Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)
SHAPING THE
FUTURE OF LAW
In this rapidly changing world, lawyers encounter complex problems that cut across multiple disciplines and borders. Beyond traditional litigation practice, lawyers offer a range of other services, from advising on complex cross-border transactions and mediating family disputes to structuring state power and wealth management planning. Therefore, it is important to understand the law against the broader business, social, economic, institutional and political contexts.
Against this backdrop, our law curriculum is carefully designed to provide a firm theoretical foundation while being multi- and interdisciplinary, flexible and practice oriented.
Our curriculum is constantly updated with input from the legal industry. The law modules are supplemented by the SMU Core Curriculum and relevant modules from the other schools. Beyond the basic curriculum, students can pursue our new LLB tracks or take a second degree or major from another school.
In small classes of up to 45, students gain confidence through vibrant seminar-style discussions, group presentations and written research assignments. Beyond traditional classroom activities, you will learn through hands-on work and closely supervised practical assignments in skills-based courses. Our signature SMU-X courses take experiential learning to the next level through supervised projects addressing real-world problems.
Further, you will see law in action through 10 weeks of law internship, 80 hours of pro bono work and 20 hours of community service. These are mandatory graduation requirements not only because of the obvious benefits of experiential learning but also because we want to instil the value of lawyering for good.
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) Curriculum
See detailed breakdown of the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Curriculum
A typical Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) Study Plan
For the full study plan sample, please view the PDF.
LLB Tracks
There are a multitude of pathways to a career in law. Therefore, LLB students may pursue one of three specialisation tracks. Students declaring a track will benefit from greater disciplinary knowledge, industry awareness and practical skillset so as to be better prepared to pursue a career in their selected fields. Students are also free not to pursue a track, and instead customise their learning experience by choosing from our curated range of electives.
Building upon the firm foundation laid by the core law courses as well as the multi and interdisciplinary dimensions of the existing LLB curriculum, each track consists of 5 specifically curated electives from the following baskets.
CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS
Introduces students to the role of corporate transactional lawyers in the world of business, in facilitating mergers and acquisitions, business restructuring, project financing, joint ventures, and others.
- Comparative Corporate Governance
- Comparative Secured Transactions
- Compliance and Risk Management
- Corporate Insolvency Law
- Corporate & Securities Laws in China & the US: A Comparison
- Entrepreneurship in Singapore - From Cradle to Grave
- Financial & Securities Regulation
- International & Comparative Insolvency Law
- Law of Real Estate Securitisation (LLM)
- Legal & Commercial Principles in Project
- Finance for Law (LKCSB)
- Finance (LKCSB)
- Financial Accounting for Law (SOA)
- Financial Accounting (SOA)
- Corporate Deals (SMU-X)
- Law of Mergers & Acquisitions (SMU-X)
- The Law & Finance of Corporate
Transactions (SMU-X)
LAW AND TECHNOLOGY
Exposes students to the intersection between law and technology, in particular how laws respond to technological advancements and how technology can be harnessed to enhance the practice of law.
- AI, Law & Ethics (LLM)
- Blockchain & Governance (LLM)
- Computational Thinking & Legal Technology
- FinTech: Law & Policy
- Infocomm Technology & the Law
- Intellectual Assets & the Law in Asian Economies
- Intellectual Property Law
- International Commercialisation of
Intellectual Property - Introduction to Large Language Models, GPT & Legal Technology
- Law & Technology
- Legal Design
- Legal Innovation & Technology
- Privacy & Data Protection Law
- Digital Intelligence for Lawyers
- Business Data Management (SCIS)
- Introduction to Programming (SCIS)
- Digital Innovation for Access to Justice (SMU-X)
- Law & the Digital Commerce (SMU-X)
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Provides a comparative overview of the various dispute resolution mechanisms—litigation, arbitration, mediation, and negotiation—so that the most suitable method (or a combination) is used to advance a client’s interest.
