Innovative Learning in an Established Environment

The LL.M in Information & Technology Law, established by the Law Faculty of the University of Düsseldorf in 2004, offers an innovative form of practical education for lawyers. The practice-oriented curriculum prepares legal professionals to apply what they have learned – be it in the private bar, in business, in industry groups, or as a judge or prosecutor.

"Capital” of Germany’s Communications and Information Industries

The Düsseldorf region is an internationally recognized center for law, consulting, and business, with about 100,000 firms and 5,000 affiliates and subsidiaries of foreign enterprises. With a market share of 22% of Germany's total information and communications industry, the region boasts a high concentration of expertise in these areas.

Information & Technology Law as a Legal Discipline of the Future

Information & Technology law addresses legal questions in the following areas:

- Infrastructure provision,

- IT services,

- Content transmitted through these media, and

- Use of information technology by business and governing authorities

Questions of information & technology law - especially telecommunication, media, and IT law - have increase in prominence in business-law professional environements in recent years. However, most law graduates do not have the specialized knowledge required for practice in this area. Further, this skills deficit usually cannot be made up during the mandatory internship period required of German law students.

LL.M. Information & Technology Law

After successful conclusion of the program, the Law Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University will confer the degree “Master of Laws - LL.M.” (Information Law). Students will also receive a diploma supplement and a transcript of records, both in English.

Theoretical Component of the IT Law Legal Specialization Certification

While participating in the program, participants can acquire the theoretical knowledge required for the recognition of a legal specialization in the area of Information Technology Law, as provided for in §14b of the Ordinance on Legal Specialization.

Part-time students
The course is designed to accommodate working students. Lectures take place on Thursday evenings (beginning at 6 p.m.), Friday afternoon (beginning 4 p.m.), and all day on Saturdays.

As of Summer 2008, at the end of its fourth year, the program will have graduated 80 students. All graduates may become members of the Information Law LL.M. Alumni Group and the Supporters' Circle of the Law Faculty, an alumni network - further information.

Requirements for Admission

Candidates are expected to be licensed in Germany or another country, and to have practice experience and above-average seminar grades. Candidates who have written doctoral dissertations in the area are especially welcome to apply.

A maximum of 25 students will be admitted. The Program and Admissions Committee is responsible for making admissions decisions.

Additional information on admissions policies can be found in the program’s requirements for admission.

The language of instruction is German. Students can also attend English-language Düsseldorf Law School presentations for a reduced fee.

Tuition

Tuition fees are € 3,000 per semester (€ 6,000 total) and are due before the beginning of the respective semesters. Partial scholarships will be awarded based on academic criteria.

General information on financial support and tax deductibility are available through the DLS Career Counseling Service.

Application

Applications for the program beginning on October 1 can be submitted beginning on February 1 of the same year.

More information and an online application form.

Applicants who are accepted will be offered a place in the program subject to certain conditions and a deadline. The offer can be accepted by returning the acceptance form and making a pre-payment of €500 toward tuition fees within two weeks.

Application , Additional Inquiries & Contact

Düsseldorf Law School
- Zentrum für Informationsrecht -
Faculty of Law
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
Phone: +49 (0) 211 81 - 10752
Fax: +49 (0) 211 81 - 10753
D - 40225 Düsseldorf

About the Center for Information & Technology Law (‘ZfI’)

The Center's directors are University Professors Prof. Dr. Altenhain, Prof. Dr. Dietlein, and Prof. Dr. Noack. An advisory board of attorneys and in-house legal professionals cooperates closely with the academic directors.

With the “Practice Forum on Information Law” (hosted in connection with the Alumni Network of the Information Law LL.M. Program), the Center provides lecture and discussion series in which subjects which are a focus of research activities are discussed in close proximity to law practice.

The Düsseldorf Information Law Day event focuses on applied questions of IT law.

Up-to-date through February 22, 2008; subject to alterations.