50
English law is the most frequently chosen governing law in international commercial transactions. Polish lawyers and entrepreneurs are increasingly likely to encounter contracts governed by English law or, for tax or regulatory reasons, to register businesses in the UK.
Important sectors of the global economy are heavily influenced by English commercial law, including: international trade agreements, M&A, banking and finance, shipping and dispute resolution (including international arbitration). Moreover, many countries’ national laws are based on legal principles derived from English law, including many of the 56 Commonwealth countries and the United States of America.
Put briefly, English commercial law is extremely useful for anyone conducting international business or intending to advise others on how to do so. It also provides an interesting comparative legal perspective to those who are familiar with the provisions and mechanisms of Polish law.
50
2 semesters
English
postgraduate studies
5000 zł
The programme comprises 180 hours of studies, divided into four main modules. Other, additional topics may be addressed, depending upon the specialisation of the UK guest lecturers who teach on the course in the particular academic year.
| No. | Study Block | Form of studies | No. of hours of theoretical studies | No. of hours of practical studies | ECTS points |
| 1. | Company law in the UK (part I) | Lectures and workshops | 12 | 24 | 12 |
| 2. | Company law in the UK (part II) | Lectures and workshops | 12 | 24 | 12 |
| 3. | Commercial transactions (part I) | Lectures and workshops | 6 | 12 | 6 |
| 4. | Commercial transactions (part II) | Lectures and workshops | 6 | 12 | 6 |
| 5. | Intellectual property law | Lectures and workshops | 12 | 24 | 12 |
| 6. | International commercial litigation and arbitration | Lectures and workshops | 12 | 24 | 12 |
The course is taught entirely in English by native speakers who have considerable academic and professional experience in commercial law (including experience of teaching these subjects for Cambridge University).
The following three UW WPiA lecturers who are permanently-based in Warsaw and deliver the majority of lectures and classes are also teachers of the British Law Centre:
- Dr Stephen Terrett (adwokat),
- Ruairi O'Neill (barrister),
- Will Odogwu.
Guest lecturers include distinguished academics and lawyers from the UK, including from Cambridge University and leading law firms.
Mode of study and frequency of meetings
The course is taught via lectures and workshops. Participants can either attend face-to-face at WPiA, or online.
Lectures take place Monday to Friday (18:30-20:00) over 14 selected weeks between October 2023 and June 2024. Details are available in this teaching schedule.
Workshops happen (09:30-13:30) on 8 Saturdays between October 2023 and June 2024. Details are available in this teaching schedule.
In order to graduate the studies, candidates must pass 4 multiple-choice tests – one in each of the 4 course blocks (i.e. Company law; Commercial Transactions; Intellectual Property law and International commercial litigation and arbitration).
In blocks consisting of two parts (i.e. Company Law and Commercial Transactions) a single test is set at the end of the second parts – i.e. there is not a test for each separate part.
The course lecturers prepare candidates for each test in advance.
Graduates of the course will have a significantly enhanced knowledge of core principles and documents of English commercial law. They will be able to advise clients on a wide variety of legal and practical issues that may affect their business. They will also gain a new comparative perspective on familiar Polish commercial law.
To apply for the course, please click here.
These postgraduate studies in English commercial law are available to university graduates (with a master's or bachelor's degree or an engineering degree), regardless of their field of study. Teaching is conducted entirely in English by native-speakers, so candidates should be able to understand and read English to at least B2 level. If a candidate does not possess proof of language proficiency, he/she may undertake these studies if their linguistic ability is confirmed by the Head of Studies, inter alia during a recruitment interview.
Admission to the studies is determined by the order of application via the IRK system. A candidate for studies must have a university degree (at least at level VI PRK), register in the IRK system and pay a recruitment fee of PLN 85.
Required documents
After registering in the IRK system, each candidate must submit the following documents:
1) If the candidate’s higher education diploma was issued outside Poland, he/she must supply:
The complete set of documents should be submitted in person or by post to:
Postgraduate Studies in English Commercial Law
Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Warsaw
Collegium Iuridicum IV
ul. Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 47
00-347 Warsaw
Registration: 08.07.2024 - 24.10.2024
Deadline for paying registration fee: 25.10.2024
Information on whether a candidate has been accepted to the Studies: by 31.10.2024
Period for receiving application documents: 08.07.20243 - 25.10.2024
Fees can be paid on 1, 2 or 4 instalments, as below. Payments options are chosen during the application procedure.
5 000 zł – one-off payment, payable by 31 October 2024
5 800 zł – two instalments, payable as follows:
6 000 zł – four instalments, payable as follows: