Academics

Master of Studies in Law (MSL)

Location: LAU Beirut.
Duration: Two academic years. 
Total Credits: 30—39
Department: Information Technology & Operations Management

A Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is the first to be offered in Lebanon and the MENA region. This program is offered by Ivy League institutions in the US. MSL is a 30- to 39-credit professional graduate program that is designed for those who do not have a bachelor’s degree in law but want to understand legal principles and apply them to their field of interest.

Candidates for the Master of Studies in Law are expected to enroll in a minimum of 30 to 39 credit hours depending on his/her undergraduate degree, which is generally completed in two academic years. The required MSL curriculum includes Contract Law, Corporate law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Legal Ethics, and Legal Writing and Research along with 9 additional credits if the student  does not have a degree in business or political science.

Students have the option to choose between a thesis or a project and a Special Topics in Commerce Law course to graduate. The balance of the curriculum will be composed of free elective courses regularly offered in the Master of Law (LLM) program, which allows MSL students to take courses alongside LLM students and learn from their more practiced peers.

Program Outcomes

The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree program admits a small number of non-law degree holders who are interested in obtaining a basic legal familiarity to explore and implement the relation of law to their disciplines. This program is open to those who are not interested in a bachelor’s degree in law but who are interested in acquiring legal understanding. The MSL Program aims to support students to:

Career prospects

Obtaining the MSL degree at AKSOB allows you to work as a/an:

Program Requirements

As required by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), the minimum residency requirement for graduate programs is 2 academic years (i.e. 4 regular semesters with graded courses: 2 fall semesters and 2 spring semesters). As an exception, the MEHE will accept 3 regular semesters and 2 summers with graded courses.

An MSL candidate who has a business or political science degree is expected to complete 30 credit hours.

An MSL candidate who has other than a business or political science degree is expected to complete 39 credit hours

The degree is completed in two academic years. To graduate, a student must choose between a written thesis (6 credits) or a project and a Special Topics in Commerce Law course.

  1. Candidates with a business or political science degree must complete a total of 30 credits composed of:

Course Requirements (15 credits)

Elective Requirements (6 credits)

Free Elective (9 credits)

  1. Candidates with other than a business or political science degree must complete a total of 39 credits composed of:

Course Requirements (24 credits)

Elective Requirements (6 credits)

MSL899 Thesis, or

MSL898 Project, and MSL880 Special Topics in Commerce Law

Additional Course Requirements (9 credits)

-Free Elective (9 credits)

MSL classes are initially offered in the afternoon once a week. Alternative delivery strategy may be used at a later point.

Admission

Admission is granted on a selective and competitive basis to students who have demonstrated distinct academic ability and motivation by meeting at least the minimum requirements described below.

In addition to a satisfactory proof of English language proficiency as per LAU rules and regulations, applicants to the MSL program are expected to meet the following admission requirements:

  1. 2.75 GPA on a scale of 4.0 as per LAU rules, or its equivalent.
  2. Letters of recommendation.
  3. Interview, if necessary.

Meeting these requirements, however, does not guarantee admission to the program.

Although work experience is not a prerequisite for admission, the Graduate Admissions Committee considers applicants’ professional experience as an asset. As such, relevant work experience is viewed favorably when studying an applicant’s file.

At the discretion of the MSL Admission Council, applicants who are short of meeting the 2.75 GPA might be considered for “probationary” admission.

Students admitted on probation will earn regular status upon the completion of 12 graduate credits with at least a 3.0 average. However, upon completing a minimum of 6 graduate credits, students on probation are allowed to remove their probation and qualify for good standing if they score a minimum GPA of 3.2, with a minimum grade of B in their two or three courses and without any repeats. It must be reviewed

Students with a bachelor’s degree from universities that do not adopt American GPAs will be subject to a specific conversion applied by LAU.

Courses

MSL811 Contracts (3 cr.)

Students will be taught the basics of contracts including: (i) the formation, performance, breach, termination and interpretation of a contract; (ii) the significance of contract toward the parties thereto and third parties; (iii) the variety of contracts; (iv) the distinction between contracts and quasi-contracts; and (iv) the variety, scope and limitations on remedies

The course will also focus on two main doctrinal topics: (i) the concept of contractual promises; and (ii) offer and acceptance

MSL812 Corporate Law (3 cr.)

This course teaches students the fundamentals of corporate law: separate legal entity, liability, share capital and share issuance, board of directors, general assemblies, directors and shareholders’ duties and rights, etc. It adopts a comparative approach between UK and US laws as well as civil codes with respect to the substance and application of corporate law        MSL813 Legal Ethics (3 cr.)