- Evidence, Litigation, & the
Criminal Process - Dealmaking & Dispute Resolution:
Negotiation in an Age of Disruption - International Moots 1
- International Moots 2
- International Commercial Arbitration
- International Mediation Law & Practice
- Introduction to Civil Procedure
- Negotiation in an Age of Disruption
- Pre-trial Practice in Civil Litigation
- Professional Mediation Skills
- The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) & Institutional Arbitration
- Introduction to Psychology (SOSS)
- Law & Psychology
- Digital Innovation for Access to Justice (SMU-X)
- Dispute Resolution Advocacy (SMU-X)
- Law & the Digital Commerce (SMU-X)
Global Exposure
SMU students are guaranteed to broaden their horizons through at least one global experience, such as an international exchange, an overseas internship, a law study mission, or even an international competition.
LAW STUDY MISSION
Through Law Study Mission courses, students gain a deeper understanding of other countries’ legal systems, business environments, and cultures through organised tours to law firms, legal institutions, government agencies and businesses.
The Americas: Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru and the United States of America
Europe: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
Middle East and Africa: Israel and South Africa
Asia Pacific and Central Asia: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan
80 and growing
Number of exchange partners
>55%
of law students who went on exchange
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE
We are the first Asian law school to be part of the THEMIS network, which allows outstanding undergraduates from our school to go on exchange and undertake master’s level courses in selected partner institutions.
TEACHING EXPERTISE FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Besides virtual exchange programmes and international competitions, we have also pioneered, in collaboration with partner universities, courses taught jointly by instructors from both institutions. In such a course, students from both institutions learn together and interact in a virtual setting.
See what our LLB students have got to say about their experiences around the world.
Pro Bono
At the Yong Pung How School of Law, students perform legal community service pro bono publico (for the public good). Through our pro bono programme, students learn that the practice of law is a calling that brings with it opportunities to serve the community using their skills and knowledge. They appreciate the differences between theory and practice, and develop knowledge, skills, ethics, and professionalism to become lawyers better at serving both their clients and society more broadly.
Internships
Through internships, students learn about the practical workings of the legal system from a variety of perspectives. Students can intern at law firms and legal departments of corporations, banks, and so on, or with agencies such as ministries, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, or the State Courts – or any combination of these.
International Moots And
Alternative Dispute Resolution Competitions
Our students have unparalleled opportunities to participate in regional and international competitions, and have consistently produced world-class results. Under the Ian R Taylor International Moots Programme – which is also supported by leading firms WongPartnership and Providence Law Asia – around 100 students a year are able to participate in moot court (a simulation of court or arbitration proceedings) and alternative dispute resolution competitions.
125
PODIUM FINISHES IN INTERNATIONAL MOOTS SINCE 2010
5
LAWASIA WINS SINCE 2009
Tournament Record
5
ASIA CUP WINS SINCE 2010
YOUNGEST EVER
UNIVERSITY TO WIN
NELSON MANDELA WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS MOOT
RED CROSS INTERNTIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW MOOT
VICTOR PERERA ARBITRATION MOOT
PAX PRIVATE LAW MOOT
IN THE HEART OF ACTION
Beyond work, our location between Fort Canning Park, Orchard Road and the Central Business District provides our students ready access to plenty of good food, fun and opportunities for experiential learning.
A NEW CHAPTER
New students begin their exciting journey by participating in an orientation camp which is all about fun and making new friends. To help ease students in their transition to university life, all first-year students are assigned to members of the faculty, whom they may reach out to for academic advice. There is also a buddy system where first-year students are paired with second-year students. Throughout the term, students can expect to participate in a broad range of activities from formal talks to fun festive celebrations.
LAW CLUBS
SMU Law students may choose to join a number of student-run law clubs. The SMU Law Society, fondly known as The Bar, is the representative body for students and organises a variety of events. There are also nine sub-clubs, each of which provides the opportunity to pursue more specific areas of interest.
SMU Law Society ‘The Bar’ • Corporate & Commercial Law Club • SMU Sports & Recreation Club – SPARC • SMU Law International Relations Club • SMU Lexicon • Constitutional Law & Criminal Justice Club • Moot Court Club • Legal Innovation & Technology (LIT) Club • SMU Law Outreach Club • SMU Mediation & Negotiation Club