how to choose a phd topic in law

5 Tips for Choosing Your DLP Dissertation Topic

Faculty Insights Law & Criminology Public Health & Public Policy

Kimberly Larson, associate teaching professor and director of Northeastern’s Doctor of Law and Policy program , shares her advice for students choosing the subject of their doctoral research.

Northeastern’s Doctor of Law and Policy Program (DLP) is focused on developing scholar-practitioners who wish to advance their field of practice. Students join the program from a variety of fields, such as government, human services, and higher education. During the program, professionals come together from their respective disciplines with the common goal of pursuing their passions through doctoral research and thinking deeply about how to advance their fields. The DLP Program provides legal and policy frameworks that students can use to pursue research in their respective fields and areas of interest.

Choosing a topic of study can feel daunting at first, but the coursework in the Doctor of Law and Policy Program, along with our expert faculty, are here to support you through this journey. Keep in mind—many students successfully navigate this journey every year. Below are a few tips to think about in considering what you might want to pursue within your doctoral research.

5 Tips for Choosing Your Doctoral Thesis or Dissertation Topic

1. consider the “fit” between your research and professional goals..

Students returning to obtain a doctoral degree after gaining experience in their field often have specific career goals.

Is your goal to advance in your current position?

One might, for example, choose a topic that will be applicable within their current field but in a more advanced role. Engaging in doctoral research and earning an advanced degree provides these students the opportunity to showcase their ambitions to their current employers. Or perhaps their thesis might help address a particular question that their current employer may be interested in.

Do you want to pivot in your current field? Or are you embarking upon a new journey altogether?

Those looking to make a career change might utilize their thesis to establish themselves as an expert on a topic in the area to which they would like to make a shift. Students also often utilize their committee to make professional connections that can help support them in a career change or advancement.

Reflecting on your objectives and making strategic decisions can help you focus in on a topic that will help you reach your professional goals.

2. Read more about your topic of interest.

Regardless of your professional expertise, students will need to read and master related scholarly literature as part of the thesis process. Why not get a jump start on this? Students’ best “ah-ha!” moments about their research question or methodological approach often come from reviewing recent literature in their area of interest. Explore available literature to see what questions are open and where there are existing gaps in the literature that you might address with your project.

3. Consider topics you are passionate about.

Students should choose a subject that they feel strongly about, and that will sustain their interest over the course of the dissertation process. Is there an issue about which you are passionate? Is there a particular question that you don’t feel is being adequately addressed within your field? When choosing a dissertation topic, these questions are both good places to start. Then, you can continue your exploration by diving into reading on that topic.

One student, for example, parlayed their interest in housing policy into research by examining potential technological solutions to housing crunches for low-income individuals in urban areas. As such, this was the focus of their thesis in the DLP program. They were also able to open up a business and obtain patents to very practically effect change once they graduated.

4. Contemplate the contribution you want to make to your field of study.

Some of the best research ideas come from one’s field of practice. DLP students often choose their doctoral thesis questions from those that are currently pressing within their professional field. Examining a question from one’s professional area gives the student a competitive advantage, as they likely already have a depth of professional experience in that area, and also helps ensure that the issue to be addressed is a problem in the field that needs solving and has practical application.

5. Work with the support of your faculty advisor to focus your research questions.

While it’s best to enter your doctoral program with an idea of what you’d like to study, the faculty is there to help support you and hone your questions. After you’ve considered your goals and reviewed the literature in your area of interest, your thesis advisor and committee become invaluable resources in narrowing your question and developing a project that you’re excited about and can be completed during your doctoral program. Most students begin with a project idea that is very ambitious. The iterative review process, along with one’s committee, is designed to help you settle upon a project that both addresses an important problem of practice or gap in the extant literature and allows you to graduate on time. Always remember—this is just one study that marks the start of what will hopefully become your ongoing contributions to the scholarship in your field.

Examples of Past DLP Thesis Titles

Below are some real-world examples of theses pursued by Northeastern’s Doctor of Law and Policy students:

New Models of Private Sector Financing of Not-For-Profit Corporations
Department of Defense Source Selection Procedural Ambiguities
The Impact of College Cost on Low-Income Students at Private (Not-for-Profit), Four-Year Institutions in New England
Zero Tolerance Policing: An Evaluation of the NYPD’s Use of Stop and Frisk
Social Determinants of Vulnerability Framework: Incorporating the Needs of People into Mitigation, Response, and Recovery
An Evaluation of Integration Programs for Deportees in Latin America and the Caribbean
What Can Higher Education Administrators Learn from the Healthcare Industry’s Experience with Regulatory and Policy Change? A Success Framework
Social Media Legitimacy: a New Framework for Public Participation and the Behavior of Organizations
Nuclear Arsenals at Low Numbers: When Less Is Different
Federalism and Federal Food Safety Procedures: Implementing the 2010 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Across the 50 States

To learn more about Northeastern’s Doctor of Law and Policy program , explore our program page or get in touch with an enrollment counselor to get your questions answered.

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How to Choose a PhD Research Topic
Finding a PhD

Introduction

Whilst there are plenty of resources available to help prospective PhD students find doctoral programmes, deciding on a research topic is a process students often find more difficult.

Some advertised PhD programmes have predefined titles, so the exact topic is decided already. Generally, these programmes exist mainly in STEM, though other fields also have them. Funded projects are more likely to have defined titles, and structured aims and objectives.

Self funded projects, and those in fields such as arts and humanities, are less likely to have defined titles. The flexibility of topic selection means more scope exists for applicants to propose research ideas and suit the topic of research to their interests.

A middle ground also exists where Universities advertise funded PhD programmes in subjects without a defined scope, for example: “PhD Studentship in Biomechanics”. The applicant can then liaise with the project supervisor to choose a particular title such as “A study of fatigue and impact resistance of biodegradable knee implants”.

If a predefined programme is not right for you, then you need to propose your own research topic. There are several factors to consider when choosing a good research topic, which will be outlined in this article.

How to Choose a Research Topic

Our first piece of advice is to PhD candidates is to stop thinking about ‘finding’ a research topic, as it is unlikely that you will. Instead, think about developing a research topic (from research and conversations with advisors).

Consider several ideas and critically appraise them:

You must be able to explain to others why your chosen topic is worth studying.
You must be genuinely interested in the subject area.
You must be competent and equipped to answer the research question.
You must set achievable and measurable aims and objectives.
You need to be able to achieve your objectives within a given timeframe.
Your research question must be original and contribute to the field of study.

We have outlined the key considerations you should use when developing possible topics. We explore these below:

Focus on your interests and career aspirations

It is important to choose a topic of research that you are genuinely interested in. The decision you make will shape the rest of your career. Remember, a full-time programme lasts 3-4 years, and there will be unforeseen challenges during this time. If you are not passionate about the study, you will struggle to find motivation during these difficult periods.

You should also look to your academic and professional background. If there are any modules you undertook as part of your Undergraduate/Master degree that you particularly enjoyed or excelled in? These could form part of your PhD research topic. Similarly, if you have professional work experience, this could lead to you asking questions which can only be answered through research.

When deciding on a PhD research topic you should always consider your long-term career aspirations. For example, as a physicist, if you wish to become an astrophysicist, a research project studying black holes would be more relevant to you than a research project studying nuclear fission.

Read dissertations and published journals

Reading dissertations and published journals is a great way to identify potential PhD topics. When reviewing existing research ask yourself:

What has been done and what do existing results show?
What did previous projects involve (e.g. lab-work or fieldwork)?
How often are papers published in the field?
Are your research ideas original?
Is there value in your research question?
Could I expand on or put my own spin on this research?

Reading dissertations will also give you an insight into the practical aspects of doctoral study, such as what methodology the author used, how much data analysis was required and how was information presented.

You can also think of this process as a miniature literature review . You are searching for gaps in knowledge and developing a PhD project to address them. Focus on recent publications (e.g. in the last five years). In particular, the literature review of recent publications will give an excellent summary of the state of existing knowledge, and what research questions remain unanswered.

If you have the opportunity to attend an academic conference, go for it! This is often an excellent way to find out current theories in the industry and the research direction. This knowledge could reveal a possible research idea or topic for further study.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

Discuss research topic ideas with a PhD supervisor

Discuss your research topic ideas with a supervisor. This could be your current undergraduate/masters supervisor, or potential supervisors of advertised PhD programmes at different institutions. Come to these meetings prepared with initial PhD topic ideas, and your findings from reading published journals. PhD supervisors will be more receptive to your ideas if you can demonstrate you have thought about them and are committed to your research.

You should discuss your research interests, what you have found through reading publications, and what you are proposing to research. Supervisors who have expertise in your chosen field will have insight into the gaps in knowledge that exist, what is being done to address them, and if there is any overlap between your proposed research ideas and ongoing research projects.

Talking to an expert in the field can shape your research topic to something more tangible, which has clear aims and objectives. It can also find potential shortfalls of your PhD ideas.

It is important to remember, however, that although it is good to develop your research topic based on feedback, you should not let the supervisor decide a topic for you. An interesting topic for a supervisor may not be interesting to you, and a supervisor is more likely to advise on a topic title which lends itself to a career in academia.

Another tip is to talk to a PhD student or researcher who is involved in a similar research project. Alternatively, you can usually find a relevant research group within your University to talk to. They can explain in more detail their experiences and suggest what your PhD programme could involve with respect to daily routines and challenges.

Look at advertised PhD Programmes

Use our Search tool , or look on University PhD listing pages to identify advertised PhD programmes for ideas.

What kind of PhD research topics are available?
Are these similar to your ideas?
Are you interested in any of these topics?
What do these programmes entail?

The popularity of similar PhD programmes to your proposed topic is a good indicator that universities see value in the research area. The final bullet point is perhaps the most valuable takeaway from looking at advertised listings. Review what similar programmes involve, and whether this is something you would like to do. If so, a similar research topic would allow you to do this.

Writing a Research Proposal

As part of the PhD application process , you may be asked to summarise your proposed research topic in a research proposal. This is a document which summarises your intended research and will include the title of your proposed project, an Abstract, Background and Rationale, Research Aims and Objectives, Research Methodology, Timetable, and a Bibliography. If you are required to submit this document then read our guidance on how to write a research proposal for your PhD application.

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School of Law
Postgraduate

Writing a PhD research proposal

The following guidance has been compiled to help you submit a high quality application that is targeted to the research strengths of The School of Law.

Choosing a research topic

PhDs are supposed to contain an element of originality and innovation. Originality need not mean that you explore a wholly new concept. For instance, it might also include applying new methods or new theories to existing scholarship on the topic. They also need to be backed up by logically reasoned evidence and argument – whether that is provided by theoretical or empirical sources.

The types of thesis that could be constructed:

An analysis of a specific area of law or criminology on which there is no significant existing literature. The lack of existing literature may be explained by the relative newness of the body of law and/or creation of institutions; or the previous lack of attention given to the practical impact of the chosen area of study. A thesis in this area might attempt to describe, explain and rationalise the development of this particular area of law and/ or critically analyse the content of the legal system being researched.

An analysis applying, analysing, or evaluating existing studies in a new context. For instance, one might extend a study of one jurisdiction to another, providing comparative evidence that tests the applicability of existing research and enables the existing theory to be challenged, reconsidered, or expanded upon.

An empirical study of an area of law or criminology where there is existing doctrinal, conceptual, or theoretical literature, but limited empirical evidence to test those doctrines, concepts, or theories. Such an empirical study would still require a degree of originality but would be academically interesting if it offers a view of the area of study not previously attempted and/or allowed for an appraisal of the effectiveness of the law as it currently stands and is organised.

An in-depth critical study of a specific aspect of law or criminology. Such an examination may consist solely or mainly of library based or theoretical work, or include an element of socio-legal research. As well as recognising existing literature, such an approach needs to make clear how this project would build on and add to that work. The answer may be that the area of law or criminology has evolved or the work itself takes a very different approach to analysing the problem.

Before drafting a research proposal it is a good idea to consult with any academic contacts you already have for their feedback.

The Research Proposal

Applications must include an outline research proposal. If a proposal is submitted without a proposal it will be automatically rejected.

The application asks you to give a description of your research project, including the research questions to be addressed, the methodology to be used, the sources to be consulted and a brief timetable. Your proposal should be included in the application as a separate attachment, and distinguished from your supporting statement (if you include one).

There is no set format or page length for proposals, although to keep the proposal concise and clear while still providing enough information, we recommend limiting yourself to 1,500-2,500 words. Within your application it is useful to identify and bear in mind some or all of the following points:

It is important that you demonstrate clearly the area that you intend to research and provide some indication that you are already knowledgeable in the area that you intend to research. This can be achieved through suitable references and/or by supplying a bibliography to support your application.

Research is about more than collating knowledge already in the public domain. Within your application you should indicate how you intend to add to the knowledge that you will be uncovering. Examples of potential aims include: adding to existing theory; disproving previous understandings; a critique of the current legal position; a defended positive/negative prognosis of the impact of a new legal provision; new empirically obtained findings. You may find it helpful to express your research aims as questions to be answered, or as aims to fulfil by doing the research. Try to limit the number of aims of your study as much as possible.

A research application is more likely to be accepted if you can demonstrate that it has relevance and academic merit. Ultimately PhDs are awarded where a piece of work can demonstrate some originality and innovation. This should be explained within your application.

It is rare for an entirely original piece of research to be written. Therefore, the links with existing research should be made clear, as should the possibilities your work might open up for future research. You should provide some background to the research, exploring the wider literature and making as clear as possible what makes your proposed research original in the context of that literature.

In other words, how do you intend to undertake the research? Methods may include reviewing library-based resources or empirical research. If the latter, then what form – e.g. quantitative or qualitative analysis, and what evidence can you provide that you have the skills to undertake such research. These methods should be carefully considered in relation to the research aims and questions you are seeking to address in the proposed research.

You must consider the partnerships, knowledge exchange and impacts associated with your proposed research. If you already have collaborative arrangements in place with relevant external stakeholders then you should describe these and potentially also provide letters of support, in principle, if you have them. You should consider the likely impacts of your proposed research and how these will be achieved, as well as your plans for disseminating your research findings beyond academia.

If you are applying for WRDTP or WRoCAH scholarships, it is essential that you consider how your proposed research fits in with the research pathways or clusters of these two funders. The quality of your scholarship application will be judged partly by the fit of your research within these pathways or clusters.

Your application should not be too unrealistic as to what can be delivered. It is also wise to predict the likely challenges that you will face in undertaking the research and suggest ways in which those challenges can be overcome.

What to avoid

Research proposals should not be viewed as binding contracts. Most first-year PhD students adapt their research proposal once they start studying the topic in more depth and working with their supervisor. Nevertheless, a PhD proposal should amount to a coherent, intelligent, realistic and relatively well thought-out idea of an area of potential research.

The following errors should be avoided if possible:

Simplistic descriptions of an area of study should be avoided – eg ‘I want to research EU law’. The specific focus of the research must be clear.

Offer to review or analyse an area of law on which there is already a significant existing literature. PhDs should be attempting something more than bringing together knowledge that already exists.

Develop a research proposal primarily because the topic is or has been fashionable. Topics such as the legality of the war in Iraq, the operation of the International Criminal Court or the Human Rights Act 1998 remain extremely important areas of academic study, but as a PhD student it is going to be very difficult to say anything interesting, new or original about these topics.

Avoid trying to resolve grand problems in one thesis. The best research proposals tend to focus on discrete and well-confined subject areas.

Relying upon a comparison to provide the intellectual component of the proposal, whether that is a comparison between different institutions, different bodies of law or different countries. Comparative research proposals are worthy if properly thought out. If the comparison is between different legal systems for instance, in the submission it needs to be made clear why that comparison could be a useful one and what can be learnt from the comparison. For instance, you may be undertaking research in the UK and from Botswana, but that does not mean that there are any valid reasons why comparing the UK to Botswana is actually worthwhile in your subject area.

Relatedly, you should consider the research expertise of supervisors at the University of Sheffield, and the value that studying at Sheffield adds to your research. Generally a PhD submitted in a UK university should contribute to knowledge about the UK, or about global/international issues. If you want to research another country of jurisdiction, you need to provide a credible reason for why Sheffield is a good place to undertake that study, as opposed to an institution in that country.

Make sure that your methodology is as clear and specific as you can make it at this early stage. Proposals that say, “I will use qualitative methods” are unlikely to succeed because they suggest an ignorance of the diversity of qualitative methods. Ideally, you should be able to say something about:

the methods you will use (e.g. surveys, documentary analysis, interviews, observation, ethnography, audio-visual methods...);

the target populations of your research (eg, a study of criminal courts might seek to recruit judges, lawyers, ushers, defendants, police officers, or other actors. Which groups do you want to participate in your research, and why? The answer to this question should bear some relation to your research aims); and,

If possible, the approximate number of participants you want to recruit for each method (for instance, you might want to conduct 10-15 interviews with each of two groups of participants, or to survey 500 people) and how they will be accessed/recruited. Try to be realistic about how long empirical research takes, and how many research participants it is possible to study.

How these chosen methods are likely to illuminate the research questions of the proposed research

Ethical considerations of the research in relation to things like informed consent, anonymity, the safeguarding of researchers and participants

It may not be possible to say much at this stage, but the more details you can provide, the clearer it will be that you have thought seriously about your research project, and the easier it will be for the School of Law to evaluate its feasibility.

Positive steps to take

When we make an offer we will do so on the basis of various considerations. Making an effort to foreshadow those considerations in your application is a good idea. It is advisable to submit a supporting statement alongside the research proposal. Issues to consider include:

Why did you choose to apply to the University of Sheffield?

Can you provide any evidence to suggest that you are capable of completing an extensive piece of research and have the character to undertake three years of study, on a relatively low income and with only supervisory support?

Does the research proposal fit into one of the areas in which the Law School has a speciality ? Often a proposal only needs minor adaptation to fall within an area the School can supervise, but to improve your chances of success it is worthwhile reviewing the academic profile of the various staff in the Law School before you submit an application.

If you are able, it would be helpful to have a look at some past PhD theses in your own area of interest which have been successfully submitted at a UK university. Most UK universities have copies in the library of all past successful PhDs, either as physical copies or in an online repository.

The online application form requires you to provide some standard information about yourself and your past academic performance. Please ensure that this information is correct and that you provide evidence to support your qualifications.

The references that your referees provide are important sources of information for us. Wherever possible, it is helpful to provide (where possible) a reference from at least one academic who is aware of your research potential and has read some of your work.

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Law Dissertation Topics

Published by Owen Ingram at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On April 26, 2024

Law dissertations can be demanding because of the need to find relevant regulations, cases, and data to address the research problem successfully. It is of utmost importance to critically examine facts before framing the research questions .

Selection of the most appropriate legal terms and legal authorities, whether online or in print, can be challenging especially if you have not tackled a law dissertation project before.

To help you select an intriguing law dissertation topic, our expert writers have suggested some issues in various areas of law, including trust law, EU law, family law, employment and equality law, public law, tort law, intellectual property rights, commercial law, evidence, and criminal law, and human rights and immigration law.

These topics have been developed by PhD-qualified writers of our team , so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

Review step by step guide on how to write your own dissertation here.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting a brief research proposal from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an introduction to the topic, research question , aim and objectives , literature review along with the proposed methodology of research to be conducted. Let us know if you need any help in getting started.

Check our dissertation examples to get an idea of how to structure your dissertation .

Review the full list of dissertation topics for 2024 here.

2024 Law Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: the role of international criminal laws in reducing global genocide.

Research Aim: This study aims to find the role of international criminal laws in reducing global genocide. It will be an exploratory study identifying the explicit and implicit effects of international criminal laws on the worldwide genocide. It will analyse different incidents of international genocide and find out how international criminal laws played a positive role to reduce these incidents. Lastly, it will recommend possible changes in the international criminal laws to effectively mitigate global genocide. And it will be done by comparing criminal laws of world-leading powers to reduce genocide.

Topic 2: Impact of Anti-Racism Employment Laws on Organisational Culture- A Comparative Study on the Anti-Racism Employment Laws in the US and Canada

Research Aim: This research aims to find the impact of anti-racism employment laws on the organisational culture in the US and Canada in a comparative analysis. It will identify the change in employees’ behaviour after implementing anti-racism laws. Moreover, it will find whether employees gleefully welcomed these laws or showed resistance. And how do these laws affect the organisations’ performance that strictly implemented them?

Topic 3: Globalization, international business transactions, and commercial law- A perspective from literature.

Research Aim: Students and practitioners can find the law of international business transactions as a subfield within a broader field of international commercial law to be somewhat amorphous.

This study will explain the impact of globalization on international business transactions and commercial law by establishing some necessary links between the study of transnational business law and related fields of international studies. This study also aims to address theories about foreign business regulation, such as the idea that it is free of power politics. For the collection of data existing literature will be studied. And the methodology of this research will rely on existing previous literature.

Topic 4: Investigating the impact of competition law on the businesses in the UK- Post Brexit

Research Aim: This study aims to investigate the impact of competition laws on businesses in the Post-Brexit UK. The proposed study will not only analyze the performance of the businesses with the current competition laws. But also analyze the impact of possible changes in competition laws on the businesses in the post-Brexit UK. And it will also incorporate the possible difference of changes in competition laws in deal, no-deal, hard deal, and soft deal scenarios. This way of individually analyzing the difference of competition laws due to the status of the UK’s deal with the EU will give better insights into how businesses will be affected by these laws in the post-Brexit UK.

