UCC School of Law to launch new LLM Alternative Dispute Resolution

16 Jan 2024

The School of Law at University College Cork has announced it will launch a new LLM Alternative Dispute Resolution programme.

The LLM Alternative Dispute Resolution will commence in September 2024 and is offered on a 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time capacity. 

As the demand for skills in the area of alternative dispute resolution continues to grow, this new programme will equip students with the advanced mediation skills required in practice through participation in class exercises and intensive roleplay simulations.

This Level 9 qualification will engage you in the practice and policy context of alternative dispute resolution methods including mediation both nationally and internationally. On completion of the course, you will have a deep understanding of the nature of conflict and conflict management; the spectrum of dispute resolution processes including arbitration and mediation; and mediation in practice.

Applicants also have the option of registering for a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Alternative Dispute Resolution). This shorter programme may be attractive to legal and other professionals who may prefer not to make an initial commitment to a full master’s programme.

Core modules offered on the programme include Alternative Dispute Resolution: Processes and Practice, Negotiation and Mediation, Managing Complex Disputes, Conflict Resolution, and more.

Dr Aisling Parkes, Interim Director of the LLM Alternative Dispute Resolution and Professor Mark Poustie, Dean of School

Dr Aisling Parkes, Interim Director of the LLM Alternative Dispute Resolution at UCC School of Law, says:

“Our new LLM (Alternative Dispute Resolution) is a unique and specialist Masters programme which is reflective of UCC School of Law’s vision of Shaping a Just Society. Given the growth in the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms both nationally and internationally, professional qualifications in dispute resolution, in particular mediation, are increasingly in demand. The development of core skills which lie at the heart of the programme, are central to many employment contexts and roles, including ‘non-legal’ roles which many law graduates now pursue. With accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators - the professional recognition that aspects of this programme have, make it particularly attractive.

This programme will not only be of interest to recent graduates but, with the growing interest in alternative dispute resolution, and mediation in particular, it will be of interest to established professionals and practitioners working in other fields, who wish to add to their skills set or offer the additional service of mediation. For this reason, there are a number of access and progression routes to enable students complete the programmes on a full-time or part-time basis. Furthermore, recognising that some applicants will have busy workloads, a choice of two pathways will exist - a Postgraduate Diploma or an LLM qualification in ADR”.

Dean of School, Professor Mark Poustie adds:

“I am delighted that the School is launching a new LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution.  ADR is increasingly significant as a means of solving disputes and I am delighted that we can now offer a programme for both recent graduates and professionals enabling them to develop an understanding of ADR and their employability skills in that regard.   We have a number of well-established ADR practitioners who will be contributing to the programme and the LLM’s use of simulation demonstrates the School’s commitment to being at the forefront of legal education.  I want to thank the team responsible for developing the programme and look forward to welcoming the LLM’s first cohort of students in the autumn.”

Find out more about LLM Alternative Dispute Resolution here and fill out the following form to express your interest in the programme: Expression of Interest Form