Graduate Legal Studies Institute

Ateneo de Manila University School of Law

ATENEO

MASTER OF

LAWS PROGRAM
Program Overview
The Ateneo de Manila University School of Law continues to

trailblaze in specialized legal education in the Philippines. The

Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program allows students to choose a

field of concentration from the following areas:

Intellectual Property Law

International Corporate and Business Law
International Economic Law
International Human Rights Law

The LL.M. Program serves as the focal point by which

national and international legal scholars can pursue legal

research and scholarship, with the LL.M. thesis as the

program’s major output.

 Objectives of the LL.M. Program
The objectives of the Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program are based on the University’s Mission and

Vision, and recognition that the Rule of Law is now a universal ideal.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL

To pursue a continuing
Enriching existing academic
Enhancing skills and

education in the field of law

programs and the broadening
capacities of lawyers in areas

through ALS’s “intellectual

of knowledge through
of international law and

rigor in the tradition of Jesuit

functional, ethical
development in general, and

education,” and imbued with

researchers that will
in the field of ASEAN legal

a deep sense of Ignatian

contribute to national and
practice and scholarship, in

Spirituality that considers and

international legal
particular.
embraces the world as the
development.
field of service.
General Description
Offered to local and international students who have a law degree
Medium of instruction: English

Course Requirements:
–30 units of coursework
–6 units for the LL.M. Thesis

May be completed in 1 year (or up 5 years for part-time students)

LL.M.
Basic Courses: 6 units*
Major Courses: 15 units

Curriculum Elective Courses: 9 units

LL.M. Thesis: 6 units

Total = 36 units

* Additional 1 unit for International Students

 Basic Courses
Fundamentals of Thesis Writing (1 unit)
Methods of Legal Research & Statistics (1 unit)
Contemporary Developments in International

Law (2 units)
Seminar on Comparative Legal Studies (2 units)

For International Students: Introduction to the

Philippine Hybrid Legal System (1 unit)

Major Courses
Chosen from the course offerings under the

student’s chosen track

Unless otherwise indicated, the completion of

each course is given 3 credit units

Elective Courses
Students may choose courses from the other

specialist tracks.
Specialist Tracks
Intellectual Property Law
International Corporate & Business Law
International Economic Law
International Human Rights Law
 Intellectual Property Law
This track provides an in-depth study of intellectual property laws and current trends in the field.

Students are introduced to the history, origin, purpose, and function of instruments like copyright,

patents, and trademarks. Apart from learning applicable international and domestic legal

frameworks, students also develop practical skills in drafting and negotiating contracts, navigating

dispute and settlement procedures, developing business strategies, and facilitating brand

management. As such, the practical aspect of protection, management, and enforcement of

intellectual property rights is a key feature of this track.

Intellectual

Property Law
Copyright and Related Rights
Emerging Issues in Intellectual Property Law
Information Technology Law and High-technology Transactions
Intellectual Property Law, Licensing, and Competition Policy
Management and Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights
Patent Law, Industrial Design, and Plant Variety Protection
Robots, Artificial Intelligence, and the Law
Seminar on Emerging Issues in Sports Law
Trademark Law, Unfair Competition, and Trade Secrets
Treaties and other International Agreements
UN and Other International Organizations
 International Corporate &
Business Law
This track provides an overview of the policies, doctrines, statutory provisions, and regulations that

apply to various commercial and business transactions. Apart from tackling the applicable legal

frameworks, this track offers students significant opportunities to discuss the experiences of

commercial and business law practitioners. Emphasis is placed on mastering the practical application

of these frameworks, and students are required to draft and submit pleadings, registration

documents, and others. The courses below are given three academic credits each.
 International Corporate &

Business Law
Bank Conservatorship, Receivership, and Liquidation International Taxation
Banking Law Law and Economics of Antitrust Regulations
Consumer Protection Laws Local Government Finance
Corporate Finance Mergers and Acquisitions
Corporate Governance Negotiation Seminar
Energy Law and Practice Public-Private Partnership
Entertainment Law Real Estate Transactions
European Business Law Securities Regulation
Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Law Securities, Public Offerings, and Stock Exchange
Foreign Investments and Investment Incentives Law Listings
International Commercial Arbitration Seminar on Comparative Legal Studies
International Commercial Transactions Tax on Mergers and Acquisitions
International Competition Laws Telecommunications Practice
International Labor Law Treaties and other International Agreements
 International Economic Law
This track covers a wide array of topics focused on the interplay of law and economics. Specialized

topics on international trade, investments, and competition law are key features of this stream.