Topic 5: A comparison between Islamic and contemporary laws against rape. Which law is the most effective in preventing this horrific crime?

Research Aim: Since several years, marital and non-marital relations in Muslim majority countries have been a source of controversy. Under Islamic law, it is strictly forbidden for a Muslim, or even non-Muslim to engage in illicit sexual relations with the opposite gender under any situation. The current study will help us understand the concepts presented in Islamic laws about rape cases. In this context, a comparative analysis of Islamic and contemporary law will be explained. It will also identify efficient and effective strategies to prevent this horrific crime.

Law Dissertation Topics For Covid Crisis

Topic 1: the legal implications of the covid-19 pandemic on canadian immigration and the way forward..

Research Aim: This study will focus on how the Canadian government benefits from resources accrued from immigration, the impact of COVID-19 on Canadian Immigration, the current legislation on immigration, the effects of COVID-19 on the immigration law, the possible amendments that could help cushion the impact and the way forward.

Topic 2: Effect of COVID-19 on the United States Immigration policies; an assessment of International Legal agreements governing pandemic disease control and the way forward.

Research Aim: This research will focus on the pandemic’s effect on immigration policies in the United States. It also suggests the required steps based on the laws that regulate government acts during an outbreak of a pandemic.

Topic 3: Creating legal policies in preparedness for the global pandemic; lessons from COVID-19 on Canadian immigration policies.

Research Aim: This research will focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world and how most countries seemed unprepared. Historical background of the flu pandemic can also be made to assess how the world overcame the pandemic. And the need for the Canadian government or any other country you wish to choose can prepare for a global pandemic by creating legal policies that could help prepare ahead for such a period, such as policies on scientific research and funding.

Topic 4: The need for uniformity of competition law and policy in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries; An approach to the European Union standard.

Research Aim: This research will focus on the Gulf Cooperation Countries and their current legislation on competition law and its implications. Countries under the European Union’s competition law, the legal implications, and the need to consider such a part.

Topic 5: The need for competition law and policy enforcement; An analysis of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.

Research Aim: This research focuses on the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries’ competition laws and their enforceability. It analyses the benefits of enforcing the competition law and looks at the European Union uniformed laws and its benefits. It looks into the various countries, how the competition law currently works, and how it can affect each country’s economy in a better way or adequately enforced.

Topic 6: Provisions of the law on rape, the need to expand its coverage on the misuse of its provisions, and false accusations.

Research Aim: This research will focus on the law’s present provisions on rape and rape victims and the recent false accusations.

Topic 7: Summary dismissal of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the legal implications under the labour law, and the way forward. The case study of Nigeria

Research Aim: This research will focus on the statistics of people who were summarily dismissed during the COVID-19 pandemic based on natural occurrences, provisions of the law against summary dismissal, and its enforcement, and how this can be cushioned against future events. The need to expand the labour law to cover similar situations for the protection of workers.

Topic 8: A legal assessment of the settlement of international disputes through the peaceful process and its effectiveness

Research Aim: This research focuses on the mode of dispute settlement in the international community, assessment of international laws and treaties on peaceful settlement of conflicts among countries of member states, the methods of dispute settlements, its strengths and weaknesses, and the need to improve the current mechanisms of peaceful settlement in the international community.

Topic 9: The protection of minority shareholders and the majority shareholders' power in Companies, a critical analysis of the Nigerian Companies and Allied Matters Act provisions.

Research Aim: This research will focus on the law’s provisions on protecting minority shareholders in companies and the majority shareholders’ power. How effective are these provisions in protecting the minorities against the management of the majority shareholders and the way forward

Topic 2: The right to bear arms: Rethinking the second amendment

Research Aim: Gun control and the right to bear arms has been an ever-evolving web discourse in the United States. The research aims at analysing how gun control laws have changed in the USA since specifically focusing on the 2nd Amendment and its original framework.

Topic 3: Rethinking the international legal framework protecting journalists in war and conflict zones.

Research Question: Is the current legal framework still appropriate for protecting journalists in today’s conflict zones? Research Aim: The primary body of law that is set out to protect journalists includes the Geneva Conventions and their additional Protocols. However, since the time they have been drafted and decades after, there have been conspicuous changes to the way warfare is conducted. It is imperative to examine this body of law in order to improve it as journalists have now become prime targets in war zones and conflict areas because of their profession.

Topic 4: A critical analysis of employment law of disabled individuals in the UK and what new policies can be integrated to increase its efficiency.

Research Aim: Employment or labour law has always been under the limelight. Many critiques and researchers have proposed different amendments to the existing law pertaining to labour and employee. The main aim of the research is to critically analyse the employment law of disabled individuals in the UK along with effective recommendations that need to be made in order to make the existing law more efficient and effective.

Topic 5: A critical evaluation of racial discrimination laws in developed countries and how it impacts the workplace environment

Research Aim: Racial discrimination has always been a controversial issue in almost every part of the World. However, many developed countries (companies) face severe racial discrimination issues that directly impact their name and brand value. Therefore, this research provides a critical evaluation of the racial discrimination laws, particularly in developed countries. Moreover, the research will be focusing on how racial discrimination laws are impacting the workplace environment.

Topic 6: A comparative analysis of legislation, policy, and guidelines of domestic abuse between UK and USA.

Research Aim: Domestic laws basically deal with and provide criminal rules for punishing individuals who have physically or emotionally harmed their own family members. It has been found out that many domestic cases of abuse are not reported to the concerned authority. Due to this reason, the main focus of the research is to conduct a comparative analysis of legislation, policy, and guidelines of domestic abuse between the UK and the USA and how effective both the countries have been to minimise domestic abuse.

Topic 7: Analyzing the negative impact of technology in protecting the intellectual property rights of corporations.

Research Aim: Intellectual property has gained significant importance after the emergence of counterfeit products coming from different parts of the world. It has been found out that many factors have motivated the sale of counterfeit products. Therefore, this research aims at analysing the negative impact of technology in protecting the intellectual property rights of products and corporations.

Topic 8: A critical assessment of the terrorism act of 2010 and its impact on Muslims living around the globe.

Research Aim: Since the incident of 9/11, the entire world has been under the pressure of terrorism activities, especially Muslims living around the world. Therefore, this research intends to critically assess the terrorism act of 2010 and its impact on Muslims living around the globe.

Trust Law Dissertation Topics

The trust law requires the settler to meet the three certainties, including the object, intention, and subject matter. As posted to a moral obligation or mere gift, confidence of choice can be best described as clarity of purpose. Some interesting dissertation topics in the field of trust law are listed below:

To investigate the attitude of the courts to trusts supporting political agendas.
To identify and discuss principles on which half-secret and full secret trusts are enforced? Does a literature review highlight circumstances where it is essential to consider whether such beliefs are constructive and express?
The role and impact of trust law as asset portioning and fiduciary governance
From law to faith: Letting go of secret trusts
Critical analysis of the statement “Traditionally, equity and the law of trusts have been concerned with providing justice to balance out the rigour of the common law” regarding modern equity development/operation.
Should the assumption of resulting trusts and progression be abolished in this modern age? A critical review of the literature
A critical examination of the courts’ concern of financial reward in the context of “trustee powers of investment”
Does the doctrine of cypress do justice to the intentions of the testator?
The impact of the decision of Harrison v Gibson on the law of the clarity of intention?
The approval of trustees in the Zimbabwean law of trusts

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European Law Dissertation Topics

European law has recently attracted wide attention from the academic world, thanks to the growing influence of European Law on administrative law in EU members. It should be noted that every aspect of life in European states is significantly affected by European law, and therefore this area of research has gained tremendous popularity. Some exciting and specific research areas are given below:

A critical review of the European anti-discrimination Law
To investigate the economics and history of European Law.
An investigation of the European human rights law
Investigating the impact of “Freedom of Speech” on the German economy
Investigating the impact of immigration laws on the German economy
How the French parliamentary sovereignty has been affected by the European Union
Uniform interpretation of European patent law with a unique view on the creation of a standard patent court
The impact of European consensus in the jurisprudence of the European court of human rights
The impact of the European convention on human rights on the international human rights law
A critical analysis of the tensions between European trade and social policy
To investigate the European Union’s enforcement actions and policies against member countries.
European Laws amidst the Brexit process

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Family Law Dissertation Topics

A wide range of topics are covered under the field of family law and the law of children. Essentially, this area of law takes into consideration the registration of marriages, statutory rights concerning marriage, the effects of a decree, void and voidable marriages, the impact of the Human Rights Act, the legal stature of unmarried and married individuals, and the case for reform of UK family law . Other research areas include enforcing financial responsibilities in the Magistrates court, enforcing the arrears of maintenance payments, the award of maintenance, enforcing financial obligations to children or a child, financial orders for children, and the Child Support Act. An extremely intriguing area of law that has gained tremendous popularity in the modern era, some specific dissertation topics in this area of law studies are listed below:

Investigating therapeutic and theoretical approaches to deal with spouse abuse in light of the UK government’s latest research on domestic violence
Unmarried fathers’ access to parental responsibility – Does the current law enforce rights and responsibilities towards children?
To study the criminal justice process involving a child witness.
The children’s right to participation – Rhetoric or Reality? – A critical review of literature from the past two decades
To study the position of unmarried fathers in the UK.
Does the UK Family law need a major reform?
A critical review of the rights of married women in real estate
Child welfare and the role of local authorities
To study the legal and social foundations of parenting, civil partnership, and marriage.
To examine whether the Child Support Act has positively influenced child maintenance?

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Employment Law Dissertation Topics

Employment and equality law governs the relationship between the government, trade unions, employers, and employees. Employment and equality law in the UK is a body of law that prevents bias and negative attitudes towards someone based on their ethnicity or race rather than work skills and experience. Some interesting dissertation topics in this area of law are below:

A critical investigation of the right to fair labor practices in the United Kingdom
To determine the job’s inherent requirements as a defence to unfair discrimination or a claim – A comparison between the United Kingdom and Canada.
The role of the South African Labour Relations Act in providing unhappy staff sufficient protection against unfair dismissals and discrimination at the workplace
To investigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on employees’ lives with a focus on unfair dismissal and discrimination.
To assess ethnic discrimination in the European Union: Derogations from the ban on discrimination – Sexual harassment – Equal pay for equal value work.
To study the international employment contract – Regulation, perception, and reality.
To identify and discuss challenges associated with equality at work.
A study of the legal aspects of the relationship between employer and employee
How influential is the role of trade unions in English employment law?
A critical review of discrimination policies in the UK

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Commercial Law Dissertation Topics

Commercial law, also known as business law, is the whole body of substantive jurisprudence applicable to the conduct, relations, and rights of sales, trade, merchandising, and businesses and persons associated with commerce. Important issues of law covered by commercial law include real estate, secured transactions, credit transactions, bankruptcy, banking, and contracts. An intriguing area of law within the UK, specific topics for your law dissertation are listed below:

The impact of legislation for the regulation of investments services with EU economic area on the EU financial services market
Handling regulatory involvement incorporates organisational structure and strategy.
A study of convergence and complementarities concerning international corporate governance
How drafting and diffusion of uniform norms can help to harmonise the law of international commercial arbitration?
Convergence and adaption in corporate governance to transnational standards in India
A critical review of the international commercial arbitration system
Analysing the international commercial law on risk transfer
The role of the tripartite financial system in the UK on economic development
A comparative analysis of European contract law, international commercial contracts law, and English commercial contracts law
Is the European contracts law meeting the needs of the commercial community?
A critical review of anti-corruption legislation in the UK
The problems of director accountability in the UK and the impact of soft and hard law on corporate governance

Criminal and Evidence Law Dissertation Topics

Criminal law can be defined as a system of law dealing with the punishment of criminals. Criminal evidence, on the other hand, concerns evidence/testimony presented in relation to criminal charges. Evidence can be presented in various forms in order to prove and establish crimes. A wide array of topics can be covered in this subject area. To help you narrow down your research focus, some interesting topics are suggested below:

The politics of criminal law reform with a focus on lower-court decision making
To understand and establish the historical relationship between human rights and Islamic criminal law
Investigating the rights of victims in internal criminal courts
The efficacy of the law of rape in order to prevent misuse by bogus victims and to protect rightful victims
To assess the criminal law’s approach to Omissions
To investigate the issues associated with the identification of the distribution, extent, and nature of the crime
A critical review of the Bad Samaritan laws and the law of omissions liability
How international criminal law has been significant influenced by the “war on terrors”?
The efficacy of modern approaches to the definition of intention in International criminal law
The efficacy of the law of corporate manslaughter

Company Law Dissertation Topics

Company law, also known as the law of business associations , is the body of law that deals with business organisations and their formation, registration, incorporation, governance, dissolution, and administration. Some suggestions for company law dissertation topics are listed below:

Developing equity markets in growing economies and the importance of corporate law
A critical review of English company law and its effects on member workers and creditors
To investigate the essential aspects of corporate law.
To study business responsibilities for human rights.
Identifying disparities in corporate governance – Theories and Realities
The external relations of company groups in Zambian Corporate law
To study corporate governance practices concerning the minority stakeholders.
Establishing and evaluating arguments for and against “stakeholder theory.”
The importance of non-executive directors in the British corporate legal system
Investigating the regulation of the UK public company

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Intellectual Property and Tort Law Dissertation topics

All forms of legal injury are dealt with under the subject area of tort law. Essentially, tort law helps to establish the circumstances whereby a person may be held responsible for another person’s injury caused by either accident on intentional acts. On the other hand, intellectual property covers areas of law such as copyright, patents, and trademark. Trademark dissertation topics trademarks directive, trademarks act, infringement of trademarks such as revocation, invalidity, and the use of similar marks. Some interesting dissertation ideas and topics of tort law and intellectual property are suggested below to help your law studies.

The efficacy of intellectual property rights in the UK under influence of European Law
The efficacy of UK copyright law concerning the needs of rights users and holders
The impact of intellectual property right on economic development
To investigate the right of confidence in the UK
Does the trademark law ensure sufficient protection in England?
The impact of European Law on intellectual property rights in the UK
The end of the road for loss of a chance?
To assess the success ratio of psychiatric injury claims in the UK
Should a no-fault system be implemented into UK law or should the law of negligence apply to personal injury claims?
A critical review of economic loss in 21 st century tort law

Human Rights and Immigration Law

The primary objective of human rights and immigration law is to ensure and protect human rights at domestic, regional, and international levels. With the world becoming a global village, human rights and immigration laws have attracted significant attention from academicians and policymakers. Some interesting law dissertation topics in this subject area are suggested below:

To assess the efficacy of the common European Asylum system in terms of immigration detention.
A historical analysis of Britain’s immigration and asylum policies
A critical analysis of immigration policy in Britain since 1990
A critical analysis of the right of the police and the public right to protest under PACE 1984
The right of prisoners to vote under the European law of human rights
Arguments for and against the death penalty in English Law with a focus on human rights treatise
A critical analysis of the right to private life and family for failed asylum seekers
The impact of UK immigration policies on the current education industry
How beneficial the points system has really been in regards to create a cap in the British immigration system
To study the impact of privatisation on immigration detention and related functions in the UK.

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Pandemic Law Dissertation Topics

Coronavirus, also known as the Covid-19, has become the most trending topic in the world since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic that started in China. Here are some interesting Corona Virus or Covid 19 Pandemic Law topics that you can consider for your law dissertation.

Co-parenting in the coronavirus pandemic: A family law scholar’s advice
How San Diego law enforcement operated amid Coronavirus pandemic
Pandemic preparedness in the workplace and the British with disabilities act
Why In a pandemic, rumors of martial Law fly despite reassurances
Investigating About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19
Resources to support workers in the UK during the Coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic:
A legal perspective
Navigating the Coronavirus Pandemic
Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) and employment laws in the UK going forward
Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) and employment laws in the US going forward
Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) and employment laws in Australia going forward

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As a law dissertation student looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing law dissertation theories – i.e., to add value and interest in the topic of your research.

The field of law dissertation is vast and interrelated to many other academic disciplines like civil engineering , construction , project management , engineering management , healthcare , mental health , artificial intelligence , tourism , physiotherapy , sociology , management , project management , and nursing . That is why it is imperative to create a project management dissertation topic that is articular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic based on your fundamental research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your case wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best law dissertation topics that fulfill your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalising your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Please look at some of our sample law dissertation topics to get an idea for your dissertation.

How to Structure your Law Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

A Title Page
Acknowledgements
Declaration
Abstract: A summary of the research completed
Table of Contents
Introduction : This chapter includes project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature available on the chosen research topic to address research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths while identifying any research gaps. Break down the topic, and binding terms can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods and data analysis strategy .
Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of the results in this chapter, and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section is establishing the link between the products and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to implications of the findings and directions for future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
References : Make sure to complete this by your University’s requirements
Bibliography
Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to find law dissertation topics.

To find law dissertation topics:

Research recent legal developments.
Explore unresolved issues or debates.
Analyze gaps in existing literature.
Consider societal or technological influences.
Consult professors and peers.
Select a topic aligning with your passion and career aspirations.

Topic Selection

Choose a general area.

The first way to narrow the field of research is to choose an area that interests you. This area does not have to be the field in which you ultimately plan to practice or teach. But keep in mind that you will spend many hours—over the course of several months if not over a year—researching your topic and writing and editing your Note. Don’t sabotage yourself from the start by selecting an area where you think you “ought” to write but that isn’t going to keep you engaged throughout the process. At the same time, it bears emphasis that there is no such thing as a “perfect” Note topic. It is equally, if not more, important that you choose a topic that is discrete and narrow enough to be handled well within the confines of a Note. The real value in writing Note is the experience you gain in constructing a methodologically sound legal argument. In engaging in this kind of analysis you’ll find that your interest can be piqued by a wide array of topics, including some you may not have considered by focusing only in your favorite subject areas.

"If you're reading cases, or you're reading law review articles, or if you're reading anything else, you won't have any trouble knowing what to write because ideas will just come into your head." — Professor Barry Friedman

Immerse Yourself

Start reading. If you are unsure of the area in which you want to write, start by reading a broad range of articles in a variety of journals—preferring highly-ranked ones—to develop a sense of what areas may interest you, as well as the kinds of topics that warrant articles, and how law professors write. If you are confident of your area of interest, read within that area to get a sense of unanswered questions you may wish to address. As you read and become engaged with the ideas being discussed, you will begin to formulate your own thoughts on the subject.

Consult Experts

Your summer job can be a great way of finding a Note topic. Talk to your boss about your interest in writing—she may have a topic in mind already. Professors can also point you in the right direction, if you have a general topic interest and are looking to narrow your choices.

Interdisciplinary Work

If you have a background in an area other than law, put it to work for you. Consider whether there is literature in another field that might provide insights into legal problems or whether, for example, you can use your social science or empirical training to your advantage.

Circuit Splits

To search cases that cite circuit court splits on Westlaw or Lexis, search the federal court cases database using the term “circuit w/2 split!” plus the general topic area you are interested in, e.g., “sentencing.”

Consider Other Sources

There are many sources of potential topics. One starting point is recent cases, regulations or legislation. Of course, you will be writing much more deeply than a simple case note, but recent developments such as these may serve as potential jumping off points for your Note.

US Law Week, available for free via the Westlaw Law School site, is an excellent resource for your initial research. Each week, US Law Week publishes summaries of new judicial, legislative and regulatory developments. You can access these summaries by entering Westlaw’s US Law Week database and searching “digest.” For students looking to survey all areas of law, the “General Law” section may prove most helpful. However, if you already have a general sense of the area of law on which you wish to write—perhaps you are looking for a topic that will tie to a seminar you are taking—US Law Week also sorts the case summaries by subject matter ( i.e. , “Employment Law”).

You may also find potential articles by considering unanswered questions that have been discussed in class or in your text books.

Reading law-related blogs is also an excellent way to get a sense of which topics are generating debate in the legal community. Law Blog Central is a great place to get started, on this front. The site contains a central listing of many other useful law-related sites.

We also recommend the following sites as useful sources of potential topics:

The American Constitution Society : https://www.acslaw.org/acsblog/
The Legal Workshop : http://legalworkshop.org/
PrawfsBlawg : https://prawfsblawg.blogs.com
SCOTUSBlog : https://www.scotusblog.com
Split Circuits : https://splitcircuits.blogspot.com
The Volokh Conspiracy : https://reason.com/volokh/

Navigating Your PhD Topic Choice

Embarking on an impactful research career, starting with your thesis.

We’ve compiled this guide to share the tools and frameworks we think will be most helpful to you if you’re searching for a meaningful thesis topic for your PhD.

About this guide

If you’re applying for a PhD, this guide can provide comprehensive assistance throughout your journey towards finding the best possible PhD for you. In the first part we focus on how you can decide whether to pursue a PhD, identify the values you want to guide your research and start generating research ideas. In the second half we will introduce a framework you can use to narrow your ideas down to a specific research question and ultimately create a PhD proposal. Finally, we will help you with finding the best possible supportive environment for your project and identifying the next steps of your PhD journey.

