How long does the LLM in Private Law take?

The LLM in Private Law runs one year full-time or two years part-time. Distance-learning students on the LLM in Private Law usually complete over the two-year part-time schedule alongside practice.

Is the LLM available online?

Yes. The LLM in Private Law is delivered on-campus, online with live seminars, and by distance learning. All modes include the dissertation.

Does the LLM qualify me as a solicitor or barrister?

The LLM in Private Law is a strong academic and practice-informed foundation for civil practice, but solicitor and barrister qualification still require the SQE and Bar training routes separately.

What are the entry requirements?

You need a UK Bachelor's in law (2:2 or above) or an equivalent international law qualification, plus IELTS 6.5 where relevant. Senior practitioners without a Bachelor's may apply on portfolio for the LLM in Private Law.

What are the fees and is funding available?

Fees for the LLM in Private Law vary by mode and are published on the LSLPE fees page. Instalment plans, employer sponsorship and postgraduate loan guidance are handled by the admissions team on request.

LLM in Private Law | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The LLM in Private Law is a UK Level 7 postgraduate degree running one year full-time or two years part-time across on-campus, online and distance routes. The programme reads private law as the doctrinal core of English legal practice, working through contract, tort, unjust enrichment, equity and trusts, and property, drawing on Supreme Court and Court of Appeal authorities and referencing Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board doctrinal expectations.

By graduation, students on the LLM in Private Law are producing appellate-standard case notes and doctrinal essays, drafting complex private-law pleadings, preparing structured written argument for civil practice, and completing a substantial dissertation on a live private-law reform question aligned with Law Commission themes.

Key Features

Doctrinal modules mapped to Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board doctrinal expectations.
Case teaching on landmark private-law authorities from Donoghue v Stevenson and Investors Compensation Scheme onwards.
Guest sessions from civil-practice solicitors, barristers and legal academics.
Advanced pleading and drafting seminars for civil litigation.
Dissertation supervision by tutors active in private-law practice or scholarship.
Small cohort model with named programme tutor for every student on the LLM in Private Law.

What You Will Learn

Engage with the interpretation of contract terms under Supreme Court authority.
Handle advanced tort doctrine including psychiatric harm, pure economic loss and vicarious liability.
Advise on unjust enrichment and restitution claims.
Handle equity and trusts including constructive trusts, tracing and fiduciary duties.
Handle private-law aspects of property, mortgages and priorities.
Draft complex pleadings for civil practice.
Handle Law Commission-style reform argument.
Design a private-law dissertation project with a defensible methodology.

Who This Course Is For

Practising civil-litigation and Chancery solicitors and barristers seeking doctrinal depth.
Legal executives on CILEX civil-litigation and probate routes.
Judicial clerks supporting Chancery and civil courts.
International lawyers seeking a UK Master's grounded in common-law private law.
Aspiring academics preparing for PhD-track study.

Career Pathways

Senior Civil Litigation Solicitor in a City or regional practice.
Chancery Barrister on private-law matters.
Legal Executive on a CILEX civil-litigation route.
Judicial Clerk supporting Chancery Division judges.
In-house Counsel on complex private-law disputes.
Legal Researcher for the Law Commission or a chambers.
Legal Analyst on private-law reform.

The LSLPE careers service works with every LLM in Private Law student on senior applications to civil-litigation and Chancery chambers, City firms and judicial-support routes.

Entry Requirements

A UK Bachelor's degree (2:2 or above) in law, or an equivalent international law qualification, for the LLM in Private Law.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Applicants without a law degree but with 5+ years of senior professional experience in civil litigation, judicial support or private-law policy are considered on portfolio.
One academic and one professional reference.
A 500-word research proposal on the intended dissertation theme.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE reads private law as the doctrinal engine of civil practice, sitting close to the Chancery Division, the Rolls Building and the Commercial Court. Every LLM cohort is taught in the small select-committee format that defines the school, and the central London location places the Royal Courts of Justice, specialist chambers and City firms within a short tube ride of every classroom.

Three parallel study modes allow practising counsel, in-house lawyers, judicial clerks and international applicants to complete the LLM in Private Law without stepping away from case-loads. Dissertation supervision draws on practising civil counsel and academic private-law scholars.

Apply for LLM in Private Law

The LLM in Private Law closes with a dissertation, capstone or sponsor project supervised by practising barristers, senior solicitors and academic private-law scholars. Apply for the LLM at LSLPE. Enrol Now.