Contents

Law

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Overview:

Law pervades our lives. It provides the framework within which a successful society can flourish. Conversely, the absence of an operational legal system permits terrible injustices to be visited upon the most vulnerable members of a society. Lawyers and politicians have a joint responsibility to keep the law relevant to the needs of a changing society. As a student of law you will be challenged to think about and respond to questions which are of fundamental importance to our future.

Studying law has an obvious appeal to anyone considering a career in the legal profession. A Bachelor of Laws degree provides a firm foundation for students wishing to train as solicitors or barristers. However, it is important for prospective students to realize that there are a whole range of careers outside of private legal practice as a solicitor or barrister. Such careers include acting as State Prosecutor, working in the courts service, national and local government law departments and specialist niche areas of law (land registry, competition law or taxation).

More importantly, a law degree is one of the most well respected qualifications. It opens up a vista of career opportunities quite apart from the practice of law. This is because the study of law improves powers of reasoning, clarity of thought and the ability to analyze and express complicated ideas. Such skills are in demand in a wide variety of areas including commerce and industry, social services, politics, the media and the upper echelons of the public services.

Law majors may include the following classes:
  • Public Law
  • Human Rights
  • Constitutional Law
  • Common Law
  • Criminology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Civil Rights
  • Business Law

Example careers:
  • legal researcher
  • lawyer
  • barrister
  • attorney
  • politician

Relevance to Myanmar:

In Myanmar as in many other countries, the rule of law has always been difficult to uphold. Following the rule of law is not common practice in Myanmar, and instead it is often rule by those who have the power or influence. It is not just one part of the legal system that needs reforming in Myanmar, but the entire system as a whole. People must understand that the law should be applied to everyone equally independent of power, wealth, or connections. Far too often matters are not considered on the basis of law, but instead through the stages of corruption. Consequently, Myanmar needs new thinkers who will be able to bring into effect new laws and ways of thinking about the law. This means there is a need for academics with a law background, politicians who have and interest in forming just laws, law makers who legally enact laws, and many others including lawyers who help to uphold those laws and educators who help to inform everyone of their rights under the law.

Undergraduate Majors:

Graduate Majors:

Undergraduate Major Descriptions:

Bachelor of Laws

A Bachelor of Laws provides students with a general and professional education at undergraduate level. The Bachelor of Laws is suitable for you if you: would like to obtain a law degree, wish to pursue a career in the legal professions, have an interest in law, require a knowledge of the law in your chosen career. The Bachelor of Laws provides graduates with a rigorous knowledge of areas of substantive law necessary to undertake legal practice, within a broad liberal education. Students will also graduate with a sound understanding of legal concepts, processes and methods. This degree emphasizes the acquisition of essential foundation legal skills, including: legal research techniques, in particular the capacity to locate primary source material (statutes and judicial decisions) in both the traditional hard copy and in the developing range of computerized data bases; legal reasoning, especially case analysis, statutory interpretation and an appreciation of how facts are established and their relevance determined; critical evaluation of legal rules and policy issues; presentation of arguments both orally and in writing and interpersonal communication, for instance in the context of interviewing clients or conducting negotiation. If you wish to be admitted to legal practice you will need to attend a practical training as well. In addition to joining the legal profession, Law graduates are also found working in the emergency services, health services, insurance, financial services, and personnel and advisory work, and in many other fields. Employers recognize that studying law gives you the chance to develop yourself beyond the boundaries of your normal work environment, giving you skills and knowledge that you can readily put into practice on a daily basis in your job. Graduate employment statistics show that a law degree is one of the best passports to employment in a wide range of occupations because the skills acquired are highly valued. Not all lawyers become barristers or solicitors. Many are employed by large firms or by government or private-sector organizations to assist with the complexities of modern business. Others move into areas such as policy development, administration or law reform.

