Law in a European and Global Context

Overview

Law is changing. Lawyers increasingly need to operate in the context of a plurality of jurisdictions and legal sources. As a consequence, a growing number of legal actors (in courts as outside courts and even in the legislative process) need to operate in multiple jurisdictions and be comfortable working with different legal sources.

At the same time, economic and social integration increases the multinational character of the cases in which lawyers are called in to assist on a daily basis. This has also given rise to an emerging international market for legal services. 

The programme

All this requires a different type of lawyer from the traditional lawyer trained exclusively in a particular domestic legal system. It requires a truly international legal education, where courses are specifically tailored to meet the challenges of this pluralism of legal sources and jurisdictions. This is the purpose of this Master/LL.M. Degree on Law in a European and Global Context.

The Law in a European and Global Context at Catholic University of Portugal will adopt the approach to teaching that Joseph Weiler has coined as “Total Law™”. This represents a bold pedagogical and intellectual break with the traditional ways of teaching Law. 

The students enrolled in this course will face a huge effort with which most will be unfamiliar: it will demand a sustained level of very high commitment, preparation and engagement. But the rewards will be rich: both in intellectual excitement and professional formation. 

Semester Abroad

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the exchange agreements with top American and European Law Schools, and attend an additional semester abroad.