Professional Qualification Lawyer

Rights of International Organizations

Duration of the Course: 32 hours, 2 credits
Department: Department of International and Maritime Law
Author: Associate Professor Aivars Fogels
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws as an elective subject It is also recommendable to everybody whose work is connected with foreign institutions and the institutions of foreign relations.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

the course is to be acquired after the acquisition of the fundamentals of public international law.

Summary of the Course:

the course studies the concepts, essence, status, activities, functions, internal rights of international organizations, the sphere of their legal initiative.

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: a credit.
Literature:

1. 
   A.Fogels, O.Grīnbergs. Starptautiskās tiesības. R., 1981.
   
2. 
   Parry, Clive et al. Encyclopaedic Dictionary of International Law. - New York: Oceana, 1988.
   
3. 
   J. Brovnlie. Principles of Public International Law. - Oxford: Clarendon, 1990.
   
4. 
   Gross, Leo. Essays on International Law and Organizations. In 2 vol. - New York, 1984.
   

Department of State Law

Constitutional Law

Duration of the Course: 128 hours, 6 credits
Department: Department of State Law
Authors: Associate Professor Zigurds Mikainis, Associate Professor Valdis Cielava, Lecturer Gunârs Kusiòð
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws, Part A.
Summary of the Course:

the course studies legal foundation of the constitutional structure, the theory of the constitution, fundamental principles of modern constitutionalism, doctrines and values, the most important norms and institutions of the institute of human rights and citizens’ rights. The course shows the role and place of constitutional law in the system of Latvia’s legal norms and acquaints with the concrete models, juridical constructions, systems and institutions of constitutional administration, their structure activities and competence in Latvia and other countries. The course gives the information on experience and values of the constitutional development of the European countries, the fundamental elements of European law which are important for the process of improvement of constitutional law in Latvia.

Thematic structure of the course:

1. 
   Constitutional law as a branch of law.
   
2. 
   The essence, functions and classification of constitutions.
   
3. 
   Fundamental principles of constitutionalism.
   
4. 
   The origin and development of the constitutional structure in Latvia.
   
5. 
   The institute of human rights in constitutional law. International standards of human rights and international legal obligations.
   
6. 
   The institute of citizenship.
   
7. 
   Voting rights and procedures.
   
8. 
   Saeima. Parliaments. Deputies.
   
9. 
   State President.
   
10. 
    The Cabinet of Ministers. Systems of governments.
    
11. 
    Administrative territorial division, its types and levels.
    
12. 
    Court power, its system. Constitutional courts.
    
13. 
    State control, its structure and functions.
    

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: a research paper, a credit, an exam.
Literature:

1. 
   Diðlers K. Ievads Latvijas valststiesîbu zinâtnç. - R., A.Gulbis, 1931.
   
2. 
   Satversmes Reforma Latvijâ: par un pret. - R., 1995.
   
3. 
   Constitutional making in Eastern Europe. - Baltimor, 1993.]
   
4. 
   Constitutions of the countries of the world. - New York, Ocean publication, 1994, vol. 1-18.
   
5. 
   Constitutional and Administrative Law. Second Edition. London, 1994.
   
6. 
   Ducat Crag R., Chase Harold. Modern Constitutional Law. - New York, 1992.
   
7. 
   Wallington M.A., Lec Robert G. Blaktones. Statutes of Public Law. Fifth edition. London, 1996.
   

Administrative Law

Duration of the Course: 96 hours, 6 credits
Department: Department of State Law
Authors: Professor Ilmârs Biðers,
Assistant Henrijs Buks-Vaivads,
Assistant Eduards Ikvilds,
Assistant Jautrîte Briede
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws, Part A.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

it is to be acquired after the Course of Constitutional Law.

Summary of the Course:

Administrative Law is a discipline which studies the existing state administrative system of the Republic of Latvia , its structure, the status of the state employees and the legal regulation of their activities, administrative legislative acts, their features and legal power, and administrative enforcement measures applied by state administrative institutions.

Thematic structure of the course:

I. General Part:

1. 
   The essence of state administration, the system of state administrative institutions, their legal status, the status of organizations and persons to whom the state administration concerns.
   
2. 
   The essence of state civil service, the scope of rights and obligations of its persons.
   
3. 
   The order of the publication of state administrative acts, their types, legal power and the role in the legal system.
   
4. 
   The rights of state administrative institutions and their officials to apply administrative enforcement measures.
   
5. 
   The legal order according to which some state institutions perform different judicial procedures, the forms by which the citizens may protect their rights against groundless and illegal decisions of state institutions.
   

II. Special Part - specific regulation of administration of separate administrative branches.

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: a credit, an exam.
Literature:

1. 
   Babajevs S., Biðers I., Lîcis K. Valsts pârvaldes organizâcija. - R., Avots, 1984.
   
2. 
   Biðers I., Pâþe A. Administratîvâ atbildîba. - R., Avots, 1988.
   
3. 
   Diðlers K. Ievads administratîvo tiesîbu zinâtnç. - R., LU, 1938.
   
4. 
   Badura P., Ehlers D. u. a. Allgemeneines Verwaltungsrecht. - Berlin, New York, W. de Gruyter, 1992.
   
5. 
   Faber H. Vewaltungsrecht. - Tübingen, Mohr, 1983.
   
6. 
   Reid R., David H. Administrative Law and Practic. - Toronto, Butterworth, 1978.
   

Administrative Procedure Law

Duration of the Course: 32 hours, 1 credits
Department: Department of State Law
Authors: Assistant Jautrîte Briede,
Assistant Santa Lubgane
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws, Part A.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

it is to be acquired after the Course of Administrative Law.

Summary of the Course:

Administrative Procedure Law is a discipline which studies the process of administrative activities, its essence, subjects and stages.

Thematic structure of the course:

1. 
   The insight of administrative procedure in a narrow and broad sense.
   
2. 
   International practice and the recommendations of the European Union in this sphere.
   
3. 
   The order of the drafting, publication, enactment, appeal and cassation of administrative acts as acts of individual administration.
   
4. 
   Forms of publications of specific administrative acts (administrative punishments, disciplinary punishments, etc.).
   

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: an exam.
Literature:

1. 
   Diðlers K. Ievads administratîvo tiesîbu zinâtnç. - R., LU, 1938.
   
2. 
   Principles of Administrative Law Concerning the Relations Between Administrative Authorities and Private Persons, Directorate of Legal Affairs, Starbourg, 1996.
   
3. 
   H.W.R. Wade & C.F.Forsyth. Administrative Law. Clanendon Press. Oxford, 1994.
   
4. 
   P.J. Cooper. Public Law and Public Administration. Prentice Hall. New Jersey, 1988.
   
5. 
   M.P. Sigh. German Administrative Law. Berlin, Springer-Verlag, 1985.
   
6. 
   Administrativnoje pravo zarubeþnih stran. “Spark”, Maskava, 1996.
   
7. 
   Administrative Process. Wat Publishing Co, St. Paul., Minn.,1986.
   
8. 
   C.H. Ule Verwaltungsprozeßrecht.C.H.Beck’sche Verlasbuchhandlung, München, 1987.
   

Municipal Law

Duration of the Course: 52 hours, 2 credits
Department: Department of State Law
Author: Lecturer Arvîds Dravnieks
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws, Part A. The course is also recommendable to students of Business Administration.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

it is to be acquired after the Courses of Constitutional Law and Administrative Law.

Summary of the Course:

Municipial Law is a discipline which gives a review of the rights of municipalities, fundamental principles of this branch of law and practical skills of independent application of the legal norms.

Thematic structure of the course:

1. 
   The essence of municipality and its double nature. Supervision over the usefulness and legality of the regulations of municipial institutions.
   
2. 
   Municipality as a subject of Public Law. Mandatory Rules.
   
3. 
   Municipality as a subject of Private Law. Entrepreneurial activities of municipality, their objectives and limits.
   
4. 
   The budget formation of municipality. Approximation of finances of municipality; local dues.
   
5. 
   Permanent (or characteristic) functions of municipality, their forms and financing.
   
6. 
   Harmonization of property relations as a function of municipality.
   
7. 
   Administrative Procedure of municipalities and the norms of the prevention of corruption.
   
8. 
   Municipality elections and reforms in Latvia.
   

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: a paper, an exam.
Literature:

1. 
   A.Bîlmaòa redakcijâ Latvijas Republika desmit pastâvçðanas gados. Ðíirklis: Pilsçtu un apriòíu paðvaldîbas. Golts un Jurjans, Rîga, 1928, 518-548.lpp.
   
2. 
   Diðlers. Ievads administratîvo tiesîbu zinâtnç. Administratîvo tiesîbu kursa vispârîgâ daïa. Latvijas Universitâte, grâmata nr.3 LU mâcîbu grâmatu sçrijâ, Rîga, 1938, 182-193.lpp;
   
3. 
   V.Gizçviuss. Paðvaldîbu politikas rokasgrâmata. Latvijas paðvaldîbu savienîba, Rîga, 1993, 99 lpp.
   
4. 
   O.Hood Phillips. Constitutional and Administrative Law. Fourth Edition, Sweet & Maxwell, London, 1967, 523.-669. lpp.
   
5. 
   Horst Kanitz. Praktiskâs komunâlâs politikas pamati. Konrâda Adenauera fonds, Sankt Augustin, 1994, 109. lpp.
   
6. 
   Krûmiòa. Paðvaldîbas un Satversme. Krâjumâ: Satversmes reforma Latvijâ: par un pret. Sociâli ekonomisko pçtîjumu institûts «Latvija», 1995, 69.-75.lpp.
   
7. 
   T.Liventâla un V.Sadovska redakcijâ, Rîga kâ Latvijas galvaspilsçta. Rîgas pilsçtas valdes izdevums, Rîga, 1932, 842 lpp.
   
8. 
   McCarhy’s Local Goverment Law in a Nutshell, 3d edition, 1982, West Publishing Company, 435 p.
   
9. 
   P.Mucinieks. Latvijas paðvaldîbu iekârta. Latvijas Universitâtes Studentu padomes grâmatnîcas izdevums, Rîga, 1938, 240 lpp.
   
10. 
    Paðvaldîbu politiía rokasgrâmata. Autoru kolektîvs. Valsts reformu ministrija, Rîga, 1995, 152 lpp.
    
11. 
    Reynold’s Hornbook on Local Government Law, 1982, West Publishing Company, 860 pages.
    
12. 
    Schoch. Selbstverwaltung der Kreise in Deutschland. Carl Heymanns Verlag.Köln,1995,98 lpp.
    
13. 
    Scholler. Grundzüge des Kommunalrechts in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. München, 1990, 273 lpp.
    
14. 
    E.Vanags. Paðvaldîbas: jçdziens un to veidi, funkcijas, municipâlâs pârvaldîøanas organizâcijas formas, lçmumu pieòemðana. grâmatâ Demokrâtijas pamati. Vispârizglîtojoðâm skolâm. Izdevniecîba Zinâtne, Rîga, 1993, 102-107.lpp.
    
15. 
    Waeshter. Kommunalrecht. Carl Heymanns Verlag. Köln, 1995, 386 lpp.
    

Finance and Tax Law
Duration of the Course: 52 hours, 2 credits
Department: Department of State Law
Authors: Lectors Vizmands Çberliòð,
Assistant Jânis Buks
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws, Part A.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

it is to be acquired after the Courses of Administrative Law and Civil Law.

Summary of the Course:

Finance and Tax Law is a discipline which studies the structure of the state finance system and its activities; budget law and tax law; drafting, adopting and implementation of state budget; legal fundamentals of the formation of state revenue; the system of taxes and dues and its forms; the problems of credit and insurance, money circulation, securities; state and municipality dues.

Thematic structure of the course:

I. General Part:

1. 
   The subject of Finance and Tax Law.
   
2. 
   Finance Control.
   

II. Special Part:

1. 
   Budget Law. General problems of Budget Law.
   
2. 
   Drafting of Budget. Adoption and implementation of budget.
   
3. 
   Tax Law.
   
4. 
   Credit and Credit Institutions.
   
5. 
   Insurance.
   
6. 
   Money circulation.
   

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: seminars, an exam.
Literature:

1. 
   Â. Zvejnieks. Nodokïi un nodevas.-Rîgas Tehniskâ universitâte, 1996.
   
2. 
   A.Aizsilnieks. Latvijas saimnieciskâ vçsture.- izdevn.Daugava, 1968.
   
3. 
   V.Zeèièkis. Revîzijas un kontroles pamati, Rîga, 1996.
   
4. 
   D.Blemds. Apdroðinâðanas pamatprincipi un prakse, Rîga, 1995.
   
5. 
   Journal Taxnotes International, Washington, USA.
   
6. 
   Heffernan S. Modern Banking in theory in practice, New York, 1996.
   
7. 
   Mcnaughton D. Banking institutions in developing markets, Washington, 1992.
   

Customs Law

Duration of the Course: 32 hours, 2 credits
Department: Department of State Law
Author: Assistant Ilmârs Dzintars
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws, Part B.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

it is to be acquired after the Courses of Administrative Law and Civil Law.

Summary of the Course:

Custom Law is a discipline which studies the legislative acts, laws, regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers, directives of ministries and State Revenue Service, which determine the customs policy of the Republic of Latvia. The Course studies the Customs Code, international conventions and other sources.

Thematic structure of the course:

1. 
   The subject of Customs Law.
   
2. 
   Customs, its development and politics. Customs in the renewed Republic of Latvia.
   
3. 
   Customs institutions, their officials.
   
4. 
   Customs control.
   
5. 
   Customs tax and its enactment. Preferential customs tax.
   
6. 
   Declaration and customs activities concerning it.
   
7. 
   Deposit of customs freight. Requirements of temporary admission and exportation of freight.
   
8. 
   Customs legislation and economic integration.
   
9. 
   Customs offences.
   

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: 3 tests, a credit.
Literature:

1. 
   K.Vîtoliòð. Kas jâzina, veicot importu un eksportu Latvijas Republikâ (komentâri un normatîvie akti), Rîga, 1994.
   
2. 
   SIA “KOMIN”. Muitas noteikumi. Normatîvo dokumentu apkopojums. Rîga, 1994.
   
3. 
   Lietiðíâs informâcijas dienesta abonentizdevums “Muita”, Rîga.
   
4. 
   Eiropas kopienu komisija. Baltâ grâmata Asociçto Centrâleiropas un Austrumeiropas valstu sagatavoðana integrâcijai Eiropas Savienîbas iekðçjâ tirgû. EKK, Brisele, 1995.
   
