The LL.M programme comprises of 8 courses totaling 8 course units ( Each course carries one course unit unless stated otherwise).
Academic Year 2025-2026
| Common Core Modules | Track Core Modules | Electives |
All Tracks
| Judicial Studies Track
Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia Track
Law and Technology Track
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*List of courses subject to changes.
Academic Year 2024-2025
| Common Core Modules | Track Core Modules | Electives |
All Tracks
| Judicial Studies Track
Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia Track
Law and Technology Track
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*List of courses subject to changes.
Academic Year 2023-2024
| Common Core Modules | Track Core Modules | Electives |
All Tracks
| Judicial Studies Track
Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia Track
Law and Technology Track
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*List of courses subject to changes.
Academic Year 2022-2023
| Common Core Modules | Track Core Modules | Electives |
All Tracks
| Judicial Studies Track
Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia Track
Law and Technology Track
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*List of courses subject to changes.
Academic Year 2021-2022
| Common Core Modules | Track Core Modules | Electives |
All Tracks
| Judicial Studies Track
Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia Track
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*List of courses subject to changes.
Academic Year 2020-2021
| Common Core Modules | Track Core Modules | Electives |
All Tracks
| Judicial Studies Track
Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia Track
| Judicial Studies Track
Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia Track
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*List of courses subject to changes.
Academic Year 2019-2020
| Common Core Modules | Track Core Modules | Electives |
All Tracks
| Judicial Studies Track
Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia Track
| Judicial Studies Track
Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia Track
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*List of courses subject to changes.
CROSS-BORDER BUSINESS AND FINANCE LAW IN ASIA TRACK
Academic Year 2018-2019
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
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Academic Year 2017-2018
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
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Introduction
Our newly launched Law and Tech programme provides a unique opportunity for cross-disciplinary studies on the latest legal and regulatory issues about the cutting-edge technologies of data management, AI, blockchain and Fintech.
Track Structure
*Students without a law degree or from a civil law background must attend the Legal Writing Workshop and Common Law Workshop.
Curriculum
- Asian and Global Trends in IT Law / AI, Law and Ethics (choose 1)
- Advanced Law of Obligations / Law of Real Estate Securitisation (choose 1)
- Mediation / Financial Regulation in Asia (choose 1)
- Essential Technology for Lawyers
- Fintech Regulation / Blockchain and Governance / Data Governance (choose 2)
Note: The list and scheduling of track core modules are subject to change in view of the availability of course instructors.
Choose from Track Core modules not taken, other LLM modules or from LL.M. Electives and selected JD Courses below:
| LL.M. Electives | Selected JD Courses |
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Note: The list of electives is indicative and subject to availability. Course offerings are confirmed a year prior to the start of the programme.
Common Core Courses
Candidates will be taken through the many legal issues and problems that arise from and relate to developments in information and communications technology. The course will build problem-solving skills in dealing with a subject matter that is still evolving in the context of a rapidly evolving technology and innovation environment, and that is impacting socio-economic transactions and stakeholders on a global scale. New legislative developments will also be considered in detail. In particular, more recent amendments to the Electronic Transactions Act of 2010 relating to e-contracts, e-signature and intermediary liability; the enactment of the Personal Data Protection Act in 2012 relating to data protection, the do-not-call registry and the Spam Control Act; changes to content regulations, specifically the class licensing regulations in 2013; the new Protection from Harassment Act and recent amendments to the Copyright Act in 2014 and 2016. The latest trends and developments in other jurisdictions relating to these topics will also be considered.
This course attempts to define “Artificial Intelligence”, drawing from the history of ideas to outline how our modern understanding of AI develops from a variety of scholarly disciplines and traditions. It also introduces ethics as a self-regulatory framework around Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, Safety, Explainability, and covers current capabilities & applications of AI and technology across different sectors and industries e.g., healthcare, education, autonomous vehicles, financial, legal systems, and the legal profession.
Emerging ethical issues and challenges in AI deployment in the legal sector will be analysed, including the operation of AI and Tech in areas of Public Law – Criminal Law (e.g., crime prediction, policing, algorithmic sentencing) and Family Law. One question would be – How does our understanding of ‘effective’ AI governance sit in relation to the dual-focus on addressing both the near- and long-term challenges of AI?
Seminars will cover key aspects of the law of obligations, such as contract law, tort law, trust and equity, and the law of restitution. The focus is on cultivating a thorough understanding of how these various aspects interact, while more practically relevant developments will also be emphasised. The various topics will be taught from a comparative perspective with ample references to ASEAN, Asian and leading common law jurisdictions.
While space and the built environment is ubiquitous, real estate remains a unique asset class. The rules relating to its current and future value, how it may be securely transferred from one party to another and its very definition all depend on law. Property development, investment and securitisation are all aspects that real estate market players take cognisance of. This course provides a legal primer on the legal fundamentals of real estate practice, with an emphasis on the regulations pertaining to securitisation of real estate via a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) or Business Trust (BT). Where relevant, comparisons with other jurisdictions will be made. The course is both practical and academically rigorous and is relevant to students with an interest in real estate transactions and securitisation.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
This course deals with the rapidly growing area of private international mediation. Imagine the following scenario: You are asked to mediate a professional negligence dispute. The plaintiff is based in England, the defendant accounting firm is in Hong Kong, and the defendant’s insurer has its headquarters in the United States. All agree to attend mediation in Singapore. The preliminary discussions and meetings, however, take place via email and video-conference with all parties in their home countries. The mediation occurs and the parties reach a settlement, which the parties’ legal representatives draft into contractual form. Such cross-border mediations involve:
- international and intercultural competencies;
- online and face-to-face mediation processes and protocols; and
- knowledge of the applicable law in relation to the substantive and procedural aspects of mediation.
This course offers you a framework for understanding cross-border mediation law and practice and the opportunity to develop specialised mediation skills relevant to cross-border settings. Simulated role-play exercises are arranged to develop your skills as a mediator.
Upon successful completion of the course and related assessment, participants will be able to apply to the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI) for mediator accreditation. Participants who wish to do so may inform SIDRA staff at learning@sidra.academy. SIDRA will verify the results of the assessment and refer the participant’s application to SIMI. For more information about the SIMI credentialing scheme, see: http://www.simi.org.sg/What-We-Offer/Mediators/SIMI-Credentialing-Scheme. In addition, participants who complete the course and the related assessment may apply for Australian accreditation through the University of Western Australia. For more information about the application procedure through UWA,please visit: www.mediation.uwa.edu.au.
LLM (JS) candidates will attend extra classes devoted to judicial mediation (featuring faculty who were former and present judicial officers), to provide these candidates with a holistic appreciation of the various parties involved in mediation, their roles and interests as well as necessary skillsets. Besides special talks by judges serving as Judge-Mediators, judicial mediation attachments will also be arranged.
This course will outline key financial regulations in Singapore and Hong Kong, two biggest international financial centres in Asia Pacific, focusing on banking and insurance regulation after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. Chinese and Taiwanese law will also be introduced and considered to offer a greater understanding of relevant rules in the Greater China region. Main topics covered in this course may include the regulatory structure and power of regulators, systemic risk and macro regulation, licensing and scope of regulation, capital adequacy rules, transfer of control of financial institutions, corporate governance, financial consumer protection, capital market aspect of banking/insurance regulation, and OTC derivatives, etc. Certain private law aspects (such as the interpretation of ISDA master agreement or cross-border loan agreement) may also be incorporated.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
Track Core Courses
This course introduces students to topics in digital computing that are increasingly becoming essential for legal professionals who work closely on legal/policy matters relating to technology or those are looking to leverage on the power of modern computing technologies to improve their practice. At the end of the course, participants will have a clearer conceptual understanding of the covered technologies and the trade-offs involved in their adoption.
