"All books and cases were generally available via the excellent Kluwer platform which all students had access to".
Year of graduation: 2023Name of programme: International Dispute Resolution Law LLMCountry: South AfricaCurrent role: Quantum and Delay Specialist - QSX (Pty) Limited
I recently completed the Master of Laws (International Dispute Resolution) degree offered by Queen Mary University London – with Distinction. I am based in Durban, South Africa where I practice as a quantum and delay expert in the local and international construction industries - having spent most of my life in private practice as a professional quantity surveyor and construction project manager.
I am writing this from my hotel room in Shanghai where I am visiting my son, who lives and works in this vibrant international city. I am not a lawyer, but have always been interested in law, particularly in the international context, and how this affects the industries in which I work – construction and technology.
In researching study opportunities in the area of international law I came across the LLM International Dispute Resolution programme at QMUL which sounded interesting, but I decided to approach it cautiously. After all, having spent most of my life earning my crust in the tough and practical world of construction consulting in South Africa my brain was firmly wired to one side, and studying “pure law” would necessitate a considerable shift to the “other side”. I had to prove to myself that I could make this transition. So, with the guidance of my QMUL student councillor, I decided to dip a toe into the water by first proceeding with the post graduate certificate course (International Commercial Arbitration) which, I rationalised, could then be upgraded to the post graduate diploma (Investment Treaty Arbitration), and then finally the LLM (Dissertation) – if all went well. Each of these “modules” extended over a period of twenty-four weeks (divided into two twelve week periods each).
So, a total potential study period of seventy-two weeks over two calendar years awaited me. Was I up to this? There was only one way to find out!
First and foremost, be prepared to read - a lot!
Lectures were delivered once a week via QMUL’s online platform, which covered, in an interactive way, the required and recommended reading for each study week – reading that had been released the preceding week. The reading was in the form of online notes (delivered via the QMUL Canvas Platform), and extensive references to compulsory books and cases as well as optional further reading material. All books and cases were generally available via the excellent Kluwer platform which all students had access to. Taken all together, each week’s reading could easily run into 500 pages or more - a formidable task given the complexity of the reading and cross referencing required.
In addition to the reading and lecture attendance, there were week-long assignments (two 1,500 word essays per twelve weeks; i.e., four per module) plus examinations taken over a twenty-four hour period (one 3,000 word essay per twelve weeks; i.e., two per module). And finally, a 15,000 word Dissertation awaited.
Needless to say, I felt a little overwhelmed initially at the extent of the workload required as I attempted to memorise each week’s material, but soon realised that this was an impossible task. So I changed my approach and managed to find a way to summarise each week’s material in sufficient detail to allow me to find it quickly when needed. My weekly study routine for the first two modules was something like this:
• Saturdays and Sundays following the release of each week’s material – five hours each day;• Monday to Thursday – four hours each day (usually 4 AM to 8 AM – I am a morning person);• Thursday evening – attend online lecture – one hour;• Friday – day off (maybe a sneak peek at the following week’s material delivered at 10 AM London time on the QMUL Canvas platform)!
My study routine during the Dissertation module was much more flexible but was on average of similar duration.
How I got through all of that I do not know, especially while continuing to work in my consulting practice. Support of close family is definitely a requirement, and I know that on hearing my result they were as pleased as me.
See Mark’s LinkedIn profile.
If you would like to get in touch with Mark, you can e-mail him.