Master of Laws(LLM)

Introduction

The Master of Laws course is designed for students who are interested in gaining further skills and specializing in specific areas of law. The programme will enable students with a Bachelor’s Degree in law to delve into emerging areas of law at the national, regional and international levels.

Structure and duration

The LL.M programme consists of coursework, end of semester examinations and a project report. Teaching methods include lectures and seminars and group presentations. The programme is mounted for a minimum of three and a maximum of ten semesters of fifteen weeks each. Candidates are required to take a total of nine course units, carry out research and write a project report. These course units include three compulsory core units and at least four units in the candidates’ thematic area. The project is equivalent to four course units.

The Objectives of the Course:

i)      To enlarge and secure the future of the Faculty as a centre of excellence in legal training.

ii)     To respond to market demands by addressing emerging legal problems in light of changed legal and geopolitical terrains. 

iii)    To provide a rigorous and critical grounding in key areas of law.

iv)    To provide specialised and focused training in law at the post-graduate level.

 

2.0    Entry Requirements

2.1   The Common Regulations for the Master’s Degree in all Faculties, Institutes and Schools shall apply.

        The following shall be eligible for admission:

2.2   Holders of a Bachelor of Laws degree with a minimum of an Upper Second Class Honours from the University of Nairobi.

2.3   Graduates of any other University whose degrees have been accepted by Senate to be equivalent to the Bachelor of Laws degree with qualifications specified in Regulation 2.2.

2.4   Holders of a Bachelor of Laws Degree of the University of Nairobi or its accepted equivalent who have achieved a Lower Second Class Honours and have satisfied Senate that they possess academic qualifications equivalent to Upper Second Class Honours through:

        a)     At least two years of work or relevant experience; or

        b)     Relevant research and publications; or

        c)     Attainment of a post-graduate diploma from a recognized academic institution.

 

3.0    Credits Transfer

A candidate may be exempted from some course units and credits transferred from institutions recognised by Senate subject to the following conditions:

3.1   They shall have passed examinations in similar course units at post-graduate master’s degree level or equivalent level.

3.2   A candidate can only transfer upto a maximum of one-third of the course units.

3.3   The candidate shall apply for exemption in writing through the Dean, School of Law to the Director of the Board of Post-graduate Studies.

3.4   The application shall be accompanied by officially endorsed, supporting academic documents.

3.5   The candidate shall pay the appropriate exemption fees to the University.

 

4.0    Course Structure and Duration

4.1   The programme will consist of course work, examination and a project. It will run for a minimum of three and a maximum of ten semesters of fifteen weeks each.

4.2   Candidates shall be required to take a minimum of two course units per semester and upto a maximum of five course units per semester.

4.3   Each course unit shall be taught for 60 contact hours in each semester.

4.4   Candidates shall be required to take a total of nine course units and write a research project report. These shall include three compulsory core course units and at least four course units in the area of specialization chosen. Students may take upto a maximum of two course units from an area other than the area of specialization chosen.

4.5   The research project report must be in the area of specialization and undertaken upon successful completion of the nine taught course units. It shall be equivalent to four course units.

4.6   The Senate reserves the right to require candidates to choose subjects that have a common thematic link, or which together constitute a distinct area of specialization, and to attend such other remedial courses as may be necessary for satisfactory completion of the LL.M programme.

4.7   The School reserves the right to decide which courses to offer in any academic year.

4.8   A student wishing to defer his/her admission shall write a letter to that effect to the Dean of the School stating the reasons for deferral and when he/she wishes to take up admission.

4.9   Deferrals shall not be granted beyond a period of three semesters. In case of requests for deferrals for more than three semesters, an applicant shall be required to make a fresh application.

4.10         Candidates may withdraw from the School by notifying the Director, Board of Post graduate Studies and the Dean in writing.