Topics will be discussed through the lens of larger themes such as trust and reliability to enable a better understanding of the issues likely to be faced by policymakers, regulators and legal professionals as presented by the convergence of technologies that are fast becoming integral to the functioning of modern societies and digital economies. Covered topics include cryptography and cybersecurity, internet technologies such as cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and blockchain-related technologies.
This course provides an overview of the foundations, evolution and regulatory challenges of financial technologies (“FinTech”) and how the rise of blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies are reshaping the financial services industry. For that purpose, it starts by analysing different regulatory strategies to promote financial innovation and how countries are competing to become a FinTech Hub. The course will then examine the future of money and payment systems, with a particular emphasis on the role played by cryptocurrencies and the increasing participation of tech companies and other new competitors in the payment services industry. The course will also explore the implications and regulatory responses to Decentralised Finance (“DeFi”), Central Bank Digital Currencies, Non-Fungible Tokens (“NFTs”), among other developments in the cryptoassets space. Additionally, the course will explain how Fintech is driving individuals’ and firms’ access to finance by providing new fundraising methods such as crowdfunding and Initial Coin Offerings. Likewise, it will also analyse the use and regulatory challenges of Artificial Intelligence in the financial sector. The course will conclude by analysing the financial services industry’s present and future in a data-driven world.
This course introduces you to the blockchain ecosystem, from concept to evolution, from technologies to applications. It analyses governance structures adopted by the blockchain community and investigate the impact of the blockchain technology on business and commerce. Students will learn the defining characteristics of blockchain technologies and the core components as the foundation of trust in a decentralized setting. Applications of blockchain technology in various domains will be examined, and the appropriate legal and regulatory framework for such applications will be discussed. Co-taught by the faculty members from SOL and SCIS, this course links the technological aspect of blockchain with its socio-economic aspect, and explores sensible regulations built on both aspects. Students will be able to develop a rational view about the potentials and limits of blockchain.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
This course explores the intricate dynamics of global digital governance, focusing on the laws, policies, and politics that shape our technological landscape within an ever-changing geopolitical climate. It examines the roles of “rule-makers” and “rule-takers” in the digital realm, with particular emphasis on major power centers like the EU, China, and the US. While this course will from time to time touch on various laws and regulations across different jurisdicitons, it is crucail to note that this is not primarily a course on specific legal doctrines or statutes.Thus, this is NOT a course for those solely interested in doctrinal, blackletter law; rather, it takes a broader, interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex interplay between technology, law, and geopolitics.
We will investigate the legitimacy and accountability of both state and non-state actors in digital governance. This includes exploring the influence of tech companies and social media platforms, which often enforce guidelines that directly impact digital expression. The course encourages critical examination of how the global normative order is shaped, focusing on how major powers craft “meta-rules” governing critical issues such as privacy/data protection, content regulation, Fintech, and AI governance. The importance of understanding the geopolitical climate and its influence on data governance is underscored throughout the course. We will use, in particular, the US-China tech rivalry as a prime example of how geopolitics can profoundly impact global digital infrastructure and governance. For instance, we will consider the TikTok ban controversy in the US, exploring its implications for data sovereignty and national security. This case will be considered against the broader context, taking into account other examples of tech-related geopolitical tensions, notably, the US semiconductor export control on China and their ripple effects on global supply chains. The course will also explore other emerging issues in global data governance, including AI regulation, fintech (such as regulatory sandboxes), cross-border data flow, and social media governance. We will examine how different approaches to these challenges by major powers are shaping global norms and influencing policy frameworks worldwide. Importantly, we will also analyze how smaller economies could navigate and respond to the ramifications and spillover effects of these policies, balancing their own interests with the pressures of global technological governance.
Through contextual examples, interactive discussions, and case studies, students will gain a nuanced understanding of how technological competition between major powers shapes international policy and impacts global markets. This approach will equip students with the analytical skills necessary to navigate the complex interplay between technological innovation, legal frameworks, and global governance. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to thoughtfully analyze and address the legal, political, and geopolitical complexities of our digital age, while considering approaches that balance innovation with effective and accountable governance structures in this dynamic landscape.
LL.M. Elective Courses
This course focuses on the law of defamation applicable to both domestic and international business contexts. The publication of defamatory statements by business competitors, consumers, employees and members of the public via the Internet and other business modes of communication is a common phenomenon in this globalised world. Cross-border defamation issues such as jurisdiction, choice of law and the enforcement of judgements in internet defamation cases have assumed greater significance in recent years. The protection of corporate, business and trading reputations and the available remedies will be examined in light of the right of free speech in international human rights instruments, domestic Constitutions and statutes. In addition to the tort of defamation and malicious falsehood (or trade libel), the course may from time to time refer to associated torts such as privacy and passing off where relevant to business defamation. It will discuss, from a comparative perspective, business defamation in the United Kingdom, United States, Singapore and selected common law and Asian jurisdictions.
This course provides an overview of the fundamental principles and methodologies of the conflict of laws (also known as private international law), with focus on their application in commercial transactions. Cross-border commercial transactions are common in a modern globalised era. The conflict of laws addresses three large questions: (1) in which country should the case be tried? (2) which country’s law should be applied to resolve the dispute? (3) What should be the legal effect in one country of a judgment given in another? From the perspective of Singapore law, the questions translate into: (1) When would or should a Singapore court hear the case (and sometimes try to stop it from being heard in another country)? (2) Which country’s law would or should the Singapore court apply to resolve the issue before it? And (3) What legal effect would or should a foreign judgment have in Singapore? This is a course on Singapore conflict of laws, but comparisons will be made from time to time to the laws of other countries.
The DR provides an opportunity for you to undertake in-depth research on a legal topic of your choice. It contributes to the development of a wide range of transferable skills such as writing skills, research and methodological skills, analytical skills, independent thinking and project management skills (action planning, time management, monitoring and evaluation). The capacity to produce a clearly structured and well written piece of work can be highly rewarding from an academic and personal perspective.
As businesses increasingly embrace the use of technology in domestic and cross-border operations, such as blockchain technology, cloud technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) and digitalized trade documents, it is necessary for lawyers and legal policy-makers to not only appreciate the complex legal and policy issues arising from such use of technology, but to also help provide clear legal thinking and innovative ideas in resolving such issues. This unique course aims to provide students with an opportunity to learn about and confront a selection of such issues, develop an understanding of real-world legal-policy issues and exercise skills in critical thinking and creativity to produce usable law and policy recommendations. The issues are selected based on their topicality, feedback from industry, importance to Singapore and ASEAN and a review of academic and business literature. Students will be guided in an exploration and analysis of cross-border trade law issues relating to the intersection of commerce and technology. In the first part of the course, an explanation of the some key issues will be provided to help students understand the broader context of trade in the digital economy. Students will then be exposed to a number of issues which are confronting policy-makers and the private sector, so that they may conduct legal research and craft clear and cogent law and policy recommendations from their findings. Industry professionals will help to provide feedback and discuss students’ findings and recommendations. Industry contacts in this course are likely to be from the fields of finance, technology, commerce, policy/strategy and law.