5. 
   Tiesiskâs informâcijas centrs. K.Vîtoliòð. Starptautiskâ konvencija par muitas procedûru vienkârðoðanu un harmonizçðanu, Rîga, 1996.
   
6. 
   Ârlietu ministrijas un Eiropas integrâcijas biroja informâciju apkopojumi.
   
7. 
   Council Regulation of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code, 92/2913/EEC
   
8. 
   Commission Regulation of 2, Julia 1993, laying down the provisions for the implementation of Regulation 93/2913 establishing the Community Customs Code, 92/2454/EEC
   
9. 
   WHITE PAPER, Brussels, 03.05.1995., COM (95) 163 final.
   
10. 
    15 December 1950., Convention Establishing a Customs Cooperation Council.
    
11. 
    19 May 1956., Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR).
    
12. 
    14 November 1975., Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets.
    

Clerical Skills

Duration of the Course: 32 hours, 2 credits
Department: Department of State Law
Author: Lecturer Viktors Ðadinovs
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws, Part B. The Course is also recommendable to students who need to draft and process documents, to those whose future work will be connected with documents (economists, financiers, teachers of Latvian terminology, sociologists, specialists of management, marketing etc.).
Summary of the Course:

Clerical skills is a discipline which studies the processing of documents (drafting, visaing, signing, coordinating, approval), the fundamentals of the work with documents (registration, control of implementation, drafting of the nomenclature of files and their formation, the preparation of files for the archives), skills in the determination of legal power of a document and its derivative (counterpart, copy, docket, duplicate).

Thematic structure of the course:

1. 
   The system of management documents, its main documents.
   
2. 
   Components of clerical skills. Work with documents.
   
3. 
   Legal power of documents.
   
4. 
   Original documents, their derivatives.
   
5. 
   General rules of the processing of documents.
   
6. 
   Operations of the drafting and processing of documents (visaing, signing, registration, coordinating and approval).
   
7. 
   Specific features of the processing of different forms of documents (letters, order documents, minutes, acts, etc.).
   

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: a credit.
Literature:

1. 
   Likums “Par arhîviem”.
   
2. 
   Likums “Iesniegumu, sûdzîbu un priekðlikumu izskatîðanas kârtîba valsts un paðvaldîbu institûcijâs".
   
3. 
   Ministru kabineta 1995.gada 18.aprîïa noteikumi Nr.99 "Noteikumi par iesniegumu, sûdzîbu un priekðlikumu lietvedîbu valsts un paðvaldîbu institûcijâs".
   
4. 
   Ministru kabineta 1996.gada 23.aprîïa noteikumi Nr. 154 “Dokumentu izstrâdâðanas un noformçðanas noteikumi”.
   
5. 
   Ministru kabineta 1996.gada 14.maija noteikumi Nr.174 "Noteikumi par vârdu un uzvârdu rakstîbu un identifikâciju dokumentos".
   
6. 
   J.Stiprais. Tirdzniecîbas korespondence. - R., 1931.
   
7. 
   J.Dimza. Darîjumu korespondences rokasgrâmata. - R., 1938.
   
8. 
   Ministru kabineta 1996.gada 23.aprîïa noteikumi Nr. 154 “Dokumentu izstrâdâðanas un noformçðanas noteikumi”.
   

Political Analysis of Voting Mechanism.

DURATION OF THE COURSE: 16 hours, 1 credits

DEPARTMENT: Department of Theory of Law and Political Science
AUTHORS: Lecturer Arvîds Dravnieks
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws, Part B.
SUMMARY OF THE COURSE:

the course explains the purposes of voting and the most adequate system of voting. It gives the "technical" and "political" aspects of the organization of voting.

THEMATIC STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE:

1. 
   Proportional and majority systems of voting.
   
2. 
   The order of election of Latvian Parliament and municipalities.
   
3. 
   The system of voting.
   
4. 
   The order of counting the votes.
   
5. 
   Organization of the work of election commissions.
   
6. 
   Restrictions and preelection campaign.
   
7. 
   Conditions of non-electiveness and inadmissabiliy of positions.
   

REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACADEMIC RECOGNITION SYSTEM OF THE COURSE: a credit.

LITERATURE:
1. Ā. Šilde. Latvijas vēsture 1914 - 1940. Valsts tapšana un suverēnā valsts. Apgāds Daugava, Stokholma, 1976, 617. lpp.

2. Nohlen, Dieter. Wahlsysteme der welt. daten und Analysen. Ein Handbuch. Muenchen/Zuerich, 1978.

3. Ockenfels, Winfried. Ausgewaehlte Techniken und Methoden in der Wahlforschung. in Sonden im politischen Markt. Opladen, 1976.


Department of the Theory of Law and Political Science

General Theory of Law

Duration of the Course: 64 hours, 3 credits
Department: Department of the Theory of Law and Political Science
Authors: Associated Professor I.Krastiņš, Lecturer I.Jelāgins
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws Part A. The Course is also recommendable to any other social science students.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

the General Theory of Law course is an introductory course in the studies of other law disciplines, that is, an introduction to jurisprudence.

Summary of the Course:

the objective of the course is to give to law students necessary knowledge of theoretical and methodological problems of law and legal phenomena paying utmost attention to fundamental legal concepts and categories. The Course is an introduction to other legal subjects to be studied in the subsequent semesters. The Course is meant to perfect student’s skills of correct legal thinking, to develop the level of their juridical culture, to strengthen their legal conviction, to establish links with legal practice.

Thematic structure of the course:

1. 
   Objectives, subject and structure of the general theory of law.
   
2. 
   Methods of the theory of law.
   
3. 
   Origin, essence, and fundamental doctrines.
   
4. 
   Law, morality and legal consciousness.
   
5. 
   Legal norms.
   
6. 
   Sources of law.
   
7. 
   Enforcement, application and interpretation of legal norms.
   
8. 
   Legal relations.
   
9. 
   Legal regulation and its mechanism.
   
10. 
    Legal offences and judicial responsibility.
    
11. 
    Legality and legal order.
    
12. 
    Legal system and problems of its improvement.
    

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: Seminars, a research paper, a written test and an exam are mandatory.
Literature:

1. 
   V.Vītiņš. Vispārējs tiesību pārskats, R. , 1993.
   
2. 
   R.Zippelius. Rechtsphilosophie, M., 1989.
   
3. 
   I.Krastiņš. Tiesību teorijas pamatjēdzieni, R., 1996.
   
4. 
   I.Krastiņš. Tiesību doktrīnas, R., 1996.
   
5. 
   S.P.Sinha. What is law? New York
   
6. 
   Zippelius Reinhold . Rechtsphilosophie. Munchen, 1994.
   
7. 
   Hart H.L.A. The Concept of Law, Oxford 1961.
   

General Theory of State

Duration of the Course: 48 hours, 2 credits
Department: Department of the Theory of Law and Political Science
Author: Lecturer Aigars Strupišs
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws as mandatory subject.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

the General theory of Law course is an introductory course in the studies of other law disciplines, that is, an introduction to jurisprudence.

