Program Overview

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Delve in to the legal principles surrounding the exciting field of global trade with a focus on the shipping industry. Specialise in two key areas of commercial law: International Trade law and Maritime law, building your knowledge and skills within a continuously growing niche industry. These two areas bring together many fields of law from advanced contract to the law of the sea. The international nature of this course, covering international trade and shipping, is matched by the diverse staff and students that form our truly global community. You develop a thorough and in-depth knowledge and understanding of the main principles of law in the areas of international trade and maritime law. Exploring the social, political, cultural and economic background of the laws in question, you gain an understanding of how national, European Union Law and International Law interact. You will cover a variety of topics, including:

• Financing International Trade
• How Marine Insurance protects ships and cargoes
• International Law of the Sea issues
• Sale and Carriage of Goods by Sea Contracts
• Environmental Protection Laws

At Essex we specialise in commercial law, public law, and human rights law. We are 3rd in the UK for research power in law (THE research power measure, REF2021) and are ranked 47th for Law in THE World University Rankings by Subject 2023. Our course uniquely combines International Trade Law with a particular focus on Maritime Law and our close proximity to London means you are near the heart of the UK Finance, Insurance and Shipping industries. You develop your intellectual and critical faculties, encouraging you to think independently and teaching you to present rational, coherent and accurate arguments orally and in writing. It will provide you with an excellent foundation for any career. Why we're great.

• Explore the regulation concerning the sale and transaction of goods around the world and make a global impact
• Indulge in research-led teaching and explore the latest breakthroughs in the field
• Choose from optional modules to develop extensive knowledge in the areas that interest you the most

Our expert staff

LLM International Trade and Maritime Law is taught by international experts in the field, teaching specialised modules which will develop your skills in research, litigation and negotiating. Our internationally diverse community of staff and students gives us a breadth of cross-cultural perspectives and insights into law and justice around the world. Dr Anil Yilmaz Vastardis is a Senior Lecturer. Her main research interests lie within international investment law and business and human rights. Dr. Durand Cupido is a Lecturer in Law and a qualified attorney of the High Court of South Africa (non-practising). Durand has practised as a commercial litigation attorney and continues to advise on maritime law and related matters. Prof. Onyeka Osuji previously practised in corporate and commercial law before a career change into academia. He is currently a Reader in Law and his research interests lie within Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Consumer Protection, Development and Corporate Regulation. Dr Osuji is also qualified as a barrister and solicitor of Nigeria and a (non-practising) solicitor of England and Wales and has advised individuals, corporations, and national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations. Dr Tara Van Ho is a Senior Lecturer in Essex Law School. She has been one of the leaders of our Essex Business and Human Rights Project, through which she advised states, intergovernmental organisations, non-governmental organisations, and businesses on issues of business, investment, and human rights. Her main research interests are business and human rights, investment law and human rights, economic, social and cultural rights, and transitional justice. Dr. Carlo Petrucci is a specialist in Competition Law having studied the topic of private enforcement of EU Competition Law. He is conducting research on EU policy-making, market regulation, and digital economy.

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Specialist facilities

• Volunteer at the Essex Law Clinic where you can work alongside practicing solicitors to offer legal advice to clients
• Gain commercial awareness at our Business and Legal Advice Clinic
• Participate in mooting competitions to develop your skills, particularly important if you hope to become a barrister
• Test your mediation and negotiation skills in our Client Interviewing Competition (sponsored by Birkett Long Solicitors)
• Join our Model United Nations society, which can improve your skills of argumentation, oral presentation and research
• Network at our student-run Law Society , Human Rights Society , and Bar Society , which provides legal advice to the Commonwealth Students’ Association (CSA)
• Take advantage of networking opportunities throughout the year with visiting law firms

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Your future

Essex Law School graduates have gone on to a wide variety of careers in international and intergovernmental organisations or employment with governments across the world, in commerce and banking, in non-governmental organisations and, as might be expected, in the legal profession and the judiciary. Students have joined Protection and Indemnity Clubs, working in the Insurance industry including Lloyd’s of London opportunities; they join shipping companies and associations such as the International Maritime Purchasing Association. Others have gone on to Shipping Law firms or Commercial Banks and you can aspire to careers in organisations such as the International Maritime Organisation, UN Conference on Trade and Development or the International Chamber of Commerce. Maritime Law offers a plethora of opportunities and whilst you are at Essex, our staff can advise what type of careers will be suitable according to the modules you found interesting on the course. During the year, we hold a careers session for our students in which we reflect upon our own careers and how they have been built as well as those from former students. We are always available to discuss career options and if you are interested in a particular area of the law, we can link you up with the relevant alumni to offer advice. We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.