If you are not yet very familiar with core concepts like career capital and the ITN framework , we recommend reading the linked articles. We also recommend you read this article to understand why systematic approaches to career decisions are probably more useful than popular advice like “follow your passion”, and why helping others with your career will help you experience your job as more meaningful.

How to use this guide

We recommend completing this guide over multiple sittings, e.g. working through one section per week. However, please adjust the pace to suit your circumstances. We think you will get the most out of this guide if you start from the beginning, but you might want to skip some sections if you’ve already thought deeply about the content.

After reading the articles linked in each step, take some time (5-10 minutes) to answer the prompts we list, or to complete the exercises we recommend. We find that writing your thoughts down on paper is a step that people often want to skip, but it can help tremendously in getting clarity for yourself.

Is a PhD the right next step for you?

Lots of people “stumble” into PhDs. For example, they might see it as a default step in completing their education, or they might have been offered to continue with their previous supervisor. Before committing to a PhD programme, it is good to consider a broad range of alternatives in order to ensure that a PhD is the best path for you at this stage. Make sure you have done enough reflection and updated your plans based on your experiences thus far, instead of going down the “default” academic path.

We also recommend that you take some time to browse through these short descriptions of core concepts , particularly ‘Expected Value’, ‘Opportunity Cost’ and ‘Leverage’. Perhaps note down a few takeaways that apply to your decision.

Reflection prompts

If you’re unsure whether a PhD is right for you, here are some prompts to consider.

Where do you envision yourself a few years after completing a PhD?
How does a PhD align with your long-term goals and aspirations?
Are you genuinely interested and intrinsically motivated by the subject area you intend to pursue with your PhD?
Have you carefully assessed whether obtaining a PhD is a necessary requirement for your desired career path?
Are there alternative routes or professional qualifications that may lead you to your desired destination more efficiently, e.g. in less time/ with a better salary?
Have you talked to people who completed or are currently pursuing the kind of PhD you are considering?

Exercise: exploring career paths

One helpful activity to undertake could be to search for job opportunities that you find exciting. To start, do a job search (2-5 hours) and list the five most attractive options you can find. Now, check which job requirements you’re currently lacking. Do you need a PhD to get the role? Would you get there faster or be better prepared by taking a different route?

Here are some more articles if you are interested in the question ‘Who should do a PhD?’:

Survival Guide to a PhD – Andrej Karpathy
Why I’m doing a PhD – Jess Whittlestone
Pro and Cons of Applying for a PhD – Robert Wiblin

Reflect on your values and moral beliefs

Understanding your values and moral beliefs is an ongoing endeavour and you don’t need to have it figured out before choosing your topic. However, we do encourage reflection on this, as doing so might significantly shift your motivation to work on some problems over others. If that happens, the earlier you make this shift the better. What do we mean when we say doing good ? Most people agree that they want to “do good” with their lives. However, it is worth reflecting on what this actually means to you. We recommend reading the article linked above to learn more about some concepts we think are particularly relevant when reflecting on this question, such as impartiality, the moral circle, and uncertainty. This will help you to get a better understanding of what sort of thesis topics would align with your values and what kind of problems you want to contribute to solving with your research.

How much do you value animal lives vs human lives ?
How important do you think is it to reduce existential risks for humanity?
How much do you value future generations ? How do you feel about improving existing lives vs lives that exist in the future?

This flowchart from the Global Priorities Project can help you navigate through this cause prioritisation process.

Here are two further resources that could help you with this reflection:

How to compare global problems for yourself – 80,000 Hours

World’s Biggest Problems Quiz | ClearerThinking.org

Getting inspired

Now it’s time to get inspired! You can read more about how research can change the world , and how academic research can be highly impactful . Finally, have a look at our thesis topic profiles for inspiration or, if you have no time constraints, sign up to our Topic Discovery Digest to receive biweekly inspirational emails. These emails cover a range of particularly impactful research areas, along with example research questions that are recommended by our experts and relevant to many different disciplines of study. We recommend you read the 3-5 profiles that interest you the most in depth.

Which of the topic profiles that sparked your interest are new to you? How could you quickly get a better understanding of what it is like to work on these topics?
How would disregarding your current skill set change your top choices? Would you consider taking some time out to “upskill” to switch to a new area of research, if possible?
What are the uncertainties that, if you could find an answer to them, would help you decide between your top choices?

See here if you want to learn more about how we go about writing our thesis topic profiles and why we prioritise these topics.

Side note: Because we try to feature problems that are particularly important, tractable, and neglected, you might see some problems listed on our site that it’s uncommon to see described as global problems, while others are not featured. As an example, in our “human health and wellbeing” category, we list anti-aging research but not cancer research. We think research on widely recognised problems such as cancer is highly important. However, because so many more researchers are already working on these problems, we think that – all else equal – you will probably have a bigger impact working on problems that are relatively neglected.

Generating ideas

After reading a few of our topic profiles , we recommend that you start a brainstorming document as an ongoing way of collecting research questions you’re interested in. This will help you keep track of and develop your ideas during your idea generation phase, and make it easier for others to give you feedback later on.

In addition to exploring our topic profiles, you could also identify questions through a literature review and reach out to your supervisor or other researchers in the field(s) you’re interested in and ask what they think some of the most important and neglected open questions are. Moreover, you could contact some of the organisations listed on our topic profiles and ask if there are research projects you could undertake that would be decision-relevant for them. Reaching out to others at this stage can also help to discard unfeasible ideas early on, before you invest too much time in them.

Some tools that might be useful during the idea generation phase:

Connected papers – explore connections between research papers in a visual graph.
Elicit – an AI research assistant to help you automate research workflows, like parts of literature review.
Find more resources and tools for research here .

We recommend collecting at least 20 research questions, grouped into overarching topics or research fields, and then adding some context, e.g. relevant papers and researchers, why you think this question is worth addressing, what relevant expertise you already have, and how qualified you are to work on this compared to other options.

NB : We think that many people feel too limited by their past work, so we think you should probably lean towards considering questions and topics that are slightly outside your comfort zone.

Exercise: create a brainstorming document

Use this template to create a brainstorming document.

Comparing options

Once you feel you have collected enough research questions in your brainstorming document, you can start comparing how these research questions score on the factors that are most important to you. We recommend you take 15-20 minutes to think about which factors are key to your decision of pursuing a PhD and write them down. Here are some factors (adapted from this post ) that you could consider:

Importance – How large in scale and/or severity is the problem your question would address?
Tractability – How realistic is it that you would make progress? Is your research question concrete and manageable, and do you have a clear strategy to tackle it?
Neglectedness – Will others work on this question if you don’t?
Actionability – Would your research have a clear audience and could it inform positive actions? Will this project generate genuinely new and useful findings/data? Will it help to translate/ communicate important ideas that need more attention/ awareness?
Learning value – Will you learn useful things from working on the project? Will it help you build valuable research skills, build your model of how something important works, and/ or help you refine a vaguely defined concept into a crisp, important question?
Exploration value – Will this project help you decide what to do next?
Personal fit & situational fit – Does your personal background make you a good fit for working on this question? Do you currently have or can you find support for working on it, e.g. excellent mentorship?
Credentials and career capital – Will the output demonstrate your research competence? For example, if you could get a reference from a particularly prestigious researcher by working on one of the projects you’re interested in, this might be an important consideration. Will the project reflect well on you, and is it shareable with others (or could it be developed into something shareable/ a publication)? Will the project allow you to build relationships with people whom it will be helpful to know going forward?
Intrinsic motivation – Are you excited about working on this project?
Method efficacy – How well can a particular approach help solve the problem that you are trying to address?

Exercise: sketch theories of change for your research questions

Once you’ve considered which of these factors matter to you, take a few minutes to sketch a theory of change for each research question you’re considering.

A theory of change is a step by step plan of how you hope to achieve a positive impact with your research, starting with the context you’d be working in, the research outputs you would plan to produce, and the short- and long-term impacts you would hope to achieve with your research. Sketching some theories of change will help you outline how your research ideas could have a positive impact, giving you something to get feedback on in the next step below.

Consider whether your research could have negative outcomes too

When you’re considering the value of working on a particular research problem, it may also be important to remember that research isn’t a monolithic force for good. Research has done a lot of good, but there are many examples of it doing a lot of harm as well. There is a long history of research being biased by the discriminatory beliefs and blindspots of its time, as well as being used to justify cruelty and oppression . Research has made warfare more deadly and has facilitated the development of intensive factory farming . Dual-use biotechnology research is intended to help humanity, but could, for example, cause a catastrophic pandemic in the event of a lab accident or if the technology was misused. While some researchers are trying to increase the chance that future artificial intelligence is safe for humanity , many more researchers are focused on making AI more powerful.

While it isn’t realistic for researchers to foresee every way their research could be (mis)used, many researchers are trying to create frameworks for thinking about how research can do harm and how to avoid this. For example, if you’re interested in working on biosecurity or AI safety, you could explore concepts such as differential progress and information hazards . If you’re working on global health questions, it may be important to educate yourself about the concept of parachute science .

Reach out to others for feedback

At this point, we think it could be helpful to identify some experts who might be interested in talking about your collection of potential research questions, and reach out to them for feedback. Getting feedback might then help you to prioritise between questions, develop your methodology further or discard projects before investing too much effort in them. You could seek feedback via two strategies – firstly, by sending your brainstorming document to people asking for general comments, and secondly, by seeking out people who have specialist knowledge on specific questions you’re considering and asking for their feedback on those ideas.

Here are some ways of connecting with other researchers:

Reach out to your existing connections
Attend research conferences related to your field of interest and speak to relevant people there, e.g. 1-1s at EAGs could be a great place to reach out to people for feedback on research ideas on directions that we recommend
Are there any local student and/ or reading groups in your area that focus on a research area that you are planning to work on?
Public Slack channels on your research area, e.g. List of EA Slack workspaces

When preparing to reach out to experts, keep these key points in mind:

Give the expert relevant information about yourself (e.g. What is your background? What is the scope of the project you’re planning to work on?).
Prepare a short agenda if they’ve agreed to call you and share it with them beforehand (although they might not have time to read it, many people appreciate having the option to consider topics of discussion in advance).
Think about what your key uncertainties actually are and what kind of feedback you want from the expert. Would you like their overall reaction? Detailed comments? Feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your research ideas? Specific suggestions to improve your ideas? Feedback on how you plan to use the outputs of your research project?
Consider having a brainstorming document ready to share with them.
You might want to have a look at this and this for more information about how to prepare.

Exercise: creating a weighted-factor model

Choosing which factors you want to base your thesis decision on will help you to reflect on what is important to you. Once you’ve done the exercise above and gathered some feedback from other people about your ideas, think about how much weight you want to give each factor. Lastly, try to evaluate how the research questions you’re considering score on each factor. The outcome of this ranking can serve as guidance for deciding on a question and can help clarify your intuitions about which questions would be the best fit for your dissertation. Here is an example of a ranking of potential thesis questions using a weighted-factor model (WFM).

Refining your research question

Once you have settled on a research question, it is time to develop a well-scoped and viable research proposal. The purpose of the proposal is to identify a relevant research topic, explain the context of the research, define concrete goals, and propose a realistic work plan to achieve them. If you’ve already built a Theory of Change for your research question, we recommend adding detail at this stage to help you create a proposal. We also think it’s important to reach out to your supervisor or other relevant people in the field of your research interests to ask for feedback, as this will help you develop an appropriate methodology.

Here are a few more tips that could help you with narrowing the scope of your research project or refining your research question:

First, make sure you have a detailed model of the problem you are planning to address in your research. Who are the different actors involved? How can research help fill gaps in our current knowledge? What are the particularly neglected approaches and interventions for this problem?
You will only be able to make a valuable research contribution if your project is focused. Break down goals into discrete tasks and summarise what you are actually going to do. We suggest you create a detailed plan for the first few months of your project, a less detailed but fully coherent plan for the first year, describe a direction you might take in the second year, and generate some ideas for the following years. This will help you understand how much work is involved in every step and evaluate what is feasible in the available time frame.
Consider practical questions. What kind of facilities do you have? Do you meet the university requirements?
Try to develop the smallest possible question that can be answered and that data can be collected on, then have conditional upgrades/sub-questions based on that. This can be ambitious, but each stage should be developed enough to not be overwhelming or too vague.
Start with a research question that’s as simple as possible and that you’re confident will be successful. From there, you can slowly and incrementally work towards pursuing more complex research questions.

Find the best possible supportive environment

There are many different types of PhD programmes available – from 3-year PhDs to which you apply with a very specific project idea, to 6-year PhD programmes in which the first years are dedicated to coursework. It is important to find the best environment for your studies, with crucial considerations including the university and its community, the supportiveness of the supervisor/lab and the availability of funding. This section has advice on these three points and aims to facilitate you reflecting on them.

How much does the reputation of the university where you study your PhD matter for an academic career?

This is a commonly asked question among students, and we have compiled a set of key insights based on conversations with 30 of our experts.

The general advice is that you should pick the most prestigious university or research hub that you can get into.
The importance of your university’s reputation varies across regions, with the US and the UK placing more significance on it compared to Europe or Australia. For the US especially, you will likely get a much better education and teaching quality, as well as access to resources, from a more prestigious university.
It is worth noting that high-quality research labs (and supervisors) can be found outside of big-name universities, as specific research hubs may exist elsewhere.
It is important to note that even researchers in the most prestigious universities can be poor supervisors.
Ideally, you’ll find a great supervisor at a highly reputable institution. However, if you have to decide, finding an excellent supervisor seems to be the superior consideration – see below.
The significance of the university’s reputation increases if your career aspirations involve influencing government, e.g. in policy roles.
Outstanding research, impactful contributions to the field, and a strong professional network could potentially outweigh the importance of a university’s reputation.

Find a standout advisor

We think it is very important to find someone who genuinely cares about your research question and who will make a lot of time to supervise you well. Further, your supervisor will influence how effective you are in your work and how much you enjoy the research, as they will be the primary person guiding you throughout your whole research process. Especially at the PhD level, your advisor’s network matters tremendously for how well- connected you are and what sorts of opportunities will be open to you. So, here are some green flags to look out for in a supervisor:

They care about your research question (pitch your ideas to the supervisor and see how enthusiastic they are about the potential project).
They have the skills to supervise your project (check if they have experience in the methodologies you want to use).
They truly care about mentoring you well (ask questions about their mentoring style, get a feel for how you match as a person).
Their previous and current students are satisfied with them as a supervisor (ideally the person has a good track record of supervising other students – arrange a meeting with at least one current or past student).
They are successful (e.g. based on their citation count and general prestige).

Sign up for access to our database of potential supervisors who work on the research directions we recommend. Here are more tips on finding the right person to supervise you.

Financing your studies

Even if you get accepted to a programme, it does not automatically mean that you get funding as well. Here are some tips if you need to apply for funding independently:

Consider a wide range of funding sources, e.g. national scholarships, university scholarships, grants and foundations dedicated to specific causes, and excellence scholarships (e.g. Gates or Rhodes Scholarships). Here is our funding database which includes funding opportunities relevant to the research directions we recommend.

Consider the university environment – Would you be happy to live in the city of the programme you are applying to for 3-6 years? Do some university environments offer a more stimulating environment than others? Are there other researchers with similar values or motivations to you in this research hub?
Do you have any hard criteria for choosing the location for your PhD? For example, would you consider moving abroad for an exciting opportunity?
What do you already know about the application process? What uncertainties do you have and how can you go about resolving them?

We recommend that you make a list of the programmes that best fit your research interests and other factors that are important to you. Then, check the requirements and deadlines for each of them and write down the next steps you need to take to apply. We also recommend reaching out to people who have gone through the PhD programme(s) you are applying to to hear about their experiences.

Set out your next steps

Take a few minutes now to write down your next steps for applying to the programs you’re interested in.

It could be helpful to sign up for some accountability buddy schemes, ask friends to check on your progress, or to set yourself a hard deadline on some important next steps that you want to take. You could schedule some time in your calendar right now, or make a note in your to-do list about a task that you want to complete soon.

Reflection prompts:

What information do you need to get right now?
What are you uncertain about?
What is keeping you from advancing with your project and how could you concretely resolve this?

Examples for concrete next steps could be:

Reach out to people for feedback on your brainstorming document
Reach out to potential supervisors
Apply to an EAG or other academic conference and make a list of people you want to speak to
Reach out to people who have gone through the program you are applying to
Reach out to current PhD students about proposal examples

Here are some further resources that could be helpful for you:

Tips on impactful research
Resources and tools for research
Looking after your mental health
Our Effective Thesis Community
Research internships and other opportunities

For more general career advice, there are some other organisations that could help you with 1:1 advising. We recommend the following:

80,000 hours offers one-time 1:1 advising calls about using your career to help solve one of the world’s most pressing problems. They can help you choose your focus, make connections, and find a fulfilling job to tackle important problems.
Magnify Mentoring pairs mentees who are interested in pursuing high-impact careers with more experienced mentors for a series of one-on-one meetings.
Probably Good is running 1:1 advising calls to brainstorm career paths, evaluate options, plan next steps, and to connect you with relevant people and opportunities.
Lastly, please leave us some feedback . Thank you!

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Want to work on one of our recommended research directions? Apply for coaching to receive personalised guidance.

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Legal Dissertation: Research and Writing Guide

About this guide, video on choosing a topic, tools on westlaw, lexis and bloomberg, circuit splits, research methodologies, additional methodology resources, conducting a literature review, beginning research, writing style guides, citation guides, ask a librarian.

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About This Page

Choosing a topic can be one of the most challenging aspects of writing an extensive paper. This page has resources to help you find topics and inspiration, before you get started on the in-depth research process.

Related Guides

Citation and Writing Resources

Legal Research Tutorials

Secondary Sources for Legal Research

Methods of Finding Cases

Methods of Finding Statutes

Current Awareness and Alerting Resources

Compiling State Legislative Histories

Locating International and Foreign Law Journals

This guide contains resources to help students researching and writing a legal dissertation or other upper-level writing project. Some of the resources in this guide are directed at researching and writing in general, not specifically on legal topics, but the strategies and tips can still be applied.

The Law Library maintains a number of other guides on related skills and topics that may be of interest:

The Wells Library also maintains guides. A few that may be helpful for managing research can be found here:

Choosing a Topic

This video discusses tips and strategies for choosing a dissertation topic.

Note: this video is not specific to legal dissertation topics, but it may still be of interest as an overview generally.

The Bloomberg/BNA publication United States Law Week can be a helpful resource for tracking down the major legal stories of the day. Log into Bloomberg Law, in the big search box, start typing United States Law Week and the title will appear in the drop down menu beneath the box. This publication provides coverage of top legal news stories, and in-depth "insight" features.

If you have a general idea of the area of law you wish to write about, check out the Practice Centers on Bloomberg. From the homepage, click the Browse link in the top left-hand corner. Then select Practice Centers and look for your area of law. Practice Centers are helpful because they gather cases, statutes, administrative proceedings, news, and more on the selected legal area.

Bloomberg has other news sources available as well. From the homepage, click the Browse link in the top left-hand corner. Then select News and Analysis, then select News or Analysis, and browse the available topics.

If you know what area of law you'd like to write about, you may find the Browse Topics feature in Lexis Advance helpful for narrowing down your topic.

Log into Lexis Advance, click the Browse Topics tab, and select a topic. If you don't see your topic listed, try using the provided search bar to see whether your topic is categorized as a sub-topic within this list.

Once you click on a topic, a box pops up with several options. If you click on Get Topic Document, you'll see results listed in a number of categories, including Cases, Legislation, and more. The News and Legal News categories at the right end of the list may help you identify current developments of interest for your note. Don't forget about the filtering options on the left that will allow you to search within your results, narrow your jurisdiction, and more.

Similar to Lexis Advance, Westlaw Edge has a Topics tab that may be helpful if you know what area of law you'd like to write about.

Log onto Westlaw Edge, and click on the Topics tab. This time, you won't be able to search within this list, so if you're area is not listed, you should either run a regular search from the main search bar at the top or try out some of the topics listed under this tab - once you click on a topic, you can search within its contents.

What is great about the Topics in Westlaw Edge is the Practitioner Insights page you access by clicking on a topic. This is an information portal that allows you quick access to cases, legislation, top news, and more on your selected topic.

In United States federal courts, a circuit split occurs whenever two or more circuit courts of appeals issue conflicting rulings on the same legal question. Circuit splits are ripe for legal analysis and commentary because they present a situation in which federal law is being applied in different ways in different parts of the country, even if the underlying litigants themselves are otherwise similarly situated. The Supreme Court also frequently accepts cases on appeal that involve these types of conflicted rulings from various sister circuits.

To find a circuit split on a topic of interest to you, try searching on Lexis and Westlaw using this method:

in the search box, enter the following: (circuit or court w/s split) AND [insert terms or phrases to narrow the search]

You can also browse for circuit splits on Bloomberg. On the Bloomberg homepage, in the "Law School Success" box, Circuit Splits Charts appear listed under Secondary Sources.

Other sources for circuit splits are American Law Reports (ALR) and American Jurisprudence (AmJur). These publications provide summaries of the law, point out circuit splits, and provide references for further research.