Summary of the Course:

general concepts of the origin of a state, its essence, structure, forms and political regimes. Different philosophical concepts on a steate.

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: an exam.
Superviser of the course: Sanita Osipova, Aigars Strupiss.
Literature:
Mandatory Literature:

1. 
   Ē.Sēmanis. Politiskie režīmi, Rīga, 1990 .
   
2. 
   K.Dišlers. Demokrātioskas valsts iekārtas pamati, Rīga, 1931.
   
3. 
   K.Dišlers. Ievads Latvijas valsts tiesību zinātnē, Rīga, 1930.
   
4. 
   K.Dišlers. Parlamentārisma un demokrātijas krīze, Rīga, 1927.
   
5. 
   Cilvēktiesības / Starptautisko dokumentu krājums, Rīga, 1992 .
   
6. 
   Demokrātijas pamati, LU Politikas zinātnes katedra, Rīga 1993.
   
7. 
   R.Zippelius. Allgemeine Staatslehre, München 1993.
   

Recommended Literature:

1. 
   Platons. Valsts, Rīga, 1982.
   
2. 
   R.Kjellins. Valsts kā dzīves joma, Rīga, 1929.
   
3. 
   No politiskās un tiesiskās domas vēstures, LU tiesību teorijas un politiskās zinātnes katedra, Rīga, 1992.
   
4. 
   Ā.Lapiņš. Politiskie režīmi: Demokrātija, autoritārisms, totalitārisms, Jelgava, 1993.
   
5. 
   Huntington Samuel P. Political order in changing societis, 1986.
   

Supplementary Literature:

1. 
   Ārente. Totalitārisma nākotne. Žurnals “Kentaurs”, 1992, Nr. 1.
   
2. 
   Eihenbaums. Terorisms - starptautiskā nedrošība, Diena, 1992. gada 29. februāris.
   
3. 
   Eglītis. Nacionālās pretošanās stratēģija, Atmoda, 1990. gada 30. janvāris.
   

History of Law of Latvia

Duration of the Course: 64 hours, 3 credits
Department: Department of the Theory of Law and Political Science
Authors: Lecturer Jānis Lazdiņš,
Associate Professor Romāns Apsītis
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws Part A. The Course is also recommendable to the students of history, political science and ………...
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

knowledge of the history of Latvia and the theory of law.

Summary of the Course:

the course provides the knowledge in the subject of the history of law of Latvia, and its development from the tenth century to the present in the territory of Latvia which at definite periods of time included some parts of the present Estonia. The objective of the course is to establish how and why law is changed. The course is to show that the present Latvia’s legal institutions and legal system is based on centuries long traditions.

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: lectures, seminars, research work (paper), an exam.
Superviser of the course: Associate Professor Romāns Apsītis.
Literature:
Mandatory Literature:

1. 
   Kalniņš V. Latvijas PSR valsts un tiesību vēsture I daļa, ‘’Zvaigzne’’, 1972.
   
2. 
   Kalniņš V. Apsītis R. Latvijas PSR valsts un tiesību vēsture II daļa - ‘’Zvaigzne’’, 1980.
   
3. 
   Apsītis R., Birziņa I., Grīnbergs O. Latvijas valsts un tiesību vēsture (1917-1970) - ‘’Zvaigzne’’, 1970.
   
4. 
   Zeids T. Senākie rakstītie vēstures avoti Latvijā, ‘’Zvaigzne’’, 1992.
   
5. 
   Lazdiņš J., Osipova S. Latvijas un Eiropas viduslaiku vēsturē sastopamie jēdzieni un to skaidrojumi, Rīga, 1996.
   

Recommended Literature:

1. 
   Atskaņu hronika, R., 1936.
   
2. 
   Dokumenti stāsta. Latvijas buržuāzijas nākšana pie varas, R., 1988.
   
3. 
   Hronoloģiskais likumkrājums 1940-1959, R., 1960.
   
4. 
   Indriķa hronika, R., 1991.
   
5. 
   Latvijas PSR likuma kopojums I, R., 1982.
   
6. 
   Latvijas suverenitātes ideja likteņgriežos, Vācu okupācijas laika dokumenti: 1941-1945, R., 1990.
   
7. 
   Andersons E. Latvijas vēsture, 1914-1920, Stokholma, 1967.
   
8. 
   Bunge F.G. Altlivlands Rechtsbucher, Leipzig, 1879.
   
9. 
   Birkel H.L. Kurlandische Statuten oder Rechts und Gesetze fur Andel in der Herzogturme, von Jahre 1617, Mitau, 1804.
   
10. 
    Dunsdorfs E. Latvijas tiesību vēsture 1500-1600, Stokholma, 1964.
    
11. 
    Dunsdorfs E. Latvijas vēsture, 1600-1700, Stokholma, 1962.
    
12. 
    Dunsdorfs E. Latvijas vēsture, 1700-1800, Stokholma, 1973.
    
13. 
    Grīnbergs G. Livonijas vidējās bruņinieku tiesību kriminālistiskās normas, R., 1940.
    
14. 
    Grīnbergs G. Kolhozu un kolhoznieku galvenās tiesības, R., 1951.
    
15. 
    Millers V., Stumbiņa R. Latvijas pirmā padomju konstitūcija, R., 1959.
    
16. 
    Šilde Ā. Latvijas vēsture. 1914-1940, Stokholma, 1976.
    
17. 
    Švābe A. Latvijas vēsture. 1800-1914, Stokholma, 1958.
    
18. 
    Švābe A. Livonijas senākās bruņinieku tiesības, R., 1932.
    
19. 
    Švābe A. Vecākās zemnieku tiesības, R., 1927.
    
20. 
    Švābe A. Zemes attiecību un zemes reformu vēsture Latvijā, R., 1930.
    
21. 
    Švābe A. Kārļa XI kara soda likums, R., 1935.
    
22. 
    Švābe A. Kurzemes muižu tiesības, R., 1931.
    
23. 
    Švābe A. Latviešu zemnieku brīvlaišanas politiskās un tiesiskās idejas, R., 1938.
    
24. 
    Ābers M.B. Komendācijas forma Rīgas Bīskapa un virsbīskapa valstī, R., Valters un Rapa, 1939.
    
25. 
    Ābers M.B. Vidzemes zemnieku brīvlaišanas un 1819.gada marta likums, R., 1936.
    

References:

1. 
   Latviešu konversācijas vārdnīca 1.-21.sēj. R., 1927-1940.
   
2. 
   Latvijas PSR mazā enciklopēdija 1.-3.sēj. R., 1967-1970.
   
3. 
   Latvijas padomju enciklopēdija 1.- 10.sēj. R., 1981-1988.
   

History of European Law

Duration of the Course: 64 hours, 3 credits
Department: Department of the Theory of Law and Political Science
Author: Lecturer Valdis Blūzma
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws Part A. The Course is recommendable to law students, students of history and political science.

Summary of the Course:

the development of barbarian states and law after the collapse of the Roman Empire. The evolution of law from the barbarian common law through the renovation of Roman Law to the law of contemporary society in Continental Europe in the second part of the 20^th century. Characteristic features of the peculiar history of law of anglo-saxon, British and the USA as well as the Northern and East European states. Periodic system of the history of European law and its essential features in relation to theories of law and social circumstances (barbarian, feudal, absolute, bourgeois, the 20^th century). Analysis of the most important sources (CIC, Lex Salica, Carolina, Corpus iuris canonici, Code Civile, BGB etc.).
The objective of the Course:

is to show the law-governed development of European states and to reveal the influence of the evolution of European law and Latvian law. The purpose of the course is to acquaint students with understanding of historic development of Law, supplying them with concrete material on the theory of law and history of Law.