Note: The list of electives is indicative and subject to availability. Course offerings are confirmed a year prior to the start of the programme.
JD Courses
In partnership with Queen Mary University of London
Introduction
The Dual LLM programme provides a unique opportunity to study commercial law in two of the world’s major business and financial centres, London and Singapore. The programme has a major focus on international and comparative issues, and on the importance of legal principles, rules and laws underlying business and commercial relationships. By the end of their studies, graduates will be equipped with a thorough understanding of key aspects of commercial law from multiple perspectives, enabling them to develop an in-depth understanding of different regions’ approaches to resolving commercial problems.”
Track Structure
| FULL-TIME: 16-MONTH DURATION | ||
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| QMUL LEG | SMU LEG | |
| TERM 1 | TERM 1 | TERM 2 |
| Jan – May | Aug – Dec (12 weeks) | Jan – Apr (12 weeks) |
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Click HERE for Dual LLM details on the QMUL website.
Curriculum
| COMPULSORY MODULES | ELECTIVES (Sample List) |
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Note: Please refer to QMUL website for full list of available electives. Not all electives will be offered each year.
| COMMON CORE (3 credit units) | ||
| Asian and Global Trends in IT Law / Trade Regulation | Advanced Law of Obligations / Law of Real Estate Securitisation | Mediation / Financial Regulation in Asia |
| TRACK CORE (3 credit units) | ||
| FOREIGN BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT LAW | CORPORATE AND FINANCIAL LAW | TECHNOLOGY LAW AND REGULATIONS |
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Note: The list and scheduling of track core modules are subject to change in view of the availability of course instructors.
Common Core Courses
Candidates will be taken through the many legal issues and problems that arise from and relate to developments in information and communications technology. The course will build problem-solving skills in dealing with a subject matter that is still evolving in the context of a rapidly evolving technology and innovation environment, and that is impacting socio-economic transactions and stakeholders on a global scale. New legislative developments will also be considered in detail. In particular, more recent amendments to the Electronic Transactions Act of 2010 relating to e-contracts, e-signature and intermediary liability; the enactment of the Personal Data Protection Act in 2012 relating to data protection, the do-not-call registry and the Spam Control Act; changes to content regulations, specifically the class licensing regulations in 2013; the new Protection from Harassment Act and recent amendments to the Copyright Act in 2014 and 2016. The latest trends and developments in other jurisdictions relating to these topics will also be considered.
As business firms expand across the globe, trade regulations also move beyond national borders. The most comprehensive rules on international trade are contained in the Agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which now cover issues including trade in both industrial and agricultural products, trade in services, labor mobility, investment, free trade agreements, health and food safety, and a wide variety of domestic regulatory regimes. Thus, it is important that lawyers advising business firms understand these rules so they may help the clients to structure their transactions to maximize their benefits and minimize the costs. Taught by a former staff member of the WTO Secretariat who is among a handful of people in the world who have worked on WTO cases as an insider at both the panel and Appellate Body levels, the course will help the students to study the legal rules of the WTO and free trade agreements, which cover tariff measures, antidumping and safeguard measures, food safety regulations, as well as domestic regulations of key WTO Members like the US & China. Using real WTO cases decided by the WTO tribunals as examples, the students will be able to critically examine how these rules are made, what are the impacts on business firms, how to argue the best case for their clients, and how these rules could be improved in the future. The knowledge and skills learnt in this course will be helpful for students to participate in various WTO moot courts around the world, and explore a wide range of career options, including private law firms, government agencies (MFA, MTI), multinational companies, and international organizations (WTO, World Bank).
Seminars will cover key aspects of the law of obligations, such as contract law, tort law, trust and equity, and the law of restitution. The focus is on cultivating a thorough understanding of how these various aspects interact, while more practically relevant developments will also be emphasised. The various topics will be taught from a comparative perspective with ample references to ASEAN, Asian and leading common law jurisdictions.
While space and the built environment is ubiquitous, real estate remains a unique asset class. The rules relating to its current and future value, how it may be securely transferred from one party to another and its very definition all depend on law. Property development, investment and securitisation are all aspects that real estate market players take cognisance of. This course provides a legal primer on the legal fundamentals of real estate practice, with an emphasis on the regulations pertaining to securitisation of real estate via a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) or Business Trust (BT). Where relevant, comparisons with other jurisdictions will be made. The course is both practical and academically rigorous and is relevant to students with an interest in real estate transactions and securitisation.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
This course deals with the rapidly growing area of private international mediation. Imagine the following scenario: You are asked to mediate a professional negligence dispute. The plaintiff is based in England, the defendant accounting firm is in Hong Kong, and the defendant’s insurer has its headquarters in the United States. All agree to attend mediation in Singapore. The preliminary discussions and meetings, however, take place via email and video-conference with all parties in their home countries. The mediation occurs and the parties reach a settlement, which the parties’ legal representatives draft into contractual form. Such cross-border mediations involve:
- international and intercultural competencies;
- online and face-to-face mediation processes and protocols; and
- knowledge of the applicable law in relation to the substantive and procedural aspects of mediation.
This course offers you a framework for understanding cross-border mediation law and practice and the opportunity to develop specialised mediation skills relevant to cross-border settings. Simulated role-play exercises are arranged to develop your skills as a mediator.
Upon successful completion of the course and related assessment, participants will be able to apply to the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI) for mediator accreditation. Participants who wish to do so may inform SIDRA staff at learning@sidra.academy. SIDRA will verify the results of the assessment and refer the participant’s application to SIMI. For more information about the SIMI credentialing scheme, see: http://www.simi.org.sg/What-We-Offer/Mediators/SIMI-Credentialing-Scheme. In addition, participants who complete the course and the related assessment may apply for Australian accreditation through the University of Western Australia. For more information about the application procedure through UWA,please visit: www.mediation.uwa.edu.au.
LLM (JS) candidates will attend extra classes devoted to judicial mediation (featuring faculty who were former and present judicial officers), to provide these candidates with a holistic appreciation of the various parties involved in mediation, their roles and interests as well as necessary skillsets. Besides special talks by judges serving as Judge-Mediators, judicial mediation attachments will also be arranged.
This course will outline key financial regulations in Singapore and Hong Kong, two biggest international financial centres in Asia Pacific, focusing on banking and insurance regulation after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. Chinese and Taiwanese law will also be introduced and considered to offer a greater understanding of relevant rules in the Greater China region. Main topics covered in this course may include the regulatory structure and power of regulators, systemic risk and macro regulation, licensing and scope of regulation, capital adequacy rules, transfer of control of financial institutions, corporate governance, financial consumer protection, capital market aspect of banking/insurance regulation, and OTC derivatives, etc. Certain private law aspects (such as the interpretation of ISDA master agreement or cross-border loan agreement) may also be incorporated.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
Track Core Courses
The Foreign Investment Law course involves the study of legal principles applicable to the treatment of investments made by foreign investors. The study of such principles will be undertaken in the context of foreign investments in Asian countries. By the end of the course, students should have a good grasp of the principles of international economic law protecting investors against political risk.
The following topics will comprise the major part of the course:
- The customary international law relating to foreign investment protection. The minimum standard, protection against expropriation, standing to engage in diplomatic protection, the Calvo Clause, Articles on State Responsibility, Exhaustion of local remedies rules, and impact on investment protection treaties.
