Enhancing the Quality of the Degree Programme

The centre is committed to a programme for academic visitors, serving to build up the international network and global outreach and providing additional diversity in the graduate teaching and research activities.

The History of CEPMLP

1977

Stimulated by oil and gas developments in the North Sea, the Centre for Petroleum Law was established in May 1977, within the Department of Public Law. It offered a 1-year Diploma in Petroleum Law and the research degrees of Master of Laws and Doctor of Philosophy.  Funding was provided by the University, the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, and to a large extent, the Petroleum Law Education Trust (“The Trust”). LLB students were eligible to take modules as part of their undergraduate degree. There was also an annual 2-week UK Oil and Gas 'summer course' for industry professionals.
Chief architects of the Centre were Professor Terence Daintith, its first Director, and the late Laszlo Gombos, Partner, Herbert Smith

1978

Introduction of the International Business and Financial Transactions specialiation.

1980

Laszlo Gombos Bursay was established by the Trust. Intended for an entrant student

1981

The Centre was formally opened by the Minister of State at the Department of Energy, Mr Hamish Gray, on Friday 5 June 1981.
Bibliography of Oil and Gas Law published

1983

Professor Richard W Bentham took up his post as the Centre's first full-time Director

1984

On 1 March 1984 Professor Richard W Bentham delivered his Inaugural Lecture, "Oil: The Law and Governments"

1985

In October 1985, Mineral Law entered the curriculum (it had never previously been taught in any UK University).

1986

Introduction of Diploma in Mineral Law and a taught LLM in Resources Law

1988

Bibliography of Oil and Gas Law updated, and Bibliography of Mineral Law published.  

1991

Appointment of Professor Thomas Wälde as Executive Director of the Centre. He had previously been United Nations advisor on mineral and petroleum law and investment policy.

1992

Centre for Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy becomes an independent department within the Faculty of Law and Accountancy

1993

New flexible part-time LLM programme introduced.
MBA in Oil and Gas Management introduced, in collaboration with the department of Economics & Management at the University.
Paul Stevens appointed BP Professor of Petroleum Policy and Economics

1994

MSc in Energy Studies introduced under the leadership of Professor Paul Stevens.

1995

Rio Tinto plc Tripartite Chevening Scholarships launched.
Centre, in collaboration with Cameron McKenna, leads major EU TACIS Programme project on power sector reform in Ukraine

1996

Admissions to full-time Masters programmes reach 50

1997

Centre renamed Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy (CEPMLP)

1998

 BP plc Tripartite Chevening Scholarship launched

1999

Centre's own MBA introduced in collaboration with the Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, for the delivery of management modules.
Centre leads major EU PHARE Programme project on …

2000

Centre leads major EU Synergy Programme project on power sector reform in China
Rio Tinto Research Fellowship established
LLM in International Business Transactions introduced
Distance Learning Programme for Masters degrees launched

2001

Research Assessment Exercise: Centre (together with the Department of Law) awarded a 5 rating.
Dr Philip Andrews-Speed appointed Director of the Centre

2002

Centre wins Queens Award for Export, International Trade Category.

2003

Admissions to full-time Masters programmes reach 100.

2004

LLM in International Dispute Resolution and Management introduced

2005

Centre wins ESRC project on international oil and gas security

2006

Centre moves in to the Carnegie Building and for the first time has its own discrete accommodation.
After University reorganisation, Centre becomes part of the Graduate School of Natural Resources Law, Policy and Management
Lundin Petroleum AB Scholarship launched.
LLM in International and Comparative Nuclear Law and Policy introduced

2007

Centre celebrates 30th anniversary with seminar and dinner in London, attended by the three previous Centre Directors.
Centre launches long-term series of seminars on energy law and policy in Scotland and Europe

2008

Research Assessment Exercise: Centre (together with the Department of Law and UNESCO) - All research classified as being of an international standard.  

2009

Centre holds conference to commemorate the life and work of Professor Thomas Wälde who died in October 2008.

Centre wins two major research projects:

  • EPSRC/DFID: Decentralised off-grid electricity generation in developing countries: business models for off-grid electricity supply (5 years)
  • EU Framework 7: Competition and collaboration in access to oil, gas and mineral resources (3 years)

LLM in Climate Change and Energy Law and Policy introduced
One-year MBA degree introduced to complement the 18- month Executive MBA degree.
Number of admissions to full-time Masters programmes reach 200. Number of full-time PhD admissions reaches 18.

2010

Sir Robert Wilson appointed as first Patron of CEPMLP
Centre wins World Bank research project to produce a  Source Book for the Extractive Industries Technical Advisory Facility (3 years)
Centre collaborates with Kazakh-Britain Technical University to deliver Centre’s LLM in Petroleum Law in Kazakhstan
MSc in Climate Change Economics and Policy introduced
Professor Peter Cameron appointed Director of the Centre