Addis Ababa University AAU School Of Law

Addis Ababa University AAU School Of Law

Addis Ababa University AAU School Of Law – Check Below:
The School of Law was inaugurated in 1963 by Emperor Haile Sellassie I as part of the then Haile Sellassie I University (HSIU).
The need to open a law school was expressed in the Emperor’s opening speech as pivotal in training Ethiopian lawyers in Ethiopian laws. That was the time the country just enacted the major substantive and procedure laws/codes. Having been dependent on foreigners, particularly the British in the judiciary, Ethiopia embarked on what can be termed as a massive self-capacity building in the legal education and administration of justice. Since then the Law School has trained thousands of graduates that have served the country in the judicial, administrative and academic institutions.
The initial curriculum of the School was based on the three year training adapted from the American law schools. Likewise, having a first degree was made an admission requirement following the American way. Since that time several curricular changes have been made and currently the school implements modular curriculum both in the LL.B. and the four LL.M. programs. The School’s evening program was first launched to offer law diploma, and was upgraded to the degree level in the 2000s.
The school publishes a bi-annual journal (the Journal of Ethiopian Law), series on Business Law, Constitutional Law, and Human Rights Law and Addis Ababa University Student Law Review.
Vision
The School of Law aspires to become center of excellence in legal education, research and community services, celebrated nationally, respected in Africa and renowned globally.
Mission
The School aims to train in law all-rounded, critical and socially conscious learners, develop and disseminate knowledge through scholarly research, and provide high quality legal consultancy and legal aid services to the community.
Program objectives
The LL.B. Program at the School of Law aims at providing basic legal training to produce high caliber graduates. Specifically it aims to:

• equip students with the basic knowledge of major national legislations and procedures, along with the skills of legal interpretation required to solve legal problems;
• train professionals who will be able to undertake the technical aspects of drafting and revising laws;
• enhance the critical thinking abilities of students so that they can understand and implement laws as judges, practicing lawyers, prosecutors, public defenders or academicians;
• train professionals who can deliver legal advice in public and business laws either by working for particular firms or individuals seeking such advice;
• educate individuals who will be able to speak to and advise clients with professionalism, understanding and responsibility;
• prepare dedicated persons who can research and publish, and hence reinforce Ethiopian legal jurisprudence;
• produce legal professionals who serve society with the highest heed to ethical values, strive to defend rights and liberties and uphold the fundamentals of the rule of law.

Graduate Profile
Graduates from the LL.B. program will have the knowledge and skills to:

• Work as judges and prosecutors at various levels of the federal and state court structures in Ethiopia;
• Serve as public defenders for persons accused of committing crimes;
• Practice law individually or along with other legal professionals at any level of the court structures in the country, depending on the class of license issued;
• Provide services as legal advisors to business organizations, governmental agencies or non-governmental organizations;
• Render high-quality research service to organizations as consultants or permanent employees;
• Engage in teaching at Law Schools in higher education institutions across the nation; and
•  Work individually or in establishments with a view to enhancing individual and group rights, the rule of law, good governance, and the deepening of constitutionalism and democratic values through research, education, advocacy and awareness-raising enterprises.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Students who have completed the national preparatory education with acceptable grades and wish to join the School of Law will be selected from a list of students assigned to the social sciences stream on a competitive basis or be placed in the regular program by the Ministry of Education.
Undergraduate Program Objectives
The LL.B. Program at the School of Law aims at providing basic legal training to produce high caliber graduates. Specifically it aims at

• equipping students with the basic knowledge of major national legislations and procedures, along with the skills of legal interpretation required to solve legal problems;
• training professionals who will be able to undertake the technical aspects of drafting and revising laws;
• enhancing the critical thinking abilities of students so that they can understand and implement laws as judges, practicing lawyers, prosecutors, public defenders or academicians;
• training professionals who can deliver legal advice in public and business laws either by working for particular firms or individuals seeking such advice;
• educating individuals who will be able to speak to and advise clients with professionalism, understanding and responsibility;
• preparing dedicated persons who can research and publish, and hence reinforce Ethiopian legal jurisprudence;
• producing legal professionals who serve society with the highest heed to ethical values, strive to defend rights and liberties and uphold the fundamentals of the rule of law.

