LLM in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution

Dalibor Valincic, Croatia

LLM in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution 2008-9

An absolutely unique experience! I chose Queen Mary because of its well-known School of International Arbitration, which is widely recognized throughout the arbitration community. However, I could not have expected to find myself in such a diversified community of students and teachers coming from literally every part of the world.

I completed my legal studies at the University of Zagreb, School of Law and started working as a legal trainee in a Croatian law office. After having spent three years as a legal trainee, I registered with the Croatian Bar Association and became a fully qualified lawyer. Having practiced for a year as a lawyer, I was determined to specialise in the field of dispute resolution, especially in international commercial arbitration. Since I was looking forward to coming to London, Queen Mary was a logical choice.

As our classes proceeded during the year, I began to realise why the School of International Arbitration is so renowned. Legal theory lectures were interwoven with practical issues, which was very useful for me as a practicing lawyer. On the other hand, lectures were balanced with table discussions with practicing lawyers and small group tutorials, which all gave me a thorough insight into the world of international commercial arbitration.

Having completing my studies at Queen Mary, I have now returned to Croatia and am continuing to work in my own law office. I am convinced that my LLM degree in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution will show to be an important asset both for myself and my clients.

João Paulo Tannous, Brazil

LLM in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution 2008-9

João Paulo Tannous, Attorney, Litigation and Dispute Resolution- Souza, Cescon, Barrieu & Flesch Advogados, Brazil

"After facing the first arbitration disputes in my career and as arbitration is a recent subject in Brazil, I decided that it would be interesting to study the subject abroad, in a country where this sort of dispute resolution is traditional. Having those premises in mind, and after a brief research of the best Law Schools in Europe, applying for a place at Queen Mary was the reasonable thing to do.

When I arrived at the Queen Mary Campus I knew I had made the right choice. And, after the classes started, I was absolutely sure about it. Even having to adapt to a common law environment, I was amazed by the knowledge of the professors and their ability in transmitting it during a class. In addition, due to their availability and kindness, the professors also became good friends of mine outside College life. It is needless to say how important this is for someone who is living abroad and far away from his family and old friends. At the end of the course, I was quite surprised how fast everything happened - and how much I had learned in a short period - and a bit sad for realizing that my experience in UK was finishing.

Back in Brazil, I noticed how important the decision of doing the LLM at Queen Mary was. The knowledge I obtained has been very helpful and it is well valued by my colleagues at the law firm and by my clients. Today, grateful for the whole support I got from the Queen Mary staff, I definitely recommend the College and encourage my friends to apply for a place there too."

Katia Ramo, USA

LLM in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution

"Why an American would come to London and study law? And why QMUL in particular? I get asked this question all the time. I smile and go on telling the story! Coming here was never a gamble for me. You have all the elements to make this a successful and memorable stage or chapter in your life whether you are fresh out of law school or a mid career professional seeking career revival or a change of direction. There is everything for everyone. This is not any law degree folks it is LLM in International Commercial Arbitration Law where the emphasis is on the words ‘International’ and ‘Arbitration’ here. This is my third masters and I'm pursuing it as a career change to enter into the Arbitration industry after 16 plus years of a highly successful career in International Development. London is the place to be for International Commercial Arbitration let alone QMUL. I'm getting world class education by who-is-who in the Arbitration world. I'm close to the heart beat of the arbitration industry and all this is at a bargain competitive cost compared to similar other international well-known law schools. And you get a life time chance to live in London, one of the most exciting cities in the world that accommodates any life style from A to Z. So, it can’t get better than this!

QMUL boasts a non abstract academic style. It is a practical hands-on, well thought of approach of teaching and pretty much you will be ready to hit the ground running in terms of your career pursuits after you are done, if not even before. Additionally, you are interacting with an amazing talented well-selected group of diverse student body from all over the globe where you have daily zillion opportunities of making life-long friendships and business networking. Bear in mind, it is not an easy task to teach a class for such a diverse mix of students not only with different needs, languages, but laws (civil vs. common), and interpretations as well. However, fear not, the teaching body at the LLM program has beautifully mastered how to do this. And consistently, it is a very highly stimulating experience every time you go to class!

It would be a lie to say everything is a slam dunk though so to speak. Yet it is nothing unusual. There is a natural adjusting and coping curve when you arrive regardless of where you are coming from and whether English is your native language or not. We all have to go through this from finding your way around campus, finding a place to live, and settling into a study/living routine. Luckily, the system at QMUL is set up to provide equal opportunities for all students to succeed in a very nurturing environment where you truly feel you are at home away from home.

