Studying maritime law courses

Why should one learn a maritime law course?

Want to be a lawyer or advocate? You must first earn a legal degree. You must also choose a speciality area, such as criminal, civil, employment, or family court. This article will discuss maritime law, covering how to become licensed, what you will study, and what you can expect to earn. In addition, we will also discuss the other benefits you can have by studying maritime law courses in your legal career. This blog focuses on maritime courses in Uk, but also includes information regarding the opportunities and scope in the Us. 

What exactly is maritime law?

Maritime law, sometimes known as marine law, is a subfield of law that focuses on concerns that arise offshore. This included marine policy, marine trade, and admiralty. Few are aware that maritime regulations are very different from that on land.

From mishaps caused by fishing vessels colliding, finding buried treasures, and workers' privileges while operating on the water to tensions resulting from environmental concerns, the rule of the sea governs them all. 

What prerequisites do I need?

As with most business degrees, the offered curriculum will vary by country. For most countries, including Singapore, the United Kingdom, and many others, legal degrees are awarded as an LLB, after which students must pass the Solicitors Certification Exam and complete a training contract.

Instead, a Bachelor of Arts in Law (B.L.) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) is given. Remember that certain colleges opt to distinguish between LLB and B.A. curricula; the former concentrates only on the law while the latter permits students to take modules on other topics. They are known as a PhD in Law (JSD), Doctor of Juridical Science, or Doctor of Laws. They place a greater emphasis on academic research.

In countries such as the United States, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, and Australia, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) is provided instead. In these nations, you must first get a bachelor's degree in a different field before pursuing graduate-level legal study. A Juris Doctor requires three years of study.

After getting their J.D., students can pursue a Master of Laws (LLM) in a specified area of concentration. For attorneys who do not hold a J.D., an LLM will allow them to practise in jurisdictions that need a J.D. Maritime law courses in the United States need prospective students to take the LSATs (Law School Admission Test) to get admission.

Some schools allow their students to work pro bono (on a volunteer basis) with actual clients to earn vital experience and legal abilities that will be useful when looking for opportunities after graduation.

Law in Elearning platforms

These days many universities are also offering distance learning facilities for legal studies. There are many maritime law courses in distance learning mode. The LLM program offered by the Jindal institute is an example of this.

This is the age of technology; we are exposed to the technological advancements of the era. The above discussed are all traditional educational methods, but the world has moved a very long distance since the period of Queen Victoria. We have online maritime law courses available; they are effortless and as effective as the traditional courses. It's the era of decentralised education, and online maritime courses are what we have here. They are less time-consuming, cost-effective and extremely convenient. 

There are plenty of free online maritime law courses available for those who are only looking to gain knowledge in the subject. They are the perfect choice for a category of individuals for whom it has nothing to with their career but still love it. But, for the one who has law as a career and wants to know more about maritime law, there are paid online maritime law courses available. These courses, like the one offered by Elearn college, offer a certificate of great value at the end of the course. 

There are also free online maritime law courses with certificate 

What will I be taught?

In the initial years of the LLB in marine law, students are taught law principles, including an introduction to legal procedures, the law system, research work, critical thinking, and literacy.

You will study further criminal procedure, securities law, agreements, the law research and system, law of torts, property law, and criminal justice in your second year of law school. In your third year, you will complete the remaining core courses in labour law, health care law, equity and trusts, family law, data protection law, marine law and international law.  

As with most bachelor's degrees, maritime law courses begin with mandatory core modules and eventually offer greater choices to select law topics geared to a certain job path. In addition, students are taught through a mix of seminars, workshops, group discussions, speeches, class discussions, and "mooting sessions" — practical legal education in a court environment – to learn essential legal skills, including analysis and research, public speaking, and argument development.

Do I need a master's degree in marine law?

 At the graduate level, maritime law is often studied as an LLM (Master's in Maritime Law). However, just a few colleges provide bachelor's degrees or Juris doctorates. Students must possess an LLB in Law or a degree in a relevant field, such as English, political science, history, sociology, economics, or business. It will be advantageous if these degrees have a substantial legal component.

Many graduates continue their legal education beyond the undergraduate level to further their careers as attorneys. So, the needed legal education will vary depending on the nation you intend to practise in and the sort of legal job you wish to pursue. Typically, this comprises more study, examinations, and formal work placements for practical legal training.

What competencies will I need?

The ideal characteristics of a marine lawyer are:

Analytical talents

Critical reasoning abilities

Personable

Independent Team player

Articulate

Natural problem-solver

Placement possibilities

Before graduating from maritime law courses in the U.K., we strongly advise students to do at least one internship or placement to improve their employment prospects in a highly competitive job market. Internships and placements give vital work experience and the ideal opportunity to network with industry professionals. Your internship may lead to a full-time position after graduation!

How much can I anticipate earning as a marine attorney?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual compensation for attorneys after maritime law courses in the United States is USD 126,930. On the other hand, in the best legal firms in the United Kingdom, beginning wages might range between GBP 60,000 and GBP 90,000. (Graduate Prospects 2020).

What are the employment prospects for marine attorneys?

As a marine attorney, you may encounter a variety of cases. Injuries and working conditions at sea, cargo, shipping, trade, and any form of unlawful activity at sea, including both business and pleasure, might be included.

This makes a job in the marine industry both interesting and hard. Maritime law is distinct from land law. Depending on the flags flown by the ships, these matters will come under the maritime jurisdiction of the appropriate nation.

One day you may be arguing cases in court; the next day, you may be drafting documents, the following week, you may be negotiating agreements and handling complaints about injuries or illnesses caused by maritime vessels, and on another occasion, you may be investigating complaints about a company dumping toxic waste into nearby waters.

Employers

You can work for government agencies and non-government organisations. Protection and indemnification clubs, local and international law firms, international maritime organisations, multinational enterprises are some places where you can start a career. In addition, you can choose to work on land or be located aboard a ship while travelling the world.

You can operate as an independent marine lawyer or as part of a company. As a result, you can also become a consultant in any of these fields.

What does a successful career in maritime law look like?

There are plenty of successful maritime lawyers around the world; most of them possess a great deal of social influence and earn a six-figure without a doubt. Harry Theochary of Norton Rose Fulbright is an example of a successful maritime lawyer. 

If you have the will to succeed, success is not far from you. It is all about the conviction you have and the effort you put in. Maybe the free online maritime courses you do will take you to a successful career in maritime law.

Conclusion

If you are a lawyer or interested in maritime law courses, they offer you plenty of opportunities. In this age of technology, there is nothing that can stop you from your will to learn. There are extremely convenient online maritime law courses available; they can follow your passion for learning maritime law of your age, profession and financial situation.