School of Law and Political Sciences

Law Degree (Open for Admission)

Multilingual
167 credits
For students entering the program at the Freshman level
(Please click here for more info on the Freshman program)
137 credits
For students entering the program at the Sophomore level
(holders of a recognized Baccalaureate or Freshman diploma - equivalent to 30 credits)

Courses

General Education
Artistic Discovery
3 credits
This course enables students to learn about the subjects of international law and their legal status; such as, states, organizations, and private persons, and the sources of international law; such as, treaties, customs, general principles, unilateral acts, jurisprudence, etc. The course also discusses the general questions of international law, i.e. questions of law making, sovereignty, jurisdiction, responsibility, enforcement, the settlement of disputes, and specific topics such as the use of force.
Career Management
3 credits
Digital Literacy and Information Technology
3 credits
Effective Thinking and Quantitative Reasoning
3 credits
English Communication
3 credits
Intercultural and Religious Fluency
3 credits
Lebanese History and Legacy
3 credits
Sciences and Health
3 credits
Specialization
DRG210.1General Constitutional Law*
3 credits
The course presents the concepts of constitutional law based on two main ideas: authority and freedom. This vision is founded according to the bodies constituting the public powers, their functions and their relationships between each other and the governed population.
DRG216Legal Methodology
3 credits
The law students will encounter several exercises that require different methodologies. The purpose of this course is to raise and increase the legal reasoning of students which will help them to find suitable solutions to different law cases; such as, legal dissertation, judgment file, decision commentary, practical cases. In addition to several assignments on each topic, this course aims to stimulate legal research and gain familiarity with the library where students will learn to research texts of law, jurisprudence and doctrine. Finally, the legal methodology is mainly based on legal logic, which is a way of reasoning translated by a chronological sequence of ideas leading to a certain solution. So the legal methodology is a way of searching for documents, references, judgments and legal decisions in order to analyze them, and discuss them logically.
DRG217Legal communication
2 credits
“Communication Juridique” teaches students the practice of written and spoken French in a legal context. This course aims to develop the students’ legal knowledge and to fill their linguistic gaps. Its main objective is not only to enable students to understand the information in a legal document, but also to combine the vocabulary with grammar in order to allow them to communicate better.
DRG225International Public Law*
3 credits
This course enables students to learn about the subjects of international law and their legal status; such as, states, organizations, and private persons, and the sources of international law; such as, treaties, customs, general principles, unilateral acts, jurisprudence, etc. The course also discusses the general questions of international law, i.e. questions of law making, sovereignty, jurisdiction, responsibility, enforcement, the settlement of disputes, and specific topics such as the use of force.
DRG230.1Introduction to Law
3 credits
This course will actively explore all aspects of the law: in se and inter se; public and private; imperative and interpretative; founding principles and theories of law; sources; ratione loci, ratione personæ, ratione materiæ, ratione temporis; the Lebanese judicial system.
DRG231.1TD Introduction to Law
1 credits
Law is a discipline based to a large extent on practice. Therefore, the practical applications, entitled tutorials (travaux dirigés), are crucial for a better knowledge and understanding of the course and will raise subjects and issues that might call into question the theory taught in the classroom. Consequently, the tutorials allow students to apply the knowledge learned in the course and provide a useful complement to the lectures. Tutorials also introduce new information to enable students to delve deeper into the content of the lecture and increase their knowledge and to boost and stimulate their legal research and reasoning skills. Therefore, students will have to answer several types of assignments such as legal dissertation, case studies, decision commentaries, etc., that will be corrected by the professor, who will intervene to help students and encourage them to find adequate solutions and to develop their reasoning skills.
DRG240.1Political Systems
2 credits
This course is designed to present a general overview on the importance of the elections, public powers, and the different political systems adopted by the states in all over the world. This course introduces the idea of the role of public power and the political system adopted within the state.
DRG300.1Special Administrative Law
2 credits
This course is designed to introduce public services and the Lebanese public institutions. It deals with the nature of public administration, as activity and as discipline. Administrative law has two different aspects: enabling and controlling. The course will explore how the law enables government to create institutions and programs to provide public goods and public services, and who oversees and controls the exercise of these powers. Students are expected to develop an understanding and a sense of appreciation of the role of Lebanese public administration, in a historical perspective and in contemporary society. It will also describe the legal regime of public service, the different categories, and the methods of administering public services, as well as the public institutions and their organization. Students are introduced to the role of administrative law in Lebanon from both theoretical and practical points of view. They will explore the rights of those affected and how they can confront abuses of this power, and also whether it is feasible to defy government for failure to exercise the powers given to it.
DRG311Regime of Civil Liability
3 credits
The course will introduce students to civil liability, the private law governing the rights, duties, and obligations that members of society are entitled to and owe to one another. The course will, firstly, draw the distinction between different forms of liabilities, then it will clarify the general framework of civil liability, through a critical assessment of the foundations on which it rests, and highlight the changes that such foundations have gone through.
