Doctoral Programme

The Department of Law (LAW) offers a programme leading to the Doctorate in Law. For the general rules governing admission and the doctoral programme consult the Guide to the Law Department .

In the first year, new researchers in the doctoral programme follow a series of seminars jointly with those studying for an LL.M.

Researchers are counselled and supervised by a Professor in the Department, and take part in departmental seminars as part of a structured programme in their first and second years, and on a voluntary basis thereafter.

Researchers write a dissertation which is the basis for the conferment of the degree and normally submitted within the fourth year following arrival.

 

First-Year Doctoral Researchers 

First-year researchers must obtain a series of necessary credits through term seminars, intensive courses and workshops. 

Some seminars are of a general nature whilst others are more specialized. They are led by one or more Law professors, and  are designed for researchers with a thorough legal education. The Department offers several research seminars which reflect the Department's main research interests, including researchers' projects. Researchers can present their work in the relevant seminar.

The last term is dedicated to individual research. First-year doctoral researchers must prepare. submit and defend a substantial paper (May Paper, mémoire de mai) on the basis of which admission to the second year is decided.

Researchers should note that requests to transfer from the Ph.D. programme to the LL.M. will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, and normally before the end of January of the first year.
 

Linguistic Diversity

The Department attaches particular importance to linguistic diversity and encourages professors and researchers to express themselves in more than one language during seminars and departmental activities.

Submitting papers and theses in languages other than English is encouraged whenever this is desired and when appropriate supervision is available.

For more information see the Language Centre .