Master of Laws (LLM) Study

Law 5 offerings in 2010

¹LAWS557-10C to be taught intensively over a two week period commencing 23 August
²LAWS570-10C to be taught intensively over a two week period commencing 11 January
³LAWS572-10C to be taught intensively over a two week period commencing 2 February

The Law School reserves to right to amend the programme of offerings if available resources so direct.

Students wishing to enrol in a directed study paper please see Lyn Wood (email: lawrecp@waikato.ac.nz or phone 838 4167 or 0800 529 788.

Any masters papers may be taken on an individual interest basis or towards a Master of Laws degree.

School of Law Graduate Handbook 2010 (530KB PDF)

For further information, please contact Barbara Wallace at the School of Law.
email: barbaraw@waikato.ac.nz
freephone: 0800 529 788 (0800 LAWSTUDY)

The programmes are academic qualifications only. For further information about qualifying for practice as a lawyer in New Zealand see Practice in NZ (30KB PDF)

Academic Staff Profiles and Research Interests

Waikato Law staff are actively engaged in trend-setting research and debate on a broad range of legal issues in academic, professional and public forums. Publication in nationally and internationally peer-reviewed publications attests to the quality of the research and writing undertaken by leading academics. Staff provide policy and legal advice to government, business and non-governmental organisations. This influence on matters of legal and public importance demonstrates that the Law School is taking a prominent role in debates of legal importance in the 21st century.

Academic staff profiles More...

Masters and Post-Graduate Programmes

The Law School is committed to providing a challenging and enriching educational experience, in a supportive learning environment for Masters and Post-Graduate students.

As New Zealand's most modern Law School, an explicit commitment has been made to professionalism, biculturalism and the study of law and operation of the legal system in its social, political and economic contexts. This modern approach enhances the preparedness of Waikato graduates to meet the challenges and future needs of a rapidly changing society, nationally and internationally.

The School's Academic Seminar Programme provides an ideal forum for postgraduate students to share ideas and engage in academic debate with staff on a range of topical legal issues. Excellent computing resources are provided, as well as office space, and a research account to assist with photocopying and printing costs.

Law staff are actively engaged in trend-setting research and debate on a broad range of legal issues in academic, professional and public forums. Publication in nationally and internationally peer-reviewed publications attests to the quality of the research and writing undertaken by leading academics. Staff provide policy and legal advice to government, business and non-governmental organisations. This influence on matters of legal and public importance demonstrates that the Law School is taking a prominent role in debates of legal importance in the 21st century

Qualifications: (Full-time and part-time study options are available)

• Graduate Diploma in New Zealand Legal Studies (GradDipNZLegSt)
• Graduate Diploma in Dispute Resolution (GradDipDR) *
• Masters of Law (LLM)
• Master of Laws in Maori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples' Law (LLM Maori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples')
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) More...
• Doctor of Laws (LLD)

*The GradDipDR has accreditation for Associate Status to the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand Inc. (AMINZ).

The Master of Laws has a flexible programme structure and suits the objective of a number of students; those who seek to upgrade their skills and knowledge through specialist taught papers, and those who wish to combine taught papers with a significant piece of independent research. The LLM is a one-year degree if pursued on a fulltime basis, but it may be studied on a part-time basis over two years.

Students who have already demonstrated strength in independent research may be permitted to complete the degree by thesis only, an alternative which comprises an advanced investigation under the guidance of a supervisor. It is, therefore, appropriate for a student who wishes to carry out intensive research in a specific area, and to build the skills necessary to contribute original ideas to legal thinking.

Entry criteria

Candidates must have completed the LLB degree, or a combined degree in the School of Law, or an equivalent qualification. Admission is subject to a minimum 'B' grade point average. The thesis-only option is available to candidates who have:

• completed an LLB (Hons); or
• completed a combined degree in the School of Law with Honours in law; or
• completed an LLB (Hons) at another university; or
• achieved comparable levels of attainment in LLB studies at another university.

The subject of the thesis must be developed and defined in close consultation with relevant staff. The research topic is subject to the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies who is responsible for the appointment of a supervisor(s). If more than one supervisor is appointed, one will be designated as the Chief Supervisor.

Course requirements

The LLM degree comprises the equivalent of four Level 5 papers. The four papers amount to the equivalent of one year's full-time work. The papers may be taken over a minimum of two full-time semesters, or a maximum of eight consecutive semesters of part-time study. The papers offered are all internally assessed. There are no final examinations. An approved paper at a comparable level in another faculty may be substituted for one of the law papers.

A dissertation may be taken in place of one or two of the four papers. In either case, enrolment will be subject to the definition of a research subject that can be properly supervised in the School.

In the thesis-only option, the research findings are presented in the form of a major thesis which is weighted as equivalent to four Level 5 papers and is, therefore, considered as the result of the equivalent of one year's work by a research student. Students are required to enrol for a minimum of two semesters of full-time study, or a maximum of four consecutive semesters of part-time study.

Both the LLM degrees and The Institute of Professional Legal Studies courses are very demanding. A student may not be concurrently enrolled in both.

Format and Timing

Papers are generally offered over one semester. Lecturer contact time is generally 24 hours per paper, with a Semester A or B class meeting for two hours per week and conducted seminar style. Students may also be asked to present their papers in a seminar.

Check out the University of Waikato Guide to Writing and Submitting a Dissertation or Thesis.

Regulations for the Degree of Master of Laws (LLM)

1. Candidates for the degree of Master of Laws must have:
   
   
   1. qualified for the award of the Bachelor Laws degree or a combined Law degree of the University of Waikato, or a qualification considered equivalent by the Academic Board, and
      
      
   2. satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.
      
2. In exceptional circumstances, candidates who do not meet the standard entry requirements specified in Clause 1 above, may, on the basis of evidence of adequate training and ability, be permitted to enrol in the LLM, subject to the completion of any qualifying papers or additional work as may be required by the Academic Board, either prior to admission or concurrently.
   
   
3. Candidates must enrol and follow an approved programme of study in the School of Law for at least one year. The requirements of the degree must be completed within four consecutive years of first enrolment for the degree.
   
   
4. Candidates must pass a total of 120 points at Level 5 in Law. Candidates may be permitted to replace 30 points at Level 5 from another subject.
   
   
5. Candidates may be permitted to present a dissertation equivalent to 30 points (1-paper dissertation) or 60 points (2-paper dissertation) points at Level 5.
   
   
6. Candidates who have qualified for the degree of Bachelor of Laws with Honours at the University of Waikato or a qualification considered equivalent by the Academic Board, or who have otherwise provided evidence that satisfies the Academic Board of his or her ability to do so, may be permitted to take the degree by four-paper thesis alone.
   
   
7. If a candidate fails a paper or papers worth not more than 30 points in total, he or she may repeat the paper(s) or take alternative papers with the same total point value on one occasion only. A candidate who fails a paper will not be eligible for the award of honours. A candidate who fails papers worth more than 30 points in total will not be permitted to proceed with the degree.
   
   
8. The degree may be awarded with First Class Honours, Second Class Honours (first division), Second Class Honours (second division) or without Honours. In order to be eligible for consideration for the award of Honours, the requirements for the degree must be completed within one year of full-time study, or within two consecutive years of part-time study.
   
   
9. The Personal Programmes of Study Regulations Governing Graduate Degrees apply in these regulations and include provisions for the variation and waiver of these regulations in individual cases by the Academic Board or delegated authority.

See Also:

The Library's Guide to the Presentation of Theses.

Waikato Law School's Master Of Laws Scholarship