Introduction | Intermediate Postgraduate Diploma | Programme Aims | Professional Recognition | Programme Structure | FAQ | Goff Arbitration Lecture | Mooting | Admission Requirements | Tuition Fee | CEF | Scholarships | Student Residence on Campus | Applications and Enquiries
LLMArbDR Information Session
Date: 13 March 2013
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre 5, 4/F, Academic 1, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong
The broad aim of the Master of Laws in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (LLMArbDR) Programme is to support the process of commercial arbitration and dispute resolution in Hong Kong. The LLMArbDR Programme was first introduced in 1991, under the title Master of Arts in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (MAArbDR). The title change was effected in 2010.
In many countries, practitioners have come to recognize the limitations of using court litigation as the main method to settle legal disputes. They have turned to less formal alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, such as arbitration and mediation. Moreover, as far as global transactions are concerned, arbitration is the primary method of settling international commercial and investment disputes in general.
Arbitration is an important feature also of the legal system in Hong Kong. Moreover, Hong Kong is well placed to serve as the venue for the arbitration and mediation of disputes arising out of international commercial investment in Asia and in particular in Mainland China. In 1985, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) was created as an independent non-profit organization by five chambers of commerce (American, British, Chinese, Canadian and Hong Kong) with the assistance of the Hong Kong Government. Subsequently, Hong Kong has established itself as one of the leading arbitration centres in the Asia-Pacific Region.
The increase in trade activities arising from China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) will stimulate further demand for dispute resolution services. It will create opportunities also for the arbitration and mediation services sector, especially as to disputes relating to business, construction, investment (joint ventures), intellectual property rights, information technology and shipping. This will be enhanced by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) concluded in July 2003 between the Mainland and Hong Kong, and the implementation of the Civil Justice Reform (CJR) in Hong Kong in April 2009.
The LLMArbDR Programme is designed to meet Hong Kong’s needs for arbitration and dispute resolution expertise in a variety of fields and to maintain and improve Hong Kong’s position as one of the leading arbitration and dispute resolution centres in the Asia-Pacific Region, as well as to make use of the special links between Hong Kong and Mainland China in this respect. The programme offers a unique blend of academic and practical training in a broad range of dispute resolution methods, with emphasis on domestic and international arbitration, as well as on mediation and negotiation. The LLMArbDR Programme provides substantial leadership in its area and is taught by highly qualified and experienced professionals.
This programme is a linked programme. Students who have successfully completed all required taught courses with a CGPA of 2.00 or above and elected not to pursue the dissertation or its equivalent for the Master's degree are eligible for the intermediate award of Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution.
The programme aims to develop expertise in domestic and international arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific Region; and to foster original research in arbitration and ADR.
More specifically, it aims to:
Upon completion of the programme and subject to fulfilling certain requirements, graduates are eligible to apply for Professional Recognition both within and outside of Hong Kong, including:
* (a) Attendance on the CityU PGD/LLMArbDR Programme (where the student passes the examination) will qualify for exemption from the Entry Course Examination for Associateship of HKIArb; and
(b) Successfully passing the CityU PGD/LLMArbDR examinations will qualify for exemption from all the academic requirements for Fellowship of HKIArb and will confer eligibility for entry to the Fellowship course of HKIArb and exemption from taking the award writing part of the said course of HKIArb.
The programme is currently taught in the combined evening mode. Students can enrol in courses to a total between 3 and 18 credit units in different semesters (except the Summer Term) without seeking approval from the University. Non-local students who hold student visas should normally enrol at least 12 credit units in each semester (except the Summer Term), which is the minimum full-time credit unit load. The programme duration normally extends between one year (2 semesters plus 1 summer term) and two and a half years (5 semesters plus 1 summer term). Students who have qualified for certain exemptions may complete the programme in one to two years.
Classes are normally held on weekdays between 7:00 - 9:50 pm (10:50 pm if required), usually for 2-3 evenings per week. If students opt to take the fast-track evening curriculum, the weekday classes will be increased to 4-5 evenings per week. There may be some weekend classes.
Taught courses of the programme include Legal Concepts, Commercial Contracts, Procedure & Proof, Dispute Resolution in Theory & Practice, Mediation Practice, Arbitration Law, Arbitration Practice & Award Writing, and International Arbitration. Students with exemption are required to take an elective.
Students are required to complete a research project in which they conduct preliminary research and prepare a research proposal. To obtain the Master’s degree, students are required to perform independent scholarly research and prepare a dissertation or its equivalent.
Frequently asked questions about the LLMArbDR Programme (click HERE).
The Goff Lecture series was inaugurated by City University of Hong Kong in 1990. Lord Goff of Chieveley, then Lord of Appeal, initiated the series. He has been followed by an illustrious list of some of the world’s most renowned experts in the field.
The Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot is a competition for law students. Students from all countries are eligible and the Finals take place in Vienna, Austria. The Moot involves a dispute arising out of a contract of sale of goods between two countries that are parties to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. CityU hosts the annual Willem C. Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Hong Kong.
The International ADR Mooting Competition is a truly innovate and exciting initiative of three institutions, the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), the School of Law of City University of Hong Kong (CityU), the School of Law of Columbia University (New York) in association with UNCITRAL - Regional Centre for Asia and the Pacific. It combines both mediation and arbitration in one competition and gives students the opportunity to act as arbitrator and mediator in addition to the roles of advocates in the arbitral hearing immediately followed by mediation proceedings. CityU hosts the annual International ADR Moot in Hong Kong.
To be eligible for consideration for admission, an applicant must have:
Applicants whose employment or professional activities involve arbitration or other forms of dispute resolution may be preferred, where qualifications are otherwise equal, but in all cases admission will be based on merit.
Applicants graduated from an institution where the medium of instruction is not English must achieve the following English proficiency requirement:
(The School has stipulated a validity period of three years for results of the above tests. Applicants are required to provide their English test results obtained within the three years preceding the commencement of the University's application period.)
Please click HERE for the tuition fee information.
For tuition fee enquiries, please contact the School of Law General Office by email at llmarb@cityu.edu.hk or by phone at 3442 7680.
The LLMArbDR Programme has been included in the list of reimbursable courses for CEF purposes. For application details, please refer to http://www.sfaa.gov.hk/cef
School of Law Postgraduate Scholarships
Students should be prepared to arrange their own accommodation, as on-campus accommodation is usually not available to LLMArbDR students, due to limited space. For assistance in locating information on off-campus accommodation, see “Off-campus Accommodation” http://www.cityu.edu.hk/sro/htm/e_off-campus1.htm
Apply online at http://www.sgs.cityu.edu.hk/prospective/apply/procedures
Admissions Enquiry:
Telephone: (852) 3442 5588
Fax: (852) 3442 0187
Email: tpadmit@cityu.edu.hk
Website: www.cityu.edu.hk/sgs
Further information about the programme is obtainable from:
Mr Philip YANG Liang-yee, BBS Dr YANG Fan |
Mr Christopher TO Wing City University of Hong Kong 83 Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3442 8008 Fax: (852) 3442 0190 E-Mail: llmarb@cityu.edu.hk Website: http://www.cityu.edu.hk/slw |