- Review of investment provisions in Singapore Free Trade Agreements, Singapore’s bilateral investment treaties with ASEAN, other Asian and Pacific Countries.
- Definition of “Investment” in Singapore’s treaties and interpretation of Article 25 of the ICSID Convention. Definition of “investor” in Singapore’s treaties. Principles relating to imputability of conduct to the state.
- Most Favored Nation” and “National Treatment” obligations of host state.
- “Minimum Standard” and “Fair & Equitable” treatment obligation. Same or different?
- Umbrella Clauses: Their scope and significance.
- Other Host Country Obligations: No Performance Obligations and Transfers
- Expropriation I: Types of Expropriation
- Expropriation II: Compensation
- Dispute Settlement Provisions
- Dispute Settlement: Fork in the Road, ICSID, UNCITRAL.
- Using Foreign Investment Law and investment protection agreements to protect and enhance investment.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
Contract law is of primary importance to business and commercial activities. It is also one of the most established areas in China's civil and commercial law system. The course will provide students with a comparative perspective on selected issues in Chinese contract law. It will compare the major rules and principles of contract in common law and Chinese law. At the same time, it will introduce the main features of Chinese legal system and its practice of private law by incorporating the insights from recent studies on Chinese economy, politics and society. Therefore, this course also serves as a foundation for studies in other fields of Chinese business and commercial law. It will cover, among others, contract formation, contract policing, performance and nonperformance, interpretation of contracts, contractual remedies, and rights of third parties. In particular, this course is aimed at achieving three objectives: 1) to understand the basic framework of Chinese contract law as applied by courts; 2) to understand the general civil justice system in China; and 3) to use contract law as a gateway to broader knowledge of the commercial law practice in China.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
This course examines the rules and standards that govern the subject of compliance and risk management. It will start by examining questions of governance: boards of directors, executives and third party vendors. We then examine the compliance function, organised by the nature of the enforcer: managers, regulators, prosecutors, whistleblowers, and gatekeepers. Next we turn to particular areas of the law: data protection, Prevention of Corruption Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and UK Bribery Act, money laundering and terror financing, and sexual harassment in the workplace. We examine cases where compliance fails (e.g., Enron) and initiatives that go beyond compliance (e.g., codes of ethics, social responsibility standards, and institutional culture). The last part of the course will consider risk management as it pertains to lawyers; topics here include the governance of risk; approaches to risk management; reputational, operational, and enterprise risk; and case studies of instances where risk management failed.
This course is designed to provide an overview of the regulation and practice of mergers and acquisitions transactions in Singapore. Where relevant, comparisons with other jurisdictions such as United States (particularly Delaware), United Kingdom, Australia and Hong Kong will be made. The topics that would be covered include mechanics of structuring mergers and acquisitions transactions, the preparatory work that is required in connection therewith, the regulatory environment in which mergers and acquisitions take place, duties of participants engaged in mergers and acquisitions (including legal advisers, financial advisers and directors of acquirers and target companies), deal protections, deal tactics for friendly and hostile bids, disclosure obligations, compulsory acquisitions and financing.
Case studies, particularly in respect of cross-border M&A transactions in Asia, will be used extensively in the course.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
Law is the leading but certainly not the only regulatory mechanism in the political, social and economic realms. Indeed, a simplistic over-reliance on the law and the legal system in the conduct of business, social and economic matters is inadequate in protecting one’s rights, interests and needs especially when the rule of law is weak. Other regulatory mechanisms that can aid in governance in the public and private realms include ethical value systems, soft law, networks in the various facets of human endeavours. Together with the law, they help to ensure a nuanced way to protect and enhance one’s rights, interests and concerns.
This module seeks to develop an appreciation and understanding of these quasi-legal regulatory mechanisms, and how they can be used in conjunction with hard law and the legal system to protect one’s rights and interests, with particular reference to Asia. How can such regulatory mechanisms advance accountability, regulate affairs in the different spheres of human endeavours?
Issues that could be examined include ethical challenges, management of corruption, ethnic business networks, corporate governance concerns that are prominent features in the Asian business landscape. This module is structured to be based on an eclectic set of readings drawn from different disciplines, broadly comparative in nature, and inter-disciplinary at heart.
Coverage of the issues will be both theoretical as we engage the literature on the various topics; and practical, as we ask questions and explore how different regulatory mechanisms can help to better the implementation of law and contracts in the Asian environment. Designed to explore critically the thematic concerns, the module aspires to equip students with a deeper understanding of the interface of law, business, public policy and society.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
It is fair to say that few branches of the law have, in recent times, developed as swiftly and explosively across jurisdictions as the law of intellectual property (IP). In Singapore, this is evidenced by the Government’s push for a sound and comprehensive legal framework for the promotion and protection of IP, and by the setting up of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and the IP Academy. More recently, several amendments were made to Singapore’s IP legislation in order to implement the country’s obligations under the United States – Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
You will in this course be introduced to the different types of IP rights and the various branches of IP law, in particular the law of copyright, patents and trademarks. Apart from learning the fundamental principles of IP law and the impact of international IP conventions and treaties, we will have the opportunity to explore the various policy issues which underpin much of the IP debate – in particular, controversies surrounding the protection, exploitation and enforcement of IP rights. Through group project work and presentations, we shall also examine how the IP regime operates in appropriate Asian jurisdictions and assess whether the protection and enforcement mechanisms in these jurisdictions measure up to international norms and standards.
The study of IP was, until quite recently, a somewhat esoteric specialisation. Today, IP occupies a central position in the global, knowledge-based economy and this course should therefore appeal to those who wish to equip themselves with knowledge of a burgeoning and highly relevant area of the law.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
This course introduces you to the blockchain ecosystem, from concept to evolution, from technologies to applications. It analyses governance structures adopted by the blockchain community and investigate the impact of the blockchain technology on business and commerce. Students will learn the defining characteristics of blockchain technologies and the core components as the foundation of trust in a decentralized setting. Applications of blockchain technology in various domains will be examined, and the appropriate legal and regulatory framework for such applications will be discussed. Co-taught by the faculty members from SOL and SCIS, this course links the technological aspect of blockchain with its socio-economic aspect, and explores sensible regulations built on both aspects. Students will be able to develop a rational view about the potentials and limits of blockchain.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
Note: The list and scheduling of track core modules are subject to change in view of the availability of course instructors.
Introduction
Our flagship programme offers a double-edged legal and business advantage, providing specialized postgraduate courses that creates an exclusive academic experience. Students can choose to complete the programme fully in Singapore, or in both London and Singapore (to obtain the Dual LLM in Commercial Law).
Track Structure
*Students without a law degree or from a civil law background must attend the Legal Writing Workshop and Common Law Workshop.
Curriculum
- Asian and Global Trends in IT Law / AI, Law and Ethics (choose 1)
- Advanced Law of Obligations / Law of Real Estate Securitisation (choose 1)
- Mediation / Financial Regulation in Asia (choose 1)
| FOREIGN BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT LAW | CORPORATE AND FINANCIAL LAW | TECHNOLOGY LAW AND REGULATIONS |
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Note: The list and scheduling of track core modules are subject to change in view of the availability of course instructors.
Choose 2 credit units from LL.M. Electives and selected JD Courses
| LL.M. Electives | Selected JD Courses |
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Note: The list of electives is indicative and subject to availability. Course offerings are confirmed a year prior to the start of the programme.
