LLM in Transnational Arbitration & Dispute Settlement (one year full time)
Why study arbitration in Paris?
- One of the most attractive and important international arbitration venues worldwide thanks to the presence of the International Chamber of Commerce’s Court of International Arbitration
- Interact and gain access to the most important law firms specialized in International Arbitration and many of the leading specialists in the field
Why study arbitration at Sciences Po Law School?
- Founded 150 years ago, Sciences Po stands out as a world-class university with internationally-recognised degrees and research, a multicultural community and a worldwide network of partners
- Sciences Po Law School (SPLS) has developed a strong reputation in matters related to international economic law, with a particular focus on all mechanisms of international dispute settlement
- Many international arbitration related activities are organised every year with the participation of the most outstanding specialists from all over the world
- SPLS's teams excel in international moot competitions around the world and SPLS has been organising its own international moot competition for 18 years
What will you study in this LLM?
The LLM offers extensive training in theoretical and practical aspects of arbitration and dispute settlement. The core objective of the program will be the study of transnational arbitration in all its forms. The LLM will also cover other mechanisms of international dispute settlement, including judicial and non-judicial means of dispute resolution such as litigation before the International Court of Justice, at the World Trade Organization (Panel and Appellate Body), Human Rights Litigation (e.g. European or American framework).
In addition, the TADS LLM will offer an insight into litigation before domestic courts, recourse to mediation and online dispute settlement. Ultimately, the program will not exclusively focus on procedural tools governing dispute settlement. Substantial lectures will offer further insight into public international law, international contracts law, private international law, energy law, international investment law, and the protection of human rights. The combination of these procedural and substantial insights will provide a foundation for students to act before the extraordinary variety of tribunals and courts that exist in the world today.
Students in the LLM complete mandatory and elective coursework in small groups in semester-long and intensive formats.To deepen intellectual and professional exchanges, workshops on practical skills and professional methods are taught in situ at partner law firms and at the ICC International Court of Arbitration. LLM students complement their knowledge and practice with a series of annual conferences, internships, and optional participation in international moots. The LLM offers a unique immersive opportunity to interact in the transnational arbitration network as a young practitioner.
The high-level education received during the programme, enables students to be extremely competitive to get positions in international law firms, arbitration institutions and international organisations.
CurriculuM OVERVIEW
The curriculum is complemented by the following options:
- Internship, ranging from 14 weeks to 6 months from July to December following studies (30 ECTS) or
- Graduate Thesis, completed before the end of studies in June (30 ECTS) and
- Optional Moot Competitions as a coach (10 ECTS)
Governance AND FACULTY
Director
"In this LLM programme students have significant opportunities to learn the theory and practice of transnational arbitration, along with other means of dispute settlement, by concentrating on both substantial and procedural issues. By studying in the most important arbitration venue in the world, our students are taught by several of the most prominent scholars and practitioners in the field."
Diego P. Fernández Arroyo
Professor at Sciences Po
Scientific Advisory Board
- George A. Bermann, Professor at Columbia University, Affiliated with Sciences Po
- Andrea Bjorklund, Professor at McGill University
- Gary B. Born, Partner, Wilmerhale
- Franco Ferrari, Professor at New York University
- Maurice Kamto, Professor at Yaoundé II University
- Pierre Mayer, Emeritus Professor at Paris I University
- Alexis Mourre, Partner, MGC Arbitration
- Horatia Muir Watt, Professor at Sciences Po
- Alain Pellet, Emeritus Professor at the University of Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense
- Mónica Pinto, Emeritus Professor at Buenos Aires University
- Emmanuelle Tourme-Jouannet, Professor at Sciences Po
Practitioners Consultative Committee
- Carine Dupeyron, Darrois, Villey, Maillot, Brochier
- Simon Greenberg & Karolina Rozycka, Clifford Chance
- Laurent Gouiffès, Hogan Lovells
- Maude Lebois, GBS Disputes
- Carole Malinvaud, Gide Loyrette Nouel
- Fernando Mantilla Serrano, Latham & Watkins
- Isabelle Michou, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
- Charles Nairac, Elizabeth Oger-Gross, Christophe von Krause & Nicolas Bouchardie, White & Case
- Tim Portwood, Bredin Prat
- Eduardo Silva Romero, Dechert
- Roland Ziadé & Clément Fouchard, Linklaters
- Elie Kleiman, Jones Day
- Alexander Fessas & Ana Serra e Moura, ICC Court
- Gonzalo Flores, ICSID
- Martind Doe, PCA
Faculty
The Faculty comprises the members of the two governance bodies joined by other renowned scholars and practitioners from all over the world.
