LL.M. in International Criminal Law

Since September 2009, the Irish Centre for Human Rights has offered a Masters programme in International Criminal Law.

Designed and delivered by experts unrivalled in the field, the LL.M. in International Criminal Law at the Irish Centre for Human Rights will provide students with an advanced understanding of the history and institutional structures of the various international criminal tribunals and the International Criminal Court. It will equip students with an in-depth knowledge of the principles of international criminal law and its component crimes and procedural issues, while also allowing them to develop a critical approach to the alternatives in international criminal justice, such as truth commissions.

The LL.M. in International Criminal Law is typically a one-year Masters programme that involves two semesters of courses and the preparation of a dissertation, although it is also available on a part-time basis over two years. The degree of Master of Law in International Criminal Law is awarded by the Faculty of Law at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Teaching Faculty

Professor William A. Schabas, Director of the Irish Center for Human Rights, is one of the world’s leading experts on International Criminal Law. His bestselling book Introduction to the International Criminal Court (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007, 3rd ed.) has been translated into Persian and Chinese while his earlier work Genocide in International Law: The Crime of Crimes (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000) has been translated into German. In 2006, Cambridge University Press published a third book in the area of international criminal law written by Professor Schabas entitled, The UN International Criminal Tribunals: the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.

Professor Schabas is one of six members of the full-time teaching faculty at the Irish Centre for Human Rights which includes: Dr. Kathleen Cavanaugh, Dr. Shane Darcy, Dr. Vinodh Jaichand, Dr. Noam Lubell and Dr. Ray Murphy. Five additional lecturers also serve in an adjunct or visiting capacity, supported by three doctoral fellows, two post-doctoral fellows and three administrative assistants.

External Experts and Practical Experience

Throughout the course of the academic year, students are introduced to an extensive network of experts and personalities working in the area of International Criminal Law through the various activities of the Centre, including lunchtime seminars and guest lectures, the widely acclaimed Summer School on the International Criminal Court and the annual study trip to The Hague. Previous distinguished visitors to the Centre have included: Judge Carmel Agius, Senator Robert Badinter, Judge Maureen Harding Clark, Richard Goldstone, President Philippe Kirsch, Judge Theodor Meron, Judge Navanethem Pillay, Judge Kimberly Prost, Judge Sang-hyun Soon, Quincy Whitaker, Cherif Bassiouni, Roger Clark, John McManus, Michael Scharf and Sharon A. Williams.

During the course of their studies, the Centre also encourages students at Masters level to put into practice the foundational work provided by the LL.M., by conducting internships with international institutions and non-governmental organizations working in the field of human rights. It offers advice in locating suitable opportunities and some financial support to offset travel expenses.

Courses

Courses each year are subject to change, but may include the following:

NB: Some of the following syllabi may be from the previous year and will be updated soon. The format, however, will be similar. 

• African and Inter-American Regional Systems of Protecting Human Rights
• Business and Human Rights
• Children's Rights
• Conflict and Post-Conflict
• Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights
• Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
• European Convention on Human Rights
• European Union and Human Rights
• Genocide
• How to Argue with an Economist
• Human Rights and Development
• International Criminal Law
• International Criminal Procedure
• International Humanitarian Law (Term I)
• International Humanitarian Law (Term II)
• International Refugee Law 
• Introduction to Human Rights
• Minority Rights
• Peace Support Operations
• Procedure before International Criminal Courts
• Public International Law
• Transitional Justice

Entry Requirements

To be admitted to the LL.M. in International Criminal Law, candidates must be approved by the Faculty of Law.  They should preferably hold a law degree or an interdisciplinary degree which includes a substantial law component and in which they have attained a minimum Second Class Honours (Grade I) standard or its equivalent.

Students should note that the LL.M. course is instructed in English. The University requires that students are able to effectively engage in English in order to successfully complete the course (all exams are in the English language). Therefore, prospective students (not being native English speakers) are required to undertake an English language course before undertaking the LL.M. The required scores are: IELTS: 6.5; TOEFL (paper-based): 580; TOEFL (computer-based): 240; and TOEFL (internet-based): 92.  

Applying for the Masters of Law in International Criminal Law

Applications must be completed  online 

More Information

For more information about the LL.M. in International Criminal Law or to apply please contact:
The Irish Centre for Human Rights
National University of Ireland, Galway
Tel: 353 91 493948
Fax: 353 91 494575
Email: humanrightsnuigalway.ie
Website: www.nuigalway.ie/human_rights/

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