"Blawgs" or law-related blogs are often written by scholars or practitioners in the legal field. Ordinarily covering current events and developments in law, these posts can provide inspiration for note topics. To help you find blawgs on a specific topic, consider perusing the ABA's Blawg Directory or Justia's Blawg Search .

Research Methodology

Types of research methodologies.

There are different types of research methodologies. Methodology refers to the strategy employed in conducting research. The following methodologies are some of the most commonly used in legal and social science research.

Doctrinal legal research methodology, also called "black letter" methodology, focuses on the letter of the law rather than the law in action. Using this method, a researcher composes a descriptive and detailed analysis of legal rules found in primary sources (cases, statutes, or regulations). The purpose of this method is to gather, organize, and describe the law; provide commentary on the sources used; then, identify and describe the underlying theme or system and how each source of law is connected.

Doctrinal methodology is good for areas of law that are largely black letter law, such as contract or property law. Under this approach, the researcher conducts a critical, qualitative analysis of legal materials to support a hypothesis. The researcher must identify specific legal rules, then discuss the legal meaning of the rule, its underlying principles, and decision-making under the rule (whether cases interpreting the rule fit together in a coherent system or not). The researcher must also identify ambiguities and criticisms of the law, and offer solutions. Sources of data in doctrinal research include the rule itself, cases generated under the rule, legislative history where applicable, and commentaries and literature on the rule.

This approach is beneficial by providing a solid structure for crafting a thesis, organizing the paper, and enabling a thorough definition and explanation of the rule. The drawbacks of this approach are that it may be too formalistic, and may lead to oversimplifying the legal doctrine.

Comparative

Comparative legal research methodology involves critical analysis of different bodies of law to examine how the outcome of a legal issue could be different under each set of laws. Comparisons could be made between different jurisdictions, such as comparing analysis of a legal issue under American law and the laws of another country, or researchers may conduct historical comparisons.

When using a comparative approach be sure to define the reasons for choosing this approach, and identify the benefits of comparing laws from different jurisdictions or time periods, such as finding common ground or determining best practices and solutions. The comparative method can be used by a researcher to better understand their home jurisdiction by analyzing how other jurisdictions handle the same issue. This method can also be used as a critical analytical tool to distinguish particular features of a law. The drawback of this method is that it can be difficult to find material from other jurisdictions. Also, researchers should be sure that the comparisons are relevant to the thesis and not just used for description.

This type of research uses data analysis to study legal systems. A detailed guide on empirical methods can be found here . The process of empirical research involves four steps: design the project, collect and code the data, analyze the data, determine best method of presenting the results. The first step, designing the project, is when researchers define their hypothesis and concepts in concrete terms that can be observed. Next, researchers must collect and code the data by determining the possible sources of information and available collection methods, and then putting the data into a format that can be analyzed. When researchers analyze the data, they are comparing the data to their hypothesis. If the overlap between the two is significant, then their hypothesis is confirmed, but if there is little to no overlap, then their hypothesis is incorrect. Analysis involves summarizing the data and drawing inferences. There are two types of statistical inference in empirical research, descriptive and causal. Descriptive inference is close to summary, but the researcher uses the known data from the sample to draw conclusions about the whole population. Causal inference is the difference between two descriptive inferences.

Two main types of empirical legal research are qualitative and quantitative.

Quantitative, or numerical, empirical legal research involves taking information about cases and courts, translating that information into numbers, and then analyzing those numbers with statistical tools.

Qualitative, or non-numerical, empirical legal research involves extracting information from the text of court documents, then interpreting and organizing the text into categories, and using that information to identify patterns.

Drafting The Methodology Section

This is the part of your paper that describes the research methodology, or methodologies if you used more than one. This section will contain a detailed description of how the research was conducted and why it was conducted in that way. First, draft an outline of what you must include in this section and gather the information needed.

Generally, a methodology section will contain the following:

Statement of research objectives
Reasons for the research methodology used
Description and rationale of the data collection tools, sampling techniques, and data sources used, including a description of how the data collection tools were administered
Discussion of the limitations
Discussion of the data analysis tools used

Be sure that you have clearly defined the reasoning behind the chosen methodology and sources.

Legal Reasoning, Research, and Writing for International Graduate Students Nadia E. Nedzel Aspen (2004) A guide to American legal research and the federal system, written for international students. Includes information on the research process, and tips for writing. Located in the Law Library, 3rd Floor: KF 240 .N43 2004.
Methodologies of Legal Research: Which Kind of Method for What Kind of Discipline? Mark van Hoecke Oxford (2013) This book examines different methods of legal research including doctrinal, comparative, and interdisciplinary. Located at Lilly Law Library, Indianapolis, 2nd Floor: K 235 .M476 2013. IU students may request item via IUCAT.
An Introduction to Empirical Legal Research Lee Epstein and Andrew D. Martin Oxford University Press (2014) This book includes information on designing research, collecting and coding data, analyzing data, and drafting the final paper. Located at Lilly Law Library, Indianapolis, 2nd Floor: K 85 .E678 2014. IU students may request item via IUCAT.
Emplirical Legal Studies Blog The ELS blog was created by several law professors, and focuses on using empirical methods in legal research, theory, and scholarship. Search or browse the blog to find entries on methodology, data sources, software, and other tips and techniques.

Literature Review

The literature review provides an examination of existing pieces of research, and serves as a foundation for further research. It allows the researcher to critically evaluate existing scholarship and research practices, and puts the new thesis in context. When conducting a literature review, one should consider the following: who are the leading scholars in the subject area; what has been published on the subject; what factors or subtopics have these scholars identified as important for further examination; what research methods have others used; what were the pros and cons of using those methods; what other theories have been explored.

The literature review should include a description of coverage. The researcher should describe what material was selected and why, and how those selections are relevant to the thesis. Discuss what has been written on the topic and where the thesis fits in the context of existing scholarship. The researcher should evaluate the sources and methodologies used by other researchers, and describe how the thesis different.

The following video gives an overview of conducting a literature review.

Note: this video is not specific to legal literature, however it may be helpful as a general overview.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few suggestions for digging into sources once you have selected a topic.

Research Guides

Research guides are discovery tools, or gateways of information. They pull together lists of sources on a topic. Some guides even offer brief overviews and additional research steps specifically for that topic. Many law libraries offer guides on a variety of subjects. You can locate guides by visiting library websites, such as this Library's site , the Law Library of Congress , or other schools like Georgetown . Some organizations also compile research guides, such as the American Society of International Law . Utilizing a research guide on your topic to generate an introductory source list can save you valuable time.

Secondary Sources

It is often a good idea to begin research with secondary sources. These resources summarize, explain, and analyze the law. They also provide references to primary sources and other secondary sources. This saves you time and effort, and can help you quickly identify major themes under your topic and help you place your thesis in context.

Encyclopedias provide broad coverage of all areas of the law, but do not go in-depth on narrow topics, or discuss differences by jurisdiction, or include all of the pertinent cases. American Jurisprudence ( AmJur ) and Corpus Juris Secundum ( CJS ) have nationwide coverage, while the Indiana Law Encyclopedia focuses on Indiana state law. A number of other states also have their own state-specific encyclopedias.

American Law Reports ( ALR ) are annotations that synopsize various cases on narrow legal topics. Each annotation covers a different topic, and provides a leading or typical case on the topic, plus cases from different jurisdictions that follow different rules, or cases where different facts applying the same rule led to different outcomes. The annotations also refer to other secondary sources.

Legal periodicals include several different types of publications such as law reviews from academic institutions or organizations, bar journals, and commercial journals/newspapers/newsletters. Legal periodicals feature articles that describe the current state of the law and often explore underlying policies. They also critique laws, court decisions, and policies, and often advocate for changes. Articles also discuss emerging issues and notify the profession of new developments. Law reviews can be useful for in-depth coverage on narrow topics, and references to primary and other secondary sources. However, content can become outdated and researchers must be mindful of biases in articles.

Treatises/Hornbooks/Practice Guides are a type of secondary source that provides comprehensive coverage of a legal subject. It could be broad, such as a treatise covering all of contract law, or very narrow such as a treatise focused only on search and seizure cases. These sources are good when you have some general background on the topic, but you need more in-depth coverage of the legal rules and policies. Treatises are generally well organized, and provide you with finding aids (index, table of contents, etc.) and extensive footnotes or endnotes that will lead you to primary sources like cases, statutes, and regulations. They may also include appendices with supporting material like forms. However, treatises may not be updated as frequently as other sources and may not cover your specific issue or jurisdiction.

Citation and Writing Style

Legal Writing in Plain English Bryan A. Garner University of Chicago Press, 2001. Call # KF 250 .G373 2001 Location: Law Library, 3rd Floor Provides lawyers, judges, paralegals, law students, and legal scholars with sound advice and practical tools for improving their written work. The leading guide to clear writing in the field, this book offers valuable insights into the writing process: how to organize ideas, create and refine prose, and improve editing skills. This guide uses real-life writing samples that Garner has gathered through decades of teaching experience. Includes sets of basic, intermediate, and advanced exercises in each section.
The Elements of Legal Style Bryan A. Garner Oxford University Press, 2002. Call # KF 250 .G37 2002 Location: Law Library, 1st Floor, Reference This book explains the full range of what legal writers need to know: mechanics, word choice, structure, and rhetoric, as well as all the special conventions that legal writers should follow in using headings, defined terms, quotations, and many other devices. Garner also provides examples from highly regarded legal writers, including Oliver Wendell Holmes, Clarence Darrow, Frank Easterbrook, and Antonin Scalia.
Grammarly Blog Blog featuring helpful information about quirks of the English language, for example when to use "affect" or "effect" and other tips. Use the search feature to locate an article relevant to your grammar query.
Plain English for Lawyers Richard C. Wydick Carolina Academic Press, 2005. Call # KF 250 .W9 2005 Location: Law Library, 3rd Floor Award-winning book that contains guidance to improve the writing of lawyers and law students and to promote the modern trend toward a clear, plain style of legal writing. Includes exercises at the end of each chapter.
The Chicago Manual of Style University of Chicago Press, 2010. Call # Z 253 .U69 2010 Location: Law Library, 2nd Floor While not addressing legal writing specifically, The Chicago Manual of Style is one of the most widely used and respected style guides in the United States. It focuses on American English and deals with aspects of editorial practice, including grammar and usage, as well as document preparation and formatting.
The Chicago Manual of Style (Online) Bryan A. Garner and William S. Strong The University of Chicago Press, 2017. Online edition: use the link above to view record in IUCAT, then click the Access link (for IU students only).
The Bluebook Compiled by the editors of the Columbia Law Review, the Harvard Law Review, the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, and the Yale Law Journal. Harvard Law Review Association, 2015. Call # KF245 .B58 2015 Location: Law Library, 1st Floor, Circulation Desk The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is a style guide that prescribes the most widely used legal citation system in the United States. The Bluebook is taught and used at a majority of U.S. law schools, law reviews and journals, and used in a majority of U.S. federal courts.
User's Guide to the Bluebook Alan L. Dworsky William S. Hein & Co., Inc., 2015. Call # KF 245 .D853 2015 Location: Law Library, Circulation Desk "This User's Guide is written for practitioners (law students, law clerks, lawyers, legal secretaries and paralegals), and is designed to make the task of mastering citation form as easy and painless as possible. To help alleviate the obstacles faced when using proper citation form, this text is set up as a how-to manual with a step-by-step approach to learning the basic skills of citation and includes the numbers of the relevant Bluebook rules under most chapter subheadings for easy reference when more information is needed"--Provided by the publisher.
Legal Citation in a Nutshell Larry L. Teply West Academic Publishing, 2016. Call # KF 245 .T47 2016 Location: Law Library, 1st Floor, Circulation Desk This book is designed to ease the task of learning legal citation. It initially focuses on conventions that underlie all accepted forms and systems of legal citation. Building on that understanding and an explanation of the “process” of using citations in legal writing, the book then discusses and illustrates the basic rules.
Introduction to Basic Legal Citation (Online) Peter W. Martin Cornell Legal Information Institute, 2017. Free online resource. Includes a thorough review of the relevant rules of appellate practice of federal and state courts. It takes account of the latest edition of The Bluebook, published in 2015, and provides a correlation table between this free online citation guide and the Bluebook.
Last Updated: Oct 24, 2019 11:00 AM
URL: https://law.indiana.libguides.com/dissertationguide

Law School Home

Choosing a Topic for Seminar Papers and Journal Notes: The Selection Process

Getting Started
What Makes a Good Note
The Selection Process
Idea Generator
Staying Informed
Preemption Checking

How to Select a Topic

Follow these steps or use your own:

1. Use the following questions to create a list of no more than three ideas:

What areas of law am I genuinely, honestly interested in?
What law topics are of current interest?

2. Select one idea and do some preliminary topical research.

Develop some basic keywords and phrases.
Is it narrow enough to cover thoroughly?
Do you still find it interesting?
Can it say something new?
Refining the idea until it meets the above criteria.
The result should be a concise, one-sentence description of the topic.

3. Run a prospective full search in major databases. (Westlaw, Lexis, HeinOnline, etc.)

Start with the basic keywords and build a more refined set of search terms.
Peruse articles that are based on similar topics, looking for differences with your idea.
Perspective (e.g. political vs. technological)
Approach (e.g. supportive vs. critical)
Changes (e.g. new cases or concepts)
Evaluate whether the end result is sufficient as a note topic.

** If it won't work, go back to step 2 and research the next idea

4. If it still looks viable:

Check for any formal procedures for topic approval.
Run the topic by the journal editor and/or professor.

Law School Toolbox

Why selecting the right topic is probably the most important step in the writing process
How to productively engage with your professors, your mentors, and even your law librarians about your topic selection and your writing
Where to look for good topics that won’t bore you (and your readers) to death
The pros and cons of writing about circuit splits
How to balance finding an original topic with existing authority
Our own note and seminar paper problems – learn from our mistakes!

Remember to...

Start early

Writing often takes much more time than initially anticipated.

Plan accordingly

Create milestone goals to measure your progress.

Be consistent

Commit to work on your paper for a specific number of hours per week.

Stay Engaged

Don't let other projects or events significantly distract your efforts.

You’ll be glad you did!

Make sure it is something you find interesting. more... less... It will be a much easier and enjoyable experience if the topic is of interest to you. Enthusiasm and genuine interest will often outweigh the perceived benefit of choosing a topic that comes across as a particularly important.
Create a schedule and stick to it. more... less... Creating artificial deadlines for research, writing, editing and polishing can organize and compartmentalize some of the frustration bound to occur during the project. A clear plan will make research lead into the final product with much less stress or frustration.
Maintain a research log. more... less... Many students forget what resources they have found or where they have already searched. A log of search terms and databases can limit redundancy and allow easy follow-up for future options to consider.
Utilize the full range of available resources. more... less... There is more out there than Westlaw and Lexis. Consider books, treatises, historical sources, current awareness services, blogs and other legal commentary, etc. Your best ideas may come from outside the most obvious locations.
Never hesitate to ask a librarian for assistance. more... less... Librarians can help you find resources, identify ideas, suggest new sources to look at, and organizing your results so far. Drop by the Reference Desk or set up an appointment for a one-on-one consultation.
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Next: Idea Generator >>
Last Updated: Mar 26, 2024 4:13 PM
URL: https://libguides.law.umich.edu/topicselection

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What can you do with a PhD in law?

UQ people Published 28 Aug, 2020 · 5-minute read

Ever wondered what it's like to do a PhD in law at UQ? Choosing the right pathway can be hard, especially when there are so many unknowns out there.

What can you do with a PhD in law? How do you choose the right PhD supervisor ? Are there any PhD scholarships available?

Law PhD candidate Unaisi and her supervisor Professor Jennifer Corrin have teamed up to answer some of your questions to help you decide what’s right for you.

Watch Can you influence the law with a PhD from UQ? on YouTube.

What's your favourite thing about being a law PhD supervisor?

Jennifer: There are lots of good things. I get to share the journey with somebody who is researching an area that they're really enthusiastic about. Often I learn things from that. But it's really nice to see not only the growth of the research, but also the growth of the person doing the research.

Also, there are those little occasions where you see the student have a light bulb moment when they think "oh, I get it" and that's just so nice. I feel like cheering from the sidelines sometimes.

Why did you choose to do a PhD in law?

Una: I've always wanted to do a PhD. It has always been the ultimate goal. As an Indigenous woman, I feel like my research will be so important, and so that was one of the two motivators for me to do a PhD. I want to be able to do research that means something, and I feel with a PhD in law I can accomplish that.

How is your PhD different from your undergraduate studies?

Una: It's very different. It’s a personal journey. I feel like I'm alone, but I'm not alone. So really, in terms of getting the research done, if I'm not meeting my supervisor, I set the goals, the timelines and I need to meet those, as compared to my undergrad where my lecturers set all the deadlines.

Why are you passionate about advanced research?

Jennifer: I like to solve puzzles. One of my hobbies is cryptic crosswords. That's really what you're doing when you're doing a piece of legal research; you can look beyond what the law says, you can dig a little bit deeper to see what's wrong with the law and, of course, what's right with the law, and you can also go on from that to make recommendations.

I also like the fact that we can have positive impact. So, in certain times, you've got that impact where your ideas are actually taken on board by maybe policymakers or even governments or courts.

Unaisi and Jennifer discuss the next stage of Unaisi's law PhD

Why did you choose to do your law PhD at UQ?

Una: UQ was always at the top of my list of universities. I wanted somewhere where I had the right person guiding me throughout the process. I did research and saw UQ's placement in terms of universities in the world and in Australia. And, finally, my initials are UQ . My second name starts with a Q, so I was like, it's only right!

What's the best advice you would give to research students considering doing their PhD at UQ?

Jennifer: First I would tell them that it's a great place to do their PhD, because it’s a really nice collegial atmosphere. But I would also say choose something that you have a passion for, because the PhD journey is a long one . You do not want to be working on something that you're not enthusiastic about – your interest has to sustain you through that long journey.

"Try to find a supervisor who is enthusiastic about your topic, so when you're in those troughs that everybody has with their research, you've got somebody to talk to."

What scholarship have you been awarded and how did you find out about it?

Una: I am currently on the UQ graduate scholarship and I found out about it when I was putting together my application. So I went through the UQ website and looked at all the scholarships that I thought I would be eligible for. And I submitted my proposal and here I am.

Who do you think should do a PhD?

Jennifer: Anybody who's got a passion for research. It's got to sustain you throughout your candidature, so that passion is really important. I think that's much more important than getting rungs on the board for a career. I'd also say age is no barrier. You need to be somebody who is willing to persevere and step up to the challenge, because during the course of your candidature, there will be challenges.

How do you think your PhD in law will benefit you, professionally and personally?

Una: Professionally, it boosts myself as an academic, and as an Indigenous academic, and I would be building on work that you've already done in the Pacific. As an Indigenous researcher, it places me in good stead, and I hope that other Indigenous students would see me and build on that work again.

"Personally, this is an achievement not just for me as an Indigenous person and as a woman. The PhD would be celebrated by not just myself but my clan and my people. This is not just my achievement; this is an achievement for them as well."

What can you do with a PhD in law? Unaisi is proof that you can make a real impact.

What made you decide to be Una's supervisor?

Jennifer: I actually find this quite easy to answer, because here is somebody who is a talented lawyer in their own right. Also, of course, you have a great topic, and that topic is aligned with my research, so I felt that I could actually contribute to your journey and come along with you on your journey. I also liked the fact that you had a topic which you had a personal interest in, so obviously you have that enthusiasm to carry you through. As we're going along this journey together, I’m going to learn as much from you as you will from me.

What is your PhD topic?

Una: The PhD is on the Indigenous identity and how Indigenous people define themselves, how state laws define Indigenous people and how international law defines Indigenous people. Part of the research is looking at the descendants of the new Vanuatu and Solomon islanders who were taken to Fiji during the period of blackbirding.

What was your own PhD topic?

Jennifer: It might sound boring if I give you just the title, but it was about South Pacific jurisprudence. That involves conflict between customary laws and state laws. In particular, looking at those small island countries in South Pacific and looking at ways of reconciling those two very different systems.

How did you pitch your topic?

Una: I didn't have your contact but it was on the website, so I emailed you and we discussed the topic. It was back and forth, because I was in Nauru and you were here. It was fairly simple. I put together a proposal and then you had a look at it and you agreed to be my supervisor should I get it, and then I applied and I got confirmation.

Your research career begins here at UQ. Explore our scholarships or apply now.

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190 Unique Law Research Topics for Students to Consider

Table of Contents

If you are a law student, then obviously as a part of your studies you must write an excellent academic paper on any top law research topics. Right now, do you want to write a brilliant law research paper? Are you searching for the best law research topic ideas? If yes, then continue reading this blog post and get interesting law topics for your academic writing.

Law Research Paper Writing

A law research paper is a type of research paper that focuses on any legal topic in the world. The legal topics are nothing but the topic that deals with the legal issues that are resolved in the court.

In general, every country will have its own legal regulations and policies. More commonly, the basic rights and humanity will be the same for all the countries in the world, but specifically, you need to consider the cultural and historical peculiarities of a country while writing a law research paper.

Remember, the law is a sensitive subject and hence, when writing legal research papers, utmost care should be given. You shouldn’t add too much philosophy to it. Your research paper should answer your law essay topics properly with pure black-and-white facts.

