Lucrecia Ortiz, Costa Rica

LLM in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution 2011-12

I obtained my degree in law at the University of Costa Rica as well as a specialisation in Commercial Law. I have had the opportunity to work as a practitioner in one of the most prestigious law firms in Costa Rica on international dispute resolution for the last three years, and also got involved in the academic field, collaborating as an interim professor at the University of Costa Rica in the area of Private Law of Obligations from 2004 to 2009. In the context of major economical changes in my country and new alliances for free trade, as well as the topical increase of arbitration in Latin America as one of the favourite dispute resolution methods, my personal involvement and interest in International Dispute Resolution have influenced my decision to apply for the International Dispute Resolution LLM programme at Queen Mary. The obvious link with London as a preferred seat of arbitration, as well as the involvement of highly qualified lecturers in the area made Queen Mary a natural choice. The programme has given me the opportunity to discuss and analyse the topical problems and challenges in International Dispute Resolution. The acquired comparative perspective of legal analysis is without a doubt an invaluable asset from this academic year. The collaborative attitude of Professors and their commitment to provide us with updated and high quality knowledge to approach the challenges of this fascinating discipline has made my experience at Queen Mary an exceptional one. Finally, the opportunity of sharing this year with students from the most varied cultures and traditions has definitely made this experience unforgettable.