DRG327Contract law II
3 credits
This course studies general provisions regarding the extinction of contracts. It starts with generalities about the effects of contracts and elaborates on the obligatory force of contract as well as its relative value, and then it develops the illicit acts, the illegitimate growth of wealth as well as judicial acts. Then it treats the cancelation of a contract and its dissolution by reason or circumstances subsequent to its formation, which are the rescission of a contract and its termination. Furthermore, it develops the effects of obligations and the remedies available to creditors for the enforcement of performance due to them: right of detention, indirect action, direct action and Paulian action. Finally, it ends with an overview of the transmission of obligations.
DRG328TD Contract law II
1 credits
Law is a discipline based to a large extent on practice. Therefore, the practical applications entitled tutorials are crucial to a better knowledge and understanding of the course and will raise subjects and matters that might call into question the theory taught in the classroom. Consequently, the tutorials (travaux dirigés), aim to apply the knowledge learned in the course, and provide a useful complement to the lectures. Tutorials intend to introduce new information in order to enable students to delve deeper into the content of the lecture and increase their knowledge and to boost and stimulate their legal research and reasoning. Therefore, students will have to answer several types of assignments such as legal dissertation, case studies, decision commentaries, etc., that will be corrected by the professor, who will intervene to help students and push them to find adequate solutions and to develop their reasoning skills.
DRG351.1Labor and Social Security Law
3 credits
The course is intended to provide students with an in­depth understanding of labor laws and social security laws, as well as develop an appreciation for the application of labor laws to the collective labor agreements. The course is designed to give an overview of various aspects of labor relations and social security benefits, including the perspective of working people and their labor organizations. It aims at assisting students in the acquisition of full knowledge and understanding and is intended to stimulate critical reflection on this branch of law.
DRG393.1Civic Liberties
2 credits
This course provides, on the one hand, an understanding of the general theory of fundamental rights and freedoms, with an emphasis on the domestic and international safeguards of fundamental rights, as well as the mechanisms of protection to ensure their observance. The second part analyzes the legal regime of the protected fundamental freedoms, including the right to respect the dignity of a human being, the principle of equality, and civil and political liberties.
DRG400.1Special Criminal Law
3 credits
This course studies of all the offenses under Lebanese criminal law, and their penalties: crimes against property, such as theft, fraud, breach of trust, and checks with insufficient funds; crimes and offences against persons, such as homicide, and assault and battery; crimes against public faith, such as forgery.
DRG411.1Commercial law
3 credits
The course studies the rules of law that govern many aspects of business. An understanding of legal rules and constraints provides a framework for understanding the nature, structure and differences between several commercial deeds. It will help students understand the legal meaning of “merchant” and the legal importance of establishing a “business”.
DRG414.1TD Special Criminal Law
1 credits
Law is a discipline based to a large extent on practice. Therefore, the practical applications entitled tutorials are crucial to a better knowledge and understanding of the course and will raise subjects and matters that might call into question the theory taught in the classroom. Consequently, the tutorials, aim to apply the knowledge learned in the course, and provide a useful complement to the lectures. Tutorials intend to introduce new information in order to enable students to delve deeper into the content of the lecture and increase their knowledge and to boost and stimulate their legal research and reasoning. Therefore, students will have to answer several types of assignments such as legal dissertation, case studies, decision commentaries, etc., that will be corrected by the professor, who will intervene to help students and push them to find adequate solutions and to develop their reasoning skills.
DRG415.1Corporate Law
3 credits
This course is an introduction to the law that governs corporations. It will examine first the rule of contract that governs the formation of corporations in general, and then onto the different types of corporations in a comparative approach between the Lebanese and the French law.
DRG421.1TD Commercial law
1 credits
Law is a discipline based to a large extent on practice. Therefore, the practical applications entitled tutorials are crucial to a better knowledge and understanding of the course and will raise subjects and matters that might call into question the theory taught in the classroom. Consequently, the tutorials aim to apply the knowledge learned in the course, and provide a useful complement to the lectures. Tutorials intend to introduce new information in order to enable students to delve deeper into the content of the lecture and increase their knowledge and to boost and stimulate their legal research and reasoning. Therefore, students will have to answer several types of assignments such as legal dissertation, case studies, decision commentaries, etc., that will be corrected by the professor, who will intervene to help students and push them to find adequate solutions and to develop their reasoning skills.
DRG424.1International Private Law
3 credits
This course explores one of the most fascinating and complex areas of law: what do you do when legal problems transcend jurisdictional boundaries? What happens when more than one sovereign state (e.g., two countries like Lebanon and France) can apply its laws to a particular situation or transaction? Whose law applies? Whose law should apply? And how should one state treat the laws and judgments of another? The course will draw heavily upon close reading, case analysis, and problem-solving skills.
