The following guide outlines how to structure a LLM dissertation.
Title Page – showing the title of the dissertation and writer.
Abstract – summarising what the dissertation comprises. Be concise and don’t reference or use quotations. This should showcase your work so ensure it is accurate and weighty (150 – 300 words).
Table of contents – Make sure page numbers are accurate
Introduction – Should be about 10% of the dissertation in total. It should be a very crisp and accurate introduction of the dissertation. Make it interesting so that the reader's interest is engaged.
Methodology - this explains what you are going to do and how you plan on achieving this. In a legal dissertation it is most likely that qualitative research will be utilised. Quantitative research (eg survey of cases perhaps) can be used but it is likely that most legal dissertations will be derived from either academic journals/books or statute.
Literature Review – a review of relevant theory and the most recent published information on the issue. Sometimes there are dissertations with no literature review: it depends on the topic and whether you consider it necessary (e.g is there plenty of published literature/theory?).
Evidence – set out your findings and your conclusions from your research. This should not be merely descriptive but must be analytical and critical of your findings, moving towards a detailed and visionary strategy for development.
Conclusion – set out in summary what you have discovered and your conclusions. Do not include in your conclusions anything which has not been addressed earlier in your work.
Recommendations – In a legal dissertation you should include these to give an indication of the analytical nature of your mind. In particular suggest areas of the law which are ripe for reform and suggest the reforms you would invoke. If reforms are already underway these should be analysed and criticised if necessary, substituting your own suggested reforms.
Title Page – showing the title of the dissertation and writer.
Abstract – summarising what the dissertation comprises. Be concise and don’t reference or use quotations. This should showcase your work so ensure it is accurate and weighty (150 – 300 words).
Table of contents – Make sure page numbers are accurate
Introduction – Should be about 10% of the dissertation in total. It should be a very crisp and accurate introduction of the dissertation. Make it interesting so that the reader's interest is engaged.
Methodology - this explains what you are going to do and how you plan on achieving this. In a legal dissertation it is most likely that qualitative research will be utilised. Quantitative research (eg survey of cases perhaps) can be used but it is likely that most legal dissertations will be derived from either academic journals/books or statute.
Literature Review – a review of relevant theory and the most recent published information on the issue. Sometimes there are dissertations with no literature review: it depends on the topic and whether you consider it necessary (e.g is there plenty of published literature/theory?).
Evidence – set out your findings and your conclusions from your research. This should not be merely descriptive but must be analytical and critical of your findings, moving towards a detailed and visionary strategy for development.
Conclusion – set out in summary what you have discovered and your conclusions. Do not include in your conclusions anything which has not been addressed earlier in your work.
Recommendations – In a legal dissertation you should include these to give an indication of the analytical nature of your mind. In particular suggest areas of the law which are ripe for reform and suggest the reforms you would invoke. If reforms are already underway these should be analysed and criticised if necessary, substituting your own suggested reforms.
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