Program Overview

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LLM in Commercial Law Program

The LLM in Commercial Law Program at Dar Al-Hekma University is designed to provide students with a unique experience in the study of Commercial Law that fits their professional goals. The program complies with the objectives of Saudi Arabia's Vision for 2030 by focusing on the development of specialized legal education.

Program Mission

The program aims to graduate qualified legal professionals equipped with excellent research skills and advanced knowledge of Saudi commercial law and related laws, with a commitment to ethical and social responsibility.

Program Goals

• Equip graduates with professional legal skills to prevail in different sectors of Commercial Law and to carry out a fine standard of legal conduct whilst practicing the Law.
• Develop graduates' legal knowledge with a fundamental understanding of economics and business to provide the local market with an outstanding level of legal professionals competent in different legal domains of commercial law.
• Prepare graduates to be effective members of society, who have a sense of social responsibility and an ambition to become key leaders in the legal field and other national sectors.
• Enhance graduates' skills and knowledge to be able to solve any arising legal or technical problems with a comprehensive focus on contemporary matters.

Why Choose this Master Program at Dar Al-Hekma University?

• The LLM in Commercial Law Program at Dar Al-Hekma University is the first program in the Western region of Saudi Arabia that has a bilingual curriculum, offering courses in Commercial Law in both English and Arabic.
• The curriculum was developed by professional legal experts in the field of law who thoughtfully designed the courses to meet the needs of the commercial sector.
• The program is enriched by diverse international faculty who have received education at esteemed universities around the world, providing students with rich and diverse international perspectives and experience while studying in the Kingdom.
• Upon graduation, graduates of the program may work in international law firms and/or pursue post-graduate (doctorate) studies at prestigious schools and universities around the world.
• Class timing is designed to accommodate working students and is delivered on a modular basis.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants to the Law program must be proficient in both the Arabic and the English language:
  • For English language proficiency, the following scores are required:
    • In-house TOEFL: 530 or above
    • TOEFL IBT: 71 or above
    • IELTS (Academic): 6 or above
• A bachelor's degree in law from a Saudi University, or from any other accredited university in Saudi Arabia.
• A bachelor's degree in Islamic Jurisprudence or judiciary studies from a Saudi University, or from any other accredited university in Saudi Arabia, with the condition of acquiring a higher diploma in legal science.
• Minimum GPA of 3.75 out of 5 or equivalent
• None for pre-requisite programs
• Pass Interview

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

Knowledge

• Explain the theories and key legal concepts of commercial law and other related laws.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of practices, and conventions that govern business, commerce, and consumer transactions.
• Discuss the effects of legal national and international updates on commercial legal practices.

Skills

• Employ critical thinking, problem-solving, legal analysis, and reasoning skills to resolve complex and advanced legal issues.
• Utilize counseling, advocacy, negotiation, drafting, communication, and technology in legal professions.
• Conduct advanced legal research in areas of commercial law.

Values, Autonomy, and Responsibility

• Apply principles of professional ethics, integrity, and social responsibility to handle contemporary legal issues.
• Display responsibility and high autonomy in handling tasks and professional strategic decisions.
• Collaborate with team members on discussing complex legal issues to generate effective solutions.

Plan of Study

The program is structured over two years, with each year divided into two semesters: Fall and Spring. The total credit hours for the program are distributed as follows:

• Year One (1)
  • Semester – Fall
    • MLLM 6311: Commercial Companies' Law (3 credits)
    • MLLM 6313: Intellectual Property Law (3 credits)
    • MLLM 6314: Private International Law (3 credits)
  • Semester – Spring
    • MLLM 6315: Commercial Contracts (3 credits)
    • MLLM 6316: International Business Law (3 credits)
    • MLLM XXXX: Elective Course (3 credits)
• Year Two (2)
  • Semester – Fall
    • MLLM 6321: Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 credits)
    • MLLM 6323: Research Project I (3 credits)
    • MLLM XXXX: Elective Course (3 credits)
  • Semester – Spring
    • MLLM 6325: Finance Lease Law (3 credits)
    • MLLM 6326: Capital Market Authority Regulations (3 credits)
    • MLLM 6327: Research Project II (3 credits)

Elective Courses

• MLLM 6318: Islamic Banking and Finance (3 credits)
• MLLM 6322: Bankruptcy Law and Liquidation (3 credits)
• MLLM 6324: E-Commerce (3 credits)
• MLLM 6328: Contemporary Evidence in Commercial Transactions (3 credits)

Career Prospects

LLM graduates would be qualified, after meeting all requirements set by the given agencies, to work in:

• Legislative Bodies
• Lawyers and Legal Advisors in National and Foreign Law Firms
• Legal Department in Public and Private sectors
• Law Schools and Institutions
• Judicial agencies
• Regulatory Authorities
• National and International IGOs and NGOs

Course Descriptions

MLLM 6311: Commercial Companies' Law

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of Commercial Companies Law, covering the formation process, types of commercial entities, and laws governing their operations.

MLLM 6312: Foreign Investment and International Trade Law

This course covers the legal framework governing foreign investment and international trade, including licensing procedures, regulations, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

MLLM 6313: Intellectual Property Law

This course focuses on the most important areas of intellectual property, including copyright, patents, industrial design, trademarks, and trade secrets, with an emphasis on the intellectual property laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

MLLM 6314: Private International Law

This course looks at the largely theoretical aspects of private international law, discussing multinational treaties and comparative approaches to international litigation.

MLLM 6315: Commercial Contracts

This course aims to provide students with a solid understanding of the fundamental principles of commercial contracts, including their formation, termination, and legal frameworks.

MLLM 6316: International Business Law

This course develops a thorough knowledge of the legal fundamentals of international business and finance, covering topics such as international business regulations and dispute resolution mechanisms.

MLLM 6317: Maritime and Aviation Law

This course examines provisions of international transport law, focusing on laws from the General Authority of Civil Aviation and national maritime law, including international treaties and agreements regulating travel and carriage of goods by sea and air.

MLLM 6318: Islamic Banking and Finance

This course offers a comprehensive overview of Islamic finance, providing participants with a deep understanding of its principles, differences, and fundamental concepts.

MLLM 6321: Alternative Dispute Resolution

This course aims to equip students with a deeper understanding of the means of settling disputes outside of traditional litigation, including mediation, conciliation, arbitration, and negotiation.

MLLM 6322: Bankruptcy Law and Liquidation

This course introduces students to the basics and nuanced aspects of bankruptcy, exploring bankruptcy and liquidation as vital tools in assisting creditors with insolvent debtors.

MLLM 6323: Research Project I

This course provides students with the necessary knowledge, skills, methods, and guidance on research and writing up a legal dissertation and/or research paper.

MLLM 6324: E-Commerce

This course is designed to develop students' understanding of risks and benefits when practicing E-Commerce, analyzing problems arising and vulnerability of all stakeholders in certain practices of electronic trade.

MLLM 6325: Finance Lease Law

This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of Saudi Finance Lease Law.

MLLM 6326: Capital Market Authority Regulations

This course explores the role of the Capital Market Authority in issuing regulations, rules, and instructions for the financial market system, focusing on tasks, responsibilities, and measures to mitigate risks.

MLLM 6327: Research Project II

This comprehensive course guides participants through the key stages of conducting successful research projects, including selecting a research topic, formulating research questions, and crafting well-structured research proposals.

MLLM 6328: Contemporary Evidence in Commercial Transactions

This course introduces students to the concept of evidence, focusing on the burden of proof and contemporary evidence within commercial transactions, with a comprehensive exploration of electronic evidence and its significance and relevance.