The course is divided into two parts, Ethics and Philosophy of Law. The Ethics component includes discussions on ethical rules applicable to lawyers and the practice of law with special emphasis on American and English rules. The Philosophy of Law component includes discussions on the principal theories of law and key issues in law—such as laws, rights, obligations, responsibilities and punishment—and the ethical foundations of the legal system. Thus, the course aims to evaluate the main philosophical theories of ethics and law, probe central moral and legal issues, examine the practical application of such theories and issues and analyze the interrelationship between ethics and law.

MSL831 Legal Research and Writing (3 cr.)

Legal Research and Writing is a required course that teaches students the basic techniques in legal research, analysis and writing. It is based on introducing case briefing, case synthesis and analysis through a series of research and writing assignments.

Students will learn: (i) how to research legal issues, frame legal arguments and analyze legal problems; (ii) how to use computer-assisted legal research including Lexis and Westlaw; and (iii) the American writing conventions for legal letters, memoranda, and briefs.

The course will be taught in small groups under the supervision of the legal writing faculty and will consist, as mentioned above, of a series of research and writing assignments. This course should be especially helpful for students who are inexperienced in the use of precedent in a common law system.

MSL876 Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 cr.)

This course aims to educate the students on the primary types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) including negotiation, mediation and arbitration.  Students will learn to evaluate the pros and cons of ADR processes and will work through simulations of ADR processes that are currently employed by international lawyers.

MSL880 Special Topics in Commerce Law (3 cr.)

This course presents diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives on selected topics relevant to business law. The course may offer an in-depth analysis of the relevant topics (e.g. estate and gift taxation, business torts, international business transactions, advanced real estate transactions, etc.).

MSL845 Corporate Finance Laws and Regulations (3 cr.)

The course provides an overview of international capital markets law and practice. Students will be expected to familiarize themselves with the main concepts, structures and terminology used in capital markets. They will develop an understanding of the interests of the parties involved as well as the policy reasons behind the national and international law relevant to capital markets transactions.

The course also provides an in-depth examination of the legal framework for equity finance over the entire corporate lifecycle, including venture capital, management buyouts, initial and subsequent public offers of shares, rights issues, private equity buyouts and share buybacks. The course examines the use of different types of equity finance instruments and the legal rights associated with them. The role of capital markets in raising new capital and trading shares will be examined along with the role of financial regulators in controlling that process.

MSL846 Corporate Governance (3cr.)

The course provides an in-depth examination of the legal and market framework in which corporate governance operates. It examines how the law approaches the governance structure of various types of companies, focusing on the role of different stakeholders and the structure and powers of the two decision-making organs of the company, the general meeting of shareholders and the board of directors. Close attention will be paid to the role of institutional shareholders and financial markets and the development of ‘soft-law’ governance codes and voluntary self-regulation as alternatives to formal legal control.

MSL852 Family Business and Offices (3 cr.)

This course explores the challenges and opportunities facing individuals and families involved in family business relationships. It uses a systems model of the family and business to demonstrate the interrelationships and connections among the key stakeholders. Some specific topics include the family system, culture, entrepreneurial influences, conflict and negotiation, career planning, ethics, governance, succession and strategic planning, professional support relationships and survival skills as a son or daughter in a family business.

MSL853 Secured Transactions (2 cr.)

The course explores all aspects of security in personal or corporate property, including the creation of security interests, perfection, priorities (between competing security interests and between security interests and other property interests), default, realization procedures and redemption.

MSL854 International Financial and Banking Regulations (3 cr.)

The course introduces the structure and regulation of international banking and finance. Topics include: (i) the regulatory environment (including local, and international regulatory systems); (ii) methods of entry into foreign banking markets; (iii) regulation of international banking activities; and (iv) economic sanctions and their effect on international banking.

MSL855 Corporate Insolvency Law and Bankruptcy (3 cr.)

This course introduces students to the law of bankruptcy and corporate insolvency. While understanding legal terminology, concepts, doctrine and processes is vital to grasping and applying bankruptcy and insolvency laws, the course also seeks to frame those aspects in a wider historical, social, economic and policy context. The course begins with an overview of debtor-creditor relations and the pre-insolvency context, then addresses insolvencies and various forms of corporate reorganizations and restructurings.

MSL856 International Intellectual Property (3 cr.)