Common Core Courses
Candidates will be taken through the many legal issues and problems that arise from and relate to developments in information and communications technology. The course will build problem-solving skills in dealing with a subject matter that is still evolving in the context of a rapidly evolving technology and innovation environment, and that is impacting socio-economic transactions and stakeholders on a global scale. New legislative developments will also be considered in detail. In particular, more recent amendments to the Electronic Transactions Act of 2010 relating to e-contracts, e-signature and intermediary liability; the enactment of the Personal Data Protection Act in 2012 relating to data protection, the do-not-call registry and the Spam Control Act; changes to content regulations, specifically the class licensing regulations in 2013; the new Protection from Harassment Act and recent amendments to the Copyright Act in 2014 and 2016. The latest trends and developments in other jurisdictions relating to these topics will also be considered.
This course attempts to define “Artificial Intelligence”, drawing from the history of ideas to outline how our modern understanding of AI develops from a variety of scholarly disciplines and traditions. It also introduces ethics as a self-regulatory framework around Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, Safety, Explainability, and covers current capabilities & applications of AI and technology across different sectors and industries e.g., healthcare, education, autonomous vehicles, financial, legal systems, and the legal profession.
Emerging ethical issues and challenges in AI deployment in the legal sector will be analysed, including the operation of AI and Tech in areas of Public Law – Criminal Law (e.g., crime prediction, policing, algorithmic sentencing) and Family Law. One question would be – How does our understanding of ‘effective’ AI governance sit in relation to the dual-focus on addressing both the near- and long-term challenges of AI?
Seminars will cover key aspects of the law of obligations, such as contract law, tort law, trust and equity, and the law of restitution. The focus is on cultivating a thorough understanding of how these various aspects interact, while more practically relevant developments will also be emphasised. The various topics will be taught from a comparative perspective with ample references to ASEAN, Asian and leading common law jurisdictions.
While space and the built environment is ubiquitous, real estate remains a unique asset class. The rules relating to its current and future value, how it may be securely transferred from one party to another and its very definition all depend on law. Property development, investment and securitisation are all aspects that real estate market players take cognisance of. This course provides a legal primer on the legal fundamentals of real estate practice, with an emphasis on the regulations pertaining to securitisation of real estate via a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) or Business Trust (BT). Where relevant, comparisons with other jurisdictions will be made. The course is both practical and academically rigorous and is relevant to students with an interest in real estate transactions and securitisation.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
This course deals with the rapidly growing area of private international mediation. Imagine the following scenario: You are asked to mediate a professional negligence dispute. The plaintiff is based in England, the defendant accounting firm is in Hong Kong, and the defendant’s insurer has its headquarters in the United States. All agree to attend mediation in Singapore. The preliminary discussions and meetings, however, take place via email and video-conference with all parties in their home countries. The mediation occurs and the parties reach a settlement, which the parties’ legal representatives draft into contractual form. Such cross-border mediations involve:
- international and intercultural competencies;
- online and face-to-face mediation processes and protocols; and
- knowledge of the applicable law in relation to the substantive and procedural aspects of mediation.
This course offers you a framework for understanding cross-border mediation law and practice and the opportunity to develop specialised mediation skills relevant to cross-border settings. Simulated role-play exercises are arranged to develop your skills as a mediator.
Upon successful completion of the course and related assessment, participants will be able to apply to the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI) for mediator accreditation. Participants who wish to do so may inform SIDRA staff at learning@sidra.academy. SIDRA will verify the results of the assessment and refer the participant’s application to SIMI. For more information about the SIMI credentialing scheme, see: http://www.simi.org.sg/What-We-Offer/Mediators/SIMI-Credentialing-Scheme. In addition, participants who complete the course and the related assessment may apply for Australian accreditation through the University of Western Australia. For more information about the application procedure through UWA,please visit: www.mediation.uwa.edu.au.
LLM (JS) candidates will attend extra classes devoted to judicial mediation (featuring faculty who were former and present judicial officers), to provide these candidates with a holistic appreciation of the various parties involved in mediation, their roles and interests as well as necessary skillsets. Besides special talks by judges serving as Judge-Mediators, judicial mediation attachments will also be arranged.
This course will outline key financial regulations in Singapore and Hong Kong, two biggest international financial centres in Asia Pacific, focusing on banking and insurance regulation after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. Chinese and Taiwanese law will also be introduced and considered to offer a greater understanding of relevant rules in the Greater China region. Main topics covered in this course may include the regulatory structure and power of regulators, systemic risk and macro regulation, licensing and scope of regulation, capital adequacy rules, transfer of control of financial institutions, corporate governance, financial consumer protection, capital market aspect of banking/insurance regulation, and OTC derivatives, etc. Certain private law aspects (such as the interpretation of ISDA master agreement or cross-border loan agreement) may also be incorporated.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
Track Core Courses
The Foreign Investment Law course involves the study of legal principles applicable to the treatment of investments made by foreign investors. The study of such principles will be undertaken in the context of foreign investments in Asian countries. By the end of the course, students should have a good grasp of the principles of international economic law protecting investors against political risk.
The following topics will comprise the major part of the course:
- The customary international law relating to foreign investment protection. The minimum standard, protection against expropriation, standing to engage in diplomatic protection, the Calvo Clause, Articles on State Responsibility, Exhaustion of local remedies rules, and impact on investment protection treaties.
- Review of investment provisions in Singapore Free Trade Agreements, Singapore’s bilateral investment treaties with ASEAN, other Asian and Pacific Countries.
- Definition of “Investment” in Singapore’s treaties and interpretation of Article 25 of the ICSID Convention. Definition of “investor” in Singapore’s treaties. Principles relating to imputability of conduct to the state.
- Most Favored Nation” and “National Treatment” obligations of host state.
- “Minimum Standard” and “Fair & Equitable” treatment obligation. Same or different?
- Umbrella Clauses: Their scope and significance.
- Other Host Country Obligations: No Performance Obligations and Transfers
- Expropriation I: Types of Expropriation
- Expropriation II: Compensation
- Dispute Settlement Provisions
- Dispute Settlement: Fork in the Road, ICSID, UNCITRAL.
- Using Foreign Investment Law and investment protection agreements to protect and enhance investment.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
Contract law is of primary importance to business and commercial activities. It is also one of the most established areas in China's civil and commercial law system. The course will provide students with a comparative perspective on selected issues in Chinese contract law. It will compare the major rules and principles of contract in common law and Chinese law. At the same time, it will introduce the main features of Chinese legal system and its practice of private law by incorporating the insights from recent studies on Chinese economy, politics and society. Therefore, this course also serves as a foundation for studies in other fields of Chinese business and commercial law. It will cover, among others, contract formation, contract policing, performance and nonperformance, interpretation of contracts, contractual remedies, and rights of third parties. In particular, this course is aimed at achieving three objectives: 1) to understand the basic framework of Chinese contract law as applied by courts; 2) to understand the general civil justice system in China; and 3) to use contract law as a gateway to broader knowledge of the commercial law practice in China.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
This course examines the rules and standards that govern the subject of compliance and risk management. It will start by examining questions of governance: boards of directors, executives and third party vendors. We then examine the compliance function, organised by the nature of the enforcer: managers, regulators, prosecutors, whistleblowers, and gatekeepers. Next we turn to particular areas of the law: data protection, Prevention of Corruption Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and UK Bribery Act, money laundering and terror financing, and sexual harassment in the workplace. We examine cases where compliance fails (e.g., Enron) and initiatives that go beyond compliance (e.g., codes of ethics, social responsibility standards, and institutional culture). The last part of the course will consider risk management as it pertains to lawyers; topics here include the governance of risk; approaches to risk management; reputational, operational, and enterprise risk; and case studies of instances where risk management failed.