DRG425.1TD Corporate Law
1 credits
Law is a discipline based to a large extent on practice. Therefore, the practical applications, entitled tutorials (travaux dirigés), are crucial for a better knowledge and understanding of the course and will raise subjects and issues that might call into question the theory taught in the classroom. Consequently, the tutorials allow students to apply the knowledge learned in the course, and provide a useful complement to the lectures. Tutorials also introduce new information to enable students to delve deeper into the content of the lecture and increase their knowledge and to boost and stimulate their legal research and reasoning skills. Therefore, students will have to answer several types of assignments such as legal dissertation, case studies, decision commentaries, etc., that will be corrected by the professor, who will intervene to help students and encourage them to find adequate solutions and to develop their reasoning skills.
DRG441.1TD International Private law
1 credits
Law is a discipline based to a large extent on practice. Therefore, the practical applications, entitled tutorials (travaux dirigés), are crucial for a better knowledge and understanding of the course and will raise subjects and issues that might call into question the theory taught in the classroom. Consequently, the tutorials allow students to apply the knowledge learned in the course and provide a useful complement to the lectures. Tutorials also introduce new information to enable students to delve deeper into the content of the lecture and increase their knowledge and to boost and stimulate their legal research and reasoning skills. Therefore, students will have to answer several types of assignments such as legal dissertation, case studies, decision commentaries, etc., that will be corrected by the professor, who will intervene to help students and encourage them to find adequate solutions and to develop their reasoning skills.
DRG450Land Law and Real Estate Securities
3 credits
This course aims to study the general provisions of the real estate securities, its definition, historical development, and divisions. It specifies the principle of the real estate securities’ indivisibility, its inscription and radiation. This course develops as well the compulsory delimitation and demarcation, its technical and administrative stage as well as the legal and judicial stage. It also explores the compulsory delimitation and demarcation effects in addition to the optional delimitation and demarcation procedures and effects. It also examines the competence of the land judge, the land register regulations such as the registering system, the procedures of registration and radiation, the types of registrations, the provisional measures and effects and finally the registration effects.
DRG460Banking Law and Commercial Deeds
3 credits
The lectures focus on banking law and negotiable instruments law, which are characterized by specific principles and unique techniques that differ from those found in other branches of law. This distinction arises because these laws are governed by the practices and customs that define them. Additionally, since the late 20th century, banking law has been particularly influenced by international factors, impacting both the global and Lebanese banking sectors, the latter of which has unique features not found in other countries. The lectures also include a legal study of various contracts, fundamental banking accounts, and negotiable instruments that fall within the scope of banking law. Furthermore, they address the unprecedented banking crisis that Lebanon has been experiencing since late 2019, which has raised significant controversy regarding the principles and legal rules governing banking operations.
DRG461.1Arbitration Law
3 credits
This course is focused on the third party with the power to settle disputes which may arise between individuals under an arbitration award. Power is generated, in principle, by the agreement of wills of the parties, is the settlement of a dispute by the arbitral dispute mechanism. The course is divided into two parts: the arbitration agreement (Part I), and the requirements of arbitration proceedings that enable the parties to resolve their dispute.(Part II).
DRG521.1Bankruptcy
3 credits
This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to bankruptcy law. The key general concepts studied will include: the bankruptcy estate, the different classifications of claims, exemptions, preferences, and fraudulent transfers. In examining the different types of bankruptcy proceedings, we will begin with the rules for liquidations and then explore individual reorganizations. Throughout the course we will explore the policies underlying the bankruptcy law.
DRG534.1Civil Law: Named Contracts II
3 credits
This course studies the special rules governing certain contracts, such as the loan and proxy. In its first part, this course studies the general provisions of the lease, which includes the applicable rules to all leases as well as special rules for building leases. It also examines the effects of the lease, which include the obligations of the lessor and the lessee. Finally, it analyzes the extinction of the lease and the land leases. In its second part, this course studies special rules governing the proxy. It starts with a general outline of a proxy, and then determines the effects of proxy between the principal and the agent as well as the effects of the proxy in relation to third parties. Finally, the last part of this course pays particular attention to the extinction of the proxy.
DRG535.1TD Civil Law: Named Contracts II
1 credits
Law is a discipline based to a large extent on practice. Therefore, the practical applications entitled tutorials are crucial to a better knowledge and understanding of the course and will raise subjects and matters that might call into question the theory taught in the classroom. Consequently, the tutorials aim to apply the knowledge learned in the course, and provide a useful complement to the lectures. Tutorials intend to introduce new information in order to enable students to delve deeper into the content of the lecture and increase their knowledge and to boost and stimulate their legal research and reasoning. Therefore students will have to answer several types of assignments such as legal dissertation, case studies, decision commentaries, etc., that will be corrected by the professor, who will intervene to help students and push them to find adequate solutions and to develop their reasoning skills.
DRG550.1Methods of Enforcing Judgments
3 credits
This course introduces the measures of enforcement, and the general provision of the measures of enforcement. Then it determines the competence of the enforcement court, including the subject matter competence, the competence by reason of the person concerned and the venue jurisdiction. Then it elaborates on the writ of enforcement, including executive power, object of the enforcement and the parties. Next, it determines the procedures before the enforcement judge and the decision of the latter. In addition, this course allows students to assimilate the plea to stay as well as the opposition. It develops also the sequestration of property, the garnishment, the enforcement by sale of the debtor’s real property, the tender specifications and the sale by auction by order of the court. Finally, it ends with a study on the seizure of movable goods for sale and imprisonment for debts.
DRL213.1Property law
3 credits
This course starts with a general comparison between objective and subjective rights. It then develops extrapatrimonial rights and a study regarding the estate, including its composition, characteristics and the position of the Lebanese law. It then deals with the patrimonial rights, including definition, sources, characteristics and its extinguish reasons. The course then develops the distinction between personal rights and property rights as well as the intellectual rights and the classification of properties: tangible and intangible assets. Finally this course ends with a study on the tangible real properties, the fixtures and the real actions.
DRL215.1TD Property law
1 credits
Law is a discipline based to a large extent on practice. Therefore, the practical applications entitled tutorials are crucial to a better knowledge and understanding of the course and will raise subjects and matters that might call into question the theory taught in the classroom. Consequently, the tutorials aim to apply the knowledge learned in the course, and provide a useful complement to the lectures. Tutorials intend to introduce new information in order to enable students to delve deeper into the content of the lecture and increase their knowledge and to boost and stimulate their legal research and reasoning. Therefore students will have to answer several types of assignments such as legal dissertation, case studies, decision commentaries, etc., that will be corrected by the professor, who will intervene to help students and push them to find adequate solutions and to develop their reasoning skills.
DRL222.1General Administrative Law
3 credits
Administration is subject to a law which regulates its activity and, thereby, its relationship with citizens. This course explains the unilateral administrative act, administrative contracts, various appeals and the liability of the public authority.
DRL223.1Lebanese Constitutional Law
2 credits
This course includes the history of Lebanese institutions, and the main sources of the Lebanese Constitution. It includes a detailed study of the public powers of the State, their functions and their relationships between each other.
DRL227.1TD General Administrative Law
1 credits
Law is a discipline based to a large extent on practice. Therefore, the practical applications entitled tutorials are crucial to a better knowledge and understanding of the course and will raise subjects and matters that might call into question the theory taught in the classroom. Consequently, the tutorials aim to apply the knowledge learned in the course, and provide a useful complement to the lectures. Tutorials intend to introduce new information in order to enable students to delve deeper into the content of the lecture and increase their knowledge and to boost and stimulate their legal research and reasoning. Therefore students will have to answer several types of assignments such as legal dissertation, case studies, decision commentaries, etc., that will be corrected by the professor, who will intervene to help students and push them to find adequate solutions and to develop their reasoning skills.
DRL228.1Contract law I
3 credits
This course studies the general theory of contracts. It starts with generalities regarding contracts, and then it develops the constituent elements or conditions of validity of the contracts, including consent, pollicitation, acceptance, the object, the cause and common provisions to the vitiation of consent. It will then elaborate on the vitiation of consent, including error, fraud, fear, tort, and incapacity.
DRL229.1TD Contract law I
1 credits
Law is a discipline based to a large extent on practice. Therefore, the practical applications entitled tutorials are crucial to a better knowledge and understanding of the course and will raise subjects and matters that might call into question the theory taught in the classroom. Consequently, the tutorials aim to apply the knowledge learned in the course, and provide a useful complement to the lectures. Tutorials intend to introduce new information in order to enable students to delve deeper into the content of the lecture and increase their knowledge and to boost and stimulate their legal research and reasoning. Therefore students will have to answer several types of assignments such as legal dissertation, case studies, decision commentaries, etc., that will be corrected by the professor, who will intervene to help students and push them to find adequate solutions and to develop their reasoning skills.
DRL235.1Civil Procedure I
2 credits
This course about civil procedure (part I) is designed to present a general overview of the basics of civil procedure. Therefore, it begins by presenting the general provisions related to the case, such as conditions of admissibility, the right and capacity to sue. It then introduces the plea of unacceptability and the plea in bar as well as the classification of actions and the estimation of the amount of the dispute. It also determines the judicial organization and the theory of competence. In addition, this course allows students to assimilate the provisions related to proof, including notarial act and simple contract, instrument in writing and plea of forgery, avowal, personal appearance, path and promissory oath, testimony evidence and finally presumption and authority of the adjudged matter.
DRL310.1General Criminal Law
3 credits
This course studies the driving principles of criminal law: legality; ignorance of law is no excuse; application of law ratione temporis; application of law ratione loci, the constitutive elements of crime, qualification of a factual situation, criminal defenses, criminal liability and causes of criminal irresponsibility, absolving and extenuating excuses, and mechanism for sentencing, and, finally the criminal and its victim.
DRL325.1Civil Procedure II
2 credits
This course about civil procedure (part II) starts by developing representation before a court, the writ of summons, the delays, the legal judicial aid and the procedure before the court of first instance. Then it introduces the incidental plea, the theory of judgments and the special hearing in civil matters. In its second part, this course develops decision-making in a non­contentious matter, correction and interpretation of judgments and the several remedies of law, including the opposition, the appeal, third party opposition, retrial and cassation.
