Introduces you to a broad geographical and institutional spectrum, from Latin America to Africa, from the European Union to the World Bank, and onwards to the World Social Forum.
• Watch our video: studying law at Birkbeck

Two core modules (one term each):

• Introduction to International Economic Law, Justice and Development
• Advanced International Economic Law, Justice and Development.

Your choice of four option modules (one term each) which might include:

• Commodification of Creativity
• Dissertation
• Globalisation of Land Markets
• International Financial Institutions
• Post-Conflict State-building, Law and Justice
• Social Justice
• The World Trade Organization and the Environment
• The International Economic Constitution
• UK and EU Competition Law
• Qualitative Methodology.

Please note: not all options will be available every year.

The School of Law is an internationally recognised centre for critical and interdisciplinary legal research.  It provides an exciting and innovative environment for a wide range of research with a strong theoretical and policy focus. The School is the home of Birkbeck Law Press and publishes Law and Critique: The International Journal of Critical Legal Thought.

We use technology, such as electronic learning environments, to enhance teaching and learning. Birkbeck Library has an extensive collection of books, journals and electronic resources in law and related disciplines such as economics, politics and sociology. Students can also take advantage of the rich research collections nearby, including those of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Senate House Library, the British Library of Political and Economic Science (LSE Library) and the British Library.

If you are interested in further research, we offer a PhD/MPhil in Law.

Some graduates may be able to engage with their existing jobs in a new way, or others seek new employment, for example with a charity that focuses on international development, in a government department, at a specialist law firm, with an international organisation, or as an adviser to a private company.

Find out more about the career advice and information we offer.

• You should apply as early as possible.