This course is designed to provide an overview of the regulation and practice of mergers and acquisitions transactions in Singapore. Where relevant, comparisons with other jurisdictions such as United States (particularly Delaware), United Kingdom, Australia and Hong Kong will be made. The topics that would be covered include mechanics of structuring mergers and acquisitions transactions, the preparatory work that is required in connection therewith, the regulatory environment in which mergers and acquisitions take place, duties of participants engaged in mergers and acquisitions (including legal advisers, financial advisers and directors of acquirers and target companies), deal protections, deal tactics for friendly and hostile bids, disclosure obligations, compulsory acquisitions and financing.
Case studies, particularly in respect of cross-border M&A transactions in Asia, will be used extensively in the course.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
Law is the leading but certainly not the only regulatory mechanism in the political, social and economic realms. Indeed, a simplistic over-reliance on the law and the legal system in the conduct of business, social and economic matters is inadequate in protecting one’s rights, interests and needs especially when the rule of law is weak. Other regulatory mechanisms that can aid in governance in the public and private realms include ethical value systems, soft law, networks in the various facets of human endeavours. Together with the law, they help to ensure a nuanced way to protect and enhance one’s rights, interests and concerns.
This module seeks to develop an appreciation and understanding of these quasi-legal regulatory mechanisms, and how they can be used in conjunction with hard law and the legal system to protect one’s rights and interests, with particular reference to Asia. How can such regulatory mechanisms advance accountability, regulate affairs in the different spheres of human endeavours?
Issues that could be examined include ethical challenges, management of corruption, ethnic business networks, corporate governance concerns that are prominent features in the Asian business landscape. This module is structured to be based on an eclectic set of readings drawn from different disciplines, broadly comparative in nature, and inter-disciplinary at heart.
Coverage of the issues will be both theoretical as we engage the literature on the various topics; and practical, as we ask questions and explore how different regulatory mechanisms can help to better the implementation of law and contracts in the Asian environment. Designed to explore critically the thematic concerns, the module aspires to equip students with a deeper understanding of the interface of law, business, public policy and society.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
It is fair to say that few branches of the law have, in recent times, developed as swiftly and explosively across jurisdictions as the law of intellectual property (IP). In Singapore, this is evidenced by the Government’s push for a sound and comprehensive legal framework for the promotion and protection of IP, and by the setting up of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and the IP Academy. More recently, several amendments were made to Singapore’s IP legislation in order to implement the country’s obligations under the United States – Singapore Free Trade Agreement.
You will in this course be introduced to the different types of IP rights and the various branches of IP law, in particular the law of copyright, patents and trademarks. Apart from learning the fundamental principles of IP law and the impact of international IP conventions and treaties, we will have the opportunity to explore the various policy issues which underpin much of the IP debate – in particular, controversies surrounding the protection, exploitation and enforcement of IP rights. Through group project work and presentations, we shall also examine how the IP regime operates in appropriate Asian jurisdictions and assess whether the protection and enforcement mechanisms in these jurisdictions measure up to international norms and standards.
The study of IP was, until quite recently, a somewhat esoteric specialisation. Today, IP occupies a central position in the global, knowledge-based economy and this course should therefore appeal to those who wish to equip themselves with knowledge of a burgeoning and highly relevant area of the law.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
This course introduces you to the blockchain ecosystem, from concept to evolution, from technologies to applications. It analyses governance structures adopted by the blockchain community and investigate the impact of the blockchain technology on business and commerce. Students will learn the defining characteristics of blockchain technologies and the core components as the foundation of trust in a decentralized setting. Applications of blockchain technology in various domains will be examined, and the appropriate legal and regulatory framework for such applications will be discussed. Co-taught by the faculty members from SOL and SCIS, this course links the technological aspect of blockchain with its socio-economic aspect, and explores sensible regulations built on both aspects. Students will be able to develop a rational view about the potentials and limits of blockchain.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
LL.M. Elective Courses
This course focuses on the law of defamation applicable to both domestic and international business contexts. The publication of defamatory statements by business competitors, consumers, employees and members of the public via the Internet and other business modes of communication is a common phenomenon in this globalised world. Cross-border defamation issues such as jurisdiction, choice of law and the enforcement of judgements in internet defamation cases have assumed greater significance in recent years. The protection of corporate, business and trading reputations and the available remedies will be examined in light of the right of free speech in international human rights instruments, domestic Constitutions and statutes. In addition to the tort of defamation and malicious falsehood (or trade libel), the course may from time to time refer to associated torts such as privacy and passing off where relevant to business defamation. It will discuss, from a comparative perspective, business defamation in the United Kingdom, United States, Singapore and selected common law and Asian jurisdictions.
This course provides an overview of the fundamental principles and methodologies of the conflict of laws (also known as private international law), with focus on their application in commercial transactions. Cross-border commercial transactions are common in a modern globalised era. The conflict of laws addresses three large questions: (1) in which country should the case be tried? (2) which country’s law should be applied to resolve the dispute? (3) What should be the legal effect in one country of a judgment given in another? From the perspective of Singapore law, the questions translate into: (1) When would or should a Singapore court hear the case (and sometimes try to stop it from being heard in another country)? (2) Which country’s law would or should the Singapore court apply to resolve the issue before it? And (3) What legal effect would or should a foreign judgment have in Singapore? This is a course on Singapore conflict of laws, but comparisons will be made from time to time to the laws of other countries.
The DR provides an opportunity for you to undertake in-depth research on a legal topic of your choice. It contributes to the development of a wide range of transferable skills such as writing skills, research and methodological skills, analytical skills, independent thinking and project management skills (action planning, time management, monitoring and evaluation). The capacity to produce a clearly structured and well written piece of work can be highly rewarding from an academic and personal perspective.
Note: The list of electives is indicative and subject to availability. Course offerings are confirmed a year prior to the start of the programme.
JD Courses
In partnership with the Singapore Judicial College
Message from the Chief Justice
"This programme, the first of its kind in the region, has been designed specifically for serving judges and judicial aspirants. The diverse curriculum is jointly developed and will be taught by professors from the Singapore Management University and experienced Singapore judges. Candidates can expect the academic rigour of higher learning coupled with practical judge-craft. The teaching faculty will be supported by the Singapore Judicial College, which has established a reputation for its practical programmes, which focus on enhancing problem-solving skills. Graduates of this programme will enjoy the privilege of being amongst the first members of a new and growing worldwide alumni of judges."
— The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon
Supreme Court of Singapore
Track Structure
| 1-YEAR FULL-TIME | ||
|---|---|---|
| PRE-TERM | TERM 1 | TERM 2 |
| August (1 week) | Aug – Dec (12 weeks) | Jan – Apr (12 weeks) |
|
|
|
| 2-YEAR EXTENDED DURATION | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||||
| PRE-TERM | TERM 1 | TERM 2 | |||
| August (1 week) | Aug – Dec (12 weeks) | Jan – Apr (12 weeks) | |||
|
| Leave of Absence | |||
| Year 2 | |||||
| TERM 1 | TERM 2 | ||||
| Aug – Dec (12 weeks) | Jan – Apr (12 weeks) | ||||
Leave of Absence |
| ||||
*Candidates with a civil law background must attend the common law workshop and legal writing workshop.