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: lectures, seminars, a credit.
Superviser of the course: Valdis Blūzma, Sanita Osipova.
Literature:
Mandatory Literature:

1. 
   H.Hattenhauer. Europäische Rechtsgeschichte, Kiel, 1994.
   
2. 
   O.F.Robinson, T.D.Fergus, W.M.Gorben. European Legal History, London, 1984.
   
3. 
   J.Lazdiņš, S.Osipova Latvijas un Eiropas viduslaiku vēsturē sastopamie jēdzieni un to skaidrojumi, Rīga, 1996.
   
4. 
   Beker H.C. An Introduction be English Legal History, 2d. ed., Butterworth, 1979.
   
5. 
   Eisenhardt U. Deutsche Rechtsgeschiehte, Munhen, 1984.
   

Fundamentals of Political Science

Duration of the Course: 64 hours, 3 credits
Department: Department of the Theory of Law and Political Science
Author: Assistant Kristīne Krūma
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws Part A. The Course is also recommendable for a better acquisition of Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and International Law.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

Fundamentals of Constitutional Law, the Political System of Latvia, General Theory of the State.

Summary of the Course:

students are acquainted with contemporary fundamentals of political science and their practical application. The main part of the course deals with the internal organization of a state on the level of state institutions and public ones. In the concluding lectures foreign theories and international system is discussed. Students are given empiric information on political actualities , which during the seminars are discussed on the basis of the acquired theory.

Thematic structure of the course:

1. 
   Introduction. The concept of politics, its contents, structure, means.
   
2. 
   Power: its essence, forms, concepts. Theories of subjects of power.
   
3. 
   The subjects of politics: state, forms of government (constitutional, territorial), state organization (parliament, executive power, courts, bureaucracy), interest groups, political parties.
   
4. 
   Political regimes.
   
5. 
   Ideologies.
   
6. 
   Social dimension of politics: political culture, participation in politics, the role of mass media in politics.
   
7. 
   Elections and electorate.
   
8. 
   Political process, types of political negotiations.
   
9. 
   International relations, foreign policy.
   

The course is presented in the form of lectures and seminars, orally and in writing. Students are offered to do independent research of one of the problems of the course on which they write a paper.

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: the activity of students during lectures is taken into account. In the conclusion of each theme students have to answer 1 or 2 questions on the discussed theme. The questions of the control work are based on political events which are to be analysed making use of the theory learned. On the conclusion students write a test in which they give answers to 2 political questions based on the theory learned.
Literature:

1. 
   D.Bāra, A.Runcis. Politiskās partijas, sabiedriski politiskās organizācijas un kustības. Rīga, 1992.
   
2. 
   Ž.Ozoliņa. Ievads starptautiskajās attiecībās. 1992, LU.
   
3. 
   Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, Shaun Breslin. Comparative Government and Politics. An Introduction. Third Edition. 1992. McMillan Press Ltd.
   
4. 
   Richard S.Katz, Peter Mair. Changing models of party organisation and party democracy: the emergency of the Cartel party. Party politics. 1995, Oslo University.
   
5. 
   Ball Terence, Dagger Richard. Ideals and Ideologies: a reader. Harper Collins Publishers, 1991.
   
6. 
   Bell Daniel. The end of ideology? Free Press, New Yourk, 1962.
   
7. 
   Bryson Valerie. Feminism. 192-212. Lpp.; Eatwell Roger, Wright Antony. Contemporary political ideologies. Printer Publishers, London, 1993.
   
8. 
   Eatwell Roger, Wright Antony. Contemporary political ideologies. Printer Publishers, London, 1993.
   
9. 
   Fukuyama Francis. The End of History and the Last Man. New York, Free Press, Dutton Ltd., 1992.
   
10. 
    Heywood Andrew. Political Ideologies: an introduction. Macmillan Press Ltd., 1993.
    

To make progress in the course students have to reed systematically the following periodicals: “Diena”, “Neatkarīgā Rīta Avīze”, “The Economist”. The use of the “Internet” informatiom is recommendable.

Positivism of Law

Duration of the Course: 16 hours, 1 credits
Department: Department of the Theory of Law and Political Science
Author: Assistant Lauris Liepa
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws as an elective subject.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

students must have acquired the Theory of Law, General Theory of State, History of European Law.

Summary of the Course:

the concept of positivism of law, the review of the tradition of longer than one and a half century, the most characteristic features of positivism, two schools in the contemporary practice and theory of law: the school of Positivism of Law and the school of Natural Law, their origin and historic development, the tradition of positivism and new European trends in positivism on fundamental problems of law.

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: a credit.
Superviser of the course: Lauris Liepa.
Literature:

1. 
   Augusts Mesers Filozofijas vēsture, 5.sēj., Rīga, 1936.
   
2. 
   R.Zippelius Rechtsphilosophie, Munchen, 1989.
   
3. 
   Sēr. Augstskola mājās. Tiesību filozofija,  17 Rīga, 1937.
   
4. 
   L.Strauss  J.Cropsey History of political Philosophy. Chicago University 1987.
   
5. 
   H.Kelsens ‘’What is Justice?’’, Collected essays University of California Press Berkeley  Los Angeles 1957.
   
6. 
   Maccormic Donald Neil ‘’H.L.A.Hart’’, London 1981.
   
7. 
   ‘’The collected works of Jeremy Bantham’’ edited by Hart University of London, 1970.
   
8. 
   Hart H.L.A. ‘’The Concept of Law’’, Clarendon Press Oxford 1991.
   
9. 
   Makkormik Donald Neil, Weinberger Ota, Duncker  Humbolt Berlin ‘’Grundlagen der Institutionalistischen Rechtspositivismus’’, 1985.
   
10. 
    Weinberger Ota ‘’Logische Analyse in der Jurisprudenz’’, Schriften zur Rechtstheorie, Heft 83 Duncker  Humbolt Berlin.
    
11. 
    Weinberger Ota, Franz Steiner ‘’Recht, Institution un Rechtspolitik’’, Verlag Stuttgart 1987.
    

Ancient States and Law

Duration of the Course: 32 hours, 2 credits
Department: Department of the Theory of Law and Political Science
Author: Assistant Sanita Osipova
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws as an elective subject.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

students must have acquired the Theory of Law.

Summary of the Course:

the origin of the state and law in the ancient world. The structure of a state and characteristic features of law in ancient states: Egypt, Babylon, India, China, Greece, Rome. The most important sources of law: “Code of Hammurapi”, “Manu Laws”, “Laws of the 12 tables” etc. Relations between law and religion in ancient civilizations.

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: a credit.
Superviser of the course: Sanita Osipova.
Literature:
Recommended Literature:

1. 
   Kohler, Ungnad ‘’Hundert ausgewahlte Rechtsurkunden. Aus der Spahtzeit des babylonischen Schrifttums von Xerxes bis Mithridates II ’’, Leipzig 1911.
   