You may think that writing a law research paper is easy. But actually, it is not. For writing an intense legal research paper, you must have a unique legal research topic. Particularly, when writing law papers, you should first research and find the legal questions relevant to your topic, analyze the various legal precedents, and present the answer to your legal question in the form of a memo by properly citing all the sources you have used for references.

Law Research Paper Topic Selection Tips

If you want to write a law research paper, then a good law research topic is what you need. Basically, the law is a complex subject, and hence choosing the right research topic from them is challenging. While selecting the legal research topic, be sure to keep the following tips in mind.

Your topic should not be too broad.
It should be informative to your audience.
The topic should be catchy and relevant to modern law.
It should contain relevant supporting materials online or in local libraries.
The topic should deal with relevant legal precedents.
It should answer all the legal essay questions.
Your topic should have real-life cases to illustrate your points.

List of the Best Law Research Paper Topics

Law is a popular discipline among humanitarian sciences that have a wide range of research areas. Some common law research areas include business law, commercial law, environmental law, international law, medical law, constitutional law, cyber law, family law and so on.

As law is a broad subject with endless research topics, it might be difficult for you to choose the most interesting idea from them. So, to make things easier, we have sorted different categories of law and listed some outstanding law research topics for you.

Have a look at the below-mentioned list of law research paper topic ideas and identify aprofound legal research topic of your choice.

Business Law Research Topics

What’s the true nature of business law?
Equity and the doctrines of business law
Morality and its relation to business law
Business laws and the parliament
The formulation of business regulations in Islam
Why are business regulations essential for institutions and organizations?
Business laws in Africa
How crucial is the constitution for the creation of business law?
Business law as a profession
The classification of the business regulations
Describe the Law of Contracts in the United States
Discuss the fundamentals of UK contract law for businesses
Critical evaluation of the role of the judiciary bodies in corporate law
Disclose an insight into contract laws with respect to the application of verbal and non-verbal agreements
Importance of collective bargaining agreements and laws on labor relations
How to deal with corruption in business law?
Discuss the difference between the EU and the UK after the implementation of the Brexit Contract Law
Discuss the protections provided to the minority shareholders in the corporate law regime of India
Compare and contrast the legal aspects of corporate M&A (mergers and acquisitions) in the United States and Australia
Analysis of the role of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition in regulating the anti-competitive practices in the market
Compare and contrast the legal aspects of e-commerce in the US and the UK
Critical analysis of the role played by the Arbitration and conciliation act in resolving business disputes
Compare and contrast the company law act in Australia and Canada
Discuss how anti-money laundering laws of a country impact businesses
Describe the implications of digital payment systems

Commercial Law Research Paper Topics

What are the dangers and potential results of commercial partnerships?
A comprehensive analysis of pre-incorporation contracts: How do they work?
Reviewing the use of international commercial law in energy projects across the globe.
Assessing the mediating role of corporate social responsibility in companies’ performance.
Evaluating the commercial laws that should be used against dishonest managers.
Reviewing the US commercial laws: What should be changed or added?
Evaluating the regulations aimed at stopping corruption: A case study of the UK.
Reviewing the implications of international commercial law in UK commercial laws.
Assessing the effectiveness of international commercial law programs in UK universities.
Evaluating the effectiveness of commercial law to support commercial transactions in the US.
Critical analysis of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Discuss the benefits of Commercial Law
Analyze the difficulties faced by businesses due to pursuing Regular or Commercial Lease
Describe the effect of business law on commercial transactions and licensing
Critical analysis of the labor law in Tanzania
Develop a comparative study on international labor standards that regulate multinational companies in developing countries

Constitutional Law Research Topics

The Internet and its impact on Free Speech
The pros and cons of federalism
What’s the freedom of the press?
The desecration and flag burning
A comparison between constitutions and state laws
What are the rights of victims of self-incrimination?
The pros and cons of Constitutionalism
All about gun control and its history in the US
What are the key changes that the First Amendment has brought?
What changes did the Bill of Rights bring?

Criminal Law Research Topics

Why does one crime have a set of different punishments?
The roots of criminologists’ work and their work in modern times
Can sociology have an impact on preventing crime?
The ethical and legal issues related to criminal activity in your country.
The real truth behind domestic violence
What is quantitative criminology, and how does it differ from other types of crime?
When does the international criminal court come into play?
Analyzing the use of lie detectors in criminal justice: How effective are the lie detectors?
A deeper look at the history of the death penalty.
The key differences between male and female rape legislation
Evaluating crime-related factors that should not be presented in a court of law.
A thematic review of criminal theory: Exploring the link between crime and morality.
What are the best ways to protect witnesses from retaliation in criminal cases?
Is criminal profiling by law enforcement truly helpful in identifying serial killers?
How does the criminal justice system keep an eye on police with body cameras?

Read more: Criminal Justice Research Topics Idea for students

Research Topics on Family Law

Evaluating the impacts of the law on divorce: Has it increased the cases of divorce or reduced them?
Review the important implications and reasons for changes to family law in the last 20 years.
Assessing the factors that hinder couples from pursuing a divorce.
The global issues and legal aspects of marriage and divorce of mentally unstable individuals.
Explore divorce and social consequences across family law and religious perspectives.
Analyze the legal foundations of parenting and civil partnerships.
Assessing human rights in states that follow religious laws for families: A case study of India.
Compare the divorce rights for women in Pakistan and the UK.
How does culture impact decision-making on transgender marriages and divorce in the US?
Evaluating the compatibility of child justice with family justice: A case study of the UK.

Cyber Law Research Topics

The main cyber laws and enforcement today
What are the skills of an excellent cyber lawyer?
How can the government impact cyberterrorism?
Cybercrime and cyberterrorism
The penalties for cybercrime
All about private data, revenge porn, blackmailing, and our internet privacy
Is it the government’s job to analyze the flow of network traffic?
Cyberlaw trends and how the online community sticks to them.
The Internet Era and identity theft: Is it a crime of modern times?
Categories of cybercrime and the main cybersecurity strategies against violators.

Read more: Interesting Cybercrime Research Topics To Deal With your paper

Research Ideas on Environmental Law

The environmental influence on the rate of crime
How has global environmental law changed today?
The importance of environmental law for the health of current generations.
Biological weapons and their regulations by international environmental law.
Will the Uber industry impact the ecology in America?
The current environmental regulations in the United States
Sustainability and environmental compliance due to environmental law and economic reality.
All about the environmental regulations in Canada
Waste management in countries with a high economic level.
Environmental law in Australia and climate change

Employment Law Research Topics

A comprehensive review of employment contracts and job contracts in the US manufacturing industry.
A legal viewpoint of employee mobility between European Union countries.
Equal employment opportunities: Comparing gender differences in the UK and US regulations.
Compare the UK laws before and after exiting the European Union.
Reviewing legal perspectives of social work employment: A case study of California, USA.
A comparative analysis of employment laws in the automotive industry in the US and UK.
Analyze the impact of trade unions and their work in the UK.
The convergence of employment laws and religion in the USA: A literature review.
Evaluating the efficiency of workplace sexual harassment: A case study of the US and UK.
A critical evaluation of the employment law of disabled individuals in the US.

Law Research Topics on Intellectual Property

Evaluating laws for intellectual property rights protection on the internet.
A comprehensive assessment of the economic impacts of intellectual property rights
Evaluating the fair dealing in terms of copyright law: A case study of the US.
How has EU law impacted the intellectual property regime in the UK?
Can the emerging technological advancements operate smoothly with the current intellectual property laws in the US?
Demystifying the relationship between intellectual property laws and EU regulations?
Comparing and contrasting the intellectual property regimes in the UK and the US.
Evaluating the implications of Brexit on the protection of intellectual property rights in the UK.
Is the EU intellectual property law safe and fair for users and owners?
Does the EU copyright law provide ample balance between the needs of inventors and users?
Comparison of the institutions and regulations governing intellectual property in China and India
An in-depth analysis of the UK’s invention and patenting system: Can the existing, rigid system stimulate innovation?
Critical analysis of the development of copyright and moral rights in the legal system of Europe
Infringement of foreign copyright and jurisdiction of the European Court
Critical analysis of the economic rationale of Trademarks
Analyze the emerging role of patents in innovation and intellectual property protection in the software industry
Peer-to-Peer Technology: Analysis of contributory infringement and fair use
Trademark protection is and ought to be the need of businesses to protect their brand value: Explain
What do fair pricing and fair dealing with copyright regulations mean?
Trade-Related Aspects of IP Rights: A Workable Instrument for Enforcing Benefit Sharing

International Law Research Paper Topics

The principles used to formulate international criminal laws.
Ethical systems and international relations
Problems of code-based ethics
How do different countries deal with false confessions?
Different treatment of terrorism as a crime in different countries
Diplomats and their protection of international morality.
Did the US involvement in Iraq provide justice or violate the law?
Laws on mental health in different countries
The issues of traditional justification
The question of ethics in the international legal context.
International Human Rights Court Hearings: Evaluating the importance of precedence.
What are the problems of enforcing international law in developing countries?
Evaluating the efficiency of International Tribunals in solving war crimes.
Digital and internet legislation: Forecasting the future.
Assessing the relationship between public safety and civil liberties in international laws.

Medical Law Research Topics

The common law towards refusal of medical treatment.
Evaluating the laws governing organ transplantation: A case study of the US .
How do ethics and medical law coexist?
Ethics and Medical Laws in World War II
Law application in medicine: Exploring the antecedents and practice.
Evaluating the ethical and legal challenges of using biobanks.
Exploring the legal aspects of electronic fetal monitoring.
How do lawsuits affect medical practitioners’ commitment to offering lifesaving treatments?
Unregistered medical intervention in the UK: What are the legal implications?
Morality and law in the abortion debate.
In accordance with international environmental law, biological weapons are prohibited.
Will the Uber industry have an impact on American ecology?
United States environmental laws are in effect today.
Due to environmental legislation and economic reality, sustainability, and environmental compliance.
anything about Canadian environmental laws.
evaluating aspects of crime that shouldn’t be discussed in court.
What are the best strategies for shielding witnesses in criminal cases from reprisals?
A more thorough examination of the death penalty’s past
Examining the connection between crime and morality is the focus of this examination of criminal theory.
A case study of London’s examination into the difficulties in determining the type and distribution of crime.

A Few More Medical Law Research Ideas

How to balance the rights of defendants and victims when using anonymity in sexual offense litigation.
Slavery, prostitution, and human trafficking. the methods used globally to eradicate it.
Is identity theft a modern-day crime? prevention of identity theft in the post-Internet era.
criminality and psychology. Are some people more likely than others to breach the law?
Social control theory against the self-control hypothesis
False confessions and how they are handled in various nations.
The environment’s impact on crime rates is one of the theories behind shattered windows.
Similarities and disparities between mental diseases and crime in various nations.
education, criminal behavior, and intelligence.
From the beginning to the present, criminologists’ fieldwork.
How does quantitative criminology differ from other types of crime? What is it?
When is the use of the international criminal court appropriate?
Examining the effectiveness of lie detectors in the criminal justice system:
A more thorough investigation of the death penalty’s past.
The main distinctions between male and female rape laws
Assessing criminal-related variables that shouldn’t be brought up in court.
What effects has EU law had on the UK’s system of intellectual property?
Can the advancing technologies coexist peacefully with the US’s current intellectual property laws?
Explaining the connection between EU rules and intellectual property laws?

210 Brilliant Math Research Topics and Ideas for Students

220 Amazing Religious Research Paper Topics and Ideas

Read and Understand How to Write a Research Proposal

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Outstanding Law Thesis Topics for Law Students

At some point, every law student in the UK and US universities is required to write a thesis or dissertation. In many cases, it is the last hurdle before graduating from a law graduate school. This requirement evokes excitement and horror in equal measures. On the one hand, it is a unique opportunity to interrogate an area of interest academically, but on the other end, it is a monumental responsibility. Therefore, where do you even start? The answer is the ‘topic.’

Because a dissertation is a long piece of writing, the topic you select is very crucial. It will determine how easy or difficult the journey of writing your thesis will be. But how do you even come up with great legal topics to write about?

The first step to picking great law thesis topics is narrowing to areas of interest. In this post, we are going to help you cut to the chase by outlining outstanding legal thesis topics that you can use today. Do not just settle for any topic, go for the best!

Why Scholars Should Choose the Best Law Dissertation Topics

The law thesis topic you select can make or break your dream career. Therefore, no effort should be spared in getting a good topic and crafting a thesis that will catapult you to the next level of your career. Here are some benefits of identifying and working with the best law dissertation topic.

A great thesis topic allows you to explore the areas that are lacking in the legal profession. Well, you have the opportunity to fill the gap and make a name for yourself.
A good dissertation topic offers you the opportunity to work on an area of interest. Unlike other areas of your study, this is the only opportunity where you have the freedom to choose. Therefore, select what you associate with and fancy more.
The topic you select will determine how easy or hard it will be to prepare your thesis. With this in mind, you should go for interesting law topics that have enough resources. If you select the topics with no resources, there is a risk of getting stuck at some point.
Interesting legal topics to write about also make it easy to defend the thesis. When selecting the topic, it is important to understand that at the end of it, you will be required to defend the thesis. You should only go for the topic that you can easily defend and grab that degree, masters, or PhD accreditation that you have been yearning for years.

Now that you know why you should only go for the best topics, we are going to list the best topics that you should consider in legal studies.

Criminal Law Thesis Topics

Criminal law is an area of legal study and practice that defines what constitutes crime and prosecution of those who commit such crimes. Crime is considered an act or omission of an action that violates a law that forbids or commands it.

As you select legal topics for research papers or a thesis in criminal law, it is important to appreciate that the branch of law is broken into two main categories – misdemeanor and felony. Misdemeanors are crimes considered of low level, and that attracts penalties of less than one-year jail-term. On the other hand, a felony is a more serious crime. Felonies include crimes such as robbery with violence, murder, dealing with drugs, and manslaughter. Here are some great dissertation topics in criminal law.

A comprehensive evaluation of male and female rape legislations: What are the key differences?
Analyzing the use of lie detectors in criminal justice: How effective are the lie detectors?
Evaluating the misuse of manslaughter laws in the US: What are the best ways to protect victims?
Evaluating crime-related factors that should not be presented in a court of law.
What are the best ways to protect witnesses from retaliation in criminal cases?
A deeper look at the history of the death penalty.
A thematic review of criminal theory: Exploring the link between crime and morality.
An investigation into the challenges of identifying nature and distribution of crime: A case study of London.
Use of anonymity in sexual offences lawsuits: How to strike a balance between the rights of defendants and victims.
What are the implications of the war on terror on the enforcement of criminal law: A case study of the US.
Evaluating cases of racial prejudice among the prisoners in the US.
Analyzing the relationship between Islamic criminal law and human rights.

International Law Research Topics

International law is a comprehensive body of norms, standards, and rules that are used between legally recognized international states. The term was first used between 1748 and 1832 by Jeremy Bentham, an English philosopher. It is an interesting area to derive international business law topics because you are able to look at and deal with real problems that face the globe and individual states today.

You can focus your study on things such as war, peace, diplomacy, and economic trade issues. When selecting dissertation topics in international law, it is prudent to appreciate that the discipline has been greatly influenced by ethical principles, especially in the realms of human rights. Here are some great international law topics that you should consider:

Assessing the challenges faced by different parties when applying the Vienna Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).
Evaluating the future of consumer protection in the post-Brexit era.
Assessing history and future possibilities of the US and UK military cooperation in addressing terror.
Evaluating situations in law when a country is allowed by international law to intervene in the affairs of other countries.
Comparing gaps in human rights law: A closer look at the UK.
Did the US involvement in Iraq provide justice or violate the law?
What are the problems of enforcing international law in developing countries? A case study of South Africa and India.
Evaluating the efficiency of International Tribunals in solving war crimes.
Rethinking the principles used to formulate international criminal laws.
Assessing the relationship between public safety and civil liberties in international laws.
Digital and internet legislation: Forecasting the future.
International Human Rights Court Hearings: Evaluating the importance of precedence.

Legal Dissertation Topics in Family Law

If you have an interest in legal relationships at the family level, it is advisable to look for dissertation topics in family law. Family law is an area of legal practice that focuses on matters surrounding family relationships. By picking a thesis topic in family law, you will be honing your skills in dealing with issues such as divorce, adoption, and child custody.

Note that according to family law, individual states have their rights to determine the requirements for marriage, including things such as age, legal capacity, and procedures of different things such as marriage and divorce. Therefore, there are very many areas you can focus your dissertation on. Here are some great thesis topics to consider in family law:

Reviewing the major changes of family law in the last 50 years: A case study of the UK.
Assessing human rights in states that follow religious laws for families: A case study of India.
Analyzing the impact of culture on family lawsuits: A case study of Manchester, UK.
Domestic violence: Evaluating the repercussions for males vs. females.
Making decisions in divorce cases: Establishing to what extent the child’s desire to stay with one party should influence the decisions made by the courts.
Evaluating the impacts of the law on divorce: Has it increased the cases of divorce or reduced them?
What are the legal implications of child neglect in the US: A systematic review of literature
Evaluating the compatibility of child justice with family justice: A case study of the UK.
Assessing the factors that hinder couples from pursuing a divorce.
Is it time to reform US family law?
Analyzing the legal foundations of parenting and civil partnerships.

Employment Law Dissertation Topics

Employment law is another broad area of legal practice that focuses on employer-employee relationships. If a business has several employees (more than one), it is likely to apply employment law in one area or another. This legal niche comprises of both federal and state laws, and further hinges other subjects such as workers’ rights. This means that if you target employment law for your dissertation, there is a very wide area to pick the topic of choice.

In employment law, it is not simply about understanding which law to apply. In addition, you need to know when a specific law covers a subject, and at what point to seek help from an attorney. Some of the areas that you can base your employment law dissertation include workers’ compensation, labor relations, immigration, social security, wrongful termination, minimum wage, employee benefits, and employment discrimination. To help you with the chase, here are the top employment law dissertation topics that you should consider:

The convergence of employment laws and religion in the USA: A literature review.
Comparing the UK laws before and after exiting the European Union.
Analyzing the impact of trade unions and their work in the UK: What are their successes and challenges?
A comparative analysis of employment laws application in the automotive industry in the US and UK.
Are you secure in your job: A comprehensive review of employment contracts and job contracts in the US manufacturing industry.
Reviewing international firms’ law application and enforcement issues: A case study of Barclays Bank and Southwest Airlines.
Reviewing legal perspectives of social work employment: A case study of California, USA.
Employee dismissal: Comparing the legal basis for staff dismissal in the US and EU.
Equal employment opportunities: Comparing gender differences in the UK and US regulations.
Evaluating the efficiency of workplace sexual harassment: A case study of the US and UK.
A legal viewpoint of employee mobility between European Union countries.
A critical evaluation of the employment law of disabled individuals in the US. What policies should be integrated to enhance its efficiency?

Commercial Law Dissertation Topics

Commercial law is another broad area of legal practice that deals with laws related to persons, businesses, and merchants engaging in sales, trade, and commerce. In some cases, it is also referred to as commercial law. Indeed, it interacts with other areas including real estate, environmental regulation, and safety laws.

To pick a good commercial law dissertation topic, it is important to understand the common issues in the niche. Notably, commercial laws are associated with distinct issues relating to transactions between businesses as well as with their clients. The most notable is the breach of contract by one or both parties. Other issues you can focus on when selecting the commercial law topic include:

Issues related to unfair competition.
Disputes and violations related to advertising and marketing.
Complexities associated with starting new businesses.
Consumer complaints about businesses and business practices.
Trade secrets.

When an issue in commercial law is raised, it is resolved depending on the nature of the conflict, or type of violation. The following are some great commercial legal thesis topics you should consider:

Evaluating the effectiveness of commercial law to support commercial transactions in the US.
Reviewing the US commercial laws: What should be changed or added?
Assessing the effectiveness of international commercial law programs in UK universities.
Reviewing the implications of international commercial law in UK commercial laws.
Reviewing the use of international commercial law in the energy projects across the globe.
Evaluating the commercial laws that should be used against dishonest managers.
A closer look at commercial partnerships: What are the dangers and potential results?
Evaluating the regulations aimed at stopping corruption: A case study of the UK.
A comprehensive analysis of pre-incorporation contracts: How do they work?
A comprehensive evaluation of arbitration under commercial law: A closer look at policy practice in the UK.
Assessing the mediating role of corporate social responsibility in companies’ performance.

Intellectual Property Law Thesis topics

Intellectual property law is a branch of law that deals with rules for enforcing legal rights, artistic works, designs, and inventions. The same way law protects personal property, so does it protect the control of intangible assets. The aim of this law is benefiting inventors for their creative works.

In the US constitution, Article 1, Section 8 empowers Congress with authority to issue inventors and authors exclusive rights to their works. And, it is not just the US. The UK, Germany, and the EU, among other countries, also have strong statutes crafted to protect intellectual property.

As a student of law, there are diverse areas you can focus on when selecting a topic in intellectual property law. You can focus on copyright that protects people’s rights to their creative work, patents that grant legal rights to original inventions, or trademarks. Others include industrial design rights, trade dress, and plant variety rights. Here are some great intellectual property law dissertation topics that you should consider.