Business Law

Legal norms are an integral part of business relations and financial decision-making. In the specialization studies of Business Law the focus is on providing students with the basic knowledge of the legislation which governs economic activity. Students are trained to implement legal norms and knowledge in practice. The course prepares students for the increasingly complex legal and taxation issues faced by many areas of business and by government agencies. The degree may comprehend courses like: accounting and finance, business law and taxation, econometrics and business statistics, economics, management, contract law. The purpose of the Business Law major is to enhance the legal and forensic skills needed for the students chosen profession or discipline, such as accounting, management and marketing. Business Law provides also capabilities to identify the problems company encounters in the field of company, security market, contract, marketing and taxation law, and to search for the optimal solutions for the company business. The student will also be capable to communicate efficiently with these topics with company management and employees as well as with authorities.

Legal Management

This degree is a good preparation for the college of law and is, at the same time, intended to provide employment opportunities to the graduates. The program aims to: provide basic knowledge in the proper legislature proceedings adopted in the justice system for those who intend to pursue further studies about general laws and international laws; form students’ keenness and know-how about the justice system; and produce managers who are excellently engaged in business as they pursue a degree from the law school.

Pre-Law

Pre-Law is a program of studies, which prepares students for law school. Here students become interns for law firms as well as become involved with other aspects of this profession in order to best develop their skills for their legal education later on. Law schools are primarily interested in students who possess strong analytical and communication skills. Competition for admission to top-ranked law schools is quite intense. Students who major in law are individuals who are well adapted to hard work and rigorous schedules involving multiple classes and a lot of studying. Individuals in this major are focused upon becoming professional lawyers, judges, prosecutors or some other law-related positions. These individuals usually like to be in positions of influence within society and like to know that they make a positive difference in the world in what they do.

Graduate Major Descriptions:

Arbitration and Dispute Resolution

In many countries, practitioners have come to recognize the limitations of using court litigation as the main method to settle legal disputes. They have turned to less formal alternative dispute resolution methods, such as arbitration and mediation. Moreover, as far as global transactions are concerned, arbitration is the primary method of settling international commercial and investment disputes in general. The increasing use of these methods will stimulate further demand for dispute resolution services. It will create opportunities also for the arbitration service sector, especially as to disputes relating to business, construction, investment (joint ventures), intellectual property rights, information technology and shipping.

Asian Legal Studies

This program allows students to study in depth the laws, legal systems, institutions and legal traditions of South, Southeast, and East Asia, as well as affords the opportunity to focus on particular areas of law (e.g. commercial law, constitutional law and international law) as these are treated across the dynamic continent that is Asia. The program will enable students to understand not only the law in its wider socio-cultural context, but to appreciate its linkages with regional commerce, trade and politics.

Banking Law

The relationship between banks and other financial services institutions will be examined in this course, along with bank and bank holding company powers, restrictions and abilities to enter new fields. The course will review the laws affecting commercial banks and thrift institutions, the functions of the various federal and state regulatory agencies, the development of innovative forms of financial services, the effects of electronic technology upon banking law and interstate banking.

Business Law

Legal norms are an integral part of business relations and financial decision-making. In the specialization studies of Business Law the focus is on providing students with the basic knowledge of the legislation which governs economic activity. Students are trained to implement legal norms and knowledge in practice. The course prepares students for the increasingly complex legal and taxation issues faced by many areas of business and by government agencies. The degree may comprehend courses like: accounting and finance, business law and taxation, econometrics and business statistics, economics, management, contract law. The purpose of the Business Law major is to enhance the legal and forensic skills needed for the students chosen profession or discipline, such as accounting, management and marketing. Business Law provides also capabilities to identify the problems company encounters in the field of company, security market, contract, marketing and taxation law, and to search for the optimal solutions for the company business. The student will also be capable to communicate efficiently with these topics with company management and employees as well as with authorities.

Commercial Law

The Master’s program in Commercial Law aims at providing further academic legal education in the field of business law. The study program is focused on the various constituent parts of business law including its institutional (corporate structures) and instrumental (business transactions) aspects. The former concentrates on the various stakeholders including shareholders, corporate officers and management as well as the position of employees in companies. The latter addresses international sale of goods, insurance, finance, transport, storage and logistics, proprietary rights, personal and collateral security as well as third party rights. Also, the European and comparative dimensions of business life are treated as well as relevant aspects of the regulation of business forms and transactions such as competition law or taxation. Graduates will find employment in the legal profession, the judiciary and all sectors of industry and commerce in which issues surrounding the business world, trade and commerce play an important role.

