The Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program in Chinese Law

 

An Overview of the LL.M. Program

 

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program in Chinese Law is a Graduate Law program offered by Peking University Law School. The language of instruction is English. This program provides international students and legal professionals with an intensive instruction in Chinese law. The duration of the program is 2 years (4 semesters). The first year is full time course-work with class attendance. The second year is set aside for thesis writing and legal practice and internship.

 

Peking University enjoys a reputation as the pre-eminent university in China.  It is known for its long history, rich culture, distinguished alumni, enlightened education policies and exciting campus life. Established in 1904, the Law School has become a leading institution for legal education and a potent force for legal development in China. The Law school frequently partners with the government, with law firms and with the business community in the development of cutting edge legal, social and commercial policy. The Law School also has many international links and partnership programs with leading universities and legal institutions around the world.

 

With China's rapid economic growth and growing presence on the world stage, knowledge of Chinese law has become an essential resource for international students and legal professionals engaged with China. Peking University Law School has established the LL.M. Program in Chinese Law to address the needs of an international community seeking a comprehensive and systematic understanding of Chinese law from a first-rate legal institution.

 

Leading faculty members from Peking University Law School will offer Chinese law courses specially designed for international students. Teaching will comprise of both lectures and small-group seminars. Additionally, Peking University regularly attracts top scholars and practitioners in Chinese law and students will have first-hand access to such distinguished presenters.

 

The course has a focus on Chinese commercial and civil law. In addition, there are optional subjects in non-law areas such as politics, economy and society to facilitate students’ understanding of China's culture.

 

The LL.M. Program offers valuable internship opportunities to work in the top law firms and other legal institutions in China to help the students to get a better comprehension of the Chinese legal system and its cultural underpinnings. Through the program, students can establish a solid foundation for their career development in China.

 

This degree is an equivalent of Master of Laws degree offered to Chinese students. No more than 30 students will be admitted into this program in the year 2008. Academic advisors will be assigned to each student for his/her study and thesis. Chinese students in Peking University Law School are also available to offer personal counseling.

 

Students may matriculate only in the fall semester. They have the option to stay in China or return to their own residence in the second academic year. Students must attend the thesis defense before the end of the 4th semester.

 

 

 

Course List

 

Courses in Fall Term 2008:

 

Course Name

Credit Units

Chinese Judicial System

2

Chinese Constitutional and Administrative Law

3

Chinese Civil Law

3

Chinese Company Law

3

International Law as Applied in China: Theory and Practice

2

General Information of China

2

Fieldwork (1)

1

Elementary Chinese

4

 

 

Courses in Spring Term 2009:

 

Course Name

Credit Units

Chinese Intellectual Property Law

3

Chinese Contract Law

2

Chinese Foreign Investment Law

3

Resolution of Civil and Commercial Disputes in China

3

Chinese Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure

3

Chinese Economic Law

3

Chinese Family Law

2

Fieldwork (2)

1

 

 

Teaching Staff

 

Bai Guimei

Professor

Chen Duanhong

Associate Professor

Deng Feng

Associate Professor

Fu Yulin

Associate Professor

Guo Li

Associate Professor

Jin Jinping

Lecturer

Liu Yan

Professor

Lou Jianbo

Associate Professor

Peng Bing

Associate Professor

Shao Jingchun

Professor

Wang Jiancheng

Professor

Wang Shizhou

Professor

Wang Xixin

Associate Professor

Wei Zhi

Associate Professor

Wu Zhipan

Professor

Zhang Ping

Yahoo!-Founder Endowed Chair Law Professor

Zhang Qi

Professor

Zhang Qianfan

Professor

Zhang Yali

Lecturer

Zhu Suli

Professor of Law and Dean of Peking University Law School

Ge Yunsong

Associate Professor

Ling Bin

Lecturer

Liu Dongjin

Associate Professor

 

Eligibility Requirements

 

The program is only designed for non-Chinese-nationality applicants under the age of 40.

