The Institute’s new LL.M. in International law, building upon the distinguished tradition of the Institute’s International Law Department, launched its inaugural cohort in autumn 2013 and has already engaged a number of influential practitioners in the international law sphere.

Just two weeks into their programme, participants have been addressed via videoconference from the United Nations Secretariat in New York by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel.  “Having Mr. Miguel Serpa Soares address our group and field questions from them—just moments after attending treaty negotiations with US Secretary of State John Kerry—was an exceptional opportunity for the LL.M. participants”, says Programme Manager Jason Rudall.  “The Programme takes advantage of our presence in Geneva and the network of our faculty to provide this kind of exclusive, inside access to leading lawyers in the public international law arena.”  The Geneva-to-New York session was arranged by Visiting Professor Nicolas Michel, who previously held that same post as UN Legal Counsel between 2004 and 2008. Later in the year, the LL.M. class can look forward to being taught by the former judge of the International Court of Justice, Bruno Simma, and renowned international law practitioner and professor, Philippe Sands.

With an emphasis on the practice of international law, the LL.M. Programme is run by the Executive Education and International Law Departments of the Institute.  The Programme is cohort-based, where young professionals study as an academic community, but it allows for specialisation in streams so that students can take advantage of the Institute’s broad range of expertise in international law.  Their Programme is an applied, tailored experience with, for example, participants conducting clinical projects in their chosen areas of specialisation as well as attending weekly lectures by senior international lawyers.  Monthly networking events also allow participants to gain insights, in a more informal setting, on the work of a legal practitioner in International Geneva.

More information is available on the LL.M. Programme page