Master specialisation Public International Law (LL.M.)

Public international law is one of the 7 specialisations of the LL.M. in Rechtsgeleerdheid / Law. Public international law is 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.

This requires a redefinition of the core values and principles that shape international law into a coherent and effective system for the promotion of stability, peace and security, and justice in an era of globalisation and interdependence.

- Who is entitled to intervene in situations of mass violations of human rights?
- What means are allowed to combat international terrorism?

- Can the international community develop governance mechanisms, including law, to deal with problems such as global climate change?

These and many more questions have come up with regard to the role of international law in international society. The Master’s Programme Public International Law challenges students to develop their own views on the role and functioning of law in the international society.

After providing students with a thorough understanding of the fundamental doctrines of public international law, the programme aims at confronting them with different perspectives from theory and practice. As the programme will be taught in The Hague, it will, as far as possible, draw upon the expertise available in the various international institutions located in The Hague, such as the International Court of Justice, The International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Court and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Students will be asked to contribute actively to the programme in oral and written presentations. The programme aims to equip students with a sufficiently broad academic training to be able to pursue a career within their national legal system, in international law departments of national institutions, in international governmental or non-governmental organisations, or internationally operating business enterprises.

Internships

In view of further developing practical and professional skills, students may also benefit from the LL.M. Internship Programme, an internal competitive process with a view to selecting the best candidates who will be institutionally endorsed in their internship applications to different international institutions. The number and duration of internships vary, although generally each year 5-10 students receive intern positions at institutions such as the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Criminal Court, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and law firms.

NOTE: Before applying to the programme, international students are advised to verify with the respective authorities whether the diploma of this master’s programme, together with their bachelor’s degree, qualifies as full legal education and provides access to the legal profession in their home countries. Dutch students with a bachelor in law fulfil the requirements for the effectus civilis (civiel effect) upon successful completion of this master’s programme.

More information

For a detailed description of our programme, the courses, application procedure, please visit Masters Leiden.