Undergraduate Courses
Courses offered in the prevailing modular LL.B. curriculum are Introduction to Law, Legal History and Traditions, Introduction to Ethiopian Legal System, Customary Law, Law of Persons, Family Law, Law of Successions, Introduction to Logic, Jurisprudence, Constitutional Law, Federalism, Administrative Law, Law of Contracts, Law of Extra-Contractual Liability, Psychology and Forensic Science, Sociology and Criminology, General Property Law, Intellectual Property Law, Land Law, Criminal Law, Law of Administrative Contracts, Law of Agency, Law of Sales, Law of Security Devices, Law of Traders and Business Organizations, Tax Law, Laws of Procedure, Law of Criminal Procedure, Law of Civil Procedure, Law of Evidence, Conflict of Laws, Legal Drafting, Legal Writing, Legislative Drafting, Law of Insurance, Law of Banking and Negotiable Instruments, Public International Law, International Trade Law, Investment Law, Environmental Law, Water Law, Human Rights Law, African Union and Human Rights Law, Gender and Law, Pre-Trial, Trial and Appellate Advocacy / Moot Court, Legal Clinics, Legal Ethics, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Senior Thesis, Exit Exam I/II, and Externship.
LL.M. Programs
The School of Law runs five LL.M. Programs. These are LL.M. in Business Law, LL.M. in Constitutional and Public Law, LL.M. in Human Rights Law, LL.M. in International Law, and LL.M. in Urban Property and Land Law.
LL.M. Admission Requirements
A candidate who applies to join any of the LL.M. programs must have LL.B. degree from a recognized university, fulfill the general admission requirements for Graduate Studies of the Addis Ababa University and pass the graduate entrance examination of the School.
 
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Business Law
Program Objectives
The program aims at satisfying the national demand for highly trained specialist lawyers who have undergone specialized training in business law. In particular, it aims at satisfying the demand for business law experts who can understand and implement the policies of the country, extend consultancy services in the formulation of legal policy and engage in research and teaching at higher education institutions.
 
Graduate Profile
Given the objectives of the program, it is expected that the graduates will be highly trained specialist lawyers equipped with up-to-date knowledge in business law able to analyze and formulate legal policy, to undertake high-level professional research, legal practice, teaching and consultancy. Graduates are expected to:

• foster the national effort to develop the domestic economy under the free market principle;
• engage with and enhance the dynamism in the public life of Ethiopians which is being progressively intensified following the implementation of decentralized form of government and a new set of constitutional and administrative values;
• ensure that national interests are articulated, developed, asserted and defended effectively and sufficiently as the country enters the global world more forcefully;
• help entrench the efforts to promote, protect, and enforce human rights not only in Ethiopia but also at regional and international levels; and
• undertake high level research and legal practice and conduct teaching and consultancy services at higher education institutions.

Modules
Semester I

No.	Module No.	Module Title	ECTS	Total Hours
1	Laws-614	Research Methods (C)	7	189
2	BLS-611	Theories and Principles of Economic Law (M)	7	189
3	BLS-614	Comparative Commercial Law (M)	7	189
4		Elective Modules (E)	9-14	234-378
		Total	30-35	810-945

 
Semester II

No.	Module No.	Module Title		ECTS	Total Hours
1	BLS-613	Company Law and Finance (M)		7	189
2			Elective Modules (E)	23-28	621-756
			Total	30-35	810-945