A comprehensive assessment of the economic impacts of intellectual property rights: A case study of the UK.
Evaluating the extent and effectiveness of indigenous people’s intellectual rights protection in the US.
Can the emerging technological advancements operate smoothly with the current intellectual property laws in the US?
Demystifying the relationship between intellectual property laws and EU regulations?
Evaluating laws for intellectual property rights protection on the internet.
A deeper look at the innovation and patent model in the UK: Can the current highly stringent system drive innovation?
Does the EU copyright law provide ample balance between the needs of inventors and users?
Evaluating the fair dealing in terms of copyright law: A case study of the US.
Comparing and contrasting the intellectual property regimes in the UK and US.
Is the EU intellectual property law safe and fair for users and owners?
How has EU law impacted the intellectual property regime in the UK?
What more needs to be done to improve the effectiveness of the current intellectual property laws in the US?
Evaluating the implications of Brexit on the protection of intellectual property rights in the UK.

Medical Law Dissertation Topics

Medical law is a branch of law that focuses on the responsibilities and rights of medical professionals and patients. Like other legal areas, medical law has different areas that a scholar can focus on. The common area you can focus your dissertation on is confidentiality. Confidentiality between medical experts and patients can be traced back to the English Common Law. But it has recently been codified so that any information provided to a doctor during diagnosis or treatment cannot be released without the patient’s consent or unless the patient demonstrates intention for personal harm.

The other area of interest that you can base your dissertation on is negligence. It can relate to professional malpractice in diagnosing or treating patients resulting in death or injury. But it is important to appreciate that other torts also cross into the medical law field. For example, a medical professional can defame a patient by disclosing the wrong info. Here are some great medical dissertation topics that you should consider.

Should judges, handling medical-related disputes, undergo special education to make their judgments fact-based?
Evaluating the laws governing organ transplantation: A case study of the US.
Abortion: At what point should an embryo be considered capable of having feelings, and abortion should be forbidden?
Forced sterilization: Who should be targeted, and how should it be implemented?
Evaluating medical complications in surgeries: What is the best way to decide the responsible party?
Exploring the legal aspects of electronic fetal monitoring.
How do ethics and medical law coexist?
How do lawsuits affect medical practitioners’ commitment to offering lifesaving treatments?
Law application in medicine: Exploring the antecedents and practice.
Evaluating the ethical and legal challenges of using biobanks.
Can a medical practitioner remain neutral when treating a mental disorder?
Evaluating the effectiveness of animal cruelty punishment methods: A case study of Oregon, USA.
Unregistered medical intervention in the UK: What are the legal implications?

After Selecting Great Topics … The Writing Journey Has Just Began!

Once you have selected the best legal dissertation topic, your dissertation writing journey has just begun. Therefore, how do you do it? You need to start by creating the right dissertation structure and work with your supervisor. Then, start early enough and work on the dissertation step after step until it is completed.

But we are not going to lie here: writing a dissertation is a huge task. Many are the times that people have written dissertations, only to be told that they are wrong. You do not want to follow that route. Do you?

The sure way to ensure you have the best dissertation is seeking thesis writing help . The writing help is affordable and is offered by expert writers. And, you know what? They have been writing dissertations for years and know the best structure for a winning piece.

NOTE: The dissertation is your last shot at getting a nod to graduate with a master’s or PhD degree. Therefore, make sure to get the right topic and craft the best dissertation with writing help from experts.

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Law Dissertation Topics

Completing a dissertation can be a daunting task for any student. However, this is especially true for law students. Any issue that is tackled in a law dissertation should be framed carefully. To successfully complete a law dissertation, it is absolutely imperative to locate relevant primary sources in the form of statutory instruments and case law decisions in particular where relevant, either in print or online, to carefully scrutinise the issue that is set out to be considered in a law dissertation. There is also typically a need to supplement the primary sources that are used in the writing of your law dissertation with reputable secondary materials, such as government and organizational documentation, along with the views of scholars, to contextualize the arguments that the work completed raises.

These kinds of issues can make it very difficult to know where to begin when it comes to writing an effective law dissertation. Therefore, it is in most students’ best interests to seek reliable and knowledgeable assistance regarding what kinds of titles for law dissertations will offer the best chances to achieve the highest grades possible. Consequently, this article proposes some law dissertation topics in some of the key areas of law that both undergraduate and postgraduate students look to when writing this kind of study in the form of criminal law, commercial law, company law, tort law, employment law, EU law, intellectual property, constitutional law, administrative law, and family law.

Criminal Law Dissertation Topics

Commercial law dissertation topics, company law dissertation topics, tort law dissertation topics, employment law dissertation topics, eu law dissertation topics, intellectual property dissertation topics, the english legal system and constitutional and administrative law dissertation topics.

Family Law Dissertation Topics

Criminal law covers a wide range of areas and is an interesting and often topical area, since it can take on a national, regional, or even international vent. It can be difficult to grasp some of the principles and subject areas and topics should be chosen very carefully. To help you to focus your law dissertation, here are some suggestions for topics that you should consider in the area of criminal law.

A critical examination of the need to reform homicide offences in England and Wales in view of the Law Commission’s proposals in this regard.
An investigation into the ‘war on terror’s’ impact upon on the construction and enforcement of international criminal law.
An analysis of the Sexual Offences Act 2003’s ability to determine consent regarding the offence of rape.
A critical evaluation of how complaints regarding the completion of investigations and the assessment of evidence are dealt with in the criminal justice system in England and Wales.
A critical discussion of the threat of criminal gangs’ activities impact upon public order and state interests in England and Wales.
An examination of the partial defences of diminished responsibility and loss of control’s sufficiency for defending against a murder charge in England and Wales.
An investigation of problems with identifying the nature, extent and distribution of crime.
A critical discussion of the law’s construction regarding both omissions’ liability and ‘Bad Samaritans’.
A theoretical assessment of criminal theory regarding the intersection between crime, criminality, and morality.
An assessment of the ability of the criminal law in England and Wales to deal with new manifestations of criminality and the rise and prevalence of acid attacks in particular.
An evaluation of the offence of joint enterprise criminality in England and Wales to determine whether there is a need for reform.
An assessment of the need to protect the anonymity of those accused of sexual offences based upon the need to balance the recognition of defendants and victim rights in England and Wales.

Commercial law is often described as covering a wide area of study because it cannot really be dealt with in isolation within a single legal jurisdiction. Frequently, a commercial law dissertation will involve some kind of comparison with other countries. That said, there is a lot of focus on the jurisdiction of England and Wales as the commercial centre of choice, especially in relation to the matter of arbitration as a means of dispute resolution. With this in mind, some suggestions for commercial law topics are set out below.

A discussion regarding the ability of commercial law to support commercial transactions in England and Wales with a view to determining the need for reform.
Is the Vienna Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) better suited to international contracts than the law related to the sale of goods in England and Wales?
A critical assessment of the international commercial arbitration system as a cost effective and efficient means to administer justice in commercial disputes.
A comparative analysis of the recognition of the principles of commercial contracts in England and Wales and the approach taken in the European Union after Brexit.
An evaluation of the Lex Mercatoria in England and Wales as an appropriate choice of law for commercial arbitration proceedings.
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 discussion of the creation of a tripartite financial system in England and Wales and its role, if any, in the credit crunch.
An evaluation of European Union Sale of Goods law’s place in the law of England and Wales since the completion of Brexit.
A critical assessment of the passing of risk in the commercial law in England and Wales.
A legal assessment of the role of commercial law in sustaining public private partnerships based upon what happened with the Carillion Collapse.
An investigation of the sufficiency of England and Wales’ insolvency laws for dealing with instances of insolvency.
A critical assessment of the future of consumer protection in England and Wales in the post Brexit era.

There are numerous areas of interest in company law for producing an effective dissertation. Topics can include the Companies Act 2006’s effectiveness, incorporation’s benefits, limited liability, lifting the veil of incorporation, the raising of capital, and shareholder dividends payment. In addition, acquisitions, mergers and takeovers as well as aspects of insolvency, including administration, winding up and the emergence of rescue culture could prove fantastic topics for producing successful dissertations. Therefore, if you are interested in an area company law as a subject for your law dissertation, a number of potential topics are listed below:

A critical examination of the shareholder versus stakeholder basis of corporate governance.
An investigation of the importance of the non-executive director in the respective corporate legal systems of England and Wales and the United States of America.
An exploration of the transplantation of corporate legal regimes: does it promote better corporate governance?
The protection of minority shareholders’ rights based upon remedies of unfair prejudice and the basis for bringing proceedings under the Companies Act 2006 and the case law of England and Wales.
What are the arguments for and against ‘stakeholder theory’ and to what extent are they still valid?
A critical study of the legal and governance restraints on excessive executive director remuneration from the perspective of corporate governance in England and Wales and the United States of America.
A critical assessment of the law on corporate manslaughter from victims’ families’ perspective.
As assessment of the ability of Insolvency law in England and Wales to promote and deliver corporate rescues.
A critical analysis of the regulation of public companies in England and Wales when compared to the United States of America.
An assessment of the need for company law’s reform regarding directors’ duties in the wake of the Carillion Collapse.
An assessment of the need for the reform of mergers and acquisition law in England and Wales to enhance stakeholders’ understanding to support the achievement of long-term economic stability.
The need to reform the taxation rules of England and Wales and the United States of America to ensure multinational organisations pay their fair share of tax.

Tort law effectively defines what is considered a legal injury. This area of law is important because it establishes the circumstances whereby an individual may be held liable for another party’s injury due to either intentional acts or omissions or even accidents. Tort law is potentially a wide area of study for a law dissertation since includes areas as diverse as different forms of negligence and trespass to both land and the person. Therefore, in view of Tort law’s complex nature, here are some suggestions to help you formulate an effective law dissertation for you to complete:

A critical assessment of the importance of foreseeability and policy in establishing a duty of care.
A critical analysis of the rules regarding the recovery of economic losses in tortious actions.
To what extent is it true to say that there is still a growing compensation culture in the jurisdiction of England and Wales when compared to the position in the United States of America?
Where does the decision of the House of Lords in Gregg v Scott leave the loss of a chance in England and Wales?
To what extent is the rule in Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee still the standard for assessing the notion of reasonable care in professional negligence cases?
When it comes to matter of occupiers’ liability under the Occupiers Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984 respectively, when is a trespasser not a trespasser?
An investigation of the jurisprudence of England and Wales that serves to limit what may be recovered where some form of psychiatric harm is proved.
The impact of the House of Lords’ decision in Chester v Afshar on the law of Informed Consent when it comes to instances of medical negligence.
Why might the duty of care afforded to children be considered to be a step too far regarding the recognition of tortious liability?
An investigation of the need to account for policy considerations in tortious claims.
An assessment of the need for reform of the rules to determine causation in the event of their being multiple and consecutive causes of the claimant’s loss.
A critical discussion regarding the need to reform the law on nuisance in England and Wales.
An exploration of the need to reform the rules to establish a duty of care regarding the tortious liable to public body defendants in cases of negligence.

Where someone elects to write their law dissertation in relation to some aspect of Employment law, the focus typically seems to be on some aspect of unfair dismissal. Topics that are directly involved typically include unfair dismissal at common law, unfair dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 1996, and exclusions from unfair dismissal. In addition, employment law dissertations will also often consider the common law termination of a contract, the acquiring of employment rights, including analysing the calculation of continuous employment and interruptions in work, and, finally, the effectiveness of employment tribunals. Consequently, to impress an examiner with a law dissertation in employment law, there is a need to recognize that there are a lot of other interesting areas of study to consider, like the examples that are set out below:

A critical review of the approach to discrimination under the law of England and Wales.
An analysis of the extent to which a claim for wrongful dismissal provides more effective redress than a claim for unfair dismissal.
A comparative and critical review of the law related to the position of disabled people in positions of employment in England and Wales and the United States of America respectively.
A critical evaluation of the key legal aspects of the employee and employer relationship.
How does the legal position of casual and agency workers in England and Wales compare with the European Union?
What are the key legal issues associated with the use of Contracts of Employment in England and Wales in view of the increasing prevalence of’ zero hours’ contracts?
An evaluation of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 to determine the extent to which it still protects the rights of employees.
To what extent is there still a role for trade unions to play in the application of principles of employment law in England and Wales when compared with the position in the United States of America?
How could the reference of disputes to Employment Tribunals be reformed to improve the position of employees and employers respectively?
Critically analyse the role of indirect discrimination in discrimination law in the context of the employment relationship.
How will employment law in England and Wales be impacted upon by Brexit?
A critical analysis of whether the circumstances for when a contractor becomes an employee still effectively apply to the modern understanding of employment relationships.
What does the recent decision in Uber BV v Aslam mean for the future development of employment law in England and Wales?

The law of the EU has been recognised as an ever-expanding area with a considerable amount of academic interest, especially in view of the UK’s recent Brexit from the Union. To illustrate, a growing interest has developed regarding the effect that EU law will continue to have upon the UK constitution. This is because there has not only been some considerable overlap between EU law and both the constitutional and administrative law of England and Wale, but also due to the fact that EU law has served to impact virtually every area of life in the UK. Consequently, as the examples of potential law dissertation titles set out below serve to illustrate, there is plenty of scope for an effective law dissertation:

Critically assess the freedom of movement recognised under EU law and their impact upon the development of England and Wales’s law prior to Brexit: will this freedom still have a role to play in England and Wales in the future?
In view of the direct effect of EU law and the recognition of state liability in individual Member States, is there a need for an EU Constitution?
How important are enforcement actions against EU Member States as part of the European law-making process?
Is integration in the EU best explained by the concept of Federalism or Neo-Functionalism and to what extent has the law enacted and implemented to date achieved this?
What are the most significant tensions between social policy and trade in the EU and what efforts have been undertaken to resolve them to date?
How has the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 1950 contributed to the recognition of human rights internationally?
To what extent does the EU regulation of transport overlap with the regulation of state aid in the EU?
How have Articles 101(1) and (3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union improved international trade and competition within the EC?
What affect will the law of the European Union have upon the recognition of Parliamentary Sovereignty in the UK in the wake of Brexit?
What are the key aspects of the law of the EU that the UK should look to retain in the wake of Brexit?
Why is it important for the rights of citizens from EU Member States to be recognised in the UK once Brexit has been completed?
What impact will the UK’s Brexit serve to have upon the ongoing development of the law of the EU in its remaining Member States?

The law as it relates to intellectual property covers the creation, use and protection of trademarks, patents and copyright, together with other ancillary rights. In view of the array of intellectual property rights that it is possible for a given author to protect, there are clearly many topics that you could choose from for the completion of your law dissertation. As you can see from the examples that are presented below, there are a number of interesting areas that you could cover related to the recognition and/or the application of different intellectual property rights within the jurisdiction of England and Wales, the EU or even on a more global basis.

Critically evaluate the recognition of intellectual property rights impact upon economic relations between Member States within the EU.
To what extent are intellectual property rights effectively protected on the Internet in the jurisdiction of England and Wales?
How may it be said that passing-off in the context of trademark law is insufficient for providing protection for authors of creative works within the EU?
Analyse whether a right of confidence has been created in the jurisdiction of England and Wales that is effective for protecting an individual’s intellectual property rights.
Can the current, overly stringent patent system still be an incentive for innovation in the UK since Brexit from the EU was completed?
Does the copyright law of England and Wales provide a more effective balance between the needs of intellectual property rights holders and users than under the law of the United States of America?
Does the Fair Use principle provide an effective exemption to the application of England and Wales’ copyright law when compared to the position in the United States of America?
How will European law serve to impact upon the recognition of intellectual property rights in the UK now that Brexit has been completed?
Which of the legal systems of England and Wales, the EU, or the United States of America most effectively protect intellectual property rights holders against peer-to-peer file sharing? Why?
To what extent are indigenous people’s rights to intellectual property more effectively protected in the EU than in the United States of America?
What more could be done at a global level to improve the law to provide those people from less developed countries, particularly in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, with greater protection of their intellectual property right?
Is there a need for intellectual property to be recognised in social media posts? Why?

Essentially, the topic of the English Legal System and Constitutional and Administrative Law may be divided into three key areas. First, the nature of the constitution may be considered in areas including, but not limited to, the recognition and application conventions and the rule of law. Second, it is necessary to evaluate 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. Finally, Judicial Review is another significant area of interest that could include the basis for intervention, such as ultra vires and illegality, procedural irregularity, irrationality, proportionality, and the nemo judex rule. Therefore, as the examples of potential law dissertation topics set out below show with regard to the English Legal System and Constitutional and Administrative Law, there are clearly a number of interesting areas that could be covered.

Why should England and Wales’ legal system be fused so that there is one legal profession rather than solicitors and barristers?
To what extent do the different conceptualisations of Parliamentary Sovereignty affect the relationship between the courts and Parliament in England and Wales?
Taken as a whole, does the UK need a single constitution for Northern Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales to adhere to?
How has the recent introduction of the Criminal Cases Review Commission improved the position regarding miscarriages of justice in England and Wales?
How could the system of Judicial Review in England and Wales be reformed to improve its application?
Critically analyse the extent to which the view that the legitimacy of the law is based upon its effectiveness is agreeable within England and Wales’ jurisdiction.
Are select committees a useful and helpful check on government activities?
What role does natural justice play in the UK Constitution?
Are conventions still a valid part of the UK Constitution?
Why does the UK’s Brexit from the EU have to mean the end of the recognition of Parliamentary Sovereignty?
How will Brexit serve to impact upon the development of England and Wales’ legal system as a means of regulating the activities of national and local government, as well as interrelated public bodies?
In what ways will the relationship between constitutional and administrative law in England and Wales be affected by Brexit?

Family Law Dissertation Topics

Family Law is considered to cover a wide range of topics regarding the family and marriage, including moves to harmonise married and unmarried couples position, the influence of the Human Rights Act 1998, nullity, void and voidable marriages, the effects of a decree, statutory rights relating to marriage, the registration of marriages, and the case for reform. Other topics that may be of interest include the Child Support Act 1991, financial orders for children, the enforcement of financial obligations to a child or children, the award of maintenance and the enforcement maintenance payments arrears and the enforcement of financial obligations in the Magistrates court. With this in mind, as the examples of potential law dissertation topics set out below show with regard to the subject of Family Law, there are clearly a number of interesting areas that could be covered in a law dissertation.

Following the Government’s current research on domestic violence, consider whether and how the law related to spousal abuse needs to be reformed in England and Wales to provide greater protection for the victims.
What was the purpose behind the Civil Partnership Act 2004’s enactment and to what extent has it been effectively interpreted and applied by the courts to fulfill the aforementioned purpose?
To what extent are the social and legal foundations of marriage, civil partnerships and parenting now considered to be effectively interrelated in England and Wales so as to account for the modern concept of the family and all its connotations?
Is the “Best Interest” test outdated when it comes to applying the current law to dealing with children’s particular circumstances in the jurisdiction of England and Wales?
Have the amendments to the Child Support Act 1991 under the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 improved the position regarding child maintenance? If not, why not?
Critically analyse the development of the law related to divorce. Is it a product of the increased divorce rate in England and Wales or has it caused it?
Critically analyse the role of the local authority in achieving the effective provision of child welfare.
To what extent is it true to say that married women’s rights in property are still not effectively recognised within the jurisdiction of England and Wales?
Discuss whether and how the role of various available orders (i.e. contact, prohibited steps orders) serve to further the recognition of the paramountcy principle regarding children under the provisions of the Children Act 1989.
Family law – Is it time for reform?
To what extent are the rights of children currently effectively protected under the law of England and Wales?
How could the recognition of the right to a family life under Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998 be improved upon in England and Wales?
What could be done with the law as it relates to adoption to effectively reform it in the best interests of all potential stakeholders in England and Wales?

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Dec 29, 2022

Regarded as the highest degree in varied academic disciplines, a Doctorate of Philosophy ( PhD ) aims to provide students with a chance to delve deeper into a specific area of study. For a field like Law, a doctoral degree is suitable for those wanted to pursue their career as legal scholars and teachers. A PhD in Law incorporates intense coursework followed by detailed research in the chosen specialization. The program is devised for students who want to gain in-depth knowledge and advanced studies in the domain. If you also want to secure a doctorate degree in Law, you should definitely aim for attaining overseas education for the same. Through this blog, we will elucidate various aspects of PhD in Law, the eligibility criteria you need to fulfil, course structure and specialisations as well as top universities.

This Blog Includes:

Specialisations offered, course structure, top universities abroad offering phd in law, top colleges in india, entrance exams in india, phd in law: distance education, important books, eligibility for phd in law, application process , required documents .

Commonly offered as a 3-year degree, a PhD in Law implements a multidisciplinary approach and aims to impart students with the required theoretical background and research skills in the former part of the program while they are required to prepare their dissertation during the latter part. Often pursued as a full-time course, this degree prepares individuals for several leadership roles in Judiciary, Business, Academics as well as Government.

There are a plethora of concentrations available under PhD in Law from which applicants can choose from. These courses connect the vast discipline of law with its relevant sub-fields, hence students can opt for a unique course and specialize in the same. Selecting a particular specialization also helps to delve deeper into it by pursuing research. Take a look at the following list of PhD in Law specialisations:

PhD in Interdisciplinary Law
PhD in International Law
PhD in Legal Studies
PhD in Cyber Law
PhD in Civil Law
PhD in Jurisprudence
PhD in Administrative Law Studies
PhD in Environmental Law
PhD in National Law Studies
PhD in Dispute Resolution

Check Out: Law Subjects

The curriculum and syllabus of a PhD in Law can vary as per the specialisation as well the academic institution. But in order to provide you with a general overview, the following paragraphs describe the structure of this doctoral degree as followed for a 3-year program.

In the first year of a PhD in Law, students get to focus on the coursework of their specialisations with their prospective Advisory Committees. Along with this, it also comprises a seminar regarding legal scholarships and methodologies. With all this, the degree also incorporates canonical workshops on legal scholarships in the first semester of the year. In the second semester, students are required to present a report on the same.
During the second year, you will get to work with the faculty dissertation committee. Students have to present the dissertation in a manuscript of almost a book’s length or 3 articles that can be published thus constituting the portfolio. Afterwards, the committees will provide their views on one’s dissertation prospectus and give their seal of approval if they liked the topic. Apart from this intense research work of PhD in Law, students ought to compulsorily participate in teaching activities where they can work as teaching assistants, co-teaching with faculty etc.
In the third year, students can either continue with their teaching as a professor of Law or they can go on with improvising their dissertation. In many cases, one can devote themselves to their research projects while pursuing teaching and at the conclusion of the third year, they will be required to submit their dissertation. However, the extension of the duration can also happen depending on a case-to-case basis.

Deciding the right university for a course can be a strenuous task and requires professional help. Leading law schools and universities around the globe possess the necessary capabilities to transform the personalities of enrolled students. These extra-edge attributes can help you have a kickstart in your career and convert your career aspirations into success. To grab a taste of global exposure and a plethora of opportunities in this field, here are some top-notch universities offering PhD in Law that you must consider:

Tabulated below are the top colleges in India offering a PhD in law. You can have a look here:

There are various entrance exams in India that you can apply for and attempt in order to be selected for a PhD in Law. They are mentioned below.

Did you know that you can pursue a PhD in law through distance education? A lot of established and good colleges as well as universities offer the course part-time or through correspondence. Tabulate below are some of the important colleges that offer PhD in Law through distance learning.

Tabulated below are the important and informative books you can refer to while pursuing a PhD in Law. You can check it out here:

PhD Law Admission Process

There are two ways of getting admission in PhD in Law. You can either get direct admission or merit.

Direct Admission

For direct admission, you must get the admission form from the college or university. You can get it both offline and online.
To get the application form you can go to the official website of the institute or college and fill the form there. You can upload it there and then.
Once you have completed filling out the application form you must go to the college for counselling and also attend the round of personal interviews.

Merit-Based Admission

The important exams conducted to give admission on the basis of merit include JMI Law Entrance Exam, CLAT, AILET – All India Law Entrance Test , NET – National Eligibility Test , and PET – PhD Entrance Test.
Students can apply for these exams both offline and online. The forms for the respective exams can be downloaded on their official websites.
Admission will be given on the basis of the subsequent marks obtained by students in these exams.

To get enrolled in any degree, candidates need to meet certain prerequisites specified for the course by the institution. Since there are a lot of specializations available for PhD in Law, the eligibility criteria tend to differ from one university to another. Below listed are some essential requirements that you need to fulfil in order to apply for the program:

Bachelor’s degree in Law such as LLB or any other related discipline
Master’s degree in Law, i.e. LLM although some universities may allow candidates having a postgraduate degree in similar disciplines
Students are also required to qualify for the LSAT exam with a good score.
Research Proposal (Around 1000 words): Describing the scope of the project along with undertaken dissertation.
If you’re applying to foreign universities, you need to give English Language Proficiency Tests such as IELTS , TOEFL , etc.
It is recommended for the candidates have a well-designed Curriculum Vitae.

This is another important aspect you need to keep in mind if you’re planning to become a lawyer. But the application process might get overwhelming. This is where the professional from Leverage Edu will help you. It’s important to complete the application process without any mistakes. Here are crucial things to consider:

Call us and we will help you shortlist your favourite law universities . But you need to submit your application to multiple universities to broaden your chances of getting selected.
Compile all essential documents. Don’t make mistakes while submitting the documents.
Submit the application before the deadlines and start the application process for accommodation, students visa, and scholarships / student loans .
Accept the offer letter

The documentation process is one of the most essential steps you should consider. But making some common mistakes will jeopardize your application. The documents you need to submit are::

Educational certificates. As you’re going for a law degree, you need to provide your other mark sheets such as the 12th mark sheet, UG mark sheet, etc.
Letter of recommendation
Letter of intent
Financial documents
Statement of purpose

Career Prospects and Salary

After completing your PhD in law from a reputed university, you will be able to boost your chances of getting hired by top companies. Employers will take a look at your university name as it will have a huge impact on your employability. Therefore, make sure you complete your PhD degree from a reputed university to stand apart from the crowd. Here are the jobs you can get after completing your PhD in law:

Law Professor
Political Advisor
Project Manager
Compliance Manager

The salary of a lawyer who holds a PhD degree will vary from one designation to another as well as the country. Here’s a table:

Also Read: Law Entrance Exams India & Abroad

Taw law and corporate law are the most effective.

If you want to get into a high-ranked university, you’ll need more than just good grades; you’ll also need flawless application because the competition is fierce. You may enlist the assistance of Leverage Edu specialists to assist you with the application process so that you can realise your goals. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.

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Thanks a lot ! This is very useful article for the newbies who are interested in pursuing PhD in Law.

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Phd in law: requirements, salary, jobs, & career growth, what is phd in law.

A PhD in law, commonly known as a Doctor of Philosophy in Law or a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), is a postgraduate academic degree that normally represents the greatest level of education one can obtain in the discipline of law.

It is a research-oriented degree intended for those interested in pursuing advanced studies in legal research, theory, and scholarship.

Individuals who already have a law degree, such as a Juris Doctor (JD) or a Master of Laws (LLM), who are interested in pursuing a career in legal academia or undertaking research in law-related disciplines, typically pursue a PhD in law.

Advanced courses in legal theory, research methodologies, and specialized fields of law are frequently required, as is the completion of a major and unique research effort, usually in the form of a doctoral thesis or dissertation.

How much money do people make with a PhD in Law?

Individuals with a PhD in law’s earning potential might vary substantially based on criteria such as the country or location of work, the type of institution or organization, the amount of experience, and the subject of expertise.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for postsecondary law teachers in the United States was $126,930 in May 2020, with the top 10% making more than $197,230.

However, it is crucial to remember that salaries can vary greatly depending on criteria such as the academic position’s rank, the institution’s location, and the individual’s level of experience and competence.

Earning potential with a PhD in law might also vary substantially in other legal fields, such as government, private practice, or non-profit organizations.

Legal researchers or policy analysts, for example, may earn wages ranging from moderate to high, depending on the organization’s budget and the individual’s level of knowledge.

Individuals with a PhD in law who work in private law firms may earn varied wages depending on their function, amount of experience, and the size, location, and practice area of the firm.

What is expected job growth with PhD in Law?

Job growth for those having a PhD in law might vary depending on factors such as country or location, field of concentration, and demand for legal skills in various sectors. Individuals holding a PhD in law may be able to find work in academia, research institutions, government, non-profit organizations, and private practice.

Individuals holding a PhD in law may be able to find work in academia, research institutions, government, non-profit organizations, and private practice.

For example, in academia, for example, the availability of tenure-track posts, research funding, and enrollment trends in law schools or universities may all influence job growth for law professors or legal scholars. Job growth in academia can be competitive and varies depending on the institution’s location and reputation, as well as the demand for legal instruction and research.

What can you do with a PhD in Law?

Individuals with a PhD in law, also known as a Doctor of Philosophy in Law or a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), can pursue a wide range of job options. Individuals with a PhD in law may pursue the following careers:

1. Academic careers: Many law PhD holders choose to work as law professors or legal scholars at universities or research institutions. They may teach law courses, do research, write academic papers and books, and contribute to the progress of legal knowledge in their area of specialization. Academic positions in law schools, universities, research institutes, and think tanks may be offered.

2. Legal research and policy analysis: Legal researchers and policy analysts with a PhD can work in government agencies, non-profit organizations, or think tanks. They may perform legal research, study laws and policies, provide legal advice, and help build legal frameworks and policy recommendations in areas such as human rights, international law, environmental law, and social justice.

3. Legal consulting: Law PhD holders can act as legal consultants, providing specific legal advice to private enterprises, corporations, or organizations. They may provide legal counsel, legal research, produce legal documents, and strategic direction on legal concerns and ramifications.

4. Legal advocacy: Some people with a PhD in law act as legal advocates, representing clients in court, litigating, or lobbying for legal reforms. They may work in law firms, non-profit organizations, or advocacy groups, and they may specialize in civil rights, criminal justice, immigration law, or public interest law.

5. Government and public service: People with a PhD in law can serve as legal counsel, policy consultants, or legislative analysts in government agencies. They may help to establish and execute laws and regulations, advise government officials, and conduct legal research and analysis to help guide decision-making.

6. Entrepreneurial initiatives: Some law PhD holders may choose to launch their own legal consulting businesses, research centers, or other law-related entrepreneurial ventures. This could include offering specialized legal services, producing legal software or instruments, or coming up with creative solutions to legal problems.

7. International organizations: Individuals with a PhD in law may work with international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, or other intergovernmental or non-governmental organizations, where they can contribute to legal research, policy creation, and legal advocacy on global concerns.

What are the requirements for a PhD in Law?

The specific requirements for a Ph.D. in law can vary depending on the program and institution. However, here are some general bullet points that may outline the common requirements for obtaining a Ph.D. in law:

Completion of a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree from an accredited law school.
Strong academic background, typically with high grades and academic achievements.
Demonstrated research skills, including the ability to conduct independent and original research.
Proficiency in legal research methods, legal writing, and critical analysis.
Submission of a research proposal or statement of purpose outlining the intended research topic or area of study.
Completion of coursework, seminars, and/or workshops related to legal research and methodology.
Successful completion of comprehensive exams or qualifying exams.

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How long does it take to get a phd in law.

The length of a PhD in law, also known as a Doctor of Philosophy in Law or a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), varies based on the country, the specific program, and the individual’s progress toward completion. A PhD in law, on the other hand, normally takes 3 to 5 years to finish.

Several factors can influence the length of a PhD in law program, including the complexity of the research topic, the time required to conduct original research, the availability of funding and resources, and the individual’s ability to meet program requirements and milestones on time.

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Do you need a masters in law to get a phd in law.

In most situations, a Master’s degree in law (such as an LL.M.) is not required in order to pursue a Ph.D. in law, also known as a Doctor of Philosophy in Law or a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD).

The particular prerequisites for admission to a Ph.D. in law program, on the other hand, can vary based on the country, program, and institution awarding the degree.

Some Ph.D. programs in law may require or prefer applicants to have a Master’s degree in law or a related area, but others may admit students directly from a Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent legal degree program.

Applicants without a Master’s degree in law may be required to complete additional courses or meet other requirements throughout the Ph.D. program to compensate for any gaps in their academic background.

They may be required to take basic courses in legal theory, research methodologies, or other relevant areas, for example. This can, however, differ depending on the program’s criteria and the individual’s academic background.

What are the Best PhD in Law Degree programs?

1. harvard law school – doctor of juridical science (sjd) 2. yale law school – doctor of the science of law (jsd) 3. stanford law school – doctor of the science of law (jsd) 4. columbia law school – doctor of the science of law (jsd) 5. new york university (nyu) school of law – doctor of juridical science (sjd) 6. university of cambridge faculty of law – doctor of philosophy in law (phd) 7. university of oxford faculty of law – doctor of philosophy in law (dphil) 8. london school of economics and political science (lse) – phd in law 9. georgetown university law center – doctor of juridical science (sjd) 10. university of michigan law school – doctor of the science of law (jsd), leave a comment cancel reply.

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160+ Outstanding Law Dissertation Topics for Students

If you are a university student studying law, you would know that it is both, exciting and stressful to work on dissertations because law dissertation topics or help with dissertation are not easy to select.

While students can pick a topic that interests them, good thesis topics for law, students would be the ones that offer ample scope for research and study. It is vital to keep in mind that dissertations tend to get lengthy; therefore, your topic should also be a subject you can manage to finish working on within the time you have at hand. Given below are some exciting topics that you can explore for your law school thesis.

Business Law Dissertation Topics

Business law, also known as commercial law, focuses on the legal aspects of the conduct, rights, and relations of individuals or organizations that engage in commerce, trade, and merchandising activities. Therefore, commercial law masters thesis topics have a broad scope as they revolve around important and relatable aspects guiding society and trade. Here are some exciting business law topics to write about. Take a look:

Business laws against corruption within firms — an in-depth evaluation
Commercial Law and its effectiveness in supporting commercial transactions.
Copyright Infringement – Understanding the difference between online and offline law enforcement.
Business partnerships: Threats, legal remedies, and results
Commercial laws guiding energy projects within the country and a comparison with top countries globally.
Online advertising – working within the framework and guidelines of Advertising Law
US commercial laws: A review on what needs to change
Legal framework guiding unfair advertising and marketing practices – a case study analysis
Business wills — application, significance, and role in translations of Business Law
Domestic vs International commercial laws of five countries
Pre-incorporation contracts – a thorough analysis
International commercial law programs: An assessment of their effectiveness as part of the University curriculum
Importance of investigating a business’s application for Copyright and Trademark
Arbitration under commercial law: In-depth analysis and evaluation of policy practice
Evaluating anti-corruption regulations for businesses through a relevant case study
Laws governing Corporate Social Responsibility for businesses and their evaluation
Termination agreements — application, significance, and role in business transactions
The Law of Contracts — Interpretations and Role in Business Transactions
Director’s Guarantee – Its role in Business law and the Structure of Transactions
What is the role of a Business Entity concerning Commercial Law – An analysis
Contract Laws and an evaluation of the application of Verbal or Nonverbal Agreements
The role of Commercial Law in establishing a business framework within the society
The legislature and its role in the interpretation and working of contracts
Commercial Vs RegularLease – Analysing the pros and cons for the businesses
Commercial lease – Significance, difficulties, and importance for business owners

International Law Thesis Topics

International law is an important area of interest when it comes to thesis writing. You can focus on studying the legal aspects of economic trade, businesses during the war, global pandemics, and more. Ethics and human rights play a significant role in international matters. Here are some excellent international law research topics to explore:

Hearings on cases in International Human Rights Court — What precedence says
Challenges faced by parties involved in contracts related to the International Sale of Goods (CISG) when the Vienna Convention is applied.
What do the future hold for internet legislation and digital laws
Are International Tribunals effective in taking action against war crimes?
An in-depth analysis of various conditions under which international intervention in trade or matters of general affairs of a country is permitted by law
International criminal laws — an assessment of the underlying principles and need for change
Human rights law: An international perspective on gaps that need to be addressed
Violation of Laws and Human Rights when the US got involved in matters of Iraq – An analysis
Enforcement of international laws in developing countries – Issues, justification, and remedies
Military cooperation between the UK and the US to address terror — A historical perspective and future analysis
What are the civil liberties in International law and how do they impact public safety
Post-Brexit era — where does consumer protection stand?
Laws ensuring the protection of civilians against unlawful communication during armed conflicts between countries
International laws governing rescue and protection of human rights of refugees at sea
International civil jurisdiction on transborder disputes related to the infringement of intellectual property rights — a comprehensive study

Criminal law thesis topics

The study of Criminal law comprises understanding the laws that govern the prosecution of individuals who have committed crimes as defined by law. When you select law master thesis topics based on criminal law, you can choose law enforcement topics related to drug dealing, manslaughter, kidnapping, and more. Some examples are shared below:

Female and male rape legislations: An in-depth evaluation of critical differences
Using lie detectors _ an assessment of their efficacy in criminal justice
Are manslaughter laws possible to misuse — what are the remedies to protect such victims?
A detailed analysis of crime-related factors best not presented in the court of law and why?
Witness protection – laws, guidelines, and measures against retaliation
Death Penalty – History, justification, and analysis
Criminal theory – A thematic review to explore the connection between morality and crime
Challenges in identification of the nature of crime and its distribution — an in-depth analysis based on a case study
Is anatomy justified in lawsuits related to sexual offenses — evaluating the rights of the victim and the defendant
Legal rights — striking a balance between the rights of the victim and the defendant during the lawsuit
What are the implications of the war against terror — Enforcement of criminal law and its implications
A case study analysis of the war against terror
A case study analysis of racial prejudice in prison
Religious laws and crimes in developing nations
Police interrogations – Principles, legal framework, and human rights

Child in conflict with the law thesis topics

These topics are related to the study of issues and laws concerning children who conflict with the law due to committing juvenile crimes.

Legal protection and rights of children in cases of a child in conflict with the law
Children in conflict with the law in metro cities and the legal framework guiding the handling of such cases
Improving the legal protection available for children in conflict with the law
An in-depth study of the measures available to reintegrate children in conflict with the law into the society
Laws to facilitate the rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law
Exploitation and abuse of children in conflict with the law and remedies to prevent it
Procedures in court for children in conflict with the law
Violence and exploitation leading children into conflict with the law – Case study analysis
Human rights and laws supporting children affected by illegal migration
Analyzing children’s rights against harmful work and economic exploitation

Controversial law topics

As a college student, there will be umpteen issues that will spark debates and encourage you to take a stance either for or against. These may include constitutional law paper topics or laws on sensitive matters that have triggered global emotions. Here are some such topics to explore:

Reviewing the need for the Gun Law
Abortion – Pro-choice or pro-life the legal angles
Understanding religious freedom by law and the freedom of choice to deny service based on religion
Prescription of addictive opioids as legal painkillers — the justification and after effects
The legal framework guiding animal research
Vaccine administration from the perspective of legal implications, compliance and non-compliance, herd immunity, and parental duty
Right to privacy – the conflict between individual privacy Vs public safety
Freemarket capitalization – government regulations vs free trade
Environment support policies, government regulations, and economic costs
Uniform minimum wage system — controversy, legal parameters, and remedies
White supremacy — a political ideology that affects the legal and economic framework
Legalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational usage
Capital punishment and its legal justification
The Marriage Equality Act – Rights and responsibilities in same-sex marriages
Black lives matter — an insight into the lack of political or legal repercussions for death in custody
Immigration restrictions and reforms – scope for improvement and change
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and upholding deportation protection
Temporary blocking of international students during the Corona Virus Pandemic – Legal implications
Transgender rights — Remedies against discrimination and injustice caused by inequality
Islamic Criminal law vis a vis Human Rights — an analysis.

Sports law topics

Sport is an ever-intriguing subject, and it offers some interesting legal topics for dissertation writing. Your topic can cover international sports laws, rules and regulations guiding sports, sporting bodies, their jurisdiction, and more.

Cheerleading teams — negligence across different case studies
Sports law implications on cases of doping in international events
Legal aspects of international sporting events and the role of social media
The transnational perspective of sports management – an overview
Bosman Rulings – The EU Sports law and its international implications
The management of club sports in the UK and related laws
Match-fixing in football and sports laws governing the same
Match-fixing in cricket and international sports laws governing the same
Sportspersons marketing – Reviewing legal issues and influences
Sports promotion aids in the UK, US, and EU — legal implications
Legal aspects related to governance and monitoring of sports organizations
Sports laws on lifestyle sports – a review
National governing bodies of sports and their legal stance
The role and impact of labor contracts concerning UK sporting bodies
Policies and practices of the US sports law
Visa systems for international sportspersons and problems faced by them
Constitutional rights of student-athletes
Sexual harassment in sports and laws against it
Policies aiding the promotion and protection of rights of transgender athletes
Coaches’ contract and employment laws

Hot thesis topics in employment law

Employment law offers some very interesting law topics to work on. Under this, you can write your dissertation on labor laws, worker compensation, immigration laws, minimum wages, wrongful termination, and many such research topics in law.

How employment laws convergence with religion in the US
UK employment laws — A before and after comparison after exiting the EU
UK Trade Unions and their impact — challenges and successes
A review of unfair dismissal laws in the UK
Employment laws in the UK and US automobile industry — A comparative study
Employment contracts in the UK manufacturing industry — A comprehensive study of job satisfaction
Issues with application and enforcement of laws in international firms: A case study
Agency workers — employment rights and legal status in firms
US ‘Fire at will’ employment ability and should it be made possible in the UK.
Social work employment — Reviewing all legal aspects through a case study
Employee dismissal — a comparison of UK and EU laws.
Working parents and the benefits of Flexibility Working Regulations 2002
Gender differences in employment laws and regulations across the US and the UK.
Analyzing the efficacy of sexual harassment laws in the workplace
Employee mobility across EU countries — a legal overview.
Employment laws concerning the disabled in the UK — policies, and practices
Equality Act 2010 and the rights of disabled
A comprehensive study of the right to fair labor practices in the UK
Unfair Vs Wrongful — what offers greater protection under employment laws
Zero-hour contracts — significance and ways to improve

Medical law and ethics thesis topics

Medical law focuses on the rights and responsibilities of patients and medical professionals. Some exciting areas of medical law that you can focus on include patient confidentiality, patient consent, negligence, professional malpractice, failure in diagnosing, treatment malpractices leading to injury or death, and patient defamation among other topics.

