Hello,
I'm quite busy running my own company in Singapore but I slowly feel the need to get a better knowledge of law in general, as I keep on relying on intuition and excessively expensive lawyers... Hence, I'm searching for a distance program that can give me the fundamental notions of law at my own pace. Looking around and reading this site I see many LLM programs I could be admitted to (I hold a good MBA), but they all seem to specialistic (obviously).
So here is my question: is there a decent distance LLM program that gives a basic knowledge similar to a LLB? Alternatively, is there a distance LLB programme shortened for graduate students, aside from the London External?
Thank you very much, any help is truly apreciated!
Chris

Hi Chris,
Even with an LLM you won't be able to avoid lawyers as only a proper law license will allow you to perform as an attorney. The point of an LLM is to provide more specialised education in particular areas of law. You won't get the foundations such as those received during the LLB programme. I am not aware of a distance programme that is just an overview of the law. You might want to try a distance MSc in law if you can find a distance one. Best of luck!

I totally agree that there is no course that will allow you to avoid lawyers. Sorry. However, if you want other distance learning LLB's, consider Holborn College.

Dont ever join Holborn College, if possible do it from standard Universities. Something like london external....but i think first u need to study law at degree level in your country itself and then try for distance course in PG from reputed Universities in UK or USA or even Australia dont ever join course providers like Holborn College, they are worst just working for money...no standard at all....if possible read my posts about Holborn College,London.

I am kind of similar situation, in that I have been working 13 years, lately in fund management compliance. I deal with both in-house and external counsel and have become interested in issues such as financial markets regulatory and licensing issues, deal structures with offshore entities, tax optimization etc. I would like to pursue some formal studies, not to avoid lawyers, but to deepen my knowledge and specialize in an interesting field.
My recent job locations have been Vietnam, Japan and Korea which are not that conducive for part-time law studies, and I can't see myself taking off more than a couple months for full-time study at this stage in life and career.
Can anyone give advice how I could meet entrance requirements for a good LLM without a full-blown LLB or JD (I have only taken 3 law courses as an undergrad 20 years ago) SOAS CeFIMS MSc Finance and Financial Law looks kind of interesting, but it would be nice to aim for a law qualification. There are executive MBAs galore, but law offerings seem rather limited.

Well maybe I can help. First of all, there are several LLMs offered online, and not all of these require that you first hold an LLB or its equivalent. The ones that do not require that you hold an LLB you will find by example in the UK.

Programs like my own that approach subjects like compliance, financial services, taxation, and wealth management, from a dual disciplinary approach of law and business may offer non-lawyers a Master of Science of Law, known as a J.S.M. or a similar degree.

Prof. William H. Byrnes, IV
Walter H. & Dorothy B. Diamond Graduate Online Program Int'l Tax & Financial Services
Associate Dean, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
San Diego, California