DRL412.1Civil Law: Named contracts I
3 credits
This course studies the special rules governing certain contracts, such as the sale agreement and the barter system. It is designed to present some provisions about sales, like the conditions for a sale, who may buy or sell, things, what may be sold, the price and the perfect sale. It also treats the effects of the sale and develops in details the vendor’s obligations and the buyer’s obligations, as well as some special kinds of sale. Moreover, it gives an idea about the promise to sell and promise to buy. Finally, this course develops the barter agreement in its general and specific provisions.
DRL415.1TD Civil Law: Named Contracts I
1 credits
Law is a discipline based to a large extent on practice. Therefore, the practical applications entitled tutorials are crucial to a better knowledge and understanding of the course and will raise subjects and matters that might call into question the theory taught in the classroom. Consequently, the tutorials (travaux dirigés), aim to apply the knowledge learned in the course, and provide a useful complement to the lectures. Tutorials intend to introduce new information in order to enable students to delve deeper into the content of the lecture and increase their knowledge and to boost and stimulate their legal research and reasoning. Therefore students will have to answer several types of assignments such as legal dissertation, case studies, decision commentaries, etc., that will be corrected by the professor, who will intervene to help students and push them to find adequate solutions and to develop their reasoning skills.
DRL425.1Tax Law and Public Finances
3 credits
This course consists of two parts: the budgetary law and the tax law. It explains fundamental concepts relating to the budget of the State, its preparation, enforcement and control. On the other hand, the general theory of tax requires the study of the notion of tax, classification of taxes, tax techniques, and tax administration. Then it focuses on the three main taxes: tax on income, VAT, and the estate tax.
DRL510.1Civil law: Personal Status
3 credits
This course is aimed at studying the non­Muslim will, its conditions of validity, the characteristics of bequests, the testator’s intent, consent, the capacity, the object, the cause and the interpretation of wills. It then elaborates the types of succession bestowed by a will, its forms and the appointment of devisee and legate, the disposable portion of an estate as well as the revocation of a will and forfeiture and inheritance for non-Muslims, including: means of estate devolution, the opening of the succession, the entitlement to the inheritance, the estate distribution to the heirs, the participation per stripes and the devolution of an estate. Finally, in its last part, this course develops the Muslim will and the Islamic inheritance, the obligatory shares and the agnates, and lastly the restoration of property to a succession, the default of heirs and the case of a missing person.
DRL511.1Criminal Procedure
3 credits
This course covers the part of the criminal procedure that relates to criminal proceedings and criminal investigation. With regard to criminal proceedings, the course will study (a) Public Action: initiation; restrictions that apply to it; grounds for its extinction; such as, death of defendant, amnesty, expiry of the prescription period, and (b) Civil Action: relation to public action, civil parties, nature of damage, competent authorities to hear a civil case). The criminal investigation part of the course will closely follow the path of public action from the stage of (a) Preliminary Inquiry, as conducted by the judicial police force, up to the stage of (b) Investigation, as examined by the investigating judge and determined by the Indictment Division.
Electives
DRG220.1Family Law I
2 credits
This course studies the subjects of marriage and filiation in Lebanese law. It starts with an overview of the personal status regime, and follows with a comparative study of marriage within the many personal status of the Lebanese communities: conditions of validity, effects, dissolution. In fact, religious marriage in Lebanon – the only possible kind of marriage allowed to be celebrated within Lebanon – is organized by confessional laws. It is impossible in the time-frame of one semester to study in depth the details of all these confessional laws, yet the course will give a thorough idea of every aspect. Civil marriage, celebrated outside of Lebanon, will also be tackled, as well as the innovative civil marriage celebrated in front of a notary public in Lebanon. Much importance will be given to the practical issue of mixed marriages. The course ends with the study of filiation.
DRG245Consumer law
2 credits
The consumer law course aims at studying law n ° 659 of February 4th, 2005 related to "the protection of the consumer" which contains sixteen chapters consisting of one hundred and thirty-two articles relating to the protection of the consumer in its different aspects.
DRG250Introduction to the Comparative law
2 credits
The course offers students an introduction to legal comparison, to its nature and goals in connection with the contemporary globalization processes, with particular reference to the interaction of law and culture in Europe. Through the first part of this course, students will be exposed to the historical evolution and the main features of the civil law tradition in comparison with the common law tradition. The analysis will touch on some issues that show the convergence of legal systems and traditions favored by the doctrine in the first half of the 20th century and by the European Union in the second. The second part of this course explores the Italian legal system as example of legal reception and the convergence of legal systems in Europe. After an introduction of the main legal principles and the relevant sources of law, the course deals with different issues related to contract law. Starting from the rules governing Italian law, the selected topic is addressed in a broader European perspective, taking into account the influence of Eu’s legislation, as well as the most recent developments in the progressive harmonization and unification of European private law.
DRG260Obligations Regime
2 credits
As a continuation of the courses of the Contract law (I and II) and the law of liability, the purpose of the obligation regime is to study the general rules applicable to the relationship between the creditor and the debtor, whatever the source. The study of the general regime is thus added to that of the sources to give a complete view of the law of obligations.