Semester III

No.	Module No.	Module Title	ECTS	Total Hours
1	MTL-777	LLM Thesis (M)	30	810

List of Elective Modules

No	Module No.	Module Title	ECTS	Total Hours
1	BLS-617	Advanced Intellectual Property Law (E)	7	189
2	BLS-620	Banking and Insurance Law and Regulation (E)	7	189
3	BLS-621	Commercial Dispute Resolution (E)	7	189
4	BLS-623	Competition Law and Consumer Protection (E)	5	135
5	BLS-629	E-Commerce Law (E)	5	135
6	BLS-619	Financial Market Development and Regulation (E)	7	189
7	BLS-616	International Business Transactions (E)	5	135
8	BLS-612	International Business and Labour Rights(E)	5	135
9	BLS-615	Advanced International Economic Law (E)	5	135
10	BLS-625	Land Law and Policy (E)	5	135
11	BLS-622	Law of Finance and Foreign Investment (E)	5	135
12	BLS-624	Law of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (E)	5	135
13	BLS-627	Natural Resources and Energy Law (E)	5	135
14	BLS-628	Taxation of Business (E)	5	135
15	BLS-626	Transport Law (E)	5	135

 
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Constitutional and Public Law
Program objectives
The program aims at satisfying the national demand for lawyers and law teachers who have undergone specialized training in constitutional and public law. In particular, it aims at satisfying the demand for constitutional and public lawyers, who can understand and implement the new policies of the country, extend consultancy services in the formulation of legal policy and research and teach at higher education institutions.
Graduate Profile
The program aims at producing trained specialist lawyers in constitutional and public law who can:

• foster the national effort to develop the domestic economy under the free market principle;
• engage with and enhance the dynamism in the public life of Ethiopians which is being progressively intensified following the implementation of decentralized form of government and a new set of constitutional and administrative values;
• ensure that national interests are articulated, developed, asserted and defended effectively and sufficiently as the country enters the global world more forcefully;
• help entrench the efforts to promote, protect, and enforce human rights not only in Ethiopia but also at regional and international levels; and
• undertake high level research, legal service, and conduct teaching and consultancy services at higher education institutions

Modules
Semester I

No.	Module No.	Module Titles	ECTS	Total Hours
1	Laws-614	Research Methods (C)	7	189
2	CPL-631	Constitutional and Political Theory (C)	5	135
3	CPL- 633	Comparative Constitutional Law(C)	7	189
4		Elective Modules (E)	11-16	297-432
		Total	30-35	810-945

 
Semester II

No.	Module No.	Module Titles	ECTS	Total Hours
1	CPL-635	State Constitutions and Local Government (C)	7	189
2	CPL-637	Ethiopian Human Rights System (C)	7	189
3		Elective Modules (E)	16-21	432-567
		Total	30-35	810-945

Semester III

No	Module No.	Module Titles	ECTS	Total Hours
1	MTL-777	LLM Thesis (C)	30	810

List of Elective Modules

No	Module No.	Module Titles	ECTS	Total Hours
1	CPL-733	Advanced Administrative Law (E)	5	135
2	CPL-636	Advanced Criminal Law (E)	5	135
3	CPL-644	Advanced Criminology (E)	5	135
4	CPL-642	Comparative Federalism (E)	5	135
5	CPL-641	Constitutional Litigation (E)	5	135
6	CPL-731	Criminal Justice System (E)	5	135
7	CPL-632	Ethiopian Constitutional Development (E)	5	135
8	CPL-732	Fiscal Policy and Federalism (E)	5	135
9	CPL-638	International Human Rights Law (E)	5	135
10	CPL-634	Law and Development (E)	5	135

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Human Rights
Program Objectives
The program aims at satisfying the national and individual demand for highly trained specialist human rights lawyers. The program aims at satisfying the demand for human rights law experts who are able to contribute towards the realization of human rights through formulation and implementation of policies, interpretation and execution of laws, provision of consultancy services, and through education and research.
Graduate Profile
Given the objectives of the program, it is expected that the graduates will be highly trained specialist lawyers equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills in human rights law able to analyze and formulate policy, to undertake high-level professional research, legal practice, teaching and consultancy. Graduates are expected to:

• design and implement legislative, administrative and other measures necessary for the realization of human rights; enhance the promotion and protection of human rights at national and international levels; and
• undertake high level research and conduct teaching at higher education institutions and provide consultancy services.

