The first of its kind in Ireland this course will see students graduate with both a Masters in law as well as becoming a fully accredited mediator.
The Course Director, John Keers BL, commented with regards to putting together the new offering,
"It was really key for us as a School to focus on delivering a course that met industry needs and that would impart practical knowledge and skills for our students so that they could further their careers. To that end we met with leading commercial law and ADR practitioners across the province and further afield, to ascertain how we could best deliver that. To our delight we found great engagement and buy in with that process and we are very proud to be in a position to deliver this truly unique Masters programme."
One area of focus was on the growing avenue of mediation practice for commercial lawyers. The Director of Mediation Northern Ireland, Mary Lynch, who will be leading the mediation training on the programme, commented on this and stated,
“As a development agency for mediation, with twenty seven years of field experience, we are delighted to partner with Ulster University's International Commercial Law LLM. Ulster University has a reputation for exceptional outreach combined with innovative thinking and this mediation training will significantly shape Northern Ireland’s ADR field. That is good news for the citizens of NI and for everyone committed to justice. The coming years will bring unprecedented commercial challenges and the need for skilled mediators, who can resolve disputes efficiently, effectively, and ethically will be greater than ever”.
A further element within the programme which expands on mediation is the role of commercial ADR, including Adjudication and Arbitration. Aaron Moore, Solicitor and Director at Cleaver Fulton Rankin said of their involvement in this regard,
“Cleaver Fulton Rankin as a leading Northern Ireland commercial law firm are delighted to be associated with Ulster University’s practically focused International Commercial Law Masters programme. We are convinced that those who complete the programme will be much better equipped to move into the professional setting of a commercial firm”.
As a firm they are also providing four competition spots so that students have an opportunity of a placement with them to further hone their skills.
Finally, another key partner who will deliver a unique module on Derivatives is Donaldson Legal Consultants in conjunction with Fieldfisher who are world leading in this area of practice. Ms Alison Donaldson, Managing Partner, commented,
“Donaldson Legal Consulting and Fieldfisher are delighted to be collaborating with Ulster University in the design and delivery of this course. We hope this will help law students to develop their knowledge in areas like financial markets contracts and use this understanding to forge a career here in Northern Ireland and internationally”.
For those interested in learning more please contact Mr. John Keers BL, Course Director via email J.keers@ulster.ac.uk or alternatively our School Office on +44 (0)28 9036 6346.