Take a look at this website http://law.nus.edu.sg/student_matters/grad_prog/pdf/Memo_Common_Law_Courses.pdf

As for what to study for this horrid exam here's a list of some books on common law which should help:
1. The Common Law by Oliver Wendell Holmes
2. Jurisprudence by RWM Dias
3. The Common Law & Legal Theory by AWB Simpson
4. Law and Revolution: The Formation of the Western Legal Tradition by Harold J. Berman

These should be more than enough to give you an idea. Dont actually read all these. I would suggest skim through them considering the time constraint. And above all try googling common law. That I hope should be more than enough!!

Firstly, there seems some confusion about this common law test being compulsory for everyone. The link mentioned above says this test is compulsory for students from civil law background. Also check: http://law.nus.edu.sg/admissions/compulsory_course.html.
secondly, even if it is, most countries earlier governed by Britishers have adopted common law system. so it won't be that difficult. probably it would be a test relating to various settled principles of law evolved under the common law.

The test itself is not difficult for people coming in from countries where common law is practised. It's just that most of us were not actually expecting a test at the beginning of the sem. Moreover should anybody flunk this stupid test they are forced to study 8 credits of this paper which means they stand to lose studying two other interesting subjects (since each paper carries 4 credits).

I hope its only compulsory for guys from civil law countries. But what I could make out from the website it states clearly that for LC5002 Common Law Reasoning And Writing - "A compulsory diagnostic test will be conducted on Friday, 5 August 2011 at the Law Faculty. The test will determine those students whose writing skills on a common law issue in English are sufficiently developed for them to be exempted from this module. The results will be announced on the first Common Law Reasoning and Writing class."

And for the second common law module LC5003 Common Law Legal System Of Singapore - "Students who have conducted advanced studies in the common law in English or who have sufficient work experience in English in a common law jurisdiction and who wish to be exempted
from this module may submit applications for exemption, supported by evidence of relevant experience. All applications must be received by the Faculty (at lawgrad@nus.edu.sg) by Friday, 5 August 2011."

@ Amrapali : The test is Compulsory for non common law background students. To get an exemption they have to show knowledge of Common law. Although, I am also not very sure but chances of this test being compulsory for all are very less as everywhere words like "Non common law background" or "Civil law background" has been used. Had it been compulsory for everyone such words wouldn't have been there.

@ abhi_D: I sincerely hope so too ! :D

I had asked the law dept when I saw that, and they replied saying that it's not compulsory for people that did their undergrad/LLB in a common law country, and therefore there is no need to do the test/ take the course/ apply for official exemption.

:) so it's all good.

has anyone been sent the id/password?

@Dhar: Thanxxx ya for the amazing news :) Now I can look forward to enjoying myself in the initial days of the classes instead of having to bother with some stupid exam! But do we still need to send the NUS guys a mail stating that we are more common law countries and hence we should be exempt or is no mail required to be sent per se and we are automatically exempt?
Yeah, I got my id/password this morning...guess most of us have got it today.

@Dhar: That's great ... cs i was under d same impression as Amrapalli that we need to give the exam on the 5th .. Thanks ...

@ Amrapalli: Hey... sup?? how ve u been ?? Ok so dis whole application thing which needs to be submitted for the exemption from the second exam... is thr any particular format of the application up on the site or is it to be done once v reach and do u have any idea if we need letters from our employers or the like for exemption....when do u plan to arrive in Singapore ?? Also so wht ve u finally decided bout the accommodation ?? Have u selected ur modules... I am highly confused..

Heyy Mandavi! I m gud , hw hv you been? No calls from your end for quite sometime now! Me and another gurl Ayeshia are looking for suitable accommodation...haven't come across any yet..lets see. I will be in Singapore sometime around end of July in time for the registration. Hey listen do one thing, gimme a buzz sometime today evening and we can discuss stuff in detail. See yaa!

Have u all got ur user name and password? I haven't got it yet.

@Ashi: Ya I got it yesterday...you should be getting it either today or max in a day or two!

And by the way I need some advice. I just got an offer from UCLA , for admission to LLM in International Business Law. I had applied in early April...wasn't too keen on joning NUS then...anyways the thing is that I am asking everybody I know which is a better course and would be beneficial in the long run? Please guys do leme know!!!

