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Master of Laws in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
Programme
Master of Laws in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
法學碩士(仲裁及爭議解決學)
Award Title
Master of Laws in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
法學碩士(仲裁及爭議解決學)
Offering Academic Unit
School of Law
Mode of Study
Combined mode

Normal Period of Study

- 1 year (full-time)
- 2.5 years (part-time/combined mode)

Maximum Period of Study

- 2.5 years (full-time)
- 6 years (part-time/combined mode)

Credit Units Required for Graduation

Without exemption: 33
With exemption: 30

Programme Aims

This programme aims to:


  1. Develop expertise in domestic and international arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific Region; and
  2. Foster original discovery/innovation/creativity in further research and/or professional development in arbitration and ADR.

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs)

Upon successful completion of this Programme, students should be able to: 

  1. Explain the origins, practices, principles and theory of arbitration, mediation and other related alternative dispute resolution methods.
  2. Identify analyses, evaluate and critically comment on the legal issues and procedural issues of arbitration, mediation and other related alternative dispute resolution methods.
  3. Reflect on their knowledge and understanding to participate effectively as a party, as advocate, as expert, as arbitrator or as mediator in dispute resolution processes.
  4. Develop a sense of curiosity to knowledge and critical thinking skills to assess ideas; and demonstrate original discovery/innovation/creativity in applying their knowledge and skills in further research and/or professional development.

Programme Requirements


1. Core Courses: (30 credit units)
Course CodeCourse TitleCredit UnitsRemarks
LW5303Commercial Contracts3Exemption requirements - LLB degree or equivalent
LW5400Legal Concepts3Exemption requirements - LLB degree or equivalent
LW6401Dispute Resolution in Theory and Practice3
LW6402Procedure and Proof3
LW6405Arbitration Law3
LW6406Mediation Practice3HKMAAL Accreditation for General Mediator (Stage 1)
LW6407Arbitration Practice and Award Writing3
LW6408International Arbitration3
LW6409ADissertation6*
LW6409BAdvanced Award Writing6*

*Note: To obtain the Master’s degree, students should choose to take either LW6409A or LW6409B, subject to the prerequisites of these two courses. Students are NOT required to take both LW6409A and LW6409B.


2. Electives 

Depends on the exemption status of students, select 3 or 6 credit units from:

2.1  Programme Electives:
The electives offered may vary, email would be sent to confirm electives available each semester.
Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Units
LW6415Negotiation and Mediation Advocacy3
LW6418Online Dispute Resolution3
LW6420International Conflict Analysis, Prevention and Resolution3
LW6423Construction Law and Dispute Resolution3

2.2  designated courses from the Juris Doctor (JD)* and Master of Laws (LLM) programmes of the respective academic year (Please refer to Additional Information).

*Note: LLMArbDR students will not receive credit nor be allowed to enroll in co-taught JD/LLB courses under any circumstances.


3. Accreditation by Professional / Statutory Bodies 

Upon completion of the LLMArbDR Programme and subject to fulfilling certain requirements, graduates are eligible to apply for Professional Recognition both within and outside of Hong Kong, including:

  1. Membership of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)# (upon the expiration of existing Recognised Course Providers (RCPs) agreement at CIArb Fellow level in October 2023, graduates can apply for the MCIArb with effective from November 2023 until the review is finalised);
  2. Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)# (until October 2023); 
  3. Associateship of the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators (AHKIArb)*;
  4. Fellowship of the Hong Kong Institute of Arbitrators (FHKIArb)*;
  5. Accredited General Mediator of the Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited (HKMAAL)^ (subject to completing Stage 2 and Stage 3 requirements as stipulated by the HKMAAL Mediation Accreditation Committee);
  6. CPD points awarded by the Law Society of Hong Kong.

#For details about the MCIArb/FCIArb, please refer to the Appendix.

