Beshem

Thanks for asking. Well, my research proposal is mainly focusing on the choice of law in relation to certain specific types of non-contractual obligations, which have been a vexed question for common-law courts and practitioners for a long time. What I proposed to do is simply to provide solutions to these issues. There is however relatively little existing literature pertinent to the topic Ive chosen to work on maybe this indicates that not many legal scholars are interested in it. I guess it is best for me to devise another research proposal rather than modifying my current proposal.

D.M.90

I hope the law schools youve applied to will find your research proposal interesting. I dont think my proposal is delicate or professional either, though I reckon that my proposal is a relatively long one. While Oxford asks for a proposal of around 500-600 words (which is a bit too short in my opinion), UCL actually asks for a 3000-word proposal.

I have submitted all the applications to the universities I mentioned before. In the case of Oxford, according its application guide, the decision will normally be made by the end of March. I have not received any invitation for an interview on phone yet, though I am not sure whether they would arrange an interview for shortlisted candidates. For LSE, I havent got any replies from the university. Therefore I am afraid that I do not know when they will announce the result as well.

As for now, I am also considering applying to KCL. But the thing is, I cannot find any scholar in KCL whose expertise includes my chosen research area, so basically I cannot use my current research proposal in the application. On the other hand I am not sure whether I can come up with a new research proposal before 1st May, especially when I have little idea on what I should write. Well I guess there is no harm in trying.

Well, the reason why I asked is because I am currently doing my Ph.D. on the private international law aspects of unfair competition and this involves a lot of research into the Rome II, apparently.

Beshem

It is great to know there are other to-be legal scholars nowadays who are interested in doing research on private international law! Well, at least in Hong Kong, there are very few professors of private international law we dont even have a course specifically on private international law in my law school.

Essentially my proposal is about some uncommon types of torts, such as maritime torts, which are (arguably) governed by Article 4 of the Rome II. As you are doing research on private international law, I assume that you are aware of the fact that every common-law state actually adopts different approaches towards choice of law issues in relation to different types of torts. And the best part of it is that all these approaches are far from being prefect. Therefore there is, I believe, much to be researched into regarding this area of law.

It is actually a good idea to do it on maritime conflict of laws. It might be too specific to deal only with the choice of law aspect; you should consider the jurisdictional aspects too. However, it is a pity that you have not applied to Southampton as it is the best place to do your Ph.D. in this specific area. They have some of the best maritime courses and a proper private international lawyer (Baatz).

Many thanks for your advice. In fact I have also taken Southampton into consideration, and I am aware of Professor Yvonne Baatzs reputation surely. The reason for which I am indecisive of whether I should apply to Southampton is that as I am planning to come back to Hong Kong after completing my PhD studies, I am afraid that Southampton, let alone Professor Baatz, is not well-known in Hong Kong. In fact many of my friends here had never heard of Southampton before I told them. And even in the eyes of those friends of mine who do know Southampton and who are now working in maritime law firms in Hong Kong, they are just of the opinion that Southampton is an inferior university to those I have applied to, irrespective of which research area were talking about. This is the case even though there is no maritime law professor in Oxford! Certainly this would seem ridiculous to those who have done research on maritime-related law, but thats how legal practitioners (at least some) in my country perceive it. While admittedly it is important to find an erudite and suitable supervisor, as far as I see it, it is much more important to get into a top university (as defined by Hong Kong employers) so as to find a job here, academic-related or not.

In any case, I probably need to think about whether I should give up my current proposal, and try to draft a whole new proposal from scratch, in case I dont get an offer from either Oxford or LSE.

Hey guys has anyone heard from Oxford??? The masters results are out it seems!!

No - I have been accepted to the PhD at Cambridge but still waiting to hear about my DPhil application. I wonder when results will be out ....

Did anyone receive an invitation for interview from Oxford?

Does the DPhil programme have interviews? All quiet on that front for me.

I did, for socio legal studies...like a month ago...

Hmm ... I wonder if I should assume that I won't be getting an offer for the DPhil because I have not had an interview :(

Iknow because I asked, that for the Dphil in Law there were no interviews...only Dphil in Socio Legal Studies

Does the DPhil programme have interviews? All quiet on that front for me.

I'm sure I have heard of people being admitted to the DPhil without an interview - fingers crossed! Where else have you applied for law doctoral studies?

Only to Oxford but I applied to both the Dphil in Law and SocioLegal Studies....maybe today there will be news...it seems that most of the masters students already know!!

Hey colmich, how long did it take for Cambridge to make a decision for your PhD application? I'm waiting for a response as well. Did they ask you for an interview?

Sometimes there are interviews for Oxford D.Phil applicants in law - this, however, - applies only to those applying for the transfer from Mst to D.Phil status. It is very unusual for Mst applicants hoping for an upgrade at the end of their first year to be interviewed. The way it works is that the subject groups within the law faculty meet at the beginning of March and make their selection.

You can never know. I know someone who got into Oxford DPhil with a third in LLM from Cambridge (obviously they did not somehow base the entrance on this LLM but still might encouraging).

Hi, I have been admitted to the PhD at Cambridge and will be focusing on International Law (International Environmental Law and Human Rights). I was offered membership to Hughes Hall. Any tips and/or pieces of advice? Thanks!

[Edited by bluecrown on Mar 13, 2017]

It's King's, Manchester or Oxford for Medical Law