DRG265Transitional Justice in Peace Building Processes
3 credits
The course-seminar aims to introduce and discuss the concept of transitional justice from conflict transformation perspective with the objective to set the foundations for a positive and durable peace. It will present the pillars or mechanisms of transitional justice that aims to address past human rights violations in post-conflict settings and ways to move forward. It will look at the impact of dealing with the legacy of the violent past on fighting impunity, social cohesion, civil trust, and state building, as well as national reconciliation in times of transition and democratic transformation. The course will focus on institutional reform, reparation, and truth-seeking measures with an emphasis on the right to know the fate of the missing and disappeared persons in post-war Lebanon. The students will be able to analyze problems related to past abuses of human rights in post-conflict societies and will apply what they have learned by organizing and participating in an exercise simulating a truth commission.
DRG315Historic of the Lebanese Law
2 credits
This course follows the evolution of Law in our part of the world. As one of the oldest inhabited regions of the world, Lebanon knew many different legal systems. While it is hard to reconstruct the legal system of the Phoenicians, especially their trade laws, Roman law widely documented was applied to all Roman empire subjects since 212 AD and was taught in the Beirut famous School of Law. It remains a very important indirect source of the positive Lebanese system. Roman law was applied up to the Arabic Invasion and beyond, at least within the Christian communities (the Syro-Roman Book of Law). Islamic law made its entrance and remained officially the applied law during all the different Islamic dynasties that governed Lebanon, up until the creation of the Lebanese Republic. Islamic law being a personalist system, non-Muslims were able to abide by their own legal customs and texts, and even judges. The Christian communities law did not remain exempt of Islamic law influence, as can be witnessed in the Christian legal sources. The paroxysm of this influence was in the beginning of the 19th century, when Emir Beshir made Islamic law the common law of the Lebanese emirates, and it became applied on Christians in their private relations (except for marriage and filiation). At the beginning of this same century, but on the other side of the Mediterranean, Napoleon was promulgating the Civil code, perhaps the most influential legal text after Justinian Code. French law did affect the ottoman Tanzimat. The 19th century was indeed very rich in legal evolutions, because at the ottoman empire level, the Tanzimat era led to a vast secularization of ottoman law. Then, in early 20th century, Lebanon was put under the French mandate, and the French authorities as well as the Lebanese parliament after 1926, had to merge into one coherent system the remnants of ottoman law and the reception of the French law. Several essential laws were promulgated, in real estate, contracts, personal status. The course will not stop at 1943 or 1975, but will also consider the contemporary evolution of Lebanese law, and will try to prospect its upcoming path.
DRG320.1Computer and Internet Law
2 credits
This course deals with learning the essentials of computer and network technologies, and how those technologies are challenging settled legal understandings. The sources of Internet law are many, from intellectual property to tort.
DRG330Negotiation Workshop
2 credits
This course delves into the theory and practice of negotiation through experiential learning. Participants will learn that negotiation is not a zero-sum game, but a collaborative process aimed at resolving conflict through mutual gain and effective communication. They will discover that a “No” is necessary in the process getting them to a “Yes”. The course will rely on the method of Principled Negotiation developed at the Harvard Negotiation Project and supplement it with the skills that are essential to deal with emotions and irrational behavior. Topics covered include collaborative value creation, problem-solving strategies, effective listening and communication management, emotional intelligence in negotiation, power dynamics, ethical considerations.
DRG340International humanitarian law
2 credits
This course aims at introducing and examining the foundations and key principles and rules of the law of war (also known as the law of armed conflict or international humanitarian law, IHL) applicable in times of armed conflict. IHL is comprised of norms designed to humanize and limit the effect of warfare. This course provides students with an overview of the history of IHL, its normative logic and its conditions of applicability as well as an understanding of the main substantive norms. The themes of the course include the sources of IHL, the definition of an armed conflict and the distinction between international armed conflict and non-international armed conflict, the status of persons not taking part or no longer taking part in hostilities, the rules and principles on the conduct of hostilities regulating the means and method of warfare, the means of implementation and enforcement of IHL as well as the interplay between this body of norms and international human rights law.
DRG395International Human Rights
2 credits
This course is a survey course in international human rights law in order to introduce the students to the basic principles of international human rights and the institutions that operate in this area of the law.
DRG418Business Contract Law
2 credits
This is a course that concerns business (commercial) contracts. Its aim is to train students on the concept of business contract, its legal framework, and the general rules that govern it especially at the level of its formation, its content, contractual guarantees, the rights of the parties, its effects, its end. On the other hand, the rules applicable to international commercial contracts and the treatment of disputes relating to the contract. This course finds its importance by its link with commercial law. In addition, it is important both on a practical and theoretical level especially by the number of sales contracts concluded at a distance, distribution contracts, service provision, franchise and others, and the accentuation of legal problems related to their execution.
