WHAT IS LLM?

LLM is the postgraduate degree in law. The Master of Law or LLM is a two-year course
offered at various colleges and universities. The course curriculum of the LLM degree is
divided into four semesters. In LLM, students gain in-depth knowledge of a specific field of
law by intensive research in that particular area of law.

In the LLM course, candidates need to select the law specialisation in which they want to
make their future. Thus, candidates can pursue their LLM degree in specialisations such as
constitutional law, criminal law, family law, corporate law, IPR, etc.
 IS LLM NECESSARY?
The above question might come in most of the law aspirants or those students who are
pursuing law. LLM basically is a master’s course or specialisation in specific type of law.
Most of the law graduates opt for pursuing LLM as it helps in the specialisation of a lawyer
and adds charms to the CV.

While the answer to the above question is no since one can practise as an advocate and
appear for the judiciary without an LLM, an LLM adds a specific skill set and knowledge to
one’s description and helps in corporate law firm placements. Moreover, lawyers with LLM
specialisation are favoured more as representatives rather than graduated lawyers.
ACQUIRING SKILLS
THROUGH LLM
An LLM course can equip you with a
number of qualities that can prove
useful when you wish to progress into
a career or pursue further legal
research. We hope that you can
acquire and develop the right set of
skills to make the best out of your
study. Some of the qualities one can acquire from an LLM course are:

Research and Critical Thinking Skills

The level of research that you undertake during an LLM study is quite advanced in
comparison to the work that you put in to draft a quick opinion for a client in response to a
legal query. However, time is an important factor in both cases and so is the depth of your
research. An LLM study will help you manage your time on research work and to make sure
that your writing is structured well.

Critical reading does not mean that you criticise content that you read, but that you question
concepts and analyse them through interactive discussions. Similarly, critical writing involves
choosing a theme that balances both critical thinking and workable suggestions. For instance,
in the course of your seminars you can ask questions about concepts, generate debate around
a topical issue, or share your thoughts on an approach which, in your opinion, does not fit
within the scope of a topic.

These thoughts can be translated into theses. It is important to mold your explanation into the
scope of the course through research inputs. Asking questions in class and engaging in
discussions is a good way of developing your critical mind.

Presentation and Communication Skills

In some law schools, LLM seminars include student presentations on topics of your choice or
as suggested by the lecturer. This gives you a good platform to put your research skills and
knowledge to test. You can improve upon your approaches by hearing your fellow students’
analyses. In addition, you will have ample opportunities to participate in legal research
seminars or conferences held in your law school. Keep an eye out for invitations to
participate in such forums as notices are put up well in advance.

You can also communicate your views on legal affairs and law school events by contributing
to your department’s newsletter. This can develop your media and communication skills and
give you wider exposure to topical discussions.

Project-based Work/Multi-tasking

Assessments at law school can expose you to several aspects of project-based work that you
would experience in law firms or in an in-house corporate team. They are similar to project-
based work that have specified scope of content, deadlines, recommended structure and
research methods. These are some of the elements that prepare you for the future. For
instance, your LLM thesis is a good example of seeing your own project to execution and
final submission.

During LLM study, you can take advantage of guidance sessions to prepare yourself for
assignments and thesis submissions. You can also seek advice from alumni.

By getting involved in different aspects of LLM student life, you will gain the key quality of
multi-tasking which can prove very useful in your professional career.

Inter-personal Skills and Team Activities

A lawyer’s interaction with his or her clients is key to developing and maintaining long-term
business relationships. It is therefore important that you engage in client management skills
through course of your LLM study. Some modules may require you to attend client-
counseling sessions, while others may look at professional development skills through case
examples.

By participating in group assignments, you will be exposed to team work and problem-
solving. Qualities such as efficiency, politeness and patience will be tested during these
assignments. On individual projects such as dissertations, skills such as time management and
multi-tasking can help you work your way through to final submission.

Attention to Detail and Taking in Complex Information

Being in the legal profession can be demanding and the ability to be able to take on several
tasks is the key to progress. On your LLM course you will take on intensive reading before
your seminars where you will peruse a long reading list to prepare yourself for class. For
assessment submissions, you will spend hours in the library scanning hundreds of scholarly
titles, but will only cite a few to support your arguments. Your acute sense of picking up on
critical information will prove very useful in the long run when you skim through client files.