Common Law

The Master Common Law offers students the opportunity to gain an understanding of one of the most significant legal systems in the world. The common law system is shared by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia, amongst other countries. Students may undertake this course either to gain an understanding of the history and development of the common law, its institutions and its personnel, or for those who already have a background in the common law in order to further develop their competence in the common law through selection of specialized and intensive courses of study of common law subjects. A central theme of the program concerns the principles, theories, and values of the common law as well as its methods and practices. Emphasis will be placed upon understanding the development of legal doctrine through the processes and the techniques of litigation. Students will gain a critical appreciation of the strengths and limitations of these processes and their relevance and responsiveness to the needs of individuals and communities in general, as well as to changing demands of society in periods of social transition.

Comparative Laws

The Master of Comparative Laws program provides students with the opportunity to study the differences, similarities, and interrelationships of different systems of law around the world and will help you prepare for the challenges of today’s global economy. This program will provide the students a wide knowledge in understanding the methods of comparative analysis of the law and the basic legal principles underlying different law systems, analyzing the trends toward convergence and divergence between different law systems and the interplay between national and international law regarding setting, monitoring and implementation of universal law standards. Moreover, you will study the political, economic, social and cultural background determining different law systems.

Corporate and Financial Law

This program is designed to furnish the highly qualified student with the knowledge and analytical skills needed for success in our increasingly globalized economy. The Corporate & Financial Law program may includes elective in banking (domestic and international), company law and corporate finance, financial services and securities, and taxation. This specialization will enable students to acquire both a theoretical base and a practical expertise in the subjects involved.

Intellectual Property & Technology Law

The Intellectual Property & Technology Law program focuses on the issues raised by the rapid advancement of science and technology. The courses offered include traditional intellectual property law courses, including those on copyright, patents, designs, trademarks and confidential information; as well as others specifically focused on the relevant technologies, such as biomedical law, telecommunications law and internet law. The program responds to the demand for knowledgeable and skilled intellectual property professionals who have already earned a basic law degree. The Intellectual Property and Technology Law curriculum allows students to study introductory and advanced intellectual property law and to scrutinize the politics affecting those areas of the law under the guidance of leading scholars in the field.

International Economic Law

The Master International Economic Law is designed to offer students an intensive course of study of the law and practice of cross-border business transactions. Students will be trained for practice in key areas such as international sales and finance, technology transfer and shipping law

International Law

The program aims mainly at offering a comprehensive analysis of current and prospective trends in the field of international law in an era of globalization. It will also deal with international trade and investments and the methods for arbitration and settlement of disputes in these areas. The impact of globalization on sources and subjects of international law will be examined. Emphasis shall be placed on subjects relating to the regulation of international trade, particularly the law of international trade, investments law and the settlement of disputes.

Maritime Law

This program will enable law graduates to obtain specialized knowledge in maritime law. Students will obtain a comprehensive overview of the legal matters relating to commercial shipping, marine insurance, shipping regulation and ocean policy.

Master of Laws

This is the ideal program if you wish to gain master level knowledge and skills without limiting yourself to a particular branch of law. The Master of Laws is designed mainly for students with law degrees (or other relevant qualifications or expertise) who are looking to develop skills in areas relating to law in a global and developing-world context. The Master of Laws program is designed to be maximally flexible, permitting students to tailor a degree to their own particular professional requirements or career interests. Students may either opt to take a general Master of Laws (in which there are no restrictions concerning the courses to be chosen) or to acquire a specialist master degree by taking designated courses from an approved list.

Master of Laws in Human Rights

This is a Master of Laws program for those who wish to: develop their interest in how human rights law impacts upon their work; seek employment by human rights-related organizations such as international human rights NGOs and international development agencies; upgrade their knowledge and keep abreast of local and international developments in human rights law.

Public Law

Public law is the law governing the relationship between individuals (citizens, companies) and the state. Constitutional law, administrative law and criminal law are sub-divisions of public law. Generally speaking, private law is the area of law in a society that affects the relationships between individuals or groups without the intervention of the state or government. In many cases the public/private law distinction is confounded by laws that regulate private relations while having been passed by legislative enactment.