Modules
Semester I

No.	Module No.	Module Title	ECTS	Total Hours
1	Laws-614	Research Methods (C)	7	189
2	HRL-651	Philosophy and Politics of Human Rights (C)	7	189
3	HRL-663	United Nations Human Rights System (C)	7	189
4		Elective Modules (E)	9-14	243-378
		Total	30-35	810-945

Semester II

No	Module No.	Module Title	ECTS	Total Hours
1	HRL-654	African Human Rights System (C)	7	189
2	HRL-653	Ethiopian Human Rights System (C)	7	189
3	HRL-664	Human Rights and Development (C)	7	189
4		Elective Modules (E)	9-14	243-378
		Total	30-35	810-945

Semester III

No.	Module No.	Module Title	ECTS	Total Hours
1	MTL-777	LLM Thesis (C)	30	810

 
List of Elective Modules

No.	Module No.	Module Title	ECTS	Total Hours
1	HRL-655	International Humanitarian Law (E)	5	135
2	HRL-664	Regional Human Rights Systems (E)	5	135
3	HRL-660	Refugees and IDPs (E)	5	135
4	PIL-752	International Criminal Law (E)	5	135
5	HRL-657	Rights of Children (E)	5	135
6	HRL-658	Rights of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples (E)	5	135
7	HRL-659	Socio-Economic Rights (E)	5	135
8	HRL-661	Rights of Persons with Disabilities (E)	5	135
9	HRL-662	Human Rights and Gender (E)	5	135

 
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Public International Law
Objectives
The program aims at satisfying the national demand for highly trained specialist lawyers who have undergone specialized training in public international law. In particular, it aims at satisfying the demand for international law experts who can understand and implement the new policies of the country, extend consultancy services in the formulation of legal policy and engage in research and teaching at higher education institutions.
Graduate Profile
Given the objectives of the program, it is expected that the graduates will be highly trained specialist lawyers equipped with up-to-date knowledge in international law able to analyze and formulate legal policy, to undertake high-level professional research, legal practice, teaching and consultancy. Graduates are expected to:

• foster the national effort to develop the domestic economy under the free market principle;
• engage with and enhance the dynamism in the public life of Ethiopians which is being progressively intensified following the implementation of decentralized form of government and a new set of constitutional and administrative values;
• ensure that national interests are articulated, developed, asserted and defended effectively and sufficiently as the country enters the global world more forcefully;
• help entrench the efforts to promote, protect, and enforce human rights not only in Ethiopia but also at regional and international levels; and
• undertake high level research, legal practice and conduct teaching and consultancy services at higher education institutions in public international law.

Modules
Semester I

No.	Module No.	Module Title	ECTS	Total Hours
1	Laws-614	Research Methods (C)	7	189
2	PIL-774	Theories of International Relations (M)	7	189
3	PIL-685	Law of Treaties (M)	5	135
4		Elective Modules (E)	11-16	297-432
		Total	30-35	810-945

Semester II

No.	Module No.	Module Title	ECTS	Total Hours
1	PIL-672	Law of International Organizations (M)	7	189
2	PIL-682	Settlement of International Disputes (M)	7	189
3		Elective Modules (E)	16-21	432-567
		Total	30-35	810-945

Semester III

No.	Module No.	Module Title	ECTS	Total Hours
1	MTL-777	LLM Thesis (M)	30	810

List of Elective Modules

No.	Module No.	Module Title	ECTS	Total Hours
1	PIL-772	African Union Law (E)	7	189
2	PIL-752	International Criminal Law (E)	5	135
3	PIL-622	International Economic Law (E)	7	189
4	PIL-673	International Environmental Law (E)	5	135
5	HRL-652	International Human Rights Law (E)	5	135
6	PIL-681	International Water Law (E)	5	135

 
 
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Urban Property and Land Law
Program Objectives
The program aims at enabling students:

• To provide learning opportunities so that students can equip graduates with the knowledge and understanding, skill and competence to undertake advanced research in law in general and in the Urban Property and Land Law in particular.
• To contribute to the University`s objectives of graduate studies expansion by providing high quality education and increase their employability in the urban governance sector of the country.
• To produce graduates who are capable of undertaking research and consultancy tasks on urban law areas, as per the needs of the MUDHC of Ethiopia.
• To provide a qualification that fully meets the learning outcomes intended.
• To provide an LLM that develops the students’ skills to understand and analyze law, governance and policy, particularly in the urban administration contexts.