* (a) Attendance on the CityU PGD/LLMArbDR Programme (where the student passes the examination) will qualify for exemption from the Entry Course Examination for Associateship of HKIArb; and

(b) Successfully passing the CityU PGD/LLMArbDR examinations will qualify for exemption from all the academic requirements for Fellowship of HKIArb and will confer eligibility for entry to the Fellowship course of HKIArb and exemption from taking the award writing part of the said course of HKIArb.

^ Completion of LW6406 Mediation Practice would lead to stage 1 requirements as stipulated by the HKMAAL Mediation Accreditation Committee.


4. Additional Information

Students holding a law degree from a Hong Kong or other common law jurisdiction, or the Postgraduate Certificate in Hong Kong Law (PGCHKL) at City University of Hong Kong, or equivalent are exempted from LW5303 Commercial Contracts and LW5400 Legal Concepts. 


5. Coursework and Examinations

It is the general practice to assess a student’s performance and attainment by both coursework and traditional examination.  Coursework is also regarded as a means whereby a student gains practice in developing relevant skills and generally as a means of assisting the learning process.  

 

Minimum Pass Mark 

Applicable to students admitted in Semester A 2022/23 and thereafter

Depending on the preparation of each assessment task, a student must obtain a minimum mark of 50% in both coursework and examination and an overall mark of 50% in order to pass a course.  Unseen examinations are less appropriate to postgraduate level studies, especially a programme which includes some emphasis upon practical skills.  Therefore, this ratio is weighted in favour of coursework to a greater extent than it is in undergraduate programmes.  The suitability of coursework assessment also explains the significant number of courses assessed exclusively by coursework.

Applicable to students admitted before Semester A 2022/23

Depending on the preparation of each assessment task, a student must obtain a minimum mark of 40% in both coursework and examination and an overall mark of 40% in order to pass a course.  Unseen examinations are less appropriate to postgraduate level studies, especially a programme which includes some emphasis upon practical skills.  Therefore, this ratio is weighted in favour of coursework to a greater extent than it is in undergraduate programmes.  The suitability of coursework assessment also explains the significant number of courses assessed exclusively by coursework.

For Continuous Assessment Weighting ≤ 30%

In order to assess students’ course performance in a holistic and fair manner, for SLW courses, including Gateway Education course and servicing courses, with a Continuous Assessment (CA) component that is equal to or less than 30%, the pass mark requirement for the CA component would be waived, i.e. students will only need to reach the pass marks for the final exam AND the overall mark in order to pass the course, with effect from Semester B 2021/22, applicable to all intakes.  For courses with a CA component that is above 30%, no change should be applied to the current practice.


APPLIES TO STUDENTS OF COHORT 2014 TO COHORT 2021:

Exempt students are required to complete 6 credit units of electives from the approved list of electives. Non-exempt students are required to complete 3 credit units of elective from the approved list of electives.

The intermediate award is Postgraduate Diploma in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution 深造文憑 (仲裁及爭議解決學). This programme is a linked programme. Students who have successfully completed all required taught courses with a CGPA of 2.00 or above and elected not to pursue LW6409A Dissertation or LW6409B Advanced Award Writing for the Master’s degree are eligible for the intermediate award of Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution. Students who wish to obtain the Intermediate Award should notify the School of Law and/or the Programme Director as soon as possible. 
Please refer to Academic Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Degrees 13.6.


APPLIES TO STUDENTS OF COHORT 2022 AND THEREAFTER:

Exempt students are required to complete 6 credit units of electives from the approved list of electives. Non-exempt students are required to complete 3 credit units of elective from the approved list of electives.
 
The intermediate award is Postgraduate Diploma in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution 深造文憑 (仲裁及爭議解決學). This programme is a linked programme. Students who have successfully completed all required taught courses with a CGPA of 2.85 or above and elected not to pursue LW6409A Dissertation or LW6409B Advanced Award Writing for the Master’s degree are eligible for the intermediate award of Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution. Students who wish to obtain the Intermediate Award should notify the School of Law and/or the Programme Director as soon as possible. 
Please refer to Academic Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Degrees 13.6