2. 
   San Nicolo ‘’Die Schluss klauseln der alt babylonischen Kauf-und Tauschertrage’’, Munchen 1922.
   
3. 
   10.Gronau ‘’Der Staatsbegriff vom Altertum bis zur Gegenwart’’ 1919.
   

Political System of the Republic of Latvia

Duration of the Course: 32 hours, 2 credits
Department: Department of the Theory of Law and Political Science
Author: Lecturer Valdis Blūzma
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws as an elective subject. The course is recommendable to the students of political science and journalism.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

students must have acquired the Theory of Law.

Summary of the Course:

the analysis of the elements of the political system of the Republic of Latvia, the development of its structure. The concept of the political system, its elements, structure and types. The establishment of the political system of Latvia after World War I and its development between the two World Wars, characteristic features of the political system of the SSR of Latvia. The political system of the renewed Republic of Latvia and its elements: political organization of the society, state, parties, public organizations, political consciousness (psichology of society based on political ideology), political communications (mass media, centres of public opinion polls), normative legal system (legislation in the sphere of political life and political traditions). Influence of public subjects on the political system of Latvia (classes, layers, groups, ethnoses etc.).

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: lectures, seminars, a credit.
Superviser of the course: Valdis Blūzma.
Literature:

1. 
   Demokrātijas pamati. Rīga, 1993.
   
2. 
   Dišlers K. Latvijas valsts orgāni un viņu funkcijas. Rīga, 1925.
   
3. 
   Dreifelds J. Latvia in Transition. Cambridge, 1996.
   
4. 
   Ezergailis A. 1917 Revolution in Latvia. New York  London, 1974.
   
5. 
   Ezergailis A. The Latvian Impact on the Bolshevik Revolution. The First phase: September 1917 to April 1918. New York, 1983.
   
6. 
   Freivalds O. Latviešu politiskās partijas 60 gados. Kopenhāgena, 1961.
   
7. 
   Hayek F. A. The road to Serfdom. Chicago  London, 1972.
   
8. 
   Held D. Models of Democraty. Stanford, 1987.
   
9. 
   Jundzis T. Latvijas drošība un aizsardzība. Rīga, 1995.
   
10. 
    Khan A. R., Mc Niven J.D., Mc Kown S.A. An Introduction to political science. Georgetown, 1977.
    
11. 
    Levits E. Latvija padomju varā - Latvijas vēsture, 1991, Nr.2, 54.-57.lpp; Nr.3 59.065.lpp; Latvijas vēsture, 1992, Nr.1 (4), 44.-49.lpp.
    
12. 
    Lieven A. The Baltic revolution. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the path to independence. New Haven and London, 1993.
    
13. 
    Misiunas R. J. and Taagepera R. The Baltic states: years of dependence 1980-1986. Journal of Baltic studies. Vol. XX, Number 1, Spring 1989, pp. 65-88.
    
14. 
    Misiunas R. J. and Taagepera R. The Baltic states: years of dependence 1940-1980. London  Berkeley, 1983.
    
15. 
    Neatkarības atgūšana: atmodas laiks dokumentos. Rīga, 1996.
    
16. 
    Rauch G. The Baltic states. The years of independence. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania 1917-1940. Berkeley  Los Angeles, 1974. XIV.
    
17. 
    Salts A. Die politischen Parteien Lettlands. Lettland - Bucherei VII, Riga, 1926.
    
18. 
    Šilde Ā. Latvijas vēsture. 1914-1940. Stokholma, 1976.
    
19. 
    Taurēns J. Latvijas vēstures pamatjautājumi un valsts konstitucionālie pamati. Rīga, 1996.
    
20. 
    Toward independence: The Baltic popular movements. Boulder, 1991.
    
21. 
    Zīle Latvijas atmodas ceļš (1986-1991), Latvijas vēsture, 1996, Nr. 3., 4., 5.
    

History of Law Philosophy

Duration of the Course: 48 hours, 2 credits
Department: Department of the Theory of Law and Political Science
Author: Dr.habil.iur., Prof. Edgars Meļķisis.
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws Part A. The Course is recommendable after acquisition of the History of Law, and the General State Science.
Summary of the Course:

the beginnings of law philosophy., its development from the period of the ancient world to modern times. The problems of the origin of state and law, the role of laws in society, the correlation among law, justice, morality and knowledge. The most important law schools and trends, the analysis of the most important theories of the philosophy of law (Confucius, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas Thomas, Machiavelli, Rodin, Spinoza, Grotius, Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Kant etc.) on law, justice and the types of the development of society.

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: a research paper and exam.
Superviser of the course: Edgars Meļķisis.
Literature:

1. 
   Aristotelis ‘’Nikomaha ētika’’, Rīga, 1985.
   
2. 
   Platons ‘’Valsts’’, Rīga, 1982.
   
3. 
   Kampanella ‘’Saules pilsēta’’, Rīga, 1980.
   
4. 
   (Autors nav norādīts) Tiesību filozofija. Augstskola mājās. Nr.17, Rīga, 1932.
   
5. 
   No politiskās un tiesiskās domas vēstures. Zin. vad. prof. E.Meļķisis, LU, 1992.
   
6. 
   L.Gumplowicz ‘’Geschichte der Staatstheorien’’, I.1905.
   
7. 
   Mans Iochim Lieber ‘’Politische Theorien von Antiken bis zur Gegenwart’’, Bonn, 1993.
   

Moslem Law

Duration of the Course: 32 hours, 2 credits
Department: Department of the Theory of Law and Political Science
Author: Assistant Sanita Osipova
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws as an elective subject.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

students must have acquired the Theory of Law, Criminal Law and Civil Law.

Summary of the Course:

the concept of Moslem Law. The origin of Moslem Law and the history of its development. The system of Moslem Law in the contemporary world.

Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: a credit.
Superviser of the course: Sanita Osipova.
Literature:

1. 
   J. Schacht ‘’Grundzuge des islamischen Rechts’’, Berlin- Leipzig, 1935.
   
2. 
   ‘’Der Islam und Gegenwart’’, Munchen, 1984.
   
3. 
   N.Tornauw ‘’Das moslemische Recht’’, Leipzig, 1855.
   
4. 
   W.Montgomery, A.T.Welch ‘’Der Islam’’, 1980.
   
5. 
   S.Bialoblocki ‘’Materialien zum islamischen und judischen Eherecht’’, 1928.
   
6. 
   V.V.Klīve ‘’Ticības ceļos’’, Rīga, 1995.
   

History of the USA Law

Duration of the Course: 32 hours, 2 credits
Department: Department of the Theory of Law and Political Science
Author: Lecturer Valdis Blūzma
The Course is included in the Program of Higher Professional Education in Science of Laws as an elective subject. The course is recommendable to students of history.
Preconditions for the acquisition of the course:

students must have acquired modern history and the Theory of Law.

Summary of the Course:

the course includes the history of the USA law from the time of British colonies in the territory of the USA in the 17^th century to the period after World war II. The historic development and evolution of the USA law. The origin and development of the USA constitutional law. The historic determination of the competences of federal and state law. The history of the USA court system. The influence of the social evolution of the USA society on the legal evolution. The analysis of the most important USA legal sources: the USA constitution, Bill of Rights, constitutional amendments, state constitutions and codes, important laws passed by the USA legislature.