Graduate profile
Upon successful completion of all the requirements of the LLM in UPLL, the graduates will have expertise in urban property and law issues that would be encountered in the process of advising their clients, skills in drafting legal documents and teaching urban property and land law. More specifically, the graduates will have competence in the following areas:

• draft property and land related contracts, prepare legal guidelines or manual for the personnel working in land administration office;
• advise, consult and negotiate on property expropriation and land lease matters, including property valuations;
• serve as head property registration and certification office or legal advisors to such office;
• Undertake urban land use policy and law research or make analysis of the law and policy whenever necessary;
• serve as an expert in urban land dispute settlement cases (in judicial, administrative, and alternative dispute resolution processes);
• be conversant with the existing urban land use problems and practices, to fight corrupt practices by enforcing the laws and regulations to that effect;
• advise clients on urban environmental law issues;
• consult and advise on taxation law of urban property; and
• serve as a legal advisor to city governments and other government agencies or private entities on urban land and property issues.

Modules
First Year – Semester I

1. UPL-611 Advanced Law of Contracts (7 ECTS)
2. UPL-621 Advanced Property Law (7 ECTS)
3. (Common) Research Methods (7 ECTS)
4. UPL-631 Ethiopian Land Law and Policy (3.5 ECTS)
5. UPL-612 Laws and Policies of Municipal Governance (7 ECTS)

First year – Semester II

6. UPL-622 Urban Land Dispute Settlement (7 ECTS)
7. UPL-632 Urban Environmental Law (7 ECST)
8. UPL-642 Comparative Urban Land Use and Lease Law (7 ECTS)
9. UPL-652 Urban Property Tax Laws (5 ECTS)
10. UPL-662 Law of Urban Property and Land Registration (5 ECTS)

Second Year

1. UPL-777 Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)

PhD Program in Law
Program Objectives
The objective of the curriculum is to produce graduate level teachers, researchers and high level policy analysts in the field of law armed with theoretical and methodological knowledge, skills and attitudes.
Graduate Profile
Students who have successfully completed course work and dissertation are expected to:

1. demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the relevant field of law;
2. competently discharge graduate teaching responsibilities;
3. design and undertake legal research independently and produce research reports of publishable quality; and
4. critically analyze principles, theories, practices and main discourses in the discipline of law and related fields; and
5. be able to serve as policy analysts for governmental, non-governmental and international organizations.

Admission requirements
To be admitted to the PhD Program in Law, an applicant must:

1. have an LL.B and LL.M or LL.B and MA in interdisciplinary legal Studies;
2. have an undergraduate or graduate thesis or submit a peer reviewed or edited publication;
3. pass interview to be conducted by an admission committee;
4. pass an entrance examination set by the Graduate Commission (GC) of the Law School;
5. Submit at least two reference letters from his/her previous teacher or research supervisor or thesis examiner;
6. File a concept note that highlights a potential research area and
7. Produce a motivation letter.

Modules
Year I Semester I

No.	Course Name	Module code	Credit hours	ECTS
1.	Advanced Research Methodology	PhDL-701	3	7
	Sociology of Law	PhDL-711	3	7
	Law and Economics	PhDL-721	3	7
Total: 9             Total: 21

Year I Semester II

No.	Course Name	Module code	Credit hours	ECTS
1.	Law and Globalization	PhDL-732	3	7
	Theories, Processes and Structures of Constitutional Governance	PhDL-742	3	7
	Economic Regulation	PhDL-752	3	7
Total: 9             Total: 21

 
Year II Semester I to Year IV Semester II

No.	Course Name	Module code	Credit hours	ECTS
1.	Selected Books Seminar	PhDL-761	Pass/Fail	Pass/Fail
2.	Administration of Justice in Ethiopia	PhDL-771	Pass/Fail	Pass/Fail
	PhD Dissertation	PhDL-781

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