*From 2025 intake on, Judicial Studies students have to complete the 5 weeks internship as other SMU LLM students. The internship will be arranged by Singapore Judicial College (SJC) and recorded by SMU.
Curriculum
- Asian and Global Trends in IT Law / AI, Law and Ethics (choose 1)
- Advanced Law of Obligations / Law of Real Estate Securitisation (choose 1)
- Mediation / Financial Regulation in Singapore, Hong Kong and Greater China (choose 1)
- Judgecraft
- Judicial Executive Programme
- Judicial Dissertation
| Advanced Legal Courses | Leadership, Management and Professional Effectiveness | Accounting and Finance | Contextual Judging |
|
|
|
|
Note: The list of electives is indicative and subject to availability. Course offerings are confirmed a year prior to the start of the programme.
Common Core Courses
Candidates will be taken through the many legal issues and problems that arise from and relate to developments in information and communications technology. The course will build problem-solving skills in dealing with a subject matter that is still evolving in the context of a rapidly evolving technology and innovation environment, and that is impacting socio-economic transactions and stakeholders on a global scale. New legislative developments will also be considered in detail. In particular, more recent amendments to the Electronic Transactions Act of 2010 relating to e-contracts, e-signature and intermediary liability; the enactment of the Personal Data Protection Act in 2012 relating to data protection, the do-not-call registry and the Spam Control Act; changes to content regulations, specifically the class licensing regulations in 2013; the new Protection from Harassment Act and recent amendments to the Copyright Act in 2014 and 2016. The latest trends and developments in other jurisdictions relating to these topics will also be considered.
This course attempts to define “Artificial Intelligence”, drawing from the history of ideas to outline how our modern understanding of AI develops from a variety of scholarly disciplines and traditions. It also introduces ethics as a self-regulatory framework around Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, Safety, Explainability, and covers current capabilities & applications of AI and technology across different sectors and industries e.g., healthcare, education, autonomous vehicles, financial, legal systems, and the legal profession.
Emerging ethical issues and challenges in AI deployment in the legal sector will be analysed, including the operation of AI and Tech in areas of Public Law – Criminal Law (e.g., crime prediction, policing, algorithmic sentencing) and Family Law. One question would be – How does our understanding of ‘effective’ AI governance sit in relation to the dual-focus on addressing both the near- and long-term challenges of AI?
Seminars will cover key aspects of the law of obligations, such as contract law, tort law, trust and equity, and the law of restitution. The focus is on cultivating a thorough understanding of how these various aspects interact, while more practically relevant developments will also be emphasised. The various topics will be taught from a comparative perspective with ample references to ASEAN, Asian and leading common law jurisdictions.
While space and the built environment is ubiquitous, real estate remains a unique asset class. The rules relating to its current and future value, how it may be securely transferred from one party to another and its very definition all depend on law. Property development, investment and securitisation are all aspects that real estate market players take cognisance of. This course provides a legal primer on the legal fundamentals of real estate practice, with an emphasis on the regulations pertaining to securitisation of real estate via a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) or Business Trust (BT). Where relevant, comparisons with other jurisdictions will be made. The course is both practical and academically rigorous and is relevant to students with an interest in real estate transactions and securitisation.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
This course deals with the rapidly growing area of private international mediation. Imagine the following scenario: You are asked to mediate a professional negligence dispute. The plaintiff is based in England, the defendant accounting firm is in Hong Kong, and the defendant’s insurer has its headquarters in the United States. All agree to attend mediation in Singapore. The preliminary discussions and meetings, however, take place via email and video-conference with all parties in their home countries. The mediation occurs and the parties reach a settlement, which the parties’ legal representatives draft into contractual form. Such cross-border mediations involve:
- international and intercultural competencies;
- online and face-to-face mediation processes and protocols; and
- knowledge of the applicable law in relation to the substantive and procedural aspects of mediation.
This course offers you a framework for understanding cross-border mediation law and practice and the opportunity to develop specialised mediation skills relevant to cross-border settings. Simulated role-play exercises are arranged to develop your skills as a mediator.
Upon successful completion of the course and related assessment, participants will be able to apply to the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI) for mediator accreditation. Participants who wish to do so may inform SIDRA staff at learning@sidra.academy. SIDRA will verify the results of the assessment and refer the participant’s application to SIMI. For more information about the SIMI credentialing scheme, see: http://www.simi.org.sg/What-We-Offer/Mediators/SIMI-Credentialing-Scheme. In addition, participants who complete the course and the related assessment may apply for Australian accreditation through the University of Western Australia. For more information about the application procedure through UWA,please visit: www.mediation.uwa.edu.au.
LLM (JS) candidates will attend extra classes devoted to judicial mediation (featuring faculty who were former and present judicial officers), to provide these candidates with a holistic appreciation of the various parties involved in mediation, their roles and interests as well as necessary skillsets. Besides special talks by judges serving as Judge-Mediators, judicial mediation attachments will also be arranged.
This course will outline key financial regulations in Singapore and Hong Kong, two biggest international financial centres in Asia Pacific, focusing on banking and insurance regulation after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. Chinese and Taiwanese law will also be introduced and considered to offer a greater understanding of relevant rules in the Greater China region. Main topics covered in this course may include the regulatory structure and power of regulators, systemic risk and macro regulation, licensing and scope of regulation, capital adequacy rules, transfer of control of financial institutions, corporate governance, financial consumer protection, capital market aspect of banking/insurance regulation, and OTC derivatives, etc. Certain private law aspects (such as the interpretation of ISDA master agreement or cross-border loan agreement) may also be incorporated.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
Track Core Courses
This course will feature topics relating to judicial decision-making, judicial stress management and judicial philosophy. To supplement the learning, candidates are required to attend any 3 full-day signature programmes on: (a) the art of judging; (b) assessing of credibility of witnesses; (c) effective engagement of litigants-in-person; (d) judgment writing and oral judgments; and (d) leadership in court governance, at the Singapore Judicial College (SJC).
This 5-day executive training program aims to provide participants with foundational knowledge about: (a) leadership skills and facilitating innovation; and (b) key contemporary legal and regulatory issues linked to the proliferation of cross-border transactions, spurred on by ongoing efforts to integrate the economies of the ASEAN states. Participants can look forward to a set of day-long modules crafted with their particular judicial needs in mind. They will learn leadership skills that they can harness to better manage internal judicial processes and improve on the efficiency and quality with which judicial services are delivered to the general public in their respective jurisdictions.
Every candidate must complete a judicial dissertation that may be considered for publication under the auspices of the SJC’s Empirical Judicial Research Programme. Candidates will be supervised either by an experienced law academic or senior Judge depending on the area of empirical research.
LL.M. (JS) Elective Courses
The development of international business serves as a vital factor for national economic growth. This is particularly important for many Asian countries, which have adopted an export-oriented policy and promotes the export of goods and services in international markets. It is thus critical for Asia-based business leaders and policy-makers to understand legal aspects of domestic and international transactions, as well as global trade regimes. To this end, the course will provide an overview of legal issues that apply to the sale of goods transactions, the meanings and application of trade terms such as CIF and FOB, and methods of financing sales and of transporting goods across borders. Moreover, the course will discuss the resolution of commercial and investment disputes, and regulatory issues involving trade barriers to foreign direct investments and WTO principles. In particular, the course will explore law and policy related to Asian countries and enterprises. It is expected that students will examine international trade cases and problems from interdisciplinary angles, gain presentation and advice-giving experience and, more importantly, learn to utilize legal concepts to improve the decision-making process to manage transnational business from the Asian perspective.