The Objective of the Course is to characterize the USA legal evolution in connection with the evolution of the USA Society, to supply students with the knowledge of the historic development of law of the most influential country in the world the USA.
Requirements of the academic recognition system of the course: lectures, seminars, a credit.
Superviser of the course: Valdis Blūzma.
Literature:
Mandatory Literature:

1. 
   Friedmann, Lawrence M. A History of American Law. (The 2^nd ed.), 1985.
   
2. 
   Hall, Kermit L. The Magic Mirror. Law in American History. N.Y.  Oxford, 1989.
   
3. 
   Kempin, Frederick G. Historical Introduction to Anglo-American Law: In the Nutshell. (The 3^rd ed.). St. Paul, 1990.
   

Recommended Literature:

1. 
   Abraham, Henry J. The Juridical Process. (the 5^th ed.). N.Y. Oxford, 1996.
   

ReFerences:

1. 
   A Comprehensive Bibliography of American Constitutional and Legal History. 5 volumes, 1984.
   
2. 
   
   

University of Latvia
Academic Curriculum for
the Master of Laws Degree
(Mag.iur. - Magister iuris; LL.M. - Master of Laws)

	Director of Curriculum Jânis Vèbers Prof., Dr.habil.iur.
Certified at the Meeting of the Council of the Program of Law Studies, 12.03.1997, Minutes N 1 Head of Council, Dr.habil.iur., Prof. Jânis Vèbers	Certified at the Meeting of the Board of the Faculty of Law, 12.03.1997, Minutes N 34 Head of the Board, Dr.habil.iur., Prof. Jânis Strautmanis
Certified at the Meeting of the Academic Council of the University of Latvia, ___.___.___ Decision N ____ Vice Rector ________________	Certified at the Meeting of the Senate of the University of Latvia, ___.___.___ Decision N ____ Head of Senate ________________

1. 
   Summary of the Programme
   

Master’s Degree Curriculum (Master’s Degree Programme) is the second stage of academic law studies at the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia. Master’s Degree Programme is the stage of specialisation and substantiation of law studies. Master’s Degree students have to acquire the laws of Latvia in details, to do independent research work in the chosen branch of studies, acquire skills in comparing the laws of Latvia with those of foreign countries. The program provides for 5 branches of specialisation: Constitutional and Administrative Law, Private Law, Criminal law, International Law, Theory of Law, History of Law and Political Science.

The Master’s Degree studies are full time studies. The duration of the studies is two semesters, students are to earn 40 credits. The Master’s Degree Programme includes mandatory courses (Part A) in the general theoretical and methodical disciplines of law and the courses of academic specialisation (Part B).

The ways of enactment of Master’s studies prescribed by the program are lectures, seminars, oral examination in seminars and consultations, as well as independent research work of students. The form of the control of studies is examinations. To complete the Master’s studies the Master’s research work is to be presented and a complex Master’s Degree examination is to be passed. The persons who have completed the Master’s Degree programme, have passed the final examination and have defended the Master’s research work are awarded the Master’s Degree of Laws by the Commission of Master’s Studies. Dome of the Faculty of Law certifies the decision of the Commission. Graduates receive Master’s Degree diplomas signed by the Rector of the University of Latvia.

II. General Survey

1. Goals and objectives of the implementation of the Programme

The goal of the Master’s Degree Programme is to insure a qualitative postgraduate academic education to lawyers who have acquired a higher professional and academic education. The Programme is a good chance to substantiate graduate studies and to update the qualification in one of the branches of Master’s studies as well as acquiring the mandatory law disciplines in general theoretical and methodological branches of law.

The goal of the Master’s Degree Programme is the preparation of students for academic work, the work of state administration, law enforcement institutions and in the private sector. The task of the Programme is to prepare lawyers who alongside with their academic work or work in some judicial branch would continue research work. Thus the goal of the Programme is to promote the development of science of laws in Latvia. In this respect the Programme tries to further and develop students’ research interests paying a special attention to their research work.

2. Estimation of the Programme from the point of view of the state of Latvia and the University of Latvia

The University of Latvia is the main higher educational establishment of Latvia which trains lawyers. Universal education in the science of laws of the graduates of the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia enables them to perform any work where a higher legal education is required. It testifies to the importance of the higher legal education of the University of Latvia for the state. Being the largest higher school in Latvia which trains lawyers, the University of Latvia has to insure not only the first stage of universal academic and professional legal education which ends with the obtaining of professional lawyers qualification, but also postgraduate studies, which will offer the courses of academic specialism in different branches of Law. The Master of Laws Degree is a precondition for the next stage of legal education, that is, doctoral program. Highly qualified lawyers with the Master of Laws Degree are necessary for both the work in the state and private sectors. A certain number of students who have acquired a Master of Laws Degree and are interested in academic work are willing to join the academic staff of the University. Thus Master’s studies also train the academic personnel of the Faculty of Law.

3. The comparison of the Programme with the similar ones in Latvia and abroad

The Police Academy is one of the higher schools of Latvia which also provides the Master’s Degree Programme of three branches: academic employees, broad profile experts in criminalistics and administrative officials. The duration of the Master’s Studies Programme is two semesters, the same as in this programme. As distinct from the Master’s Degree Programme of the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia, the Master’s Degree Programme of the Police Academy in all its trends of specialisation is mainly oriented to professional work at law enforcement institutions, especially at the police. In the studies programme a special attention is paid to the courses of criminalistics and those connected with technical aspects of police work as well as physical training.

Many law faculties of foreign universities offer Master’s Studies Programme. As each country has its own model of higher education the trends of Master’s studies specialisation, duration of the studies programme, volume and offered courses are different at the universities of different countries. That is why it is possible to give only some comparative examples of similar programmes of some foreign universities.

The Master of Laws Programme of the Columbia University, New York, USA, is meant for students who have already acquired a degree in the science of Laws (J.D., Juris Doctor) either at a higher educational establishment of the USA or a similar degree abroad. A precondition mandatory for foreign applicants is at least five year long undergraduate studies. The duration of the Master of Laws Programme at the Columbia University is two semesters of full time studies in which 24 credits are to be acquired, 4 are elective for the writing of a research paper for a seminar. For each course of lectures 3 or 4 credits are acquired, for a seminar 2 credits. Students are to present a Master’s research work. The master’s studies programme gives knowledge in the branches of law, which is not acquired during undergraduate studies.

The Faculty of Law of the Stockholm University offers three Master’s of Laws Programmes: LL.M. in European Law, LL.M. in Comparative Law and LL.M. in International Law. The duration of each program is two semesters, the language of instruction is English. The studies are in the form of lectures and seminars. The attendance is compulsory. To acquire the programmes of comparative and international law 50 credits are to be obtained, 20 of which are awarded for the Master’s research work. Each student has to acquire from 3 to 6 courses during 2 semesters and for each course he gets from 5 to 10 credits. To be awarded a Master’s Degree there are to be passed examinations in all attended courses and presented a master’s research work.

