Advance your legal expertise by exploring complex questions, strengthening your research skills, and shaping your future impact in law, policy, and society.
Why study postgraduate Law?
Postgraduate Law at Otago is for people who want to think deeply and contribute something new to the legal world. Investigate complex questions about justice, society, and change while developing advanced skills in analysis, writing, and research.
These programmes focus on refining your ability to shape and test ideas. You will learn how to frame meaningful research questions, construct rigorous arguments, and produce high-quality legal writing that can inform practice, influence policy, or support future scholarship.
Whether you are aiming for specialist practice, public-sector leadership, or an academic pathway, Otago gives you the space and support to develop meaningful expertise.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate Law prepares you for roles that require strong research ability, clear judgement, and advanced legal knowledge. Possible pathways include:
- Legal scholar or academic researcher
- Specialist lawyer
- Policy adviser for government or NGOs
- Legal consultant for organisations and businesses
- Further study in a PhD or Doctor of Laws programme
What it’s like to study at this level
Postgraduate Law at Otago centres on independent research supported by expert supervision. You will work closely with a supervisor to refine your questions, develop your argument, and write a thesis that contributes to legal scholarship. Study can be full-time or part-time.
Your learning is shaped by conversation, critique, and steady, focused progress. You will build confidence in your ideas, gain experience in academic writing, and join a community that values thoughtful, rigorous work.
This is for you if ...
Postgraduate Law applicants should have an LLB or equivalent qualification, strong research and writing skills, and a genuine interest in exploring complex legal issues.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Law as an undergraduate at Otago.
Where legal ideas evolve into expertise
Postgraduate Law at Otago is anchored in a long-standing, research-driven faculty at the heart of Dunedin. You’ll be part of a close academic community, with support from experienced legal scholars and access to dedicated resources like the Robert Stout Law Library.
You’ll also tap into strong connections with the wider legal profession. Practitioners, judges, policy experts and alumni contribute to teaching and mentoring, blending academic depth with real-world insight. It’s a close-knit environment where postgraduate students are known, supported and encouraged to grow meaningful expertise.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Master of Laws (LLM)
A one-year full-time (or equivalent part-time), thesis-only programme that develops the skills required to understand recent developments in the Law
Doctor of Laws (LLD)
A higher doctorate for individuals who have published original contributions of special excellence in the history, philosophy, exposition or criticism of law
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
LAWS papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS101 | 2026, 2027 | The Legal System | 36 points | Full Year |
| LAWS201 | 2026, 2027 | Criminal Law | 30 points | Full Year |
| LAWS202 | 2026, 2027 | Law of Contract | 30 points | Full Year |
| LAWS203 | 2026, 2027 | Property Law | 30 points | Full Year |
| LAWS204 | 2026, 2027 | Public Law | 30 points | Full Year |
| LAWS298 | 2026, 2027 | Legal Writing | 0 points | Full Year |
| LAWS301 | 2026, 2027 | Law of Torts | 30 points | Full Year |
| LAWS302 | 2026 | Jurisprudence | 30 points | Full Year |
| LAWS303 | 2027 | Jurisprudence | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS304 | 2027 | Te Mātauraka Ture o te Māori/Māori Laws and Philosophy | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS321 | 2026, 2027 | Law of Evidence | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS322 | 2026, 2027 | Family Law | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS323 | 2026, 2027 | Labour Law | 15 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS324 | 2026, 2027 | Company Law | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS325 | 2026, 2027 | Taxation | 15 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| LAWS326 | 2026, 2027 | Māori Land Law | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| LAWS327 | 2026, 2027 | Wills and Trusts | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS328 | 2026, 2027 | Treaty of Waitangi | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| LAWS329 | 2026, 2027 | Intellectual Property | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS330 | 2026, 2027 | Legal Ethics | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS331 | 2026, 2027 | Resource Management Law | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS332 | 2026, 2027 | Criminal Justice | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS333 | 2026, 2027 | Public International Law | 15 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| LAWS334 | 2026, 2027 | Environmental Law | 15 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| LAWS358 | 2026 | Global Governance and Law | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS380 | 2026, 2027 | Preliminary Honours Research Papers | 0 points | Full Year |
| LAWS398 | 2026, 2027 | Legal Research Skills | 0 points | Full Year |
| LAWS402 | 2026, 2027 | Climate Law and Policy | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| LAWS403 | 2026, 2027 | Immigration and Refugee Law | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| LAWS404 | 2026, 2027 | Administrative Law | 15 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| LAWS405 | 2026, 2027 | Civil Liberties and the Private Sector | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS406 | 2026, 2027 | Civil Justice | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| LAWS408 | 2026, 2027 | Lawyers, Clients and the Profession | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS409 | 2026, 2027 | Private International Law | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS410 | 2026, 2027 | Criminology | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS418 | 2026, 2027 | Crime and Property | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| LAWS419 | 2026, 2027 | Securities Market Regulation | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| LAWS420 | 2026, 2027 | Law and the Democratic Process | 15 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS421 | 2026, 2027 | International Environmental Law | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| LAWS422 | 2026, 2027 | Bill of Rights - Theory and Practice | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS423 | 2026, 2027 | Information and Data Protection Law | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS424 | 2026, 2027 | International Criminal Court | 15 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS426 | 2026, 2027 | Insurance Law | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS428 | 2026, 2027 | Law and Emerging Technologies | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| LAWS430 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Criminal Law | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS431 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Contract and Tort | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS432 | 2026, 2027 | Animals and the Law | 15 points | Summer School |
| LAWS433 | 2026, 2027 | Relationship Property Law | 15 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS435 | 2026, 2027 | Banking Law | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| LAWS436 | 2026, 2027 | Commercial and Consumer Law | 15 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS437 | 2026, 2027 | Competition Law | 15 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS438 | 2026, 2027 | Civil Liberties and the Public Sector | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS441 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Taxation | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| LAWS443 | 2026, 2027 | International Investment Law | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS446 | 2026, 2027 | Mediation | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS447 | 2026, 2027 | Law and Medicine | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS448 | 2026, 2027 | Law and Psychiatry | 15 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS449 | 2026, 2027 | Criminal Procedure | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS450 | 2026, 2027 | Law of Restitution | 15 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS452 | 2026, 2027 | Legal Theory | 15 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| LAWS453 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Legislation | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS454 | 2026, 2027 | Negotiation | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS456 | 2026, 2027 | Media Law | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS457 | 2026, 2027 | Secured Transactions | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS458 | 2026, 2027 | Sentencing | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS460 | 2026, 2027 | Vendor and Purchaser | 15 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS461 | 2026, 2027 | Laws and Indigenous Peoples | 15 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS464 | 2026, 2027 | Advocacy | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS466 | 2026, 2027 | Gender and the Law | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| LAWS467 | 2026, 2027 | International Human Rights Law | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS468 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Company Law | 15 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS469 | 2026, 2027 | Law and Religion | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS471 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic 2 | 15 points | Summer School, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS473 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic 4 | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS474 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic 5 | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS475 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic 6 | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS477 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic 8 | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| LAWS478 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic 9: Remedies in Private and Commercial Law | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS479 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic 10 | 15 points | Summer School, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS480 | 2026, 2027 | Research Paper | 15 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| LAWS481 | 2027 | Special Topic 11 | 15 points | Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS482 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Evidence Law | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| LAWS483 | 2026, 2027 | International Labour Law | 15 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS484 | 2026, 2027 | Insolvency Law | 15 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS486 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic 15 | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| LAWS488 | 2026, 2027 | Accidents and the Law | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS489 | 2026, 2027 | Law and the Biosciences | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS490 | 2026, 2027 | Final Honours Research Paper | 60 points | Full Year |
| LAWS491 | 2026, 2027 | International Tax law and Policy | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS492 | 2026, 2027 | The Law in the South Pacific | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| LAWS493 | 2027 | Global Governance and Law | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS496 | 2027 | Public Health Law | 15 points | Summer School |
| LAWS498 | 2026, 2027 | Research and Writing | 0 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer School |
| LAWS499 | 2026, 2027 | Advocacy Skills | 0 points | Semester 2 |
| LAWS512 | 2026, 2027 | Family Law | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS515 | 2026, 2027 | Resource Management Law | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS521 | 2026, 2027 | International Environmental Law | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| LAWS528 | 2026, 2027 | Law and Emerging Technologies | 15 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| LAWS540 | 2026, 2027 | Environmental Law | 15 points | Semester 2, Semester 1 |
| LAWS547 | 2026, 2027 | Law and Medicine | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| LAWS548 | 2026, 2027 | Law and Psychiatry | 15 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| LAWS588 | 2026, 2027 | Accidents and the Law | 15 points | Semester 2 |
Contacts
Faculty of Law
Email law@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/law
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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