COURSE CURRICULUM

The LLM in Law and Digital Innovation at the University of Galway is designed for law graduates, legal professionals, and technologists seeking to understand and shape the rapidly evolving relationship between law and digital technology. The program responds to the growing need for lawyers and law firms to rethink traditional processes in light of artificial intelligence, data-driven systems, digital platforms, and emerging legal technologies. It is particularly suited to those interested in digital legal services, innovation in legal practice, and access to justice, as well as careers in law firms, technology companies, regulatory bodies, and policy institutions.Moving beyond a narrow focus on technology regulation, the program encourages students to explore legal futures. Emerging technologies are examined not only as subjects of regulation but also as catalysts for transforming how legal services are delivered, disputes are resolved, and justice is pursued in a digital society. Project-based modules form a central feature of the curriculum, with students collaborating to design and test digital solutions in partnership with real organisations. This ensures graduates develop both theoretical depth and practical, innovation-focused skills.The program consists of 90 credits, including 70 credits of core modules. Core subjects include Advanced Legal Research & Method (10 credits), The Future of Law (5 credits), Design Thinking for Lawyers I and II (5 credits each), Computation and Law (10 credits), Digital Transformation and Access to Justice (5 credits), and a 30-credit minor thesis or work placement. The supervised thesis or placement enables students to apply legal theory to real-world digital challenges.Students complete 20 credits of optional modules, which may be selected from Business Information Systems offerings at the JE Cairnes School of Business and Economics or from a wide range of LLM modules. Business Information Systems options include Business Modelling and Analytics, Decision Theory, AI and Analytics, Systems Development & Project Management, Philosophy of Information and Information Ethics, Storytelling through Data Visualisation, and Data Science and Big Data Analytics. Additional LLM options span areas such as EU Competition Law, International Human Rights Law, International Criminal Law, Climate Justice, Transnational Lawyering, Advocacy and Access to Justice, and many others, allowing students to tailor their academic pathway.