Public International Law

Specialisation of: Law
Degree: Master of Laws in Law
Mode of Study: Full-time, part-time
Duration: 1 year
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60084
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The Master’s specialisation in Public International Law is an English-taught programme concerning the law that governs international relations. In the not so distant past, this was more or less limited to relations between states, but in recent years international organisations, peoples, enterprises and individuals have also become part of the increasingly complex global society and therewith of the realm of international law.

Organisation

Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies in The Hague

The Grotius Centre forms part of Leiden University’s Law School and Campus The Hague . Teaching and research activities at the Centre focus on all aspects of international law and combine the expertise of Leiden University’s Law School with the position of The Hague as the City of Peace and Justice.

The Master of Laws Public International Law (reg.) Programme offers insights into the everyday practice of the various international judicial and other institutions in The Hague, such as

  • the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
  • the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
  • the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
  • the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
  • the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Extracurricular activities

Notably, the activities of the Grotius Centre provide ample opportunity for students to engage in extracurricular activities. Examples of such activities include weekly lecture series in International Criminal Law. These lectures are organised in co-operation with the T.M.C. Asser Institute and the NGO Coalition for the International Criminal Court and conferences organised with other members of the The Hague Academic Coalition. Members of The Hague Academic Coalition are:

  • the Institute of Social Studies
  • the Carnegie Foundation (Peace Palace)
  • The Hague Institute for the Internationalisation of Law
  • the T.M.C. Asser Institute for International Law
  • the Netherlands Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael’
  • Campus The Hague of Leiden University.

Student Facilities

The Law School is housed in the monumental Kamerlingh Onnes Gebouw, a fully equipped and beautifully restored landmark building in the heart of historic Leiden. A selected part of the courses is taught at the Grotius Centre at Campus The Hague of Leiden University.

Libraries

The Leiden Law School has an extensive library, containing both traditional and electronic sources of European and International Law, including studies on specific themes and handbooks dealing with law and policy, as well as the most reputable journals in the world.
Students also have convenient access to the Royal Library, the library of the Peace Palace in The Hague and the libraries of the T.M.C. Asser Institute for International Law.

Difference between Regular and Advanced Programmes

Regular LL.M. programmes are the final part of the standard Dutch law curriculum.

The regular LL.M. programmes are the final part of the standard Dutch law curriculum and form a required programme for Dutch students wishing to gain the right to enter legal practice in the Netherlands. The regular programmes the Leiden Law School offers are also accessible for international students (and attract many!), and are aimed at those participating directly after completing a bachelor‘s programme in Law.

There are two major differences between the Advanced Studies programme the regular master’s specialisation:

Focus

  • The Advanced Studies programme focuses on European Law from a business perspective, as seen against the background of international law.
  • The regular master’s programme focuses on European Law only and within this field provides a more general perspective (e.g. by including courses on Constitutional Law and Human Rights).

Level of teaching and learning

  • The regular programme is part of the standard Dutch law curriculum, and is a required programme for Dutch students wishing to gain the right to legal practice in the Netherlands. The regular programme is also accessible for international students, aimed at those coming in directly after completing their bachelor ‘s programme.
  • The Advanced Studies programme is specifically designed for excellent students at an advanced level and for qualified lawyers who wish to enhance their career prospects.

Programmes
Regular LL.M. programmes:

Advanced Studies programmes: