Master programme in Contract Drafting and Management (LL.M.)
Learning objectives
Drafting business contracts, running contractual negotiations and managing the performance of a contract after its conclusion are key tasks of corporate lawyers. The globalization of business entails a multitude of contracts written in the English language that are also not necessarily subject to domestic German law. Competent business lawyers with in-depth knowledge of contract drafting in both national and international legal environments are experts in high demand with companies, law firms and industry organizations.
Careers
The Master programme in Contract Drafting and Management prepares graduates of Law for careers in legal departments and for contract management tasks. Over three semesters students familiarize themselves in depth with the basics of international contract law, the drafting of employment contracts, purchasing, supply and distribution contracts and association agreements but also specialist matters such as confidentiality agreements, co-operation, licensing or loan insurance contracts. An overall focus is put on restrictions of contract drafting imposed by the German Civil Code in relation to standard contracts as well as European Competition Law.
Two additional modules deal with international business contracts and common-practice contract terms and types of contracts on the international level. Further modules on business and management are focusing on corporate management and taxation. A number of classes are offered in English.
Lecturing on the Master’s programme is exclusively ensured by professors with long-term experience in contract management in national and international law firms, notary cabinets and tax and management consulting.
Course of studies
Semester 1
Concepts of Comparative Law introduces students to international legal systems and characteristics of Anglo-American contract law and civil procedure in comparison with German law. International legal instruments in Business Law created by private organizations such as the Unidroit Principles of International Commercial Contracts 2004 and the Draft Common Frame of Reference are also addressed.
Corporate Management provides students with knowledge on current approaches to corporate management. The focus is on modern management techniques (coaching, performance improvement, re-engineering, Kaizen) and approaches to corporate planning and decision making.
German and European Competition Law deals with the specific requirements imposed by German and European Competition law as regards agreements and contracts with competitors, suppliers, distribution partners and end customers.
Contract Drafting and Enforcement in Human Resources focuses on drafting individual as well as collective employment agreements. The emphasis is put on part-time employment contracts, management executive contracts, employment agreements with free-lancers and collective employment agreements, reconciliation of interests and redundancy plans.
Drafting International Commercial Contracts 1 provides an introduction to drafting international business contracts and common-practice terms. It raises awareness of the importance of both governing law jurisdiction in international commercial contracts. Another focus is put on pre-contractual agreements such as letters of intent, memorandums of understanding as well as non-disclosure agreements.
Semester 2
Contract Drafting related to Production and Distribution deals with supply contracts from both the buyer’s and the seller’s perspective, with benefits and risks of supply framework agreements and with distribution contracts entered into with national and international commercial agents and licensed dealers. Emphasis is put on legal requirements as regards contract terms in supply and distribution contracts imposed by German Civil Law in relation to standard contracts and European Competition Law.
Contract Drafting and Enforcement / Industrial Property introduces students to the drafting of license agreements (patents, know-how and trademark licensing) and provides an in-depth insight into legal procedures in industrial property law such as the registration of national and international trademarks and related legal remedies.
Contracts under Company Law focuses on the incorporation of businesses at home and abroad with regard to tax and company law. The emphasis is on specific contracts required for the incorporation of companies.
Corporate Taxation and Corporate Governance provides knowledge on corporate taxation and aims to optimize choices to be made by entrepreneurs from a tax liability perspective. On the basis of the German Corporate Governance Code the legal rules applying to non-listed companies are compared to US standards.
Drafting International Commercial Contracts 2 offers in-depth insight into drafting key international commercial contracts such as supply contracts, distribution agreements, EPC/turnkey contracts and consortium agreements.
Semester 3
Block module Domestic and International Litigation and Arbitration deals with procedural issues as regards the enforcement of contract obligations on the domestic as well as the international level. Drafting jurisdiction and arbitration agreements is another key item of the module.
Master thesis
Entry-level qualifications
Admission to the Master programme in Contract Drafting and Management is directly organized by the Fachhochschule Bielefeld.
Admission restrictions apply.
Applicants must meet the following requirements.
- Bachelor degree or National Degree in Business Law including 210 ECTS points at above-average grade level (commonly 2.5 or higher); or First State Examination in Law or international equivalent and above-average degree in Law
- Applicants with 180 ECTS credit points are admitted and may graduate upon completion of an internship project served during an additional (fourth) semester or optionally during term holidays over the three study terms.
- Evidence of advanced English skills. Further details may be found in the examination regulations.
Applications and start of courses
Applications are addressed to Fachhochschule Bielefeld, Studierendensekretariat. Classes always and only start in winter terms.
Applications by 15th July of each year must include
- letter of motivation
- CV
- certified copies of diplomas and degrees (document and full body of text) earned
- evidence of English language skills
Applications to
Fachhochschule Bielefeld
Studierendensekretariat / Gebäude D
Kurt-Schumacher-Straße 6, Gebäude D
D-33615 Bielefeld
Germany
Contact
Fachhochschule Bielefeld
Fachbereich Wirtschaft und Gesundheit
Master programme in Contract Drafting and Management
Postfach 10 11 13
D-33511 Bielefeld
www.fh-bielefeld.de/fb5/ma-wre
Heads of Studies
Prof. Dr. Patrick Ostendorf
Room U7-144
Phone +49 521 106 3724
Patrick.ostendorf@fh-bielefeld.de
Prof. Dr. Burkhard Schütte
Room V7-110
Phone +49 521 106 3752
Burkhard.schuette@fh-bielefeld.de