Law faculties of German universities offer Master’s of Laws (Magister Legum LL.M.) Programmes exclusively to persons who have already obtained legal education at foreign universities. The objective of these Master’s studies is to acquaint foreigners with German law. The studies are in German. The duration of Master’s studies at the Muenster University is two semesters. During this two semesters each students has to attend classes and a seminars which makes 20 hours a week. That means that a student has to attend 4 or 5 courses each of which is 4 hours per week and has to write a paper for a seminar. At the end of each course there is an exam. Each student who has a certificate testifying his successful attendance of courses and a seminar, receives a formal permission to do a research work. The Master’s research work is mainly written in the second semester. If the Master’s research work is estimated as satisfactory, the LL.M. candidate may pass an oral final examination after which he/she is awarded Legum Muenster (LL.M.).

Several European universities offer the Master’s of Laws Programs in European Law and Comparative Law of European countries. Some of these programs are implemented in cooperation of universities of different states. Pallas Consortium of the Nimwegen University of the Netherlands which offers the LL.M. in European Business Law includes 8 universities of different states of the European Union. The duration of these Master’s studies is two semesters. The programme consists of 8 courses of European Law and Comparative Law of the European Union member states. All the courses are mandatory, students have no possibilities of choice. The courses are given by the professors who belong to the universities of Pallas Consortium. A Master’s Degree is awarded if a student successfully passes exams in all courses and receives a satisfactory estimation for a presented Master’s paper.

Master’s degree programme of the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia has a lot of distinctions from the Master of Laws programmes of foreign universities. These distinctions pertain to the offered courses the number of credits gained, the forms of control and other problems of the organisation of studies which are settled differently at higher schools of different countries in accordance with the system of a countrie’s higher education and the features of a concrete higher school. At the same time the programmes have substantial common features. Both this studies programme and the above mentioned programmes of the universities of foreign countries are full time programmes, the duration of which is 2 semesters. The Master’s of Laws degree programmes of foreign universities also pay a great attention to the research work of students, to their research papers and Master’s research works. The programmes are also similar as to the required load of studies.

4. Level of Research related to the Programme

Research related to the studies programme is the research done by staff members and students of the Master’s Degree Program of the Faculty of Law. The research performed by the staff members is closely connected with the curriculum of the Faculty of Law, with the implementation of this programme including. The results of their research the staff member use in academic work. The publications of staff member are used by students as textbooks.

The lecturers of the Faculty of Law participate in the performance of the program of state importance “The Increase of the Role of Public Law in the Formation of Social Security and Law Governed State in Latvia” (Supervisor, Prof. Dr.habil.iur. Uldis Krastiðø). Two groups of lecturers under the supervision of Prof. Jânis Strautmanis and Prof. Kalvis Torgâns do research in the framework of a grant (financed by the Scientific Council of Latvia). In the period of 1994 - 1996 the Scientific Council of Latvia has financed the following research works of the Faculty of Law:

1. 
   Grant N 742 “The formation of the Regulation of Economic Relations in the Republic of Latvia”, Supervisor Prof. Dr.habil.iur. Jânis Vèbers;
   
2. 
   Grant N 744 “Comparative studies of Latvia’s and Foreign Legislation on trade, Transport, Building”, Supervisor Prof. Dr.habil.iur. Kalvis Torgâns.
   

The Economic and Law Expert Commission of the Scientific Council of Latvia in 1996 gave a positive estimation to its financed research work supervisor Prof. Jânis Vèbers, Prof. Kalvis Torgâns and Prof. Uldis Krastiðø.

The results of research work performed by the lecturers of the Faculty of Law are used in legislation and as recommendations to different state institutions. In the period of 1990 and 1997 the lecturers of the Faculty have participated in the elaboration of many draft laws. The participation of the Faculty members in the codification of laws was especially important. They prepared amendments and addenda for Civil Law, the Code of Employment Law, the Code of Civil Procedure, the Code of Criminal Law, the Code of Criminal Procedure. With the help of the Faculty members the draft of Commercial Law was worked out (Prof. J.Vèbers, Prof. K.Torgâns). The results of the research of the lecturers are reflected in publications: monographs, textbooks, articles in journals and newspapers, commentaries. A particular attention is paid to textbooks. At present the Faculty members participate in the elaboration of the Commentary of Latvian Civil Code which will be an important legal reading for students.

The level of research of the Faculty is high, particularly because the results of the research of the Faculty members is a substantial contribution to the formation of the new legal system in Latvia and the results of their research are introduced into practice.

The research of the Master’s Programme of the students consists of research papers and the Master’s thesis for the writing of which they use different legal sources, legal literature and the materials of judicial practice, as well as they do research which is not connected with their research papers and the Master’s thesis. All the students of the Master’s Degree Programme are involved in research work. The problems of the students research papers and Master’s thesis have to correspond to the branch of specialisation chosen by student. The volume of a research paper is from 20 to 30 pages, and the volume of the Master’s thesis is from 75 to 100 pages typed or printed by a computer. The students are to be qualified to do research, to come to independent conclusions on the problems of law and to propose the settlement of disputable legal problems. The use of foreign legal literature in their research is compulsory. The Master’s research works presented by the students comply with these requirements.

5. Information on international cooperation of the structures of the University of Latvia

As distinct from the first stage of the studies program, the Master’s degree Programme consists only of the courses of the branches of law and there is no necessity for its realisation to involve the lecturers of the other Faculties of the University. The cooperation with other Faculties will start if the students of the Master’s Degree Programme will be given a possibility to choose the courses offered by other Faculties.

The Faculty of Law has a long-standing cooperation with the universities of Germany, Finland, Holland and France, for example, Muenster University, Humbolt University in Berlin, Rostock University, Oslo University, Sorbonne University. The students of the Master’s Programme are sent to study at these universities, lecturers are sent to upgrading and guest lecturers are invited to give lectures to the Faculty students.

III. Rules of matriculation

Master’s Degree of Laws is awarded to persons who have the Bachelor’s Degree of Laws, Higher Professional Education in the Science of Laws of the University of Latvia or an equivalent education received of Latvia’s or foreign higher schools. Postgraduates are enrolled either after having received the Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Professional Legal Education or after having done some practical work. The applicants for the Master’s Programme whose Bachelor’s Degree or Professional Education does not correspond to the requirements of academic and professional legal education of the Faculty of Law of the University of Latvia, before being enrolled have to pass examinations in all the disciplines of mandatory courses (Part A). The Director of the Master’s Programme decides what exams are to be passed by the applicant to the Master’s Programme. Foreigners are enrolled on the basis of an agreement with the University of Latvia. The number of vacancies of the Master’s Programme on the proposal of the Board of the Faculty of Law is each year fixed by the Senate of the University of Latvia.

In the competition of the enrolment to the Master’s Programme there is taken into account:

1. 
   grades in the document of academic and professional education which correspond to the specialization chosen by an applicant in the Master’s Programme;
   
2. 
   knowledge of state and foreign languages (an applicant besides the state language must know at least two foreign languages at the level of free communication and use of scientific literature).
   

The other rules of matriculation are given in “Rules of Matriculation for the Master’s Programme of the University of Latvia” (Certified at the Meeting of the Senate of the University of Latvia, June 29, 1993).

IV. Contents of the Programme

1. Mandatory Courses to all students (4 credits)

Courses	Credits	Form of Control
1. Legal Technique	1	E
2. Problems of Application and Interpretation of Legal Norms	1	E
3. Sociology of Law	1	E
4. Philosophy of Law	1	E

2. Courses for specialization (9 credits)