DRG427Willem C. Vis moot I
3 credits
« The Annual Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot » is one of the most renowned legal competition around the world with more than 350 universities participating yearly. The USEK coach applies a specific selection process in which a maximum of 6 students are selected. The course “Willem C. Vis Moot I” will allow the student to work on the first phase of the competition, being the writing of memorandums for claimant and respondent. This written exercise requires determining questions of contract -- flowing from a transaction relating to the sale or purchase of goods under the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and other uniform international commercial law -- in the context of an arbitration of a dispute under specified arbitration rules.
DRG428Willem C. Vis moot II
2 credits
The course “Willem C. Vis Moot II” will allow the student to work on the second phase of the competition, being the hearing of oral argument based upon the memorandums. Their coach will train them on how to present their oral arguments, how to reply to the questions of the jury, how to be team players, how to manage their body language, gestures, stress, etc...
DRG433.1International Institutions
2 credits
This is a Multilingual course combining face-to-face classroom instruction with computer­based learning. It examines the ways in which states and non­state actors organize themselves: intergovernmental, nongovernmental and transnational organizations. It tackles questions relating to the nature of the formal institutions, their legal foundations, structures, functions, activities, and their relevance to global events and issues. A special emphasis will be made on the study of some organizations and agencies in depth, and their relations to the United Nations, which will be given special attention due to the truly global scope of its activities and impact. As the course is presented in a Multilingual seminar format, students will be expected to actively participate in the online exercises.
DRG455.1Insurance Law
2 credits
Insurance law is an integral part of commercial law, the right to the protection of the consumer and the right to compensation for people and their property. This evolutionary law also involves risk and damage prevention, and, by allowing subjects to stipulate conditions, guarantees the respect for precautionary measures and protective measures.
DRG463International Criminal Law
3 credits
This course covers international criminal law from the application of domestic and international law to questions of jurisdiction over international criminal activities, the granting of amnesty to persons responsible for international crimes, international cooperation in criminal matters, substantive international law as contained in multilateral treaties concerning war crimes and terrorism, and the permanent International Criminal Court.
DRG465Legal Clinic
3 credits
This course focuses on shaping public policy by analyzing the limits on law­making authority, identifying options for changing policy, helping to draft policy proposals including model legislation, as well as speaking at a public hearing, conference and seminar in order to advance new policies. The course further offers students a unique opportunity to serve the public by providing pro­bono legal services at a high level of professionalism to low-income individuals (in particular children and women) and families who face difficulty in engaging lawyers for advice.
DRG470Moot Court Competition
3 credits
This course prepares the students for the ICC Moot Court Competition which welcomes universities from all over the world for a large scale moot court simulating the proceedings of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Competition’s case addresses fundamental issues of substantive and procedural international criminal law.
DRG472.1Civil Service Law
2 credits
This course gives a general view of the norms governing the service of public agents, be they civil servants or non­permanent staff, whether they serve the state or other public entities. It allows the student to assess the degree of originality of the law of public service in comparison with labor law.
DRG526.1European Union Law
2 credits
This course analyzes the legal European Union and its interaction with member State law and policy. There will be an emphasis on decision making, supremacy, direct effect, breaches of European law, legal remedies, and protection of human rights guarantees.
DRG527.1Environmental and Urban Law
2 credits
This course will review the law of the environment from a theoretical perspective, with an emphasis on international, European and comparative practices. It will increase the student’s abilities to grasp a wider knowledge of various documents related to environmental law, such as directives, international conventions, judicial decisions, etc.
DRG529.1Fundamentals of the Common Law
2 credits
This course introduces the common law tradition to students of other legal traditions, in particular the civil law tradition. The focus will be on the case study approach that permeates most of the laws in the common law tradition. It will covers a wide variety of substantive law issues, ranging from contract law, property law, tort law, to criminal law issues. In addition, the course will familiarize the students with common civil law and criminal procedures.
DRG530.1Maritime and Air Law
2 credits
This course provides an overview of the laws governing transportation, customers and users of the means of sea or air transport, as well as intermediaries such as freight forwarders, tour operators, etc. In addition, it takes a thorough look at the responsibility of reviewing legal contracts.
DRG536.1Family Law II
2 credits
This course is offered to students who succeeded in the course ‘Family Law I’. They will learn about laws relating to personal status in Lebanon among Christians and Muslims. Starting with a comparison of nullity of marriage, this course considers the courts and the steps to the final judgment. In addition, students learn how to implement provisions to accelerate the procedure of the family law in ecclesiastical courts. Finally, conflicts of jurisdiction between the civil and ecclesiastical courts are taught in this course.
DRG540.1Administrative Litigation
3 credits
Administrative litigation entails some characteristics different from litigation. These differences meet during contentious administrative procedures that involve several phases ranging from introducing the appeal in the judgment itself and passing by the statement. These are to be applied to the different actions referred to the administrative judge: recourses of full jurisdiction, action for annulment, and action for interpretation. Next to this ordinary procedure exist emergency procedures allowing litigants to obtain a rapid decision from the judge.
DRG541.1Constitutional Litigation
3 credits
This course is designed to present a general overview of the jurisdiction of the Constitutional Council in France Lebanon, and the importance of the constitutionality control of law, as well as the electoral litigations. This course also introduces the prominence of specific rights and freedoms that must always be respected in each society.
