LLM Newsletter
LLM Students go to Brussels
Inside
1 2 2 2 Brussels Trip
Student Representative LLM Common room LLM Director
Seventeen LLM students, accompanied by Jonathan Black-Branch and Janice Denoncourt, travelled to Brussels, Belgium on the 13th July for a 4 day visit organised by Dr Helen Desmond. The Eurostar was chosen to transport the eager students and learned professors where one tutor showed the carriage occupants his excellent Flemish. Following a night of a few too many Hoegaardens (Hoohardens in Flemish apparently) and new found raspberry-flavoured beer, we met at 9am on Friday to attend a talk given by the UK representative to the EU, Mrs Sally Langrish. It was an exceptionally informative visit, and many of the students gained a valuable insight to working within the EU during the question and answer session at the end of her talk. Our next port of call was the European Centre of Educational and Cultural. Directions though, sadly let us down and after 3 attempts, a few miles on foot, and the odd emerging blister, the right building was found. Here we were given a superb overview of the EU, past, present and future, with the speaker keeping us on our toes with on the spot questioning. We were fortunate to hear the reasoning behind the Turkey’s problems with admittance, the French and Dutch concerns over the Constitution and future expansion plans of the Union. It provided all of us with a vivid understanding of the size and strength of the European Union and how successful it has been.
SUMMER TERM 2007 3 Brussels photo’s
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Social Event Exams Dissertation Cypres
Student Profile
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Professor Black-Branch took us on an intrepid journey through a concrete jungle
Next, Professor Black-Branch took a group of us on an intrepid journey through a concrete jungle, which ranged from footpaths to assault courses, to find a shopping district, where students were in their element, we witnessed shopping at the speed of light! The famous Belgian chocolate was well received by all and for one Maldivian student the sugar was well taken on in preparation for a 45 minute hike that lay ahead. Friday evening was a quiet affair following the hard day for most, although a few of a tougher constitution decided to stay up and watch the sunrise in the famous Grand Place, with a few Hoohardens to keep them company. Saturday was a free day so many students took the opportunity to see the easily accessible Paris and were up early for their trip. The students however, failed to take account of the French national holiday of Bastille Day. Further, the lack of French speakers in the group rendered them unable to find accommodation for the evening so they made there way back to Brussels. We can though confirm that the streets of Paris are now permanently etched into their minds and they can be considered experts on the city. A small group, led by Janice, decided on a morning of shopping and an afternoon of sightseeing via a tour bus around Brussels where the sights were taken in, while the remaining students and tutors paid the price for watching the sunrise. A Thai restaurant saw everyone fed in the evening, although banana leaves and an over indulgence of chilli were not best received. A weary group found the Gare du Midi on Sunday for the sleepy trip home, although everyone had a smile on their face and many stories to tell. The students would like to thank Janice Denoncourt and Professor Black-Branch for their enthusiasm, wonderful company and good humour which made the trip highly enjoyable and finally a tremendous thank you to Dr Helen Desmond for organising a magnificent trip, which without her hard work would not have been possible.
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UNIVERSITY OF BUCKINGHAM - LLM
Student Representative
The LLM Team would like to take this ‘belated’ opportunity of welcoming you back for the summer term. We hope you have had a good break and in full study mode in preparation for your exams! Syed Imran remains your Student Representative for this year so please continue to raise any issues with him.
LLM Common room
Exclusive use of a dedicated suite of rooms for study and relaxation
We are extremely lucky to have exclusive use of a dedicated suite of rooms for study and relaxation. This is a nice, quiet suite of rooms, with tea and coffee making facilities, where students can work or just relax. All LLM students may use these rooms, located conveniently near to the library. However, for security purposes you are requested to ensure that the door is securely shut whenever you leave the room. It is a non-smoking room.
LLM Director
Ms Janice Denoncourt has now taken over as Acting LLM Course Director as Dr Desmond is currently on extended sick leave from the University. Janice, along with Margaret Darrell, will be taking care of the LLM course administration. She will also take over as personal tutor. As usual, you should refer any issues to Margaret in the first instance. Dr Desmond will remain in contact with Margaret and she wishes you all every success with your revision during the coming weeks.
