LAWYERS can now go for a master degree in law that focuses on the practical side of international law.
Jointly offered by the International Bar Association (IBA) and The College of Law of England and Wales (CoL), the Master of Laws in International Professional Legal Practice is unique, said IBA's president, Mr Fernando Pombo.
Announcing the course on the sidelines of the IBA conference at Suntec convention centre on Wednesday, Mr Pombo said: 'It will enable the learners to develop and practise the skills in advising and implementing international transactions, as opposed to the academic study of legal cases.'
This will give them a real advantage in the increasingly legal environment, he added.
The distance-learning post-graduate law degree via the Internet will also allow lawyers to study in any location without disrupting their careers.
Costing 9,500 UK pounds ($28,350), the course will require students to complete six modules within five years.
Subjects include international business and finance, and the practice of intellectual property as well as mergers and acquisitions.
'The course content has been developed by leading international lawyers from some of the world's major law firms and will equip lawyers with the skills to conduct cases across jurisdictional boundaries,' said CoL director of professional development Sarah Hutchinson.
The master degree builds on CoL's successful international law diploma programme introduced in 2003. More than 1,550 lawyers from 97 countries, including Singapore, have completed it.
Lawyer Suresh Divyanathan, 33, of Drew & Napier, sees the new degree as particularly useful to new graduates starting off in the practice of international law.
