ECTS
120 credits
Duration
2 years
Training Structure
School of Law and Political Science
Overview
The Master’s in Litigation Law, within the Justice, Trials, and Procedures track, offers a multidisciplinary and cross-cutting approach to various legal proceedings, including civil litigation (family law, contract law), criminal litigation, commercial litigation, and enforcement proceedings. The program emphasizes an in-depth analysis of each subject area, combining theoretical and practical approaches.
The goal of this program is to specialize students in the main areas of litigation, equipping them with the in-depth knowledge necessary for a successful transition into their professional careers.
The courses offered during the first year of the “Justice, Trials, and Procedures” track are designed to provide a common foundation of knowledge in preparation for specialization in the second year (M2). This track allows students to acquire new knowledge, particularly in civil law, procedural law, and private international law.
The second year of the program allows students to delve deeper into various subjects related to litigation, including civil and criminal procedure, as well as enforcement procedures. Specific courses focus on alternative dispute resolution, fundamental rights in litigation, and the litigation aspects of business law.
The Benefits of the Training Program
Applications:
https://ecandidat.umontpellier.fr/
Partnerships with: - Montpellier Court of Appeals (summaries of court decisions, attendance at criminal trials, organization of conferences, analysis of court decisions on topics related to the specialty)
- Bar Association Council and Law Schools (organization of symposia)
- Departmental Chamber of Judicial Officers (annual award presented at the Faculty’s graduation ceremony and organization of symposia)
- Correctional facilities (visits to institutions)
National-level partnership:
- Court of Cassation (annual visit to the Court of Cassation and its library—attendance at a hearing)
- Gazette du palais (publication, twice a year, of an overview of summaries of Court of Appeals rulings)
Objectives
In the scientific track, the goal is to provide students with comprehensive and practical training in all areas of national and European legal procedure. The Master II program prepares students for a variety of career paths:
- professions accessible through competitive exams or other examinations, such as the judiciary, court clerk, attorney, judicial officer, counsel to the Council, the police, and the gendarmerie.
- professions immediately accessible after the Master’s II program, such as management positions within a corporate legal department (e.g., banks, insurance companies, debt collection agencies) or as a judicial reporter.
Expertise and Skills
On the one hand, at the academic level, to prepare students as thoroughly as possible to succeed in competitive exams and other exams by mastering the required tasks—such as summary papers, case studies, and essays (for positions in the judiciary, court clerkship, law practice, and judicial commissioner)—particularly by delving deeper into civil and criminal procedure, which are now mandatory subjects for these exams. On the other hand, at the professional level, to master the various techniques designed to prevent litigation (conciliation, mediation, or settlement) and to introduce students to the practice of drafting legal documents related to the aforementioned professions (drafting summonses, attorneys’ briefs, judgments, and court rulings).
Organization
Program
The Litigation Law specialization consists of course units spread over two semesters. The courses, offered from September through the end of February, are primarily practical in nature (case studies and file reviews, analysis of court decisions and legal texts, and drafting of legal documents). Students must write a thesis and defend it at the end of the year. The program concludes with a comprehensive oral exam. Admissions, coursework, and assessment are organized in close collaboration between academics and professionals. The Master II program is open to continuing education students and anyone wishing to have their prior learning recognized.
Select a program
M1 Litigation Law
Optional
Insolvency Law, Group 2 (ST)
History of Justice (ST)
2 creditsSpecial Criminal Law (ST)
3 creditsEU Civil Law: Inheritance
7 creditsEU Criminal Procedure 2
7 creditsEU: In-Depth Civil Procedure and Enforcement Procedures
7 credits
M2 Litigation Law
European Practices and Procedures
3 creditsSpecialized Litigation Practices
3 creditsPractices in Alternative Dispute Resolution
3 creditsPractices in Litigation Proceedings Before the Courts
3 creditsElective: Thesis/Supervised Project
Choose one of the following two options:
Thesis
4 creditsSupervised Project
Employment Placement
Choose one of the following two options:
Enforcement Procedures in Practice
5 creditsMajor Oral Exam
6 credits
And then
Continuing Education
Enrollment in a doctoral program or in a preparatory program for a competitive exam or test (e.g., IEJ, École nationale de procédures)
Employment Placement
Students’ entry into the workforce results from passing a competitive exam or test (ENM, CRFPA, School of Court Clerks, National School of Legal Procedures) or from joining an organization as a litigation specialist (e.g., in banking, insurance, or as a judicial reporter).
The “Justice, Trials, and Procedures” track, which is open to work-study students, is designed to provide in-depth and applied academic training in legal procedures and enforcement measures.
It is specifically aimed at students wishing to pursue careers in the judiciary (attorneys, judges, judicial officers) or in the legal sector (litigation departments, banks, and financial institutions, etc.), as well as professionals seeking to acquire additional qualifications.