LL.M. and Diploma in Natural Resources Law and Policy
by Distance Learning
This degree is aimed at resources industry professionals, both in government and industry, who wish to develop a broad understanding of the legal and regulatory framework within which the resources industry operates, both nationally and internationally, and of the key policy issues and challenges.
Structure
The LL.M. is made up of 200 credits as follows:
Credits |
|
20 |
|
140 |
|
40 |
|
200 |
The associated Diploma is made up of the Induction Programme plus an additional 120 module credits.
Induction Programme (20 credits)
This is a three-week introduction to the multi-disciplinary method of teaching at CEPMLP, compulsory attendance in Dundee is required. It introduces students to the basic principles of law, economics, finance, geology and graduate research methodology.
Modules
The LL.M. in Natural Resources Law and Policy is a general degree and therefore, apart from the Induction Programme, there are no recommended core or elective modules.
Candidates are required to complete 7 modules ( 6 for Diploma) from the following list:
Downstream Energy Law and Policy (20 credits)
The primary objective of the course is to provide an introduction and background to the way in which legislation and regulation can be used to implement policy decisions in the downstream energy industries. The emphasis is on understanding the way in which policy decisions to restructure the (electricity and gas) industries lead to changes in both legislation and the approach of regulators. The skill is to identify what makes particular approaches successful in particular legal environments. This course is not aimed only at lawyers, but also at those influencing the policy debate who must have an understanding of the implementation of policy changes.
Environmental Law and Policy for Natural Resources and Energy (20 credits)
The course deals with selected issues central to understanding international and national environmental policy and law related to production and consumption of natural resources and power generation. It addresses, in particular, environmental problems arising in connection with production and transportation of petroleum (both on-land and offshore), mining activities, use of nuclear energy, including production of uranium and disposal of radioactive wastes, and use of fossil fuels, including transboundary air pollution and global climate effects. A special emphasis is placed on the solutions for environmental problems provided by various national regulatory systems, in particular British and North American.
International and Comparative Petroleum Law and Policy (20 credits)
The main objective of the course is to provide an introduction to the main law and policy issues in the international petroleum industry, with an emphasis upon transactional arrangements concluded between host government and oil company/investors. Common and diverging objectives between the two parties and indeed among the international corporate and financial investors themselves are faced in a candid and practical way, with an emphasis upon ways of accommodating the interests of diverse stakeholders in the development of petroleum resources. A brief introduction is provided to petroleum taxation issues. The approach is a comparative one and focuses upon problem-solving techniques in a variety of settings, noting the inputs of lawyers, economists, accountants, engineers and geologists.
International Project Finance (20 credits)
This course module aims to provide an introduction to the concepts and approach which are fundamental to a wide range of international project financings, and then look at how they are applied to major projects in the energy and mining sectors. The emphasis is on providing a practical understanding of the issues and key areas of concern which are revealed by careful examination and analysis of proposed projects, and then a clear outline of how those projects are structured as commercial transactions and financed. Throughout the course the drivers for host governments adopting project financing approaches and structures are examined, particularly where there are insufficient public sector financial resources or domestic lending capacity to fund necessary infrastructure projects.
Investment Decision Making in the Energy and Mining Industries (20 credits)
The primary aim of the course is to provide a detailed consideration of the theory of finance as it applies to the energy and mining industries and to consider how the theory is applied in practice. The two key focus areas will be investment decision making with uncertainty and how the investment demands are financed.
Mineral and Petroleum Taxation (20 credits)
This module provides an introduction to mineral and petroleum taxation. It alerts students to the main policy issues in this area and the main instruments and forms of resource taxation. Rather than teaching skills in accounting and financial analysis, the course emphasises a broad understanding of the issues.
Mineral Resources Policy and Economics (20 credits)
The main objective of this course is to give an understanding of the main economic forces that drive and influence the hard-rock mineral industries, and of the major economic policy issues for the industry. Students will acquire an appreciation of both the macro- and micro-economic factors that affect the industry and that provide the context for all legal and policy issues. They will also be introduced to the various conflicting aims and objectives of all concerned with the industries, and with the consequent problems for policy resolution.
Petroleum Policy and Economics (20 credits)
The main aim is to equip the students with an understanding of how economic analysis can help inform and understand the international oil and gas industry. This requires the students to be familiar both with the relevant economic analysis and technical dimensions of the industry. In addition the course enables the student to become familiar with current issues in the industry.
LL.M. Candidates
In addition to the Induction Programme plus the core and elective modules, LL.M. candidates are required to complete an additional 40 credits as follows:
The Dissertation: Candidates are required to write a Dissertation of up to 15,000 words on a topic approved by an academic supervisor.
or
An Internship: Candidates are required to source an organisation willing to offer a 3-month work placement, approved by an academic supervisor. The Internship includes the submission of a written report as part of the assessment.
or
An extended PhD Proposal: Candidates who propose to follow up the LL.M. with a PhD may, with the approval of an academic supervisor, submit a 10,000 word PhD proposal in lieu of the Dissertation.
Modules in development
Financial and Project Analysis for Natural Resources and Energy Ventures (20 credits)
International and Comparative Mineral Law (20 credits)