Students may choose from among the cognate courses to tailor their learning to include relevant

issues in a particular region (e.g. Europe, ASEAN) or area of practice (e.g. trade, competition). Upon

completing this track, students are expected to have a theoretical and practical understanding of the

international trading system and its attendant legal issues.

International

Economic Law
ASEAN Economic Relations, Law, and Policy
European Business Law
International Competition Laws
International Trade Issues
Introduction to ASEAN Economic Law
Introduction to International Economic Law
Law and Economic Development
Law and Economics of Antitrust Regulations
Public-Private Partnership
Treaties and other International Agreements
UN and Other International Organizations
 International Human
Rights Law
This track focuses on human rights principles, norms, conventions, and mechanisms. The study of

related laws and conventions, as applied to the human rights situation of marginalized and vulnerable

sectors, is a key feature of this stream. Emerging issues in human rights will also be covered,

bringing students to the cutting edge of this area of law. Employing a multidisciplinary approach and

dynamic teaching methods in its various course offerings, this track equips students with the

requisite practical skills and substantive knowledge to become professionals and scholars in the field

of human rights.
 International Human Rights Law
Children’s Rights and the Law Institutions and Mechanisms for Human Rights

Clinical Legal Education 102: The Criminal Justice

Promotion and Protection
System and the Rights of the Accused Interdisciplinary Course on Corruption, Impunity,

Comparative Environmental Law and Governance

Directed Research* International Criminal Law
Emerging Issues in Human Rights International Environmental and Climate Change

Environmental Rights and Legal Remedies in the

Law
Philippines International Labor Law
Evolving Norms of Business Responsibilities for
Laws on Anti-discrimination and Equality
Human Rights Laws on Refugees, the Internally-displaced, and

Foundational Course on Women’s Rights Stateless Persons

Gender and the Law Peace Process and Peace Agreements
Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflicts Treaties and other International Agreements
Indigenous Peoples and the Law UN and Other International Organizations
LL.M. Thesis LL.M. students are required to prepare and

defend a thesis on a subject of law, which is

considered novel, and requires extensive

discussion and analysis of laws, legal

principles, and jurisprudence relevant to the

thesis proposal.

The LL.M. thesis must demonstrate the

candidate’s original research and scholarship

in his or her chosen LL.M. track. The

preparation of the thesis is supervised by a

thesis adviser chosen by the student who is a

member of the ALS faculty.

LL.M. Thesis

The LL.M. thesis must be

Once the thesis is completed
The thesis course, which

based on a thesis proposal and certified by the thesis

includes preparation and

previously approved and

adviser as ready for defense,
defense, is graded

must contain at least 25,000

the student is required to
numerically and carries an

words, excluding footnotes. defend his or her thesis

academic credit of six (6)

before an oral defense panel

units, computed as part of

of three experts in the

the student’s quality point

relevant field of law. index (QPI) upon graduation.

 Options for

Double Degree or

Studies Abroad
Kyushu
University
(Japan)
Dual degree grant

ALS LLM Students may take a second LLM

degree at Kyushu (International Economic &
Business Law)

All fees for the program in Kyushu are

waived.
Mahidol
University
(Thailand)
Dual degree: MA in Human Rights &
Democratisation (conferred by Mahidol
University) & LL.M. (conferred by ALS)

One semester is spent in Thailand

Another semester is spent in either Nepal, Sri

Lanka, or Indonesia

Scholarships are available

Application
Accomplished Application Form
Complete Official Transcript of Records (and English

Requirements translation, if necessary)

Certified true copy of diplomas obtained after secondary

education (and English translation, if necessary)

One (1) recent colored passport photo (2 x 2)
Document attesting the passing of the Bar Examinations
Two (2) letters of recommendation
Personal Statement
Updated resume or curriculum vitae
LL.M. Thesis Proposal
Application fee

For foreign applicants, in addition to the foregoing

requirements, the following are also required:

–Official TOEFL or IELTS score report (or equivalent)
–Duly authenticated visa requirements
GRADUATE LEGAL STUDIES INSTITUTE
Ateneo de Manila University School of Law

+632.8899.7691 local 2323

+632.8898.2113
glsi.law@ateneo.edu

CONTACT US