LLM Social Event - Brussels Wine & Chocolate
…show off everyone’s photos of the trip together with wine, cheese, nibbles and Belgian chocolates We are putting together a PP presentation to show off everyone’s photos of the trip together with wine, cheese, nibbles and Belgian chocolates. The function will take place in Room F06 in the Law School on Tuesday, 14 August from 4:30pm – 6:00pm. It will also give everyone a chance to say farewell before exams. Everyone is welcome to join us!
Concept of Dignity under the Constitution of South Africa
Professor Black-Branch is pleased to report that Penelope Costley-White, a passionate advocate of Human Rights, delivered a most thought provoking talk on the Concept of Dignity under the Constitution of South Africa on Friday 3rd of August. Miss Costley-White began by highlighting the development of the concept of dignity under the UN Charter and various international human rights instruments including the UN Declaration of Human Rights 1948, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966. She went on to discuss the entrenchment of this concept of dignity under the final Constitution in South Africa, reflecting on recent jurisprudence in a few cases involving issues such as the death penalty, corporal punishment, privacy, and issues of equality and non-discrimination. The audience of staff and students alike engaged in a vigorous debate on this newly-emerging principle while Miss CostleyWhite charted the development highlighting difficulties in defining the concept and its continued evolution under national constitutions and international law. This was of particularly interest to the wide international student body represented here at the University of Buckingham. This presentation related to issues explored in Professor Black-Branch's International Humanitarian Law coures on the LLM and is part of a wider series on International and Comparative Human Rights.
UNIVERSITY OF BUCKINGHAM - LLM
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LLM Students meet the Head of Legal Services for the UK Representative to the EU
LLM Students in the “European” quarter of Brussels
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UNIVERSITY OF BUCKINGHAM - LLM
Exams
All examinations begin at 9:30am in CRB2, Chandos Road Building
The exam period begins Monday, 20th August and ends on Friday, 31st August. All examinations begin at 9:30am in CRB2, Chandos Road Building. Please ensure that you acquaint yourself with your particular exam dates so that you do not miss any!
Research papers and Dissertations
Please arrange to meet with your supervisor to discuss the progress of your research paper or dissertation as soon as possible to ensure that you will be in a position to submit by the deadline of 13 September 2007. If Dr Desmond was your supervisor please arrange to see Ms Denoncourt.
Jae Sundaram visits Cyprus
After spending a busy two terms at Buckingham University, in July 07 Jae Sundaram visited the Cyprus International Institute of Management (CIIM). He was back to his best as a guest lecturer in Marine Insurance Law and Admiralty Practice to shipping professionals in the MSc programmes. CIIM is located in Nicosia, Cyprus, and offers MBA & MSc programmes in Business Management & Shipping Practice.
Student Profile – Romain Bordage
My name is Romain Bordage, I am a French and currently studying at the University of Buckingham as LLM student. From the beginning of my law studies at the University of Bordeaux Montesquieu, in 2001, I choose to focus on International and European private matters and to improve my language skills. From July 2003 to July 2004, I studied as ERASMUS at the University of Oslo, in Norway, in order to read international private law and European business law closely. All classes and lectures given were Master‘s courses in English. In September 2004, I moved to the University Paris I Pantheon - Sorbonne, to get into a Four year diploma of International Business Law. At that time, I begun to learn about the English and American Law system, and I revealed myself as one of the most proficient student in International Commercial and Private Law. In October 2005, I applied for a fifth year diploma of European business law in the University Paris XI Jean Monnet. After a six months class period, every student had to make a three month’s internship, and to write down a 75 pages’ paper. Both had to be linked with European matters. I joined the Belgian Ministry of Justice, at the European Penal law department. As trainee’s work, I had to assist the Belgium delegation’s representatives at the Criminal Law working group of the Council of the European Union. My paper dealt with the European money laundering regulation. In November 2005, I registered myself to an American Law Diploma taught in English at the Comparative Law Institute of the University Paris II Assas. I passed it with distinction in July 2006. I had the chance to visit the Buckingham campus in April 2005. All students I met convinced me of the high quality of the teachers and the lectures. I was wishing to complete my formation with an international commercial law LLM of the best quality. That’s why I decided to integrate this LLM in January 2006.