Course Spotlight - LL203: International Commercial Litigation and Arbitration

We sat down with Varshika, who took LL203: International Commercial Litigation and Arbitration in 2023, to hear about her experience of studying at LSE - the course, the teaching and her fellow students!

 

Why did you attend LSE Summer School?

Being a final year law student wishing to pursue postgraduate studies abroad, Summer School was a great way to get a glimpse into an actual master’s programme and to understand the teaching style and the kind of education offered at LSE.

Why did you choose LL203?

I chose LL203 as it not only boosts my present law degree but also opens international opportunities, which will help enhance my career. Since my home university purely dealt with local laws, taking LL203 was an excellent opportunity to learn and equip myself with laws on international litigation and arbitration. The course will help me, irrespective of my choice of specialty I aspire to practice in the future.

Tell us about an average day as a student on LL203.

An average day as an LL203 student involved one-and-a-half-hour tutorials in smaller groups with a class teacher who engaged the class in group discussions, class activities, and different methods to revise and apply the learnings of the previous day's lecture. The tutorial was followed by a break, after which we headed into the 3-hour lecture, where new concepts are introduced by renowned experts in the field. The lectures are completed by mid-afternoon, giving ample time to explore the city or revise the course material.

What was your favourite part of LL203?

LL203 deals with both litigation and arbitration, which can be intimidating, but my experience of the course was very positive. Being introduced to new foreign laws was something that was fascinating and I enjoyed learning about something I had no prior knowledge of.

The diverse group of students in the course allowed for differing opinions, criticisms, and debates on the rationality of matters, which really helped me to understand the objective of the law. I found this method of classroom discussion to have added value to the entirety of the course. Overall, LL203 was an enriching and academically rewarding experience.

What advice would you give to students considering LL203?

Before choosing this course, refer to the course outline and webpage to identify if the course interests you and if you are ready to undertake the intensity of the course and put effort into it. My top advice would be to attend class having prepared the provided reading materials to help you quickly grasp newly taught topics. Involve yourself in active listening, note-making, and participating in group discussions and other class activities. This will help you examine the problem from multiple perspectives and deepen your understanding of the topic while making the learning experience fun and interactive. Do not hesitate to seek clarifications from professors, as they are always happy to help. By doing so, you will not overwhelm yourself and will have sufficient time to prepare for mid-terms or finals, while also having adequate time for other activities in London.

What are your short-term professional goals, and how does LL203 contribute to these goals?

My short-term professional goal is to secure an international internship with a law firm dealing with matters of arbitration, which I studied in detail during LL203.

How did you find the course and teaching experience at LSE?

The teaching experience is certainly something that I looked forward to prior to attending the course, and I can assure you that it was the best!

The diverse professors who are renowned experts in the field made me understand the most complex topics easily. The teaching method and the small class size ensured personalised attention to students while encouraging interactions. The curriculum pushed students to think deeply, equipping them to tackle problems in the real world. The teaching experience was undoubtedly intellectually stimulating and academically enriching.

What would be your top tip for future summer school students?

Balance- to maximise the Summer School experience, learn to balance fun and studies to prevent you from being overwhelmed and make sure you thoroughly enjoy your time here.

Be kind, empathetic, and have an open mind

How did you find the British teaching style?

I found the British teaching style to be very encouraging and inclusive, and it predominantly encouraged criticism and class discussions to provoke one's thought process. The distinction between the lectures and seminars made the whole learning process convenient and enjoyable, without being overwhelming. The teaching emphasised independent learning, where we were occasionally asked to conduct our own research, which also instilled critical thinking, analysis, and argumentation skills that were certainly different from the memorisation approach based in my home country.

What was your favourite part of studying at LSE?

Getting to meet so many diverse people from across the globe, learning about different cultures, and making worldwide connections was my favourite part of studying at LSE.