Master of Laws (LLM) and Concentration International Trade and Foreign Investment

The public international law governing international trade and investment is central to the workings of our interdependent economies. Almost all countries have trade and investment relationships with their neighbors, or within wider groupings. Regional trade agreements and bilateral investment agreements number in the thousands, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has attained a pre-eminence few international organizations can claim. Yet, international trade and investment law has an impact well beyond the purely “economic” sphere and is a key component of the resolution of global issues. For instance, problems related to climate change cannot be resolved satisfactorily without reference to trade and investment disciplines. Even the task of dealing with global health issues has required at times an incursion into trade and investment law.

The LL.M. with concentration in International Trade and Foreign Investment Law provides students with the public international law foundations underpinning international economic governance and enables them to study and work on these critical issues, with the comparative advantage of being situated in Canada’s capital. Students benefit from the close proximity of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, private law firms with trade and investment practices and NGOs interested in global issues, and the relationships that many of our faculty members have with such organizations.

This program relies on the knowledge and expertise of over ten faculty members who teach and conduct research in the fields of international trade and investment law. The program was designed with a view to meet the specific needs of LL.M. students in these expanding fields: fundamental knowledge, strong research skills, systemic and critical thinking, and case-studies.

The programs are offered in English and in French, and sometimes in a combination of both. In accordance with University of Ottawa Policy, examinations, assignments and the research paper or thesis may be written in either English or French. The programs are governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.

Master's Program

For the Master of Laws degree (LLM), we offer a thesis option, a research paper option, and a coursework option. While students can pursue these options in any subject, we particularly emphasize the following two fields as well as the fields associated with our six concentrations described below:

• International law; and
• Human rights law.

In the context of the master's with research paper, students have a choice of eight concentrations:

• Global Sustainability and Environmental Law;
• Health Law, Policy and Ethics
• International Humanitarian and Security Law;
• International Trade and Investment Law;
• Law and Social Justice;
• Law and Technology;
• Legislative Studies; and
• Notarial Law.

LLM students can also participate in a collaborative program in Women's Studies at the master's level (LLM with Specialization in Women's Studies).

International Reciprocity Agreements

Are you interested in obtaining two LLM degrees and studying abroad? The Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa has international reciprocity agreements with:

• Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3
• l'Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La défense;
• l'Université Paul-Cézanne (Aix-Marseille University); and
• l'Université de Rennes 1.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

To be considered for admission to the master of laws (LLM) program, applicants must have an undergraduate law degree from a Canadian university or an equivalent foreign law degree or, exceptionally, a degree deemed equivalent by the program's Admissions Committee. Candidates must have completed their undergraduate law degree with an average of at least 70% (B), calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines. Particular attention is paid to relevant legal experience, prior research and letters of reference. Please review the graduate studies in Law website.

Courses are offered in English or in French, and occasionally in both languages.