Laws governing organ retention — pros and cons
Organ transplantation — A comprehensive study of governing laws in the US.
Abortion — A comprehensive study of governing laws and stages when abortion is allowed or forbidden in the UK.
Do judges handling medical disputes need special education to ensure fact-based judgments?
Forced sterilization — laws, implementation, and who is to be targeted?
Laws governing medical research — a comprehensive study
Disputes arising due to medical complications during surgeries — legal implications
Unregistered medical intervention — Legal implications in the US
Electronic fetal monitoring and concerning laws.
Medical ethics in practice concerning medical law
Assisted suicide — the legal, ethical, and medical perspectives
Lawsuits and their effect on the commitment and dedication of medical practitioners
Biobanks — The associated legal and ethical challenges
Is it possible for medical practitioners to treat mental disorders without bias?
Laws against animal cruelty during medical research — a case study

Family law thesis topics

Besides marriage, divorce, custody, compensation, and alimony, you can cover several other interesting aspects of family law in your dissertation. Given below are some examples of topics you can explore:

UK Family Law — Changes over the past five decades.
Human rights in countries following religious family laws
Family lawsuits and how they are impacted by culture
Domestic violence and its effects on men Vs women
Deciding custody in divorce cases and the importance of the child’s desire in influencing the court’s decision
Divorce law and how it has impacted the number of divorces
Child neglect and its legal implications in the US
Child justice Vs family justice: Evaluating the compatibility
What are the factors that prevent couples from seeking a divorce?
US family law — is it due for reforms?
Family law and its provisions when a divorced parent wishes to move abroad with the child
Cohabitation Law in the US and is it due for reforms
Divorce laws — are they gender-biased or is it only a perception
Custody rights when the child has learning disabilities — a comprehensive overview
Do Islamic traditions impact family laws of UK-based Muslims
UK family laws governing financial decisions in cases of dementia and forced separation
Rights of children to have a family life in non-marital families
Family laws governing marriage and divorce in transgender people — a comparison of US and UK
Legal implications of non-consensual adoption in the US
The role of grandparents in the social fabric and provisions in the Family law

The topics mentioned above are great examples of what you can write on. However, if you are still confused, are running against time, have too much on your platter, or are simply unsure how to proceed to feel free to take law thesis help from some of the best-rated writers we have on board.

Feel free to ask for a sample from the professional you shortlist, and we will be happy to assist you all the way. Get in touch with us online or call us for help with a research paper. We have a team of experienced writers who offer high-quality, original work done to perfection. Our services are available at cheap and affordable rates as we are aware that we are assisting college students. So go ahead and connect with us for quality assistance to get you good grades and a stress-free time to focus on your academic commitments.

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PhD Topics in Law

PhD in Law enables the young scholars to contribute to the academic field and development of law and order. It offers the career opportunities such as law teachings, legal practice, judiciary, academia, business, and clerkships. For commencing on the path of PhD, selecting a viable, interesting, and original topic is the first milestone. The topic you chose for your law research and thesis ought to be niche and relevant. It is expected from doctoral students to research and formulate a topic, but it is evident that they struggle with identifying and defining an effective topic.

Deciding upon a PhD topic in law is not less than a challenge since you have to choose a single topic out of the many legal rules governing the society with a broad history. You have to examine legal developments; legal issues, scholarly publications, and get updated with current affairs. And there are times when after much research and analysis, you are unable to come up with a focused, original, and an efficient topic. Getting ideas from the topics of recent researches or suggestions from a person who is proficient in your academic field will ease your job to figure out which particular topic or area appeals to you. This is why; our law experts are suggesting some PhD topics in Law to make this difficult task of topic selection of yours easy:

The role of socio-economic factors in international commercial arbitration
Impact of foreign direct investment on Indian economic developing: the mediating role of government policies
Cybercrime and related laws : Current trends, challenges and need of reforms
Does culture and religion manipulate the enforcement of an award in international commercial arbitration?
Racism and prejudice in sports : A case of equality, justice and supremacy
The legal obligations and implications in hostile takeovers of non-performing assets
Investigating the legal status, ethical codes and guidelines in clinical and medical practices
Marital laws in India : An illustration of Shah Bano case
Labour laws in Indian manufacturing sector : A study on regulations, law enforcement and contemporary issues
Economic, social and cultural rights : Extrapolating from the experiences of human rights committee

You can also derive a unique PhD topic for your Law thesis with our team of expert consultants. Contrary to popular belief, first research is done, and then the topic is formulated. We work with each of our clients and conduct a thorough research in your interest area to provide you with suggestions regarding the PhD topics. The topic delivered to you by us is 100% original and niche upon which you can conduct your research successfully. Enquire our experts today for complete PhD thesis help in Law.

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Do you currently work in public policy or law? Perhaps you are passionate about the work you do, and you are seeking additional training that can help make you a more knowledgeable, effective statesman or stateswoman. By pursuing a career in law and public policy, you are choosing a challenging but rewarding vocation that is critical to the defense of individual liberties. Our Doctor of Law and Policy can help equip you with the advanced training needed to confront the political challenges posed to freedom and safeguard our democracy.

If there are 2 things in the world today that affect people of every background, they are law and policy. Law is the moral and philosophical foundation upon which public policy is built, and public policy is an expression of the will of the people through the political process. When public policy is understood through the lens of the law, it is better formulated, more easily defended, and more effectively applied.

Our doctor of policy and law degree online is designed to equip you with an in-depth knowledge of the law and its connection to public policy. This degree program can help you develop skills in public policy analysis, policy formulation, law implementation, and enforcement methods. At Liberty, we don’t just seek to train law and policy students – we seek to develop policy experts and legal scholars who can critically analyze complex issues and provide meaningful, impactful solutions that improve the lives of others.

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As the scope and influence of government grow, so does the demand for policy experts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for political scientists is projected to grow 6% by 2029 — a growth rate higher than the national average.* If you’re interested in running for elected office, this degree can help equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate complex political issues, interpret current laws, and write legislation for new laws. Our professors are esteemed scholars with years of experience in their fields who will draw on their expertise to help you succeed academically, professionally, and spiritually.

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Our Doctor of Law and Policy features in-depth courses that are designed to help you become a service-oriented statesman or stateswoman.

This degree program is divided into 4 sections: policy, law, research methods and tools, and a 5-step capstone sequence. In the policy section of this degree, you will study the foundational aspects of statesmanship and public policy. You will also study the founding era, the Constitution, contemporary challenges, the role of the state, foundations of federalism, and policy analysis methodology.

The core law courses will cover the foundations of the American legal process, constitutional law, and public policy. You will also study economics, administrative law, and human rights law. The law courses are taught by our law school faculty – all of whom hold Juris Doctor degrees and are licensed to practice law.

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You will have access to vast online resources through Liberty University’s library portal while pursuing your online Doctor of Law and Policy degree.

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What is a Master of Studies in Law? Explore the George Washington University Law School MSL

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You don’t have to be a lawyer to earn a living understanding and applying the law. Many professions require — or benefit significantly from — a thorough understanding of how the law impacts an industry or institution. The Master of Studies in Law (MSL), a graduate-level law degree designed for non-lawyers, can prepare you for a career interpreting and navigating legal situations.

You can earn an MSL 100% online from the George Washington University Law School (GW Law); you also have the option to take courses on-campus. The program offers specializations online in three areas: government procurement law, national security and cybersecurity law, and government procurement and cybersecurity law. The university’s location in the heart of Washington, D.C. enables students to benefit from access to the center of national legal and political activity — without ever having to leave their hometowns.

Gain Legal Expertise to Propel Your Career

Choose from three msl concentrations at gw law.

If you aspire to a career engaging with the law, you may be wondering whether a Master of Studies in Law is the right degree for you. How does the MSL differ from the Juris Doctor (JD), the law degree pursued by aspiring attorneys? What careers does each degree facilitate? This article explores those questions to help you decide which option better suits your career goals.

Master of Studies in Law vs. Juris Doctor: Decoding the Differences

A Master of Studies in Law is a master’s-level graduate degree in law and legal systems. A Juris Doctor is a terminal degree at the doctoral level that qualifies recipients to work in the courts as lawyers and judges. Admissions requirements, coursework, and career opportunities for the degrees differ substantially.

Applicants to GW’s MSL program must hold a bachelor’s degree and three to five years of professional experience relevant to the specialization they choose to pursue. Acceptance into a JD program requires a bachelor’s degree and an acceptable score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) .

Coursework in the degree programs overlaps somewhat, but the JD is undoubtedly the more comprehensive and detailed of the two. GW’s MSL program requires 24 credit hours of coursework, which can be completed in as few as 12 months (for full-time students). A JD requires 80 credit hours and includes a rigorous first-year law student curriculum, with courses such as Torts, Property, and Contracts. Full-time JD students typically take three years to complete their degrees, after which they must pass their state’s bar exam.

Your professional goals will dictate which degree you choose. JD graduates are trained to practice law (after successfully passing a state or DC bar examination); they typically pursue careers as lawyers, judges and legal scholars. An MSL can be helpful in professions in such varied fields as government, business, finance, real estate, court administration, mediation, insurance, policy, and nongovernmental organizations. Practically every field intersects with the law, creating career opportunities for MSL degree holders.

What Will You Learn in MSL Programs?

Graduates of George Washington University’s Master of Studies in Law are prepared to communicate with lawyers and competently address industry compliance and regulatory issues. Students pursue the specialization most compatible with their current professional experience:

Government Procurement Law examines how procurement systems operate and the laws and regulations that govern them in the U.S. and abroad. Classwork includes anti-corruption, intellectual property and procurement reform.
National Security & Cybersecurity Law thoroughly examines legal and policy issues surrounding national security, cybersecurity, AI, big data and new technologies. Classes cover internet law, foreign access to U.S. technology, and artificial intelligence law.
Government Procurement & Cybersecurity Law prepares professionals to address the rising demand for cybersecurity legal expertise in government procurement law. Topics include cybersecurity law and technology, consumer privacy and data protection, and government procurement of intellectual property.

In all fields, the MSL degree prepares graduates to address challenges from a legal perspective, communicate with lawyers and non-lawyers alike, and assess the legal ramifications of corporate and institutional issues.

Career Pathways with a Master of Studies in Law

An MSL can be especially beneficial for people who work in highly regulated fields, such as government, healthcare, education, nonprofits, manufacturing and finance. Anyone who communicates frequently with lawyers can also benefit from an MSL. Graduates of GW’s MSL program have gone on to work for various employers, including:

Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
General Dynamics
General Services Administration (GSA)
Lockheed Martin
Northrop Grumman

Is an MSL the Right Fit for Your Professional Goals?

The GW Law online MSL serves non-lawyer professionals whose work requires a detailed knowledge of the law. An MSL can benefit compliance officers, consultants, government managers, intelligence community analysts, journalists, policy analysts, and procurement specialists, to name just a few.

George Washington University Law School’sMSL program provides the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to apply the law to today’s organizational legal challenges. Located in our nation’s capital with flexible options to attend from any location, GW Law’s MSL degree delivers a strong law curriculum, respected faculty experts, academic peers from across the globe and over 33,000 living alumni for networking, advice and career development.

If you are ready to explore the law and find your place within it, contact an admissions adviser to learn more about the MSL program or start your application .

Become a Source of Valued Legal Insight in Your Workplace

Learn to identify and address legal risks.

Tell us about yourself.

Sharing some details will help us customize your experience. A bachelor’s degree is required to attend.

IMAGES

Selecting a Research Topic: A Framework for Doctoral Students
How to choose a PhD thesis topic
How to Choose A Perfect PhD Research Topic?
Selecting a Research Topic: A Framework for Doctoral Students
How To Choose a Research Topic For Your PhD Thesis (7 Key Factors to
How To Choose A Research Topic For PhD? Best Way To Select A Research

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COMMENTS

Doctor of Law and Policy
4. Contemplate the contribution you want to make to your field of study. Some of the best research ideas come from one's field of practice. DLP students often choose their doctoral thesis questions from those that are currently pressing within their professional field.
How to Choose a PhD Research Topic
Consider several ideas and critically appraise them: You must be able to explain to others why your chosen topic is worth studying. You must be genuinely interested in the subject area. You must be competent and equipped to answer the research question. You must set achievable and measurable aims and objectives.
Writing a PhD research proposal
Nevertheless, a PhD proposal should amount to a coherent, intelligent, realistic and relatively well thought-out idea of an area of potential research. The following errors should be avoided if possible: Simplistic descriptions of an area of study should be avoided - eg 'I want to research EU law'.
Law Dissertation Topics and Titles
More Law Dissertation Topics 2024. Topic 1: World Bank developmental projects and greater accountability. Topic 2: The right to bear arms: Rethinking the second amendment. Topic 3: Rethinking the international legal framework protecting journalists in war and conflict zones.
Topic Selection
At the same time, it bears emphasis that there is no such thing as a "perfect" Note topic. It is equally, if not more, important that you choose a topic that is discrete and narrow enough to be handled well within the confines of a Note. The real value in writing Note is the experience you gain in constructing a methodologically sound legal ...
Navigating Your PhD Topic Choice
In the first part we focus on how you can decide whether to pursue a PhD, identify the values you want to guide your research and start generating research ideas. In the second half we will introduce a framework you can use to narrow your ideas down to a specific research question and ultimately create a PhD proposal.
Home
This guide contains resources to help students researching and writing a legal dissertation or other upper-level writing project. Some of the resources in this guide are directed at researching and writing in general, not specifically on legal topics, but the strategies and tips can still be applied. The Law Library maintains a number of other ...
How to Choose a Dissertation Topic
The timeframe of your dissertation. The relevance of your topic. You can follow these steps to begin narrowing down your ideas. Table of contents. Step 1: Check the requirements. Step 2: Choose a broad field of research. Step 3: Look for books and articles. Step 4: Find a niche. Step 5: Consider the type of research.
Law Dissertation Topics
Example dissertation topic. Last modified: 3rd Oct 2019. This law area has 12 dissertation topics and ideas on tort, intellectual property and media law. Please use this material to help you in your law studies and to help craft your very own dissertation topic.... Browse through our latest law dissertation topics.
How to Choose a PhD Topic
How to Choose a PhD Topic. Written by Ben Taylor. Choosing a PhD topic can seem like a pretty daunting prospect. You'll need to decide on a subject that's substantial and original enough to occupy your time for at least three years - and one that you won't find yourself losing interest in. Focusing on the Arts, Humanities and Social ...
Choosing a Topic for Seminar Papers and Journal Notes: The Selection
Evaluate whether the end result is sufficient as a note topic. ** If it won't work, go back to step 2 and research the next idea. 4. If it still looks viable: Check for any formal procedures for topic approval. Run the topic by the journal editor and/or professor.
Fool Proof Tips for Finding PhD Research Topics
Choose a topic that YOU are passionate about. Make sure to search for a topic that interests you. Follow your professor's advice, but make your own choices. After all, you are on your way to becoming a "doctor" and an independent researcher. You will have to work on this subject for at least 3 or 4 years, so you should make sure you like it.
How to Choose a Dissertation Topic For Your Doctoral Degree
1. Take advantage of the resources available. Use the resources offered by your university to help with your decision making. This might include your research center or applicable seminars. 2. Tap into your peers. Meet with each of your cohorts and ask them to weigh in on your topic and plans for research. 3.
Studying a PhD in law
Get a personal perspective from Unaisi, a current PhD candidate, and Professor Jennifer Corrin, a UQ academic. UQ people. Published 28 Aug, 2020 · 5-minute read. Ever wondered what it's like to do a PhD in law at UQ? Choosing the right pathway can be hard, especially when there are so many unknowns out there.
How to choose a PhD topic
Choosing a PhD topic is a very important step for starting your PhD. If you get it wrong it can lead to years of misery and headaches. Follow these five tric...
Law Dissertation Topics for LLM students
Constitutional Law Topics in Dissertation. 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.
190 Unique Law Research Topics for Students to Consider
Law Research Paper Topic Selection Tips. If you want to write a law research paper, then a good law research topic is what you need. Basically, the law is a complex subject, and hence choosing the right research topic from them is challenging. While selecting the legal research topic, be sure to keep the following tips in mind.
The Best Law Dissertation Topics In 2022 From Professionals
Therefore, there are very many areas you can focus your dissertation on. Here are some great thesis topics to consider in family law: Reviewing the major changes of family law in the last 50 years: A case study of the UK. Assessing human rights in states that follow religious laws for families: A case study of India.
Law Dissertation Topics for FREE
Company Law Dissertation Topics. There are numerous areas of interest in company law for producing an effective dissertation. Topics can include the Companies Act 2006's effectiveness, incorporation's benefits, limited liability, lifting the veil of incorporation, the raising of capital, and shareholder dividends payment.
PhD in Law (L.L.D): Specializations, Universities & Scope
PhD in Law. Regarded as the highest degree in varied academic disciplines, a Doctorate of Philosophy ( PhD) aims to provide students with a chance to delve deeper into a specific area of study. For a field like Law, a doctoral degree is suitable for those wanted to pursue their career as legal scholars and teachers.
PhD in Law: Requirements, Salary, Jobs, & Career Growth
Individuals with a PhD in law may pursue the following careers: 1. Academic careers: Many law PhD holders choose to work as law professors or legal scholars at universities or research institutions. They may teach law courses, do research, write academic papers and books, and contribute to the progress of legal knowledge in their area of ...
160+ Interesting Law Dissertation Topics For Students
Here are some such topics to explore: Reviewing the need for the Gun Law. Abortion - Pro-choice or pro-life the legal angles. Understanding religious freedom by law and the freedom of choice to deny service based on religion. Prescription of addictive opioids as legal painkillers — the justification and after effects.
PhD Topics in Law, PhD Thesis Help in Law
PhD in Law enables the young scholars to contribute to the academic field and development of law and order. It offers the career opportunities such as law teachings, legal practice, judiciary, academia, business, and clerkships. For commencing on the path of PhD, selecting a viable, interesting, and original topic is the first milestone.
Doctor of Law and Policy (DLP)
The research methods and tools section of our Doctor of Law and Policy degree features courses in research, writing, and analysis for law and policy as well as public policy lawyering skills.
What is a Master of Studies in Law? Explore the George Washington
The Master of Studies in Law (MSL), a graduate-level law degree designed for non-lawyers, can prepare you for a career interpreting and navigating legal situations. You can earn an MSL 100% online from the George Washington University Law School (GW Law); you also have the option to take courses on-campus. The program offers specializations ...

5 Tips for Choosing Your DLP Dissertation Topic

5 Tips for Choosing Your Doctoral Thesis or Dissertation Topic

2. Read more about your topic of interest.

3. Consider topics you are passionate about.

4. Contemplate the contribution you want to make to your field of study.

5. Work with the support of your faculty advisor to focus your research questions.

Examples of Past DLP Thesis Titles

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Doctor of Law and Policy

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Introduction

How to Choose a Research Topic

Focus on your interests and career aspirations

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Writing a Research Proposal

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Writing a PhD research proposal

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Law Dissertation Topics

2024 Law Dissertation Topics

Topic 2: Impact of Anti-Racism Employment Laws on Organisational Culture- A Comparative Study on the Anti-Racism Employment Laws in the US and Canada

Topic 3: Globalization, international business transactions, and commercial law- A perspective from literature.

Topic 4: Investigating the impact of competition law on the businesses in the UK- Post Brexit

Topic 5: A comparison between Islamic and contemporary laws against rape. Which law is the most effective in preventing this horrific crime?

Law Dissertation Topics For Covid Crisis

Topic 2: Effect of COVID-19 on the United States Immigration policies; an assessment of International Legal agreements governing pandemic disease control and the way forward.

Topic 3: Creating legal policies in preparedness for the global pandemic; lessons from COVID-19 on Canadian immigration policies.

Topic 4: The need for uniformity of competition law and policy in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries; An approach to the European Union standard.

Topic 5: The need for competition law and policy enforcement; An analysis of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.

Topic 6: Provisions of the law on rape, the need to expand its coverage on the misuse of its provisions, and false accusations.

Topic 7: Summary dismissal of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the legal implications under the labour law, and the way forward. The case study of Nigeria

Topic 8: A legal assessment of the settlement of international disputes through the peaceful process and its effectiveness

Topic 9: The protection of minority shareholders and the majority shareholders' power in Companies, a critical analysis of the Nigerian Companies and Allied Matters Act provisions.

More Law Dissertation Topics 2024

Topic 2: The right to bear arms: Rethinking the second amendment

Topic 3: Rethinking the international legal framework protecting journalists in war and conflict zones.

Topic 4: A critical analysis of employment law of disabled individuals in the UK and what new policies can be integrated to increase its efficiency.

Topic 5: A critical evaluation of racial discrimination laws in developed countries and how it impacts the workplace environment

Topic 6: A comparative analysis of legislation, policy, and guidelines of domestic abuse between UK and USA.

Topic 7: Analyzing the negative impact of technology in protecting the intellectual property rights of corporations.

Topic 8: A critical assessment of the terrorism act of 2010 and its impact on Muslims living around the globe.

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