DRG560Finance and Financial Market Law
2 credits
This course, which is an extension of the corporate law course, takes a practical look at modern notions of capital and financial investment. Today, corporate companies have become real players in finance and financial markets. Thus, the bonds of these companies and their deriving products such as GDRs, voting certificates and various options, etc., are now the subject of various transactions on the financial markets, both regulated and unregulated. In addition, new corporate structures have been especially dedicated to financial investment, outside the scope of markets, such as SICAPs provided for in the Lebanese law. The purpose of the course is to introduce our students to the realities of our current world in terms of finance and investment. The teaching perspective will take, as a starting point, the corporate law course in order to study the corporate companies as actors in the financial market and as authors of their own financing. The course will be structured around four axes: Actors of financial law - structures of financial law - acts of financial law - the legal securing securitization in financial law.
DRG589.1Intellectual and Artistic Property
2 credits
This course introduces students to the principles and concepts of the Lebanese intellectual property law, including its two main categories: literature and artistic property and the industrial property (mostly patents). The course also focuses on the international aspects of branches of intellectual property and the patent laws.
POL226Political Economy
3 credits
This course aims at introducing students to the different theories of political economy and the study of the political economy of states around the world. Students will learn about the relationship of globalization and international political economy, and how it affects the political economy of states. In addition, there will be discussion of different regional economic integration around the world. The course also will introduce students to the relationship between large aggregates: GDP, consumption, unemployment, gross fixed capital formation, export, import to one another and to the welfare system of the state.
RIN431Diplomatic and Consular Law
3 credits
This course is about the organization of diplomatic and consular posts, and the immunities and privileges attached to it according to the Vienna Conventions.
RIN443The Arab­Israeli Conflict
3 credits
This course considers the history of the Arab­Israeli conflict since the founding of the State of Israel and its impact on the regional and international political map, including: the interference of international powers in this conflict, the political contexts of the wars of 1956, 1967, 1973, 1982, and the process of peace (the peace conference in Madrid, the Oslo Accords, and the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan), the problem of the Golan Heights and the Shebaa Farms.
SPO442Negotiations and Para Diplomacy
3 credits
The understanding of different contexts in which negotiations take place and techniques that are applied to reach certain goals is a crucial foundation for work in legal and political settings in an ever faster changing world with quickly shifting stakeholder interests and thereby naturally arising conflicts, from regional to global levels. Thus, an overview of different conflict scenarios and approaches towards negotiations and conflict resolution needs to be established in order to understand the underlying aspects that have led to impactful developments in the fields of politics, business and international relations. The main objective of this course is to give the students a broad introduction to different forms of conflicts and their causations as well as measures that led to progress towards resolutions. It also aims to provide the basic analytical and psychological foundations to see through the main aspects of conflicts and to develop tactical and strategic awareness. The first part of the course will focus on the broader theoretical foundations of negotiations, covering psychological aspects, the role of narratives and the broader international and intercultural playing field. Once these foundations are established the students will apply these skills in the analysis of conflict scenarios based on a broad range of case studies and interactive negotiation activities.
SPO451Lebanese Government and Politics
3 credits
This course covers, in detail, aspects of the Lebanese political system, the various political powers and their ways of operating, including, the office of the president, cabinet, parliament, and judicial practices. This course also explains the community structure in Lebanon. It also introduces students to the Lebanese Constitution and its evolution since 1926.

Mission

The mission of the Law Degree program is to prepare a diverse community of students to be national and international leaders in private legal practice, business, and industry, as well as in government service and legal education. Rigorous and comprehensive academic instruction is essential for students to develop the proper capacity of critical and ethical judgment. The program also seeks to promote the professionalism of legal and paralegal professionals, thereby enhancing their capacity for service to the legal community and ultimately contributing to the advancement of justice in Lebanese society. As such, the mission of the School of Law is to train undergraduate and graduate students who excel in the field of the judiciary, the bar, diplomatic careers, notaries public, public service, international organizations and institutions, and teaching, among others.

Program Educational Objectives

Program aims for students include:
1. the ability to pass various exams, such as the entrance exam for the Magistrates’ School, the bar exam, civil service and international diplomacy exams, and notarial exams.
2. the ability to participate effectively, ethically, and responsibly in the legal profession.
3. the ability to pursue their studies at the graduate level.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the full requirements for a Law Degree will be able to:
1. know and understand the importance of the rule of law, the principles governing its development and application, the essential steps for the development of the law, its contents, and the impact of international standards on its promotion.
2. assess the application of a law and provide adequate solutions to a legal problem.
3. communicate in a clear, precise, and structured manner the result of a legal analysis, in absolute respect of the rules governing scientific production.
4. question the choices of rules and get involved in the promotion of the founding values of law.
Holy Spirit University of Kaslik
Tel.: (+961) 9 600 000
Fax : (+961) 9 600 100
© Copyright USEK 2025
Subscribe to our newsletter
Find USEK