 

Applicants should comply with Chinese laws and Peking University’s regulations and also respect the customs of Chinese people.

 

Applicants must have a first law degree (J.D., LL.B. or the equivalent) from a law school. Those who don’t have any of the above-mentioned law degree but have a Bachelor’s degree and substantial law-related working experience can also apply for this program.

 

All applicants who are not native English speakers or who did not have a postsecondary education entirely conducted in the English language must take the TOEFL or IELTS examination. The Program requires a minimum score of 580 (Paper Based Test) or 240 (Computer Based Test) in TOEFL with 5.0 in TWE, or 92 in TOEFL iBT, or 6.5 in IELTS with 7.0 in IELTS writing.

 

A health certificate is required before registration.

 

 

Application Materials

 

An applicant should submit the following materials. All documents should be written in English. If the documents are not in English, they must be accompanied by a notarized English translation.

 

(1) Peking University Application Form for International Students (Master and Ph.D. Programs);

 

(2)  A personal statement (about 800 words);

 

(3) Official transcripts of postsecondary school training (original);

 

(4) An official certificate of your highest education (original) (Undergraduate students should provide an official letter stating expected graduation date.);

 

(5) Two letters of recommendation by professors or associate professors (original);

 

(6) One photocopy of results of TOEFL or IELTS examination;

 

(7) One photocopy of valid passport (Passport type must be ordinary).

 

Application Fee:

 

Amount: 800 RMB.  Directly pay in cash or pay by use of a Chinese bank issued Union Card.  Foreign currencies and traveler's checks will not be accepted. Application fees are nonrefundable. Please include the application fee in the same mailing packet as that containing the application materials.

 

Mailing Address for the Application Fee and the Application Materials:

 

Office of the LL.M. Program in Chinese Law

Room 5113, Peking University Law School

Beijing, 100871

People’s Republic of China

 

Deadline for Application

 

The deadline for application is March 28th, 2008.  All application materials should reach the program office before the deadline.

 

Eligibility Check

 

The eligibility of all the applicants will be checked according to the requirements by The Office of the LL.M Program.

 

Admission Decisions

 

The Admission Committee will make decisions according to the applicants’ materials after approved by Peking University. Official admission letter will be sent out in June, 2008.

 

Mode of Attendance

 

There are two academic years. The first academic year is for full-time course study and the second is for practice of law and thesis writing.

 

Registration Time:

 

September 2008. The students will be notified about the exact entrance time in the admission letter.

 

Credit and Thesis Requirements

 

Students are required to enroll in a minimum of 36 credits including all required courses and pass all course examinations.

 

In order to obtain the LL.M. degree, students must pass all the examinations of the courses required, complete the master’s thesis relating to Chinese law and pass the thesis defense. A master’s thesis between 12,000 and 20,000 words is recommended. The thesis should be written in Chinese or English. Thesis that is written in English should provide an abstract in Chinese.

 

After approved by Peking University Degree Committee, the students can receive the LL.M. Program’s graduation certificate and degree diploma.

 

Tuition:

 

The tuition for the whole program from 2008 to 2010 is 160,000 RMB.

 

Students should pay 80,000 RMB in the first fall semester before registration and the other 80,000 RMB in the second.  The tuition should be paid in RMB.

 

Room and Board

 

Students should afford their own accommodation. Peking University Law School will assist the students to arrange their accommodation.

 

Scholarship

 

The program offers merit scholarships for 5 students, each of whom can receive 8,000 RMB.

 

Library and Internet

 

At Peking University, law students have ready access to the materials of legal research through library collection and networked electronic information sources. Databases like Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw are available in the law library.

 

Contact Us

 

Website: www.law.pku.edu.cn

E-mail Address: llmpku@gmail.com

Tel: (8610) 62753816

Fax: (8610) 62756542

 

Mailing Address:

Office of the LL.M. Program in Chinese Law

Room 5113, Peking University Law School

Beijing, 100871

People’s Republic of China