- Diego P. Fernández Arroyo, Courses on Transnational Commercial Arbitration, Sociology and Philosophy of International Arbitration and State Immunity in Litigation & Arbitration
- George Bermann, Course on International & Transnational Litigation
- Makane Moïse Mbengue, Courses on WTO Law and Public International Law
- Luca G. Radicati di Brozolo, Course on Choice of Law in Arbitration
- Gabrielle Kaufmann-Kohler, Seminar on ISDS Reform
- Alexis Mourre, Course on Divergences and controversies in international commercial arbitration
- Stefano Azzali, Course on Strength and weakness of institutional arbitration
- Franco Ferrari, Course on International Sales Law & Dispute Resolution
- Pierre Tercier, Course on Pivotal Moments of Arbitration Proceedings
- Chiann Bao, Seminar on International Commercial Arbitration
- Laurence Burgogue-Larsen, Course on Regional Systems of Human Rights
- Bernard Audit, Course on International & Transnational Litigation
- Eleonora Coelho & Eduardo Silva Romero, Course on Investment Law and Arbitration
- José R. Feris, Course on Transnational Commercial Arbitration
- Arno Gildemeister, Courses on Negotiation and Mediation
- Brian McGarry, Course on Dispute Settlement in the Law of the Seas
- Christophe Seraglini, Course on French Arbitration Law
- Mark S. McNeill, Course on Investment Law and Arbitration
- Chiann Bao, Seminar on Iura Novit Curia
- Peter Rosher, Course on Comparative Procedural Tools
- Clément Fouchard, Course on Comparative Procedural Tools
- Franck Latty, Course on Sports Arbitration
- Alexandre Senegacnik, Course on ISDS Reform
- Catharine Titi, Course on Enforcement of Investment Awards
- Raëd Fathallah, Course on Arbitration in corporate and M&A disputes
- José María Pérez, Course on Arbitration in corporate and M&A disputes
- Olivera Boskovic, Course on EU Law
TADS Inspirational Figure: Emmanuel Gaillard, Professor at Sciences Po
Professor Emmanuel Gaillard’s vision on transnational arbitration inspired the creation of the LLM in Transnational Arbitration & Dispute Settlement. Professor Gaillard taught in the LLM and presided over the scientific advisory board since its creation and until 2021. His foundation of the LLM responds to the direct needs of practitioners engaged in transnational arbitration and dispute settlement across the globe. Future generations of LLM students will undoubtedly be in the best position to start international careers in international law firms, arbitral institutions or other relevant international organisations thanks to his legacy and leadership.
Emmanuel Gaillard (1952-2021)
Professor at Sciences Po
Founder of Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes (GBSD)
Founding Chairman of the TADS Scientific Advisor Board (2017-2021)
Events
Students
Fully taught in English, this one-year LLM programme is designed for candidates with a graduate degree in law who seek to immerse themselves in a challenging university environment and gain further expertise in arbitration and international dispute settlement. The LLM is a full-time programme, running from late August to the end of August of the following year. Upon successful completion of the TADS LLM programme in Transnational Arbitration and Dispute Settlement, students will receive a "Diplôme d’établissement" delivered by Sciences Po.
Find out more about class of 2023.
ALUMNI PROFILEs
Eligibility and admissions
To be considered for admission to the LLM, applicants must hold a law degree (Master 2, JD, LL.B., or their equivalent) and a minimum of 18 months professional experience in legal fields at the time of starting their studies. Significant internships may be considered as relevant professional experience by our admissions evaluators.
Find out more about the admissions procedure on the admissions pages of the Sciences Po website.
Financing your LLM STUDIES
In order to ensure that admitted LLM students successfully complete their studies at Sciences Po, they are invited to consider the financial aspects of their studies in Paris.
Budgeting and Funding Opportunities
Relevant information regarding budgeting is available on the Student Services pages of the Sciences Po website.
The LLM tuition fees are €25,000 (for the 2022-2023 academic year).
Admitted students are encouraged to consider diverse potential funding streams during the course of their LLM, including scholarship and grant opportunities at Sciences Po (see below), Scholarships or funding opportunities from one's home region/country, government, private businesses, (student) loans from a bank, or funding from current employers.
Should admitted students need to defer their admission offer, they are invited to present their reasons in a formal letter to the Dean’s Office via Kyle Schneider, Assistant Dean, during the admissions process.
Scholarship and Grant Opportunities
Each year, a limited number of LLM scholarships and grants are made available to admitted LLM Students. Following is an overview of these opportunities for current and recently-admitted students:
The Squire Patton Boggs Research Excellence Grant
This annual award comprises a €6,000 study grant, a €3,000 research stipend and a paid, 6-month graduate field internship offer starting in July following the completion of LLM studies.
Recent research assignments have contributed to the Sciences Po-Squire Patton Boggs Climate Change Arbitration Monitor.
Selection for this grant is competitive and offered to current LLM students during the fall semester.
2022 Squire Patton Boggs Grant Recipient: Akash Santosh Karmarkar.
The Bredin Prat Excellence Grant
This annual award comprises a €6,000 study grant to an emerging arbitration practitioner.
Selection for this grant is competitive and offered to current LLM students during the fall semester.
2022 Bredin Prat Grant Recipient: Arias Lim Jie.
Sciences Po LLM Scholarships
The Law School provides scholarship support to students on needs and merit bases. While amounts vary, awards are €6,000 on average and attributed in July prior to the commencement of studies.
In 2022, Five recipients received Sciences Po LLM Scholarships.
Contact us
For queries regarding admissions eligibility requirements and procedures, you are invited to consult the admissions pages of the Sciences Po website. All other relevant questions can be directed to the LLM team below:
Kyle Schneider, Assistant Dean
kyle.schneider@sciencespo.fr
Bruno Sousa Rodrigues, Teaching Assistant for the LLM
bruno.sousarodrigues@sciencespo.fr
Carine Ipoli, Academic Assistant
carine.ipoli@sciencespo.fr