Program Overview

Overview

Join an international group of researchers and practitioners with expertise in the areas of Access to Justice, Environmental Law, Digital Justice, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Human Rights. Our PhD research programme will allow you to explore your own interests in law, supported by the expertise of our staff.

Description

At the Faculty of Business and Law, our research aims to develop a deeper understanding of contemporary legal challenges, particularly those related to access to justice, human rights, environmental law, and the role of technology in legal processes. You’ll find staff with expertise spanning five key research clusters:

• Access to Environmental Justice: Investigating issues of climate litigation, ecological justice, species justice, and corporate environmental responsibility.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution and Contemporary Redress Mechanisms: Exploring mediation, arbitration, and court-based mechanisms for resolving legal disputes.
• Digital Justice and Access to Justice in Online Environments: Examining the impact of AI, algorithmic decision-making, data governance, and digital platforms on legal processes and rights.
• Access to Justice in Crime and Criminal Justice: Researching topics such as criminal procedure, international criminal law, victims’ rights, and forensic evidence in legal proceedings.
• Exclusion, Marginalisation, and Human Rights: Addressing social inequalities, corporate accountability, business and human rights, and justice for vulnerable communities.

Our researchers engage with critical and emerging legal issues, including corporate accountability in transnational litigation, AI governance, environmental justice in the extractive sector, and the intersection of human rights and digital technologies.

Supervision and Support

Our permanent supervisory staff are recognised as experts in their fields, and have produced a large number of influential books, journal articles and edited collections. Our expertise in law includes:

• Dr Andrew Noble: Employment law
• Prof Angus Nurse: Animal law, Corporate environmental responsibility, Environmental law and Human rights
• Dr Egle Dagilyte: European Union law; Human rights law; Social security; Employment law
• Dr Elina Konstantinidou: Criminal law; Criminal litigation; Corporate law; English legal system
• Dr Helga Hejny: Discrimination law; European Union law, Transnational corporations; Human rights; Public law; Comparative studies
• Dr Imranali Panjwani: Commercial Law; Human rights; Jurisprudence; Islamic Law
• Dr Katerina Sidiropoulou: Employment law; Commercial law; Access to justice; Alternative/online dispute resolution; comparative studies
• Dr Oluwabusayo Wuraola: Rights of Nature, Environmental Law, Earth Jurisprudence, Land Law, Law of Agency, Legal Systems: Common Law and Customary Law
• Professor Rohan Kariyawasam: Digital economy; Internet law; IP law; Competition law; Communications law; International development; the 'open society'; International trade and world trade law
• Dr Ryan Hill: International human rights law; Theory and practice; The intersection between philosophy and law; Constitutional law and constitutionalism; Freedom of religion
• Sarah Calder: Law clinic
• Sebastian Smart: Business and Human Rights, Transitional justice, Environmental law, Human rights and technology
• Tom Serby: Sports law; Legal education; Business; Employment; Criminal law.

Research Environment

You want the benefit of a thriving and highly regarded school where you can develop your skills and confidence for a potentially complex and competitive career. Graduating with this kind of specialist knowledge makes you valuable to employers, confident that you’ve learnt the tools to do the job.

Locations

You can study at:

• Cambridge
• Chelmsford
• Distance learning at ARU

Fees and Funding

Course Fees

• UK students, 2024/25 (per year): £4,786
• UK students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year): £2,392
• International students, 2024/25 (per year): £15,900
• International students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year): £7,950

Bench Fees

In some cases, extra costs known as bench fees will be charged for a postgraduate research degree. These are to cover additional/exceptional costs directly related to a specific research project.

Entry Requirements

MPhil or PhD with progression from MPhil: You’ll need a Bachelors degree or equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.

PhD: You’ll need a Masters degree or equivalent in a related subject area.

Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.

If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.