Full Form of LLM
Master of Laws
LLM Full Form is Master of Laws. LLM is a postgraduate academic degree which is awarded to students who wish to pursue their career in the legal field. Students who have completed an undergraduate law degree are eligible for LLM. In certain jurisdictions, LLM is the basic degree expected for a legal practice. The term LLM is actually derived from the Latin word ‘Legum Magister’, which implies ‘Master of Laws’.
In India, the traditional areas of specialization in LLM were family law, constitutional law, and taxation law. However, currently, the focus has been shifting to other areas like intellectual property law, corporate law, International trade law, etc. The first law school in India was National Law School of India University. Much importance is being given to LLM only after the establishment of the Autonomous Law Schools in 1987 in India.
LLM Full Form – Additional Information
In India, the postgraduate degree awarded to the students in the field of law is known as the LLM or Masters of Law. The course duration of this degree extends to two years. There are 2 semesters that are required to be attended by the students every year. In accordance with the university’s curriculum, various subjects are taught to them, and all of which are based on the research work as well as the thesis.
In India, over two hundred institutes provide the study programs of LLM. Some of these are the Uttaranchal University in Dehradun, Indian University’s National Law School in Bangalore, Mumbai University, Faculty of Law at BHU in UP, Guru Gobind Singh University, and the Delhi University.
In India, the granting of the law degrees is done in accordance with the Advocate Act passed in the year 1961. The Indian Bar Council has the responsibility of prescribing the curriculum which must be followed by the institutes for fulfilling the eligibility criteria for granting the degree of law.
Eligibility requirements for LLM Course
Those candidates who desire to pursue the study programs of the LLM must possess the undergraduate degree of the law field, which is BL or LLB degree. The LLB degree must be obtained from a recognized and authentic university. For the candidates of the general category, at least fifty-five percent must be obtained in the aggregate. For those who belong to the SC or ST categories, the minimum aggregate marks are fifty percent. The same applies to candidates with disabilities.
In the majority of the courses of LLM that are obtained through the distance learning mode, no limit is present in the case of the candidate’s age. Thus, in this mode, anyone that possesses a graduate degree from an authentic university can apply to obtain the LLM degree. Those who are pursuing other courses in accordance with the module of the regular classroom can apply for these courses of law.
Entrance Exam – CLAT
In order to get admission into seventeen coveted law schools, the exam that is conducted is known as CLAT or Common Law Admission Test. There is no limit on the age of the candidates who desire to appear in this exam. He or she must have passed the twelfth exam, that is, the intermediate exam or higher secondary school exam with a minimum of forty-five percent aggregate marks.
For the candidates with disabilities or belonging to the ST or SC categories, the minimum aggregate marks are forty percent. The syllabus of this exam consists of current affairs and general knowledge, legal aptitude, English, numerical ability and logical reasoning. The total marks are two hundred. The candidates are required to attempt two hundred questions. The duration of the exam is two hours.
LLM Syllabus
There are certain common papers which the students are required to study during the first semester. They are then needed to choose a specialization area, which decides the number of subjects to be studied in the second semester. The common subjects studied by the students include constitutionalism, judicial process, alternative dispute resolution, global trade law, social transformation and law in India, humanitarian law and human rights.
Some of the examples of the specializations provided during the LLM include family law, corporate law, environmental law, insurance laws, constitutional law, taxation law, intellectual property law, etc. The external marks’ weightage is forty percent, whereas that of internal marks is sixty percent. The methods of teaching consist of tutorials, lectures, presentations, and seminars. The students’ performance is determined by the internal assessment done in projects, seminars, presentations, assignments, viva, and tutorials. Each exam consists of one hundred marks.
Benefits of having LLM degree
There are many benefits of obtaining the LLM degree. It helps the candidates in obtaining knowledge of specialized fields with the aid of research in that field. The reputation of the students who obtains this degree is also enhanced. This is because the LLM degree signifies that the student has undergone specialized, advanced and legal training, and thus, is suitable to begin his or her career in the legal environment.
There are many opportunities, both in private as well as the public sector, where the lawyers can find ample opportunities for employment. In maximum cases, they give preference to the profession of advocate and pursue the practicing of law as their profession. The LLM graduates can practice in the US too.
For this, they need to clear the bar exam. They are eligible to apply for this exam as foreign lawyers. The job profile of LLM pass outs includes solicitor, ILS or Indian Legal Services, lawyers, legal writer, legal consultants, etc. The average salary of the graduates of this degree in these professions at the beginner level is between twelve thousand to thirty thousand rupees per month.