Introduction
These pages aim to introduce the programme leading to the Master of Laws in Energy and Environmental Law (LL.M.), organised by the Faculty of Law at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. They also offer an overview of seminars and courses accessible to practising lawyers.
You are encouraged to read through all the pages to better inform yourslelf. However, whilst we have tried to provide for complete information, we are aware that further queries may remain. Please do not hesitate to contact the programme's director Professor Dr Geert Van Calster, and/or his assistant Cheryl Micallef-Borg, should you have any further questions. As from the academic year 2012-2013 the programme will undergo substantial changes. For more information please contact Prof. Kurt Deketelaere and Dr. Bram Delvaux.
Allow us to introduce you to a cutting-edge Master's programme leading to a LL.M. degree in two of the most sought-after areas of current legal practice.
Concept
Energy regulation - Environmental regulation. High on the legal agenda
Years of work in the environmental and public law area has given researchers at the K.U.Leuven an insight into the synergies between environmental law and energy law. This is partially driven by the environmental challenges of energy supplies and distribution; it also stems from the public law roots of environmental law and of energy law. Moreover, both areas are increasingly driven by developments at the European Union and at the international level.
The LL.M. - Answering the need for specialised training
Recognising the expertise of the Faculy's researchers, and the need for specialised education, the Board of the Faculty of Laws approved plans to offer a Master in Energy and Environmental Law (LL.M.), starting in the academic year 2002-2003. Driving force behind the initiative was Professor Kurt Deketelaere, who was also one of the program's co-directors, until 2007.
Students are offered a thorough examination of energy and environmental law, comprising both public international law, European Union law, and national law elements. The issues covered range from sector-specific environmental law and energy law, through to the impact of EU and international economic business law on the environmental and energy sector.
Since 2002, the programme has had students from a truly global constituency, including Russia, Tanzania, Jamaica, Ecuador, Algeria, Nigeria, Colombia, The United States, Turkey, the People's Republic of China, New Zealand, Taiwan, Australia, El Salvador, as well as from almost all of the EU Member States.
About a third of the students are professionals, on leave (or having resigned) from their professional positions.
Part-time participation (spread over a maximum of 2 years) is possible. Please contact us for further details.
Finally
We believe the Master of Energy and Environmental Law (LL.M.) at K.U.Leuven offers academic quality and added value both to graduate students wishing to enhance their curriculum, and to practitioners in search of top-quality, cutting-edge expertise. We are delighted to be able to offer outstanding professionals to cover the programme. The faculty is drawn from a wide array of academics, government officials, civil servants from such Institutions as the European Commission and the European Court of Justice, as well as leading practitioners.
Details of the complete programme are available here.
Structure
The programme has a four pillar structure, consisting of teaching, the internship, special seminars, and the Master paper.
(1) Teaching
Teaching is organised in three successive units, comprising international environmental and energy law; EU environmental and energy law; and comparative environmental and energy law respectively. Students are required to complete a research paper for each of these units - thus enabling self-study and analysis in a chosen area related to each unit.
Each session of the Master programme is open to individual participation - thus giving practitioners the opportunity to attend a given topic of their choice. Participation by outside, practicing students has proven to be added value for the students of the regular programme.
(2) Internship
Students are given the opportunity, and are required to complete a one-month traineeship with an organisation, whether public or private, in either the environmental or energy sector. Leuven's location, 15 minutes from Brussels, the capital of the European Union, offers unique opportunities in this respect. The one-month work experience is an integral part of the Master's programme, during which classes are suspended.
(3) Special Seminars
Seminars take place throughout the year, as and when developments so require, and taking advantage of the wide array of academics and practitioners who visit K.U.Leuven. Moreover, towards the end of the academic year, a series of highly specialised interactive seminars caters for the specialised know-how which students will have acquired at that time.
(4) Master Paper
Obtaining the Master's title requires the finalisation of a Master paper, which covers one issue - whether part of energy law or of environmental law, or both - from the point of view of international, European and comparative law.