Similarly, it is essential that you take in and analyse complex information in a short span of
time. One of the key skills that you develop whilst doing an LLM degree is to manage large
amounts of complex material. Methods such as mind mapping and highlighting key words are
useful to absorb vast amounts of information.
 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AFTER LLM?
Law has always been significant in understanding the community we live in. This is not just
in one country but across the globe. Pursuing law opens tonnes of gateways for jobs.
Everything involves some sort of legal contract between the two parties which makes law one
of the most fertile territories in terms of profession and providing LLM job opportunities.

The world that we live in requires expertise and skill-based degree programs. There is a wider
scope after LLM because the degree offers expert and subject-oriented coursework. LLM is a
specialised degree; hence, LLM holders often land onto jobs which are subject-oriented.
Thus, pursuing an LLM degree opens promising career avenues in the legal sector.

An LLM leads to various professions which are thoroughly respected and appreciated in
society. Not only do these professions guarantee fiscal security but also ensure job
satisfaction. Here is a non-exhaustive list of professions which make sure an LLM graduate is
well placed and has the answer to the question: what after LLM?

Advocate

In such a job profile one needs to do a lot of research work to gather factual data as well as
physical evidence to support their claim. To perform his duties, he or she must have apt and
thorough knowledge of the country’s laws. This profession also requires an astute awareness
of human behaviour and psychology. Apart from this, other responsibilities allocated to
advocates include scrutinising and drafting contracts.

Civil Advocate

A lawyer who facilitates the settlement of individuals, claims, mortgages, guardianships,

divorce, and negligence cases.

Tax Advocate

A lawyer who deals with all forms of government taxation, including income tax, excise
duty, sales taxes, and concessions.

Corporate Lawyer
A lawyer whose job is to look after the legal work of corporations, to establish and retain
firms, to enter into numerous government contracts, contracting and acquisition arrangements
and to make certain other rights and decrees.

International Lawyer

A lawyer who negotiates with international relations and customs between nations and offer
guidance on projects and negotiations for governments and private companies.

Labour and Employment Lawyer

A lawyer who looks after the interests and responsibilities of employers, wherein they need
support in opposing the administration over the working conditions of employees.

Intellectual Property Rights Lawyer

They preserve and secure rights of possession by patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

Solicitor

In such a job profile an individual usually specialises in a specific area of law like tax,
litigation, family or property. Solicitors offer legal advice to private and commercial clients.

Legal Advisor

Candidates opting to work in such a job profile are lawyers who specialise in a specific field
of law. Legal advisors are usually hired by governments as well as large organisations/
companies. The main task of a legal advisor is to protect their clients from legal implications
or consequences.

Legal Consultant or Legal Associate

A legal consultant or a legal associate assists in contract summarisation, contract

management, legal research, drafting, litigation and research- related projects. If one has
specialised knowledge of the subject, one successfully manages to grow as a consultant with
high paying offers.

Judge

This is a highly respected as well as regarded position in a legal career or in the judicial
system of any country. One has to ensure that justice is administered and legal rights of all
the involved parties are safeguarded. A judge presides over trials/hearings wherein they listen
to case presented by lawyers. In order to be a judge, one needs to be well nuanced with
subject knowledge and skills.

Legal Document Reviewer

A legal document reviewer or a derivative’s job is to negotiate and review various kinds of
legal documents, such as draft responses and ancillary documents.

Trustee

A trustee is under a legal obligation to administer property for a specified purpose.

Notary Public

Individuals are hired in such a job profile by the central government for the whole or specific
part of the country. Any person who has been practicing law (as a lawyer) for 10 years is
eligible to apply for a notary post. The tasks performed by a Notary are as follows:

● To verify, authenticate, clarify or attest the execution of any instrument.

● To translate and verify the translation, of any document from one language to another.
● To administer an oath to or take an affidavit from any person.
● To act as a commissioner, to record evidence in any civil or criminal trial if so
directed by the court or authority.
● To act as arbitrator, mediator or conciliator if so required.

