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Presented here is a selection of theses and dissertations from the School of Law. Please note that this is not a complete record of all degrees awarded by the School.

This material is presented to ensure timely dissemination of scholarly and technical work. Copyright and all rights therein are retained by authors or by other copyright holders. All persons copying this information are expected to adhere to the terms and constraints invoked by each author's copyright. In most cases, these works may not be reposted without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

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HLS Dissertations, Theses, and JD Papers

S.j.d. dissertations, ll.m. papers, ll.m. theses, j.d. papers, submitting your paper to an online collection, other sources for student papers beyond harvard, getting help, introduction.

This is a guide to finding Harvard Law School (“HLS”) student-authored works held by the Library and in online collections. This guide covers HLS S.J.D Dissertations, LL.M. papers, J.D. third-year papers, seminar papers, and prize papers.

There have been changes in the HLS degree requirements for written work. The library’s collection practices and catalog descriptions for these works has varied. Please note that there are gaps in the library’s collection and for J.D. papers, few of these works are being collected any longer.

If we have an S.J.D. dissertation or LL.M. thesis, we have two copies. One is kept in the general collection and one in the Red Set, an archival collection of works authored by HLS affiliates. If we have a J.D. paper, we have only one copy, kept in the Red Set. Red Set copies are last resort copies available only by advance appointment in Historical and Special Collections .

Some papers have not been processed by library staff. If HOLLIS indicates a paper is “ordered-received” please use this form to have library processing completed.

The HLS Doctor of Juridical Science (“S.J.D.”) program began in 1910.  The library collection of these works is not comprehensive. Exceptions are usually due to scholars’ requests to withhold Library deposit. 

• HLS S.J.D. Dissertations in HOLLIS To refine these search results by topic or faculty advisor, or limit by date, click Add a New Line.
• Hein’s Legal Theses and Dissertations Microfiche Mic K556.H45x Drawers 947-949 This microfiche set includes legal theses and dissertations from HLS and other premier law schools. It currently includes about 300 HLS dissertations and theses.
• Hein's Legal Theses and Dissertations Contents List This content list is in order by school only, not by date, subject or author. It references microfiche numbers within the set housed in the Microforms room on the entry level of the library, drawers 947-949. The fiche are a different color for each institution.
• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses @ Harvard University (Harvard login) Copy this search syntax: dg(S.J.D.) You will find about 130 SJD Dissertations dated from 1972 to 2004. They are not available in full text.
• DASH Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard Sponsored by Harvard University’s Office for Scholarly Communication, DASH is an open repository for research papers by members of the Harvard community. There are currently about 600 HLS student papers included. Unfortunately it is not possible to search by type of paper or degree awarded.

The Master of Laws (“LL.M.”) degree has been awarded since 1923. Originally, the degree required completion of a major research paper, akin to a thesis. Since 1993, most students have the option of writing the LL.M. "short paper."  This is a 25-page (or longer) paper advised by a faculty supervisor or completed in conjunction with a seminar.  Fewer LL.M. candidates continue to write the more extensive "long-paper." LL.M. candidates holding J.D.s from the U.S. must write the long paper.

• HLS Written Work Requirements for LL.M. Degree The current explanation of the LL.M. written work requirement for the master of laws.

The library generally holds HLS LL.M. long papers and short papers. In recent years, we require author release in order to do so. In HOLLIS, no distinction is made between types of written work created in satisfaction of the LL.M. degree; all are described as LL.M. thesis. Though we describe them as thesis, the law school refers to them solely as papers or in earlier years, essays. HOLLIS records indicate the number of pages, so at the record level, it is possible to distinguish long papers.

• HLS LL.M. Papers in HOLLIS To refine these search results by topic, faculty advisor, seminar or date, click Add a New Line.

HLS LL.M. Papers are sometimes available in DASH and Hein's Legal Dissertations and Theses. See descriptions above .

The HLS J.D. written work requirement has changed over time. The degree formerly required a substantial research paper comparable in scope to a law review article written under faculty supervision, the "third year paper." Since 2008, J.D. students have the option of using two shorter works instead.

Of all those written, the library holds relatively few third-year papers. They were not actively collected but accepted by submission from faculty advisors who deemed a paper worthy of institutional retention. The papers are described in HOLLIS as third year papers, seminar papers, and student papers. Sometimes this distinction was valid, but not always. The faculty deposit tradition more or less ended in 2006, though the possibility of deposit still exists. 

• J.D. Written Work Requirement
• Faculty Deposit of Student Papers with the Library

HLS Third Year Papers in HOLLIS

To refine these search results by topic, faculty advisor, seminar or date, click Add a New Line.

• HLS Student Papers Some third-year papers and LL.M. papers were described in HOLLIS simply as student papers. To refine these search results, click "Add a New Line" and add topic, faculty advisor, or course title.
• HLS Seminar Papers Note that these include legal research pathfinders produced for the Advanced Legal Research course when taught by Virginia Wise.

Prize Papers

HLS has many endowed prizes for student papers and essays. There are currently 16 different writing prizes. See this complete descriptive list with links to lists of winners from 2009 to present. Note that there is not always a winner each year for each award. Prize winners are announced each year in the commencement pamphlet.

The Library has not specifically collected prize papers over the years but has added copies when possible. The HOLLIS record for the paper will usually indicate its status as a prize paper. The most recent prize paper was added to the collection in 2006.

Addison Brown Prize Animal Law & Policy Program Writing Prize Victor Brudney Prize Davis Polk Legal Profession Paper Prize Roger Fisher and Frank E.A. Sander Prize Yong K. Kim ’95 Memorial Prize Islamic Legal Studies Program Prize on Islamic Law Laylin Prize LGBTQ Writing Prize Mancini Prize Irving Oberman Memorial Awards John M. Olin Prize in Law and Economics Project on the Foundations of Private Law Prize Sidney I. Roberts Prize Fund Klemens von Klemperer Prize Stephen L. Werner Prize

• Harvard Law School Prize Essays (1850-1868) A historical collection of handwritten prize essays covering the range of topics covered at that time. See this finding aid for a collection description.

The following information about online repositories is not a recommendation or endorsement to participate.

• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses HLS is not an institutional participant to this collection. If you are interested in submitting your work, refer to these instructions and note that there is a fee required, which varies depending on the format of submission.
• EBSCO Open Dissertations Relatively new, this is an open repository of metadata for dissertations. It is an outgrowth of the index American Doctoral Dissertations. The aim is to cover 1933 to present and, for modern works, to link to full text available in institutional repositories. Harvard is not one of the institutional participants.
• DASH Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard

Sponsored by Harvard University’s Office for Scholarly Communication, this is an open repository for research papers by members of the Harvard community. See more information about the project. 

Some HLS students have submitted their degree paper to DASH.  If you would like to submit your paper, you may use this authorization form  or contact June Casey , Librarian for Open Access Initiatives and Scholarly Communication at Harvard Law School.

• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (Harvard Login) Covers dissertations and masters' theses from North American graduate schools and many worldwide. Provides full text for many since the 1990s and has descriptive data for older works.
• NDLTD Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations Union Catalog Worldwide in scope, NDLTD contains millions of records of electronic theses and dissertations from the early 1900s to the present.
• Law Commons of the Digital Commons Network The Law Commons has dissertations and theses, as well as many other types of scholarly research such as book chapters and conference proceedings. They aim to collect free, full-text scholarly work from hundreds of academic institutions worldwide.
• EBSCO Open Dissertations Doctoral dissertations from many institutions. Free, open repository.
• Dissertations from Center for Research Libraries Dissertations found in this resource are available to the Harvard University Community through Interlibrary Loan.
• British Library EThOS Dissertation source from the British Library listing doctoral theses awarded in the UK. Some available for immediate download and some others may be requested for scanning.
• BASE from Bielefeld University Library Index of the open repositoris of most academic institutions. Includes many types of documents including doctoral and masters theses.

Contact Us!

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• Last Updated: Sep 12, 2023 10:46 AM
• URL: https://guides.library.harvard.edu/studentpapers

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Home > T_D > LLM_THESES

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Redressing the Past to Repair the Present: The Role of Property Law in Creating and Exacerbating Racial Disparities in Wealth and Poverty in Nova Scotia , Melissa Marsman

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Pushing the First Domino: Freeing the Whales in Canada , Luc Paul Bourgeois

Responsible Business Conduct in The Extractive Industries: Prospect of Respecting Women's Human Rights in Ghana , Veronica Dossah

Putting the Constitutional Horse Before the Cart: Federal Jurisdiction over Next Generation Environmental Assessment , Anna Johnston

Fiscal Decolonization-Indigenous Fiscal Autonomy and Tax Jurisdiction , Riad Kherallah

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Biosimilars: The Quest for a Rational Regulatory and Intellectual Property Approach in Canada , Elizabeth S. Dipchand

Metaphysics & Morals in Canadian Criminal Justice: A Pragmatic Analysis of The Conflict Between Neuroscience and Retributive Folk Psychology , Sarah Greenwood

Business and Human Rights in the Context of Sanctions: A Road to Filling the Governance Gap , Bahareh Jafarian

Using Canadian Law to Prevent, Respond to and Remedy Maltreatment in Sport: Listening to and Learning from Athletes , Wendy MacGregor

The Province of (Substantive) Legitimate Expectation in Nigeria's Tax Administration: A Law and Policy Evaluation , Okanga Ogbu Okanga

Proposing a Constructivist Approach to Resolving Trade Conflicts Under the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA): A Cross-Jurisdictional Analysis , Oluwayesi Sanni

The Canadian Anti-Doping Program and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms , Kate Scallion

An Analysis of the Human Rights Approach to Climate Change: The Right to a Healthy Environment, Intergenerational Equity and Climate Litigation , Unwana Emmanuel Udo

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Climate Change in Canadian Environmental Assessment Legislation: Review and Recommendations for Further Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions , Émilie Godbout-Beaulieu

Lest Law Forget: Locke's Toleration and Religious Freedom , Stephen Holt

Sentencing Persons Convicted of Minor Offences in Ghana: Reducing Judicial Over-Reliance on Imprisonment , Nenyo Kwasitsu

Tax Incentives for Attracting Foreign Direct Investment in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comparative Study of Ghana and Kenya , Patrick Ofori

Just Care: A Relational Approach to Autonomy and Decision Making of Parents Committed to Religious or Indigenous Traditional Practices , Tu-Quynh Trinh

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Improving the Criminal Justice System in Nigeria Through Restorative Justice: Lessons From Canada and New Zealand , Olaniran Akintunde

Smart Devices in Criminal Investigations: How Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms Can Better Protect Privacy in the Search of Technology and Seizure of Information , Lee-Ann Conrod

Protecting Women's Rights? Prospects Under the UN Human Rights Treaty System: A Case Study on India 2005-2017 , Deepali

The Theoretical Case Against Criminalized Copyright Infringement in Canada , Maria Dugas

Language's Empire: A Counter-Telling of Administrative Law in Canada , Nicholas Hooper

Responsible Investing: Access Denied , Keith MacMaster

Recent Developments in Marine Insurance Law and Consequences for Iran , Mohammad Ali Majd

Game of Tones: A Twail-Analysis of the Evolution and Impacts of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Technology Transfer Regime in Africa , Adebayo Majekolagbe

The Scope of Party Autonomy in International Commercial Contracts: A New Dawn? , Akinwumi Olawuyi Ogunranti

Designing a Robust Tax System for Nigeria: Lessons from an International Perspective , Olukemi Tawoju

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

The Global Fight against Base Erosion and Profit Shifting under the OECD’s Country-by-Country Reporting Rules: A Possible Solution? , Oladiwura Ayeyemi Eyitayo-Oyesode

Towards an Effective Regime Against Online Copyright Infringement in India , Ashwin Ramakrishnan

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Justified Outbreak: Bringing Together Law, Public Health, and Ethics During an Infectious Disease Emergency , Clark Colwell

A Future For a Forgotten Predator: Assessment of the Global and Regional Legal Frameworks For Protection and Recovery of the Caribbean Sawfishes Pristis Pristis and Pristis Pectinata and Recommendations For the Course Forward , Olga Koubrak

Conformity or Contradiction: International Health Rights in Canadian Courts , Claire McNeil

Modernizing Pakistan's Blasphemy Law as Hate Speech , Farhan Raouf

The Bill of Lading in an Era of Electronic Commerce: Legal Developments and the Reform Options for Nigeria , Kenneth Ugwuokpe

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

The Proportionality Standard and Constitutional Culture: A Comparative Analysis of Rights Adjudication in Canada and the French Republic , James Peter Barry

Conflict of Laws Aspects in Same-Sex Relationships in Africa: A Comparative Study , Solomon Frimpong Amoateng

Improving Claims Resolution: Alternative Processes in Canada's Immigration System , Nicole M. Melanson

Privacy Protection for Mobile Health (MHEALTH) in Nigeria: A Consideration of the EU Regime for Data Protection as a Conceptual Model for Reforming Nigeria's Privacy Legislation , Olufunke Olawumi Salami

Sex Work and the City: Creating Municipal Licensing Regimes for Brothels , Maria K. Powell

Quebec's Bill 1: A Case Study in Anti-Corruption Legislation and the Barriers to Evidence-Based Law-Making , Graham Steele

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

The Exclusion of Improperly Obtained Evidence at the International Criminal Court: A Principled Approach to Interpreting Article 69(7) of the Rome Statute , Michael Madden

Application of the State Immunity Rule in the International Criminal Justice System: Problems Arising and a Critique of Legal Response Mechanisms , Celestine Nchekwube Ezennia

Detainee Rights and State Obligations: Charting the Shoals Facing the Royal Canadian Navy , Darin Reeves

Enduring Powers of Attorney and Financial Abuse of Older Persons: Are Existing Safeguards Sufficient? , Paula Wedge

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Settlement, Compromise, and Forgiveness in Canadian Income Tax Law , Colin Jackson

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Science on Law's Terms: Implications of Procedural Legitimacy on Scientific Evidence , Nayha Acharya

Making Informed Consent Work in Nigerian Health Care , Oluchukwu Jacinta Aniaka

Social Networking and the Employment Relationship: Is Your Boss Creeping Up On You? , Michael Keliher

Changing Tactics: Rehabilitating Canadian Justice for Traumatized Veterans , J. Jason Samson

Protecting Minority Shareholders in Civil and Common Law Systems: Canadian, Ukrainian and German Examples , Iushchenko Igor Sergiiovych

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

The Works of Jürgen Habermas: A Tool for Further Understanding the Theory and Practice of Restorative Justice , Audrey Laurel Barrett

Defining the Role of Mature Minors in the Medical Research Consent Process , Isabelle M. A. French

Balancing Developed and Developing State Interests under a Regulatory Framework for Foreign Direct Investment: The Potential of the GATS Model , Tumininu Modupe Laiyemo

Ballast Water Management Convention, 2004: Towards Combating Unintentional Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens , Sabitiyu Abosede Lawal

Are we Flipping Coins with the Liberty of Potentially Dangerous Individuals?: A Comparative Analysis , Sébastien David Martineau

The Beasts in the Jungle: Animal Welfare in International Law , Catherine Sykes

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Allocation of Fishing Opportunities in Regional Fisheries Management Organizations: A Legal Analysis in the Light of Equity , Maria Cecilia Engler Palma

A New Governance Approach to Designing an Effective Arrangement for the Sustainable Management of Renewable Marine Resources in the Eastern Caribbean States , Kerith Tristan Kentish

Enforcing Idealism: The Implementation of Complementary International Protection in Canadian Refugee Law , Zofia Przybytkowski

A Bitter Pill to Swallow: Canadian Drug Regulation , Michael Duncan Taylor

Theses/Dissertations from 2006 2006

The Rhetoric of Innovation , Matthew Herder

Theses/Dissertations from 2004 2004

Providing Access to Generic Antiretroviral Drugs to People Living With HIV/AIDS in Developing Countries: An Examination of Legal Obligations , Cheluchi Onyemelukwe

Theses/Dissertations from 2002 2002

The International Criminal Court: A Contextual Study of a Nascent Court within the International Criminal Legal System , Ronald Ian MacKay Rennie

Theses/Dissertations from 2001 2001

Reconstructing a Divided Society: Development of Self-Government and Judicial Reform in Kosovo , Sasha Baglay

The Citizen Submission Process of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation , Jaime Miguel Carreno-Martinez

Finding a Sense of Self in the World: A Process for Overcoming Personal and Collective Alienation after Institutional Abuse , Seetal Kaur Sunga

Theses/Dissertations from 2000 2000

Retrieving the Rejected Stone: Rethinking the Marginalization of the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights , Shedrack Chukwuemeka Agbakwa

Theses/Dissertations from 1999 1999

Women's Equality in the Canadian Criminal Justice System: Something Less than a Fair Shake , P. Michael Cantlon

The Emergence of Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management in Canada's Oceans Act: Challenges of Integrating Fragmented Resource Sectors in Georges Bank, Nova Scotia and Hecate Strait, British Columbia , Gloria Chao

Collective Security and the Legality of the ECOWAS Intervention in the Liberian Civil War , Ikechi Maduka Mgbeoji

Sexual Misconduct of Educators: A Comparison of Decisions of Courts and Tribunals in British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Ontario , Barbara J. Murray

In the Path of Our Ancestors: The Aboriginal Right to Cross the Canada-United States Border , Pamela Palmater

In the Path of our Ancestors: The Aboriginal Right to Cross the Canada-United States Border , Pamela Doris Palmater

Regulation of the International Transport of Packaged Dangerous Goods: The Case for Legislative Integration in a World Convention , Mirsada Stasevic

International Law and the Maritime Carriage of Radioactive Materials: Prospects for the Non-Anthropocentric Greening of International Law , A. Suzette V. Suarez

Prospectus Disclosure and the Role of the Securities Commissions in Ontario and Bangladesh: A Comparative Study , Md. Anowar Zahid

Corporate Control: A Comparative Examination of Corporate Law in Canada and the People's Republic of China , Qin Zhao

Theses/Dissertations from 1998 1998

Recent Challenges to the Protection of Copyright in Literary Works: A Study of Ghana and Canada , Josephine Asmah

The Evolving Duties of Trade Unions Toward their Members: Defining the Duties and Determining the Standards , B. Richard Bell

The Effects of Inadequate Mental Health Resources on the Operation of the Mental Disorder Provisions , Giuseppa Bentivegna

A Matter of Balancing: The Inability to Force Treatment on All Voluntary, Treatment-Incapable Patients in Ontario , Cindy L. Blancher

What a Wonderful World: Multilateral Chemical Management Conventions, Liberalisation Policies and the Chemical Industry , Robin Lynne Cowling

Law on Pollution and Debris from Oil and Gas Drilling and Production Operations Offshore Nova Scotia , Boris B. De Jonge

The Supreme Court of Canada, Parliament and the Charter: Exploring the Limits of the Judicial Function in Criminal Law , Patricia A. Fricker

Use of Discretion in Independent Migrant Selection: A Study of Canadian Immigration Law, Policy and Practice , Philip Lupul

Right to Strike: A Comparison of Canadian and Chinese Law , Tianjiao Yu

Theses/Dissertations from 1997 1997

Effective Environmental Enforcement: The Missing Link to Achieving Sustainable Development , Linda Francis Duncan

Development Projects and Project-Affected Peoples: The Need to Advance Sustainable Development by Establishing an International Development Institutions Inspection Panel to Redress Grievances , Ram Anand Shankar

Theses/Dissertations from 1995 1995

Contaminated Site Liability: The Need for a Remediation Fund , Kathryn Belle Aitkenhead

Dispute Settlement Procedures and the World Trade Organization: A Move Towards an Adjudicative Model , Seema Monga

The Defense of Seaworthiness in Marine Cargo Claims: A Philippine Perspective , Alan Siquijor

Theses/Dissertations from 1994 1994

The Need for a Specialized and Multi-Agency Prosecution Process for Sexual Assault Offences in Nova Scotia , Catherine Cogswell

Theses/Dissertations from 1993 1993

Protecting the Environment During Warfare , Catherine Margaret Campbell

Sortir les fonctionnaires de l'ombre , Michèle L. Caron

The Last Straw: The Impact of Cost Containment in Health Care on Medical Malpractice Law , Timothy A. Caulfield

Corporations and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms: The Dignitarian Exclusion , Timothy Paul Chick

A Comparative Study of Traditional Resource Management and National Legal Systems in North America and the Philippines , Donna Z. Gasgonia

The Regime of International Watercourses and Transboundary Management of the Ganges River Basin , Nahid Islam

The Cat Came Back: The Continued Applicability of Common Law Tort Doctrines in Canadian Maritime Law , William Hastings Laurence

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Home > USC Columbia > Arts and Sciences > Criminology and Criminal Justice > Criminology and Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

Criminology and Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

The Risk of Protection: Examining the Contextual Effects of Child Protective Services on Child Maltreatment Fatalities in the U.S. , Cosette Morgan McCullough

Family Mass Murder: An Exploratory Study Of The Role Of Arson , Rachel Rori Rodriguez Spradley

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Too Feminine for Execution?: Gender Stereotypes and the Media’s Portrayal of Women Sentenced to Death , Kelsey M. Collins

Juveniles, Transferred Juveniles, and the Impact of a Criminal Record on Employment Prospects in Adulthood: An Experimental Study , Joanna Daou

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Why So Long? Examining the Nexus Between Case Complexity and Delay in Florida’s Death Penalty System , Corey Daniel Burton

The Criminalization of HIV and HIV Stigma , Deanna Cann

Views of Substance Use During Pregnancy: Social Responses to the Issue , Taylor Ruddy

The Spatial Variability of Crime: A Review of Methodological Choice, Proposed Models, and Methods for Illustrating the Phenomenon , Matthew D. Spencer

Community Corrections Officer Decision-Making: An Intersectional Analysis , Amber Leigh Williams Wilson

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

The Utility of Using Virtue Locales to Explain Criminogenic Environments , Hunter Max Boehme

Fostering Resilience in Correctional Officers , Jon Thomas Arthur Gist

The Impact of Race/Ethnicity on Sentencing: A Matching Approach , Travis Jones

Unraveling the Temporal Aspects of Victimization: The Reciprocal, Additive, and Cumulative Effects of Direct/Vicarious Victimization on Crime , Yeoju Park

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Media Influence on College Students' Perceptions of the Police , Matilda Foster

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Ohio's Certificate of Relief , Peter Leasure

Trends in the Prevalence of Arrest for Intimate Partner Violence Using the National Crime Victimization Survey , Tara E. Martin

Reading Between the Lines: An Intersectional Media Analysis of Female Sex Offenders in Florida Newspapers , Toniqua C. Mikell

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

The Short-Term Self-Control Stability of College Students , Nicholas James Blasco

Developmental Patterns of Religiosity in Relation to Criminal Trajectories among Serious Offenders across Adolescence and Young Adulthood , Siying Guo

Local Incarceration As Social Control: A National Analysis Of Social, Economic, And Political Determinants Of Jail Use In The United States , Heather M. Ouellette

Association Between Perception Of Police Prejudice Against Minorities And Juvenile Delinquency , Kwang Hyun Ra

A Quasi-Experimental Analysis Of School-Based Situational Crime Prevention Measures , Gary Zhang

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Sex Offender Policies that Spin the Revolving Door: An Exploration of the Relationships Between Residence Restrictions, Homelessness, and Recidivism , Deanna Cann

Untangling the Interconnected Relationships between Alcohol Use, Employment, and Offending , Margaret M. Chrusciel

Inmate Time Utilization And Well-Being , Mateja Vuk

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

The Socio-Legal Construction Of Adolescent Criminality: Examining Race, Community, And Contextual Factors Through The Lens Of Focal Concerns , Patrick Glen Lowery

The Impact Of Deinstitutionalization On Murders Of Law Enforcement Officers , Xueyi Xing

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Relationships Between Law Enforcement Officer-Involved Vehicle Collisions And Other Police Behaviors , John Andrew Hansen

In the Eye of the Beholder: Exploring the Dialogic Approach to Police Legitimacy , Justin Nix

Criminology on Crimes Against Humanity: A North Korean Case Study , Megan Alyssa Novak

General Strain Theory and Bullying Victimization: Do Parental Support and Control Alleviate the Negative Effects of Bullying , Jonathon Thompson

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Adultification in Juvenile Corrections: A Comparison of Juvenile and Adult Officers , Riane Miller Bolin

Perception of Police in Public Housing Communities , Taylor Brickley

Neighborhood Disorganization and Police Decision-Making in the New York City Police Department , Allison Carter

The Impact of Race on Strickland Claims in Federal Courts in the South , Wyatt Gibson

Lead Exposure and Crime , Tara Elaine Martin

GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER: HAZING, HEGEMONIC MASCULINITY, AND VICTIMIZATION , Toniqua Charee Mikell

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Policing Alcohol and Related Crimes On Campus , Andrea Nicole Allen

Gender and Programming: A Comparison of Program Availability and Participation in U.S. Prisons for Men and Women , Courtney A. Crittenden

Assessing the Impact of the Court Response to Domestic Violence in Two Neighboring Counties , Gillian Mira Pinchevsky

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Criminal Sentencing In the Court Communities of South Carolina: An Examination of offender, Judge, and County Characteristics , Rhys Hester

Examining the Effects of Religiosity and Religious Environments On Inmate Misconduct , Benjamin Dane Meade

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Criminologists' Opinions On Correctional Rehabilitation , Heather M. Ouellette

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

A Qualitative Analysis of the Etiology, Manifestation, and Institutional Responses to Self-Injurious Behaviors in Prison , Steven Doty

Theses/Dissertations from 2002 2002

The Effects of Administrative Factors on Police Officer Job Performance , Irick Anthony Geary Jr.

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LLM Thesis: 'Prosecuting Human Trafficking under International Law: Challenges and Responses'

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Lindsay Farmer

J. Dylan van Houcke

Slavery is often considered a historic aspect of the Roman Empire or the slave trade to the New World. However, according to official estimates there are currently around 21 million people enslaved in some way or another. Consequently, there are at present more enslaved people than at any other point in history. Many of these people are caught in a web of human trafficking reminiscent of an archaic and uncivilized world from humanities history. Even though, or probably even because, 20th century Neoliberalism promised us unlimited wealth by means of globalization the reality of the present now paints the totally different picture. One of inequality within and among nations in which consumerism has turned even human beings into a tradable good. The first part of this essay will describe what human trafficking is by determining the definition given by international law. In the second part the current international legal and normative framework will be set out and the problems the approach this framework stands for will be analyzed. The third part of this essay will strive to make clear how the effects of globalization are the main roots of human trafficking and thus an effective strategy combating the problem has to take a holistic approach with human rights considerations at its core. Finally, the fourth part of this essay will deal with the question of both the legal and moral responsibility States have in combating the problem of human trafficking. On the whole, the main argument of this essay will be that the current international legal and normative framework does not adequately combat the issue of human trafficking because it marginalizes the human rights aspect. Furthermore, it will argue that States have a legal and moral obligation to create a more holistic framework and combat the violations of a victim of human trafficking human rights, by the denial of that person’s freedom, in a more effective manner.

Bernard K Freamon

Andréa Mubiayi

Enterprise and Society

Silvia Scarpa

European Review of Organised Crime (EROC)

There is a good understanding of what happens to victims of human trafficking and modern slavery— " working long hours for little or no money or food, forced into a life of crime or pushed into the sex industry. Their entire life and liberty is in the hands of another, with no say and no way out " (Home Office 2013). While human trafficking and modern slavery are intrinsic problems because of the impact they have on victims, a greater threat emerges from the involvement of organised crime. The profit motives and violence associated with organised crime makes human trafficking and modern slavery more dangerous for victims and difficult to detect and address. The role of organised crime in human trafficking and modern slavery is not adequately understood. There is an insufficient understanding of what form organised criminal involvement takes, how cohesive criminal networks are across the supply chain and which elements they are involved in. An alliance of NGOs identified in 2012 how little we know about this part of human trafficking, and there hasn't been a significant growth in the academic literature since then. This Special Issue works towards filling this evidence gap. Each article engages with a different part of the problem. One article focuses on Nigeria, a key source country for human trafficking into Europe. Another focuses on the illegal kidney trade, a growing source of revenue for organised crime groups. The other articles engage with different strategies to respond to human trafficking, including corporate responsibility, multi-stakeholder partnerships, community prosecution, following financial flows and risk assessments. This is the area that needs the most evidence in order to respond effectively. The recognition of human trafficking and modern slavery as an organised crime problem has increased considerably. The UK's Independent Anti-Slavery

Nicole Siller

Considering the number of instruments drafted over the last century, it can be safely asserted that human trafficking has been one of the items at the forefront of the international legislative agenda for the past 110 years. Although the formative agreements consistently recognized the criminality of trafficking in persons, it is evident that they failed in explicitly defining “trafficking” as a criminal offense. It was not until the emergence of the Palermo Protocol that an unequivocal definition of “trafficking” made its way into an international trafficking convention. Notwithstanding this regrettable the loophole, the value and import of these initial instruments as criminal justice tools should not be underestimated. Scholars in the field of human trafficking research have broadly documented the chronology of events in a historical context. Yet, scholarship focused on identifying and isolating “human trafficking” as a legal concept by way of contextualizing the substance provided in each of the 20th century conventions from a criminal justice perspective under international law is scarce. Surprisingly, an in depth and legally critical analysis of these formative international legal instruments has escaped academic scrutiny. Utilizing a meticulous textual analysis of these instruments in conjunction with any relevant preparatory works, this paper’s objectives are three fold. Firstly, it will thoroughly examine the primary international trafficking agreements to ascertain whether criminal justice definitions of “trafficking” exist in each of the documents and if the elements of this crime are accurately understood in each treaty. Secondly, it will determine whether the legal construct of human trafficking as an international criminal concern has evolved over time. Indeed, a textual analysis of each treaty in chronological order reveals the existence of a statutory evolution in international law which manifests itself in scope of the offense, confines of criminal liability, and definition of the crime. Thirdly and finally, it is the purpose of this research to document what constituted trafficking as a criminal offense in these various instruments, to which persons the treaties and conventions provided protections, and to whom criminal liability extended. In traversing through a century of international human trafficking legislation, this paper will aim in contributing to unmask human trafficking as the crime of a thousand faces.

Journal of World History

Sealing Cheng

International Moot Court Competition 2018, Team of the National and Kapodostrian University of Athens

Eleni Kontou

This paper is the memorial of the Office of the Prosecutor in the ICC Moot Court Competition 2018. It examines: a) the existence of an inthernational custom, according to which the newly emerged forms of Human Trafficking, meaning those of debt-bondage and forced labor, consist a crime, different from that of slavery, b) whether legal enitities, such as international companies, can be held liable for committing a crime and c) potential factors that could impact the objectivity and integrity of a member of the judiciary. It is important to underline, that the above mentioned issues, constituted firsts for the ICC. The rapid evolution of the crime of Human Trafficking and its transnational character, has alarmed the OTP of the Court. Therefore, it has directed its policy towards the extraction of an internationally binding legal code against this type of human exploitation.

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Dissertation Topics in Law for LLM Students

• Updated on  
• May 9, 2023

The last academic challenge before the completion of your postgraduate degree is a dissertation or thesis. Many students pursuing LLM are often confused while deciding the correct topic for the dissertation as it requires a lot of research. To help you with the dissertation this blog contains ideal law dissertation topics for LLM in India. Keep reading to know more!

This Blog Includes:

How to choose the best dissertation topic, advantages of choosing a good dissertation topic, criminal law dissertation topics, international law dissertation topics, family law dissertation topics, employment law dissertation topics, international commercial law dissertation topics, law dissertation topics india, intellectual property law topics in dissertation, constitutional law topics in dissertation, sports law topics in dissertation, medical law topics in dissertation, commercial law dissertation topics, company law dissertation topics, tort law dissertation topics, eu law dissertation topics, the english legal system and constitutional and administrative law dissertation topics.

A lot of research and hard work is required to decide what is a correct and valuable topic for the dissertation or thesis. It is seen in various students that before graduation the dissertation is the last hurdle in the way. It is advised to pursue a topic after valuable research and most importantly that goes with the student’s interests.

Also Read: Dissertation Topics

There are an array of benefits when you choose a good and valuable dissertation topic. These advantages include:

• This helps you in the analysis of the topic and deep research.
• Present you with a program to enhance your investigative skills.
• In explaining your subject option, you should be prepared to show how your previous research experiences ended up with great knowledge. 
• You can find a degree of education useful for postgraduate research.

Also Read: Law Entrance Exams: India & Abroad

Criminal law is the body of law regulating crime and criminal activities in India. This proves to be an important topic and is interesting as well. Some of the criminal law dissertation topics are:

• A Significant Study of Struggle against Girls in India
• Case Debate on business trial in India
• An Analysis on Terrorism and Lawlessness Against Infants in India
• A survey on Legislation against private terrorism in India
• Significant Evaluation Of Death Cost In India
• An Analysis of Juvenile Justice System and Order in India
• The appearance of the group is in the criminal law process
• The Root Elements of the Infant Mergers
• White-Collar Crime Law in India
• Criminology and Criminal Justice

Also Read: How to Write a Dissertation?

International law dissertation is another amazing topic where you can add your relevant thoughts. Some of the unique international law dissertation topics are:

• What are the significant aspects of collective civil obligations in now’s global order?
• What are the causes that cause application of foreign order at the state standard also complex?
• Figure out the very important issues encountered by establishing universal rules.
• What are the effects of accelerated market restraints on people? Can such a thing be explained?
• What are global challenges encountered by international businessmen, when installing service projects in third group societies?
• What are the effects of letting offenders continue to their native land for action?
• How seeing abuse as a foreign war case will change the position of African people?
• What are the important challenges encountered by companies that are coming in the global travel industry from the ocean.
• What universal rules regulate copy? How should this case be corrected?
• Which governmental law of the UK is sufficiently sufficient to be carried out universally?

Also Read: What is a Dissertation? Meaning, Projects, Report Work

Some of the most important and unique family law dissertation topics are:

• Separation case for father and female representatives of the group, makes it favour any particular gender or is it merely a sense
• Matrimonial Act and how it affects women who join without their permission. What is the attitude of decisions about made mergers and how can one explain it in the court of decision
• Residential part by stepmothers and offspring, how goes on the case provide everybody has their got right and place
• Youth insurance problems in the unified kingdom, which of the state shows to have very trouble with such arguments and why is it so
• Adolescent abuse-is it important to discipline your children and youths? What is the perimeter between youth abuse and correcting your children for setting their limits
• Internal disorder and its effect on the boy and female representatives personally, which of them picks up a greater claim in the mind of order and how can we get rid of that biasness
• Protection problems for separated mothers, how goes on it go and what goes on the statute have to do about the protection of the child for each mother
• How looks at the proper form thing if a man is incapable to provide and provide his house owing to lack or scarcity of means
• Long-distance communications and their fair significance cut off from the spiritual and artistic attitudes
• Minor job- what are we looking at to abolish it and how goes on our constitutional process set limits and provide that they are found

Employment law dissertation enables you to craft perfect research on your thesis or dissertation. Some of the employment law dissertation topics are:

• The link between trade and morality in the UK. An academic context.
• A study of the relationship between sports departments and their service contracts.
• The effect of variation in the business decisions of the UK after starting the EU.
• The task of infant employment regulations in the UK. How does the judiciary remain fighting developing youth employment?
• The influence of civil responsibility service in UK regulations.
• A study of the market association in the UK study of the business requirements and principles.
• A provisional review of business decisions in the station waggon part of the UK and EU. Who gets the first job benefit and rights insurance systems?
• An in-depth study of justice fees in the validities of UK legislation.

Some of the international commercial law dissertations you can choose from are:

• An assessment of the enemy-pollution bill in the UK. Its origins and effects on the state leaders.
• A strategic study of the joint cloak and how the decision can pass through it.
• The performance of UK legislation in affecting joint difficulties while preserving major human rights.
• A symposium on the differences enveloping the purview of field 33 groups do 2006 in the UK
• The effects of setting reasonable requirements for the principal’s needs. How does the organisation do well under this?
• An in-depth assessment of economic regulation programs at attending institutions in the UK.
• The effect of UNCITRAL’s performance on the unification of universal economic legislation in the UK.

Also Read: How to Write Acknowledgement for Dissertation?

Some of the Indian legal topics you can choose for your dissertation are:

• Handgun Case in India: Provision of a Different Structure
•  Animal investigation: Order in India
• Wire advertising and constitutional structure
•  Joint Civil Power and change
• Moral Orders and Cases in producing societies
• Men Investigations and Indian constitutional practice
•  Improvement of infants and proper conflict

Some of the catchy and interesting dissertation topics that you can choose as a dissertation topic for law assignment:

• Scientific advances and present IP rule in India
• IP rules and the safety of/on Internet
•  New patent statutes and digitalisation

Also Read: University of Law: Eligibility, Application, Courses & More

Here are some of the finest dissertation or thesis topics for constitutional law dissertation topics are:

• Accident plans in India: A study
• Legal exploitation and its interest: An assessment
• Application of International Cases in Indian Legal Structure
• Able expression in virtual life and Indian Custom

Also Read: Dissertation vs Thesis

A constantly fascinating subject, sports provides a large range of fields and issues to judge from to create your analysis report. It can deal with universal order, national order, carrying out parties, power, and often better.

Here are some of the finest dissertation (thesis)points on Sports law:

• Doping and Sports: National and International fair innuendo
• Legalisation of speculating in India: Law and Cons
• Handling sports organisations and their constitutional ramifications
• Transgender animals and Indian Custom

Medical law dissertation is another great topic you can choose from, some of the medical law dissertation topics are:

• Member retention: Fair experts and cons
• Miscarriage in India: A global review
• Made fertilisation: Provision of primary training to find out these matters
• Supported suicide: Fair, honest and therapeutic ethics
• Animal torture: A fair claim research

Also Read: Law Courses

Commercial Law is one such topic where a wide area of study is to be covered because it cannot be described within a single legal jurisdiction. A commercial law dissertation often involves comparisons with other countries. Listed below are some topics for Commercial Law Dissertation:

• A critical assessment of the international commercial arbitration system as a cost-effective and efficient means to administer justice in commercial disputes
• An assessment of security over personal property when it comes to the matter of possessory and non-possessory forms of security and other legal devices
• An investigation of the emergence of new manifestations of international commercial law
• A critical assessment of the passing of risk in the commercial law in England and Wales
• A critical assessment of the Future of consumer protection in England and Wales in the post-Brexit era

There is a great scope of producing an effective Company Law Dissertation as it provides you with potential sources. From the Companies Act 2006 to corporate governance, you have a lot of options to choose from. Listed below are some great Company Law Dissertation Topics:

• A critical analysis of the shareholder versus stakeholder basis of corporate governance
• Arguments for and against ‘stakeholder theory’ and to what extent are they still valid?
• Should the OECD’s Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital 2010 be ratified into UK Law?
• To what extent has Environmental Law merged together Vicarious and Corporate Liability
• Is the English maintenance of the “internal management” model failing to bring company law in the 21st Century?

The word Tort comes from the Latin term torture which means “Wrong”. In simple terms, Tort Law is supposed to address the civil wrongs done to a person, accidentally or incidentally. The victim/injured/aggrieved party is provided with compensation for the damages.

This area of law is one of the most important aspects of law study as it demonstrates the circumstances through which an individual is held accountable for another party’s injury either done intentionally or omissions or even by accident. Listed below are some topics for a Tort Law Dissertation to make it easier for you to draft an effective dissertation:

• Importance of foreseeability and policy in establishing a duty of care
• Analysis of the rules regarding the recovery of economic losses in tortious actions
• When it comes to matters of occupiers’ liability under the Occupiers Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984 respectively, when is a trespasser, not a trespasser?
• Wrongful Restraint of a man’s Liberty: Meaning, Defense and Remedy
• Why might the duty of care afforded to children be considered to be a step too far regarding the recognition of tortious liability?

Also Read: All About PhD Thesis

EU Law is considered as an expandable area of academic interest, particularly due to the UK’s recent Brexit from the Union. There is a wide range of dissertation topics you can consider for an EU Law Dissertation, from UK’s Brexit to the superiority of EU Law. Listed below are some great dissertation topics to start with your EU Law Dissertation:

• Critical Analysis of the UK’s Separation from the EU.
• Brexit and EU economy: How the UK’s decision has affected EU trade.
• An argument: Is EU Law actually superior?
• Importance of the enforcement actions against EU Member States as part of the European law-making process.
• How has the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 1950 contributed to the recognition of human rights internationally?

The English Legal System and Constitutional and Administrative Law may be classified into 3 key areas-

• The nature of the Constitution may be considered in areas including, but not limited to, the recognition and application of conventions and the rule of law. 
• Evaluation of the roles of the legislature, executive and parliament in the context of the recognition of the separation of powers, which could include legislation’s passage through Parliament, the delegation of legislation, the relationship between Parliament, the crown and the Royal Prerogative, and the executive, legislative and judiciary’s relationship.
• Judicial Review includes the basis for intervention, such as ultra vires and illegality, procedural irregularity, irrationality, proportionality, and the nemo judex rule.

A number of areas can be covered in this dissertation as the English Legal System and Constitutional and Administrative Law is quite different from other legal systems as the role of the judge differs in an adversarial system. The major difference is in how a trial is pursued. Some topics for an English Legal System and Constitutional and Administrative Law Dissertation are as mentioned below:

• The Role of natural justice  in the UK Constitution
• Are conventions still a valid part of the UK Constitution?
• Is the Royal Prerogative an essential part of the British Constitution?
• Are the current models of statutory interpretation fit for purpose, especially as the jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) infer a more active approach for judges?
• In what ways will the relationship between constitutional and administrative law in England and Wales be affected by Brexit?

The following are the popular law universities in the world: Harvard University Columbia University Stanford University

Here are some of the finest dissertation or thesis topics for constitutional law dissertation topics are: Accident plans in India: A study Legal exploitation and its interest: An assessment Application of International Cases in the Indian Legal Structure Able expression in virtual life and Indian Custom

The average salary of a lawyer in India is 3.5 Lakh per year.

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How a U.S. Government Shutdown Impacts Courts & Access to Justice

by Victoria Rea May 13, 2024 Civil Dialogue

P olarization in the U.S. Congress and heated debate over legislation that funds government operations has increasingly led to threats of a “government shutdown.” While this was narrowly avoided near the end of 2023 with a continuation measure, the threat persists. The situation is exacerbated by a lack of clear leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, where the margins are frequently slim and there is a lack of decisive majority regardless of which party is in control. But why is a government shutdown relevant to the principles of separation of power and access to justice?

First, let’s examine the separation of powers in the United States.

The foundation of the American government lies in the principle of separation of powers, dividing authority among three branches: the executive (the President), the legislative (Congress), and the judicial (courts). The system of separation is designed to act as a check and balance mechanism, preventing the abuse of power by any one branch. Central to this arrangement is Article I of the United States Constitution, which assigns the appropriation and control of government funds solely to Congress. The failure to pass an appropriation bill results in federal departments and programs losing access to funding and ultimately a government shutdown.

The History and Anatomy of a Government Shutdown

A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to approve funding for the federal government before the start of the new fiscal year, which occurs every year on October 1. Congress must pass 12 appropriation bills annually, specifying the discretionary spending budget and funding levels for federal agencies.

Prior to 1980, the three branches of government would continue operations during budget gaps under the assumption that Congress would eventually approve spending at their current levels. This changed during the administration of President Jimmy Carter, when then-U.S. Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti issued guidance that the Antideficiency Act prohibits government agencies from spending money prior to its being appropriated.

Since this opinion in 1980, there have been 21 government shutdowns, but three stand out in recent history.

• The first was a 21-day shutdown in 1995-96 that occurred over opposition to spending cuts during President Bill Clinton’s administration.
• The second was a 16-day shutdown in 2013 caused by disputes over the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) during President Barack Obama’s administration.
• The third and longest was a 35-day shutdown of 2018-19 caused by disputes on the funding of expansion barriers at the US-Mexico border during President Donald Trump’s administration. This remains the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

Reasons for shutdowns range from disagreements over fund allocation to arguments over specific agencies or causes. According to an  article in Fast Company , government shutdowns are becoming more common as the political parties have become more fractious.

Impact on Access to Justice

Unlike executive branch agencies, the federal courts can continue operations for about two weeks following a government shutdown. When a shutdown loomed in September 2019, the  U.S. federal courts confirmed  they could use reserve or carryover funds accumulated from various revenue sources not dependent on Congress, such as case filing fees. When courts are on notice that a government shutdown may be looming, they can take steps to conserve funds by deferring non-critical expenses — for example, by curbing travel, new hires, and certain contracts.

Access to the courts is fundamental to American democracy; however, not all court functions are deemed essential during a government shutdown.

While courts attempt to operate using reserve funds, their resources are limited. With less funding courts may delay cases, reduce operating hours, and suspend certain court functions.

Under the Antideficiency Act only “essential work” related to the “safety of human life and protection of property,” such as criminal prosecutions, continues unhindered. Civil cases, on the other hand, often experience significant delays. Imposing a moratorium on civil trials was even suggested as a money-saving measure in a prior shutdown.

Uniqueness to the United States

These types of government shutdowns are unique to the United States. In parliamentary systems, stalemates are less likely to be solely due to the majority status of the prime minister and their party within the legislature. Other presidential systems often empower the executive branch to maintain government function even without an approved budget.

The recurring nature of U.S. government shutdowns, especially in recent history, raises questions about the effectiveness of the separation of powers. Arguments  for the current system  reinforce the vital constitutional principle of Congress’ “power of the purse.” Others raise concerns about the Framers’ original intent and suggest limits to the scope of this power. For example, Professor Allen E. Shoenberger of Loyola University of Chicago School of Law  reasons that shutdowns may be unconstitutional  insofar that closing the government is “fundamentally inconsistent with the constitutional plan of producing an effective, vigorous government.”

As a lawyer from New Zealand studying law in the United States, I believe the economic, political, and social ramifications from a government shutdown should be weighed against Congress’ unfettered power to approve appropriations. Should the trend of shutdowns continue, perhaps the U.S. could consider implementing an override option similar to that of other jurisdictions — where the executive or the judiciary could implement temporary measures to sustain the operation of government.

Victoria Rea  (LLM ’24) is a Student Fellow for the Civics Education Project. At Duke, she also serves on the Board for the Human Rights  Pro Bono Program  and is one of the Law School Representatives on the  Graduate and Professional School Government . Victoria is admitted as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand. Prior to attending Duke, she worked in civil litigation for five years, including for the Wellington Crown Solicitor on public litigation for the government.

DISCLAIMER:  This article is an academic commentary, intended for general educational purposes only. It may not reflect current law nor is intended to provide legal advice or guidance on litigation. Views expressed belong solely to the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Bolch Judicial Institute or Duke Law School.