@Amrapalli- Congrats!! UCLA is a good university. What I personally believe is- From career point of view, in general, IBL from UCLA will be a better option for you. Just take into account the following-
1) US Law is more in demand even in India
2) Even if later you decide to settle down in Singapore, you will definitely be given preference 'coz in Asian Markets also, US and UK grads are more in demand.
3) You can transfer from LLM to JD if want to stay back :)
4) So if interested, you can even give bar exam.
5) Also you have a wide choice- in IBL you can choose one of the four tracks given on their website.
6) Last but not the least, it has a good ranking..

So what are you waiting for....... I think you have a bright future ahead...... Think judiciously and take a leap. Wish you all the best :) Cheers!!!

Have u all got ur user name and password? I haven't got it yet.

And by the way I need some advice. I just got an offer from UCLA , for admission to LLM in International Business Law. I had applied in early April...wasn't too keen on joning NUS then...anyways the thing is that I am asking everybody I know which is a better course and would be beneficial in the long run? Please guys do leme know!!!

@Imarkon: The User ID Is to grant you access to the Online student system.
You have to just follow the instructions oin the Email sent so as to complete you pre-registration. You'd have to log on and enter/verify your details, print out forms/declarations. And hand over signed copies on the day of registration at NUS (27th and 28th July).
What is the yearly visa thing?? Now that you have your IPA, submit ur medicals and pay the
issuance fee for the Visa at KR on the date of registration or through the Online e-appointment system of the ICA. after 29th July.

Now that you have your IPA, submit ur medicals and pay the
issuance fee for the Visa at KR on the date of registration or through the Online e-appointment system of the ICA. after 29th July.

@Ashi_r & Interalia: Thanxxxxxx a ton for your input!! Seriously it helped me somewhat in making up my mind, although I am still looking into all the pros of doing my LLM from UCLA :) I know its once in a lifetime opportunity..but the only thing thats bothering me is the Visa thingy. The classes at UCLA are gonna start from 8th August so which means I should be in LA by 5th August atleast...lets see how things work out...money will not be an issue thankfully. I just want to choose the best in terms of education and environment...rest all depends on the visa coz UCLA seems a bit old fashioned and believes in carrying out correspondence primarily through express post :)) Will let ya guys know how things work out, but thanks once again!!

@ Imarkon: Ok relax lets take it one step at a time ok. Fine. So what you have now is an IPA (In Principle Approval Letter) from Immigration Authority of Singapore right. Good. So when you land in Singapore you need to cross the immigration checkpoint. Over there they will check your IPA and then issue you a social visit pass for minimum two weeks. Right. Next step is on the day of registration at NUS you will bring that IPA along and the NUS officials will stamp it and thus endorse it. Then once your IPA is endorsed you can either choose to take it directly to the Immigration office at Singapore to get your student pass or there will be immigration booths set up at KR on the day of registration itself. KR means Kent Ridge campus. Like our law campus is at Bukit Timah. So this Kent Ridge campus is some distance away from Bukit Timah campus. You can take your endorsed IPA to the Kent Ridge campus, proceed to the immigration booth over there, pay the remaining fees for the student pass and get your student pass. You can pay the remaining fees of S$90 (i.e. S$60 Student Pass Issuance Fee and S$30 Multiple Journey fee) using one of the following mode of payment:
1. online via SOLAR System (payment by credit/debit card or internet banking); or
2. at elobby located at ICA Building (payment by NETS or Cashcard).
Thats the process. However, if you dont want to go to Kent Ridge campus, you can book an appointment at the Immigration office in Singapore at this website http://eappointment.ica.gov.sg to select your preferred date and time.To make an appointment you will need your FIN number and e-Appointment ID which is given in your IPA.On the date of the appointment, proceed to the
Self-Service Ticketing Kiosk 3 located at Visitor Services Centre 4th Storey, ICA Building to obtain a queue ticket. Once you get the ticket move inside the immigration building, meet the immigration official, show him your endorsed IPA and proof of payment of fees for student pass, then finally collect your student pass.
Whew!!!! I hope that answers your query! :)))

I have got offers from King's college London as well as NUS. Although I have accepted both the offers but I am confused about which to join finally. 2 of my friends who have done their LLM from KCL returned India last year Dec as couldn't find a job in England & after returning they have not been placed well in India either. KCL would cost around 30000 pounds. on the other hand NUS is much cheaper, but does not have a reputation like King's. However, I have heard its easier to find a job in Singapore. how easier it would be to find a job there. I need your help to take a final decision. Please reply??