Therefore, scope and opportunities increase multifold after obtaining an LLM. LLM
graduates are often employed as lawyers, legal consultants, advisors, solicitors, legal writers,
or in the Indian Legal Services.

The world that we live in requires expertise in every field and law is no different. Pursuing an
LLM degree opens promising career opportunities and avenues in the legal sector. After
completion of the LLM degree, there are career options pertaining to both the public and
private sectors. Both the sectors hire LLM degree holders who are professionals and have
immense knowledge of the subject and the field. It is a universal fact that LLM graduates are
preferred over normal law degree holders because they are deemed as better professionals
and more knowledgeable. LLM holders often land onto jobs which are subject-oriented.
Thus, pursuing an LLM degree opens promising career avenues in the legal sector.
After completion of the LLM degree, there are career options in the legal field pertaining to
both the public and private sectors – such as consultancies, corporates, courthouses, financial
services, FMCGs, international organisations, law firms, media and publishing houses, and
NGOs. Both the sectors hire LLM degree holders who are professionals with sheer acumen
and astute knowledge of the subject.
 LLM EXAMINATION

LLM is a post-graduate degree of law of two-year course that is pursued after completion of
law degree to become knowledgeable in any specialisation. Admission is done on basis of
performance in law entrance exams like CLAT, LSAT, and other university- level
examinations. A law degree of three or five years with 50-60% total scores are required.

LLM admissions are taken through examinations. Plenty of private law schools provide LLM
courses, either via examinations or not. Such examinations include the LSAT, CUCET,
TISSNET, DU Master of Laws exam, SAAT, AJEE, AP LAWCET, BHU PET, AILET, and
IPU CET. These universities conduct examinations in two modes: one, the objective target
mode, and another, subjective. Each university may choose either or both of these modes.
COMMON LLM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Candidates are eligible to apply for admission in an LLM course if they have completed their
graduation in law, that is, if the aspirant has secured his/ her LLB/ Bachelor of Law/ Five-
year integrated LLB course from a recognised university/ college.

Apart from this, some colleges also fix a minimum percentage requirement for the LLM
course offered by them. As part of the eligibility criteria shared by such colleges, candidates
need secure at least 55% aggregate marks at the graduation level in order to be eligible to
secure admission in LLM course offered by them.

Law Eligibility and Entrance Exams

Law colleges across India have a different selection process and eligibility criteria for
admissions at UG and PG levels. However, given below is the basic eligibility criteria that
candidates need to fulfil to secure admission in law courses offered at UG and PG levels:

Eligibility for UG Law Courses: Candidates are eligible to secure admission in UG law
courses if they have cleared Higher Secondary School/Intermediate (10+2) or its equivalent
exam from a recognised board with not less than 45% marks in aggregate.

Eligibility for PG Law Courses: For admission in LLB (3 years) course, aspirants need to be
graduates from a recognised university. Also, for admission in LLM course candidates need
to possess an LLB or equivalent degree from a recognised university.
SPECIALISATIONS IN LLM
Some of the popular fields of specialisation of LLM in India are listed below:

● Constitutional Law
● International Trade and Business Law
● Taxation Law
● Family Law
● Corporate Law and Governance
● Environmental Law
● Criminal Law
● Human Rights
● Intellectual Property Rights
● Jurisprudence

Some of the most pursued courses for LLM are:

1. LLM International Law

LLM in International Law deals with the study of different countries and
organisations. It is highly popular in India considering that it gives students a
chance to work abroad. It includes comparative law, international law and
international relations, international organisations, and international dispute
resolution bodies. ILS Law College is among the top colleges in India providing
this specialisation.

2. LLM Corporate Law

LLM in corporate law educates students on the process of interacting with
stakeholders, directors, employers and creditors. Graduates can find jobs in
various corporate sectors and legal firms. LLM corporate law includes company
law, banking and finance law, corporate social responsibility, financial models,
and derivatives in a legal context. National Law University, Jodhpur, Hidayatullah
National Law University, and Chandigarh University are among the top colleges
offering LLM in Corporate Law.

3. LLM Criminal Law