Please click here for the detailed course outline.
This course provides an overview of the fundamental principles and methodologies of the conflict of laws (also known as private international law), with focus on their application in commercial transactions. Cross-border commercial transactions are common in a modern globalised era. The conflict of laws addresses three large questions: (1) in which country should the case be tried? (2) which country’s law should be applied to resolve the dispute? (3) What should be the legal effect in one country of a judgment given in another? From the perspective of Singapore law, the questions translate into: (1) When would or should a Singapore court hear the case (and sometimes try to stop it from being heard in another country)? (2) Which country’s law would or should the Singapore court apply to resolve the issue before it? And (3) What legal effect would or should a foreign judgment have in Singapore? This is a course on Singapore conflict of laws, but comparisons will be made from time to time to the laws of other countries.
Law is the leading but certainly not the only regulatory mechanism in the political, social and economic realms. Indeed, a simplistic over-reliance on the law and the legal system in the conduct of business, social and economic matters is inadequate in protecting one’s rights, interests and needs especially when the rule of law is weak. Other regulatory mechanisms that can aid in governance in the public and private realms include ethical value systems, soft law, networks in the various facets of human endeavours. Together with the law, they help to ensure a nuanced way to protect and enhance one’s rights, interests and concerns. This module seeks to develop an appreciation and understanding of these quasi-legal regulatory mechanisms, and how they can be used in conjunction with hard law and the legal system to protect one’s rights and interests, with particular reference to Asia. How can such regulatory mechanisms advance accountability, regulate affairs in the different spheres of human endeavours?
Video Testimonials
Video Testimonial by Judge Ranto Sabungan
Video Testimonial by Judge Rizkiansyah
MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M.)
| Judicial Studies Track | Cross-Border Business and Finance Law in Asia Track | Law and Technology Track | Dual LLM in Commercial Law (Singapore & London) Track | |
| Academic year | August to April (1 yr full-time / 2 yrs extended duration) | August to April (1 yr full-time / 2 yrs part-time) | January to April the following year (16 months full-time) | |
| No. of credit units | 9.5 credit units (CUs), comprising:
| 7.5 SMU credit units + 135 QMUL credits | ||
| Entry requirements | Good first degree in Law (LL.B. or J.D. or their equivalent). | Good first degree in Law (LL.B. or J.D. or their equivalent). Non-law graduates would be considered on the basis of substantial professional experience. | ||
| English Language Proficiency | Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS) is required for all international applicants except those from English-medium institutions in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Philippines, United Kingdom and the United States. The minimum English proficiency test requirement is as follows:
1) Test scores are valid for two (2) years from the test date and applicants should ensure their scores remain valid at the beginning of the application period of for the LL.M. track applied for. 2) TOEFL Institutional Testing Program (ITP), TOEFL MyBest Scores and Duolingo English Test are not accepted. 3) Applicants intending to take the proficiency test are advised to schedule their test sufficiently early to ensure that their score reports are available before the closing date for the submission of supporting documents. Only official score reports are accepted. | |||
OUR GLOBAL NETWORK
Countries represented
Asia
Singapore
Japan
Thailand
Taiwan
China
Malaysia
Vietnam
Nepal
India
Mongolia
South Korea
Kazakhstan
Indonesia
Philippines
Cambodia
America
USA
Brazil
Panama
Europe
France
Germany
Lithuania
Switzerland
Poland
Austria
Russia
Italy
Africa
Australia
Australia
Students can expect a challenging and outstanding education in the LLM programme and look forward to meeting classmates from diverse backgrounds in the small-sized, interactive class environment.
Up to 30 places are offered each year to successful candidates. We typically have LLM students who range in age from early 20s to 40s. Our students usually have working experience as lawyers, in-house counsels or legal academics at the time of application. Our students represent various jurisdictions, including graduates from National University of Singapore, Hanoi University, King's College London, Thammasat University, University of Delhi, University of Tokyo, and Wuhan University.
The SMU LLM programme is committed to your success from the beginning of the programme. You will receive personalised attention and support from our SMU career coaches who will work with you to develop your job search strategy. These specialised coaches are dedicated professionals who will be able to offer you essential strategies, tips and tools to guide you towards the career development you desire.
Our Career Services team runs workshops and events throughout the year to give you the opportunity to gain exposure across different industries and to build your network with the business community.
The LLM Programme Office also holds networking events and study tours to high-tech companies, law firms and international organizations for students to have in-depth exposure to different dimensions of legal practice. Previous students have secured employment or internships in the private and public sectors in Singapore and abroad.
Foreign Practitioner Examination (FPE)
While the LLM is not a qualifying law degree in Singapore, eligible foreign-qualified lawyers may take the Foreign Practitioner Examination (FPE) that the Singapore Institute of Legal Education administers. A Foreign Practitioner Certificate would allow foreign lawyers to practise in limited areas of Singapore law such as banking and finance, M&A and intellectual property law.
As a flourishing and vibrant city-state at the confluence of Eastern and Western cultural and economic rivers, Singapore offers a unique experience that prepares you to live as a global citizen. Singapore embraces multiculturalism where different local and global ethnicities live harmoniously and diversity is viewed as a virtuous strength.
Singapore is a key legal and financial hub in Asia. Located in Singapore's central business district and next to the Supreme Court and leading law firms, SMU is positioned to tap into these facets and provide you with unparalleled opportunities for professional and personal growth.
AT A GLANCE
- Home to the Asia-Pacific headquarters of the World Bank, the WIPO, APEC, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Google, Facebook and Microsoft
- Home to the Singapore International Commercial Court, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, and the Singapore International Mediation Centre
- Ranked by the World Bank as the world’s easiest place to do business (out of 189 countries)
- Ranked most competitive economy in Asia by World Economic Forum in the Global Competitiveness Report 2015-16.
- Top Asian country to work, live and play – Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey 2016
- Ranked best global innovation in Asia Pacific and the world by the Global Innovation Index 2015
To find out more “About Singapore”, visit https://www.contactsingapore.sg/
As a premier university in Asia, the Singapore Management University (SMU) is internationally recognised for its world-class research and distinguished teaching. Established in 2000, SMU’s mission is to generate leading-edge research with global impact and produce broad-based, creative and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy. This mission resulted in SMU being ranked No. 11 among the world’s specialist universities, including established academic institutions. The School of Law is among SMU’s six schools and offers LL.B., J.D., and LL.M. degrees.
With the city at your doorstep, there will never be a dull moment during your SMU LLM journey. A state-of-the-art School of Law building with purpose-built seminar rooms will enhance your learning experience and stimulate class interaction. As a student here, you will be immersed in an interactive and interconnected environment that will help you to grow beyond the classroom context.
In addition to convenient access to the gymnasium, swimming pool and the dance studio, you can enjoy amenities like food and beverage outlets, and banking and healthcare services within the vicinity.
As an integral part of Singapore's Central Business District, SMU is a stone's throw away from museums, theatres, art galleries, cafes and restaurants. Take a 5 to 10-minute bus or MRT ride to the shopping belt of Orchard Road, the cultural establishments of Chinatown and Little India, or the centre of nightlife, Clarke Quay.