This course focuses on international treaties as they relate to the protection of trademarks and copyrights. These treaties include the Paris Convention, the Berne Conventions, WTO TRIPs, NAFTA and the EC Harmonization Directives and Trademarks. It introduces students to the international aspects of intellectual property and patent laws. Attention will be given to general principles of comparative and international law (e.g. territoriality) and specific laws related to obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights in foreign countries.

MSL861 International Courts and Processes (3 cr.)

This course introduces students to several important international courts including the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court, the International Criminal Tribunal and the Central American Court of Justice.  It seeks to explain the formation, design and expansion of international courts from both political and legal perspectives.

On the political side, the course focuses on factors such as states’ capabilities, regime type, functional need and diffusion. On the legal side, it examines the intersection of domestic and international law, emphasizing the major legal systems in the world (civil law, common law, Islamic law). The course also focuses on the distinction made by international courts for interstate interactions and foreign policy behavior more broadly.

MSL865 Law of Mergers, Acquisitions and Restructurings (3 cr.)

The course involves a discussion of corporate restructuring strategies including mergers, acquisitions, takeovers, leveraged buyouts and management buyouts. It aims to provide students with knowledge of M&A, the deal players, the deal structure and regulatory considerations. It also covers topics such as the form of consideration, target valuation and due diligence. The course ends with an overview of deal documents and agreements and related practical drafting exercises.

MSL866 International Trade (3 cr.)

This course is an introduction to the laws governing the international sale of goods and the institutions governing international trade. In particular, the course focuses on: (i) the impact of international conventions, transnational model laws and uniform principles on international sales law; (ii) the relationship between international law and domestic law relating to sales transactions; (iii) the choice of jurisdiction, choice of law and cross-border litigation issues that may arise in the context of international sales transactions; and (iv) the laws regulating customs and tariffs, most-favored-nation treatment, subsidies, dumping, unfair trade practices and disruptive imports under the escape clause. Specialized problems in regulating exports under regimes of sanctions, boycotts, corrupt practices and restrictive business practices may be covered.

MSL872 Islamic Banking and Finance (3 credits)

This course aims to help students understand the Islamic Banking operating systems and concepts of Islamic finance through class discussions and activities. Students are to be well-equipped with knowledge of Islamic Finance and its innovative products and their application in the modern banking system.

MSL875 Project Finance and Public-Private Partnerships (3 cr.)

This course aims to equip the students with a comprehensive overview of project financing by taking them through all stages of a project finance transaction. It will make use of case studies and exercises from various sectors including infrastructure, transportation, oil & gas and water and power. In respect of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), the course will examine both the costs and benefits of PPPs as alternative public procurement methods, contrast them with other procurement modes and consider how best to design PPP projects to serve public ends.

Topics covered will also include: (i) the financing of PPPs; (ii) identifying, pricing and allocating risks in PPP projects; (iii) preparing a sustainable long-term concession agreement; and (iv) assessing “value for money” in PPP arrangements.

MSL877 Negotiation (3 cr.)

For most lawyers, negotiation is a major part of their professional duties. Of those matters that come into a lawyer’s office, the vast majority are resolved by negotiation. Negotiation: communication for the purpose of persuasion is also a major element of everyday life. This course is designed to give students experience in negotiation, as well as a grounding in negotiation theory, with an emphasis on experiential learning. They spend most of their time participating in negotiation simulations and discussing negotiation problems. They are observed in their negotiations and given feedback.

MSL897 Internship (3 cr.)

An internship is a temporary position at a company or law firm that helps students gain insight into a field or practice area. The responsibility of the internship that comes along with the position varies from company to company. Internships are designed to introduce students to the dynamics of working in a specific field by exposing them to real-world applications. Not only is an internship a great experience to put on your resume, but you will also gain important professional contacts and relationships that will benefit you in the future.

Students who wish to enroll earn three credit hours toward their LLM working in an unpaid internship position consisting of 250 hours. You must have completed at least 12 credit hours and not have been on academic probation for at least one semester to participate in this program. All internships must be approved by the LLM Program Director.  All internship hours must be worked during the semester. A student may take a judicial internship for academic credit only once.

LLM898 Project (3 cr.)

MSL899 Thesis (6 cr.)

Students pre-approved for a thesis may enroll in this class. They will write a thesis on a topic related to law and/or business approved by the LLM Director and LLM Thesis Supervisor. Students will conduct their research and write their thesis under the supervision of a full-time faculty member and assisted by two other faculty members, comprising the LLM Thesis Committee.

MSL881 Contemporary Topics in Commercial Law (3 cr.)

MSL882 Emerging Topics in Commercial Law (3cr.)