Personally, life has given me the opportunity to test QMUL’s student support system from all its aspects first hand.  And I'm thrilled to report that QMUL passed with flying colours! This is evident by my being still a student here after the setback I experienced! To elaborate, after I joined the LLM program in the fall of 2006, I suffered a sudden severe deterioration in my eye sight. In weeks, I became severely visually-impaired. This meant for the first time in my life I became ‘a special needs student.’  To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. I was devastated and ready to give up and go home but what made a huge difference is the genuine and practical support I received from QMUL. It was a very impressive collective effort, like a mean well-oiled machine! The disability services team provided stellar caring service. They have gone beyond the call of duty to make sure I can continue on the path I'm set out to pursue and do when I arrived here. The student advice and counselling, the funding department, the wonderful cheerful administrative staff at the commercial law centre and last but not least the talented and compassionate teaching body team. They created an environment where a special needs student has an equal opportunity to perform like any other student on campus with out making them feel less of person due to a disability!

In a nutshell, I'm one of many happy students at QMUL LLM and you bet I'll always be a QMUL cheer leader! Why not when coming here proved to be all real gains and not losses! Thank you."

Lucrecia Ortiz, Costa Rica

LLM in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution 2011-12

I obtained my degree in law at the University of Costa Rica as well as a specialisation in Commercial Law. I have had the opportunity to work as a practitioner in one of the most prestigious law firms in Costa Rica on international dispute resolution for the last three years, and also got involved in the academic field, collaborating as an interim professor at the University of Costa Rica in the area of Private Law of Obligations from 2004 to 2009. In the context of major economical changes in my country and new alliances for free trade, as well as the topical increase of arbitration in Latin America as one of the favourite dispute resolution methods, my personal involvement and interest in International Dispute Resolution have influenced my decision to apply for the International Dispute Resolution LLM programme at Queen Mary. The obvious link with London as a preferred seat of arbitration, as well as the involvement of highly qualified lecturers in the area made Queen Mary a natural choice. The programme has given me the opportunity to discuss and analyse the topical problems and challenges in International Dispute Resolution. The acquired comparative perspective of legal analysis is without a doubt an invaluable asset from this academic year. The collaborative attitude of Professors and their commitment to provide us with updated and high quality knowledge to approach the challenges of this fascinating discipline has made my experience at Queen Mary an exceptional one. Finally, the opportunity of sharing this year with students from the most varied cultures and traditions has definitely made this experience unforgettable.

Mauricio Gomm Santos, Brazil

LLM in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution

Mauricio Gomm Santos, Foreign Legal Consultant, Brazil

"In 1992, as a law professor of Commercial Law at the Catholic University in the State of Parana, Brazil, I was graced with a scholarship from the British Council to attend a Master's Degree Program (LLM), at Queen Mary and Westfield College, with a special focus on international commercial arbitration. It turned out to be an outstanding personal and academic experience because QMW provided me with accurate tools to obtain a substantial knowledge regarding international arbitration, at the moment where a new arbitration bill was being sent to Brazilian Parliament. Since then, I have been involved with international arbitration, as counsel, arbitrator and law professor. Currently, I teach Arbitration in Latin America at the University of Miami, School of Law, and serve as Foreign Legal Consultant at the prominent law firm of Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, PC, at Miami offices.

It is beyond any doubt that Queen Mary is in the forefront of the world's law schools; especially in the area of International Commercial Arbitration. It offers legal training, in a friendly atmosphere, for those who will be the architects of a changing and challenging world."

Melike Tas, Turkey

LLM in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution

"After having studied law at Istanbul University, I was eager to complete my LLM degree in law. I was determined to be specialised in comparative and commercial law and following my research on this area, I was convinced that QMUL was the best option to apply for.

During my studies at the University, I realised I made the best choice. The course provided an excellent foundation for a professional career in International Arbitration, focusing on the key elements of practice and procedure in International Arbitration. I found a top-quality LLM program at QMUL. The university offers an excellent program and variety of different lectures as well as extremely reputable and well known academics. Direct contact with the professors, frequent tutorials, feed-back sessions with the students, individual research support and out-of-London inductions, parties, well located lecture venue and friendly staff, which gives a completely new meaning to the word administration. Following my graduation, my CV was found very attractive not only in London, but also in Turkey when I returned. My LLM degree from QMUL proved to be a great asset during my job applications and interviews. I am now an Attorney here in Istanbul at Paksoy & Co."