Compulsory Modules

Intensive English Language Course

This course is intended to help international graduate students from non-English medium institutions improve their written and oral communication skills in English in preparation for their graduate studies at the Faculty of Law. It is conducted intensively over three (3) weeks in July prior to Semester 1. Students identified to read this course will be required to pay for the course. More details on the course and fee payments will be notified well ahead of the academic year.

Students who have obtained a minimum TOEFL score of 100 (iBT) or a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 will be exempted from this course.

Common Law Legal System of Singapore and Common Law Reasoning & Writing

These two modules have been specially designed for LLM students from non-common law backgrounds. The Common Law Legal System of Singapore provides students with an overview of the legal system in Singapore, with an emphasis on the common law of obligations. Common Law Reasoning & Writing provides students with skills in common law reasoning, including case analysis and statutory interpretation. It includes writing exercises designed to teach students legal writing as practised by common law lawyers. These two modules are compulsory for all students from non-common law backgrounds, but the requirement can be waived if students are able to demonstrate that they have the requisite skills and background in the common law.

Company Law

This module introduces the main principles governing the operation of companies such as the rules governing the incorporation of companies, how this corporate personality operates, how this business vehicle fits in with the broader framework of the outside world, questions of funding and what comprises good corporate governance. This module is a prerequisite to many advanced modules on corporate and financial services law. It is compulsory for students enrolled in the LLM (Corporate & Financial Services Law) programme who did not read Company Law at NUS or its equivalent in a developed common law jurisdiction.

Foundations of IP Law

This module seeks to introduce students to the general principles of intellectual property law in Singapore, as well as, major international IP conventions. It is aimed at students who have no knowledge of IP law but are interested in learning more about this challenging area of law. It will also be useful for students intending to pursue the advanced modules in IP/IT by providing them with the necessary foundation on IP law. It is compulsory for students enrolled in the LLM (Intellectual Property & Technology Law) programme.

Law of Intellectual Property

Students will first be provided with an overview of what the various intellectual property (IP) rights in Singapore are. Thereafter, this module will launch into the specifics of the three main IP rights: copyright; patents, trade marks (common law rights in an action for passing off; statutory rights upon registration). For each of these IP rights, selected issues relating to their subsistence (how does it arise; is registration needed; what are the registration criteria) and infringement (what exclusive rights the IP owner has; what defences are available) will be examined very closely. Students will also be encouraged to explore the inter-relationship between these IP rights on specific issues. It is compulsory for students enrolled in the LLM (Intellectual Property & Technology Law) programme.

Public International Law

This foundational module introduces the student to the nature, major principles, processes and institutions of the international legal system, the relationship between international and domestic law and the role of law in promoting world public order. It is compulsory for students enrolled in the LLM (International & Comparative Law) programme who did not read Public International Law at NUS or its equivalent.

Carriage of Goods by Sea

This module examines the two types of contracts of affreightment by sea, charterparties and bills of lading. It will examine the rights and liabilities of parties under the contracts of affreightment, including the shipowner, the charterer, the cargo owner, the lawful holder of the bill of lading, etc. Major international conventions on shipping law, such as the Hague -Visby Rules, will also be examined. This module will be of importance to individuals contemplating a career in shipping law. It is also essential for an appreciation of Singapore's role as a major global port and maritime hub. It is compulsory for students enrolled in the LLM (Maritime Law) programme.

Charterparties

This course will focus on charterparties, which are contracts between the shipowner and the charterer for the hire of the vessel, either for a specific voyage (voyage charterparties) or over a period of time (time charterparties). There are in addition, other variants of these basic types, which will also be referred to. This course will examine the standard forms for each of the charterparties being studied and examine the main terms and legal relationship between shipowners and charterers. This dynamic and important aspect of the law of carriage of goods by sea is frequently the subject of arbitral proceedings and court decisions. This course will be of importance to individuals contemplating a career in shipping law and underlines Singapore's role as a major global port and maritime hub. It is compulsory for students enrolled in the LLM (Maritime Law) programme.

Comparative Legal Traditions in Asia

This introductory module will explore the laws, institutions and legal traditions of Asia, and is compulsory for students enrolled in the LLM (Asian Legal Studies) programme.

Graduate Research Seminar

This seminar encourages students to reflect on the nature of supervised research. It also examines in depth issues concerning legal research and methodology; and considers how their research might be approached from a variety of perspectives (e.g. international, comparative, theoretical, empirical). This seminar helps students to understand the process of conceiving, structuring, and refining their argument and the sorts of challenges and difficulties involved in this process. It is compulsory for research students enrolled in the PhD programme.