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Since launching the online, part-time Master of Laws in International Commercial and Technology Law in 2022, The University of Manchester has seen its graduates build specialist skills at the intersection of technology and commerce, progressing their careers and forming connections with academics and professionals across the world. This global network is already opening up new opportunities for those ready to lead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Course Director Dr Joseph Lee Nazzini, Reader in Corporate and Financial Law, explains why the course is essential for modern legal practice: ‘The use of genAI, utilisation of digital assets and digital trade, proliferation of online platforms and virtual economies – these technologies are transcending physical boundaries. Lawyers should have the ability to identify the risks, but also act as enablers, for realising social and economic goals. Our course is created by experts in this field and we regularly engage with policymakers, multinational companies, the tech sectors and with the government agencies.’
Course Lecturer Dr Fiona Brimblecombe highlights the growing demand for lawyers who can navigate these shifts: ‘Our LLM is at the forefront of the most prevalent legal [challenges] facing lawyers. There’s a real need for legal practitioners with the sort of skills that we’re building from this online master’s; an increased awareness of the issues that AI and other technological innovations are presenting [to] the courts and law more generally.’
The course concludes with an in-depth dissertation, giving students the chance to explore a topic that aligns with their professional interests. For recent graduate Mark Farrell, this meant focusing on digital identity. ‘Because no one had examined digital identity through the combined financial law and data protection lens, I had to build the analysis from the ground up. It pushed me to integrate sources in new ways and gave me the confidence to approach complex, emerging issues with original thinking.’
Mark’s dissertation placed him at the forefront of a developing field. As a direct result, he progressed from Senior Case Officer at the Information Commissioner’s Office to Data Protection Consultant at Data Protection People and was invited to join the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance as a part-time intern.
Another recent graduate, Hilda Wehbi, is a senior lawyer whose day-to-day role involves advising on technology, media and FinTech contracts, including digital transformation projects. ‘I believe in continuous learning and development and wanted an LLM programme that would equip me with the tools to navigate the new digital era and gain specialist skills,’ Hilda says. ‘I had been looking into postgraduate studies for some time but never found a programme that I felt targeted my specific areas of interest or that would truly add value to my professional development – until I came across this LLM. The courses offered are a well curated mix of law and technology and address the most topical legal issues in the digital era.
‘I chose The University of Manchester due to its reputation as a world class research institution. I also found the link between The University of Manchester and Alan Turing, an AI pioneer, quite symbolic.’
Flexibility is central to the online format and students can study from anywhere while managing work and personal commitments. The course has already strengthened Hilda’s professional practice. ‘It certainly has given me a deeper understanding of the pertinent issues relating to emerging technologies and the interplay with existing legal frameworks. I feel more prepared to tackle emerging technological challenges and to support entities that I advise to mitigate these challenges in a more imaginative manner.
‘I would recommend this LLM. We are in the midst of a technological revolution, and it is imperative that we are prepared for dealing with the legal challenges as well as opportunities that lie ahead.’
‘Studying online means I can study at my own pace fitting my studies around my personal and work commitments.’ Hilda Wehbi
The University of Manchester’s online, part-time Master of Laws in International Commercial and Technology Law explores online privacy, financial law, business law and intellectual property, examining how technologies such as AI, blockchain, fintech and digital assets are transforming international legal frameworks.
Gain the knowledge and confidence to navigate these shifts and to help shape the future of digital regulation. Find out more about the course on Manchester’s website: www.manchester.ac.uk/techlaw
Since launching the online, part-time Master of Laws in International Commercial and Technology Law in 2022, The University of Manchester has seen its graduates build specialist skills at the intersection of technology and commerce, progressing their careers and forming connections with academics and professionals across the world. This global network is already opening up new opportunities for those ready to lead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Course Director Dr Joseph Lee Nazzini, Reader in Corporate and Financial Law, explains why the course is essential for modern legal practice: ‘The use of genAI, utilisation of digital assets and digital trade, proliferation of online platforms and virtual economies – these technologies are transcending physical boundaries. Lawyers should have the ability to identify the risks, but also act as enablers, for realising social and economic goals. Our course is created by experts in this field and we regularly engage with policymakers, multinational companies, the tech sectors and with the government agencies.’
Course Lecturer Dr Fiona Brimblecombe highlights the growing demand for lawyers who can navigate these shifts: ‘Our LLM is at the forefront of the most prevalent legal [challenges] facing lawyers. There’s a real need for legal practitioners with the sort of skills that we’re building from this online master’s; an increased awareness of the issues that AI and other technological innovations are presenting [to] the courts and law more generally.’
The course concludes with an in-depth dissertation, giving students the chance to explore a topic that aligns with their professional interests. For recent graduate Mark Farrell, this meant focusing on digital identity. ‘Because no one had examined digital identity through the combined financial law and data protection lens, I had to build the analysis from the ground up. It pushed me to integrate sources in new ways and gave me the confidence to approach complex, emerging issues with original thinking.’
Mark’s dissertation placed him at the forefront of a developing field. As a direct result, he progressed from Senior Case Officer at the Information Commissioner’s Office to Data Protection Consultant at Data Protection People and was invited to join the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance as a part-time intern.
Another recent graduate, Hilda Wehbi, is a senior lawyer whose day-to-day role involves advising on technology, media and FinTech contracts, including digital transformation projects. ‘I believe in continuous learning and development and wanted an LLM programme that would equip me with the tools to navigate the new digital era and gain specialist skills,’ Hilda says. ‘I had been looking into postgraduate studies for some time but never found a programme that I felt targeted my specific areas of interest or that would truly add value to my professional development – until I came across this LLM. The courses offered are a well curated mix of law and technology and address the most topical legal issues in the digital era.
‘I chose The University of Manchester due to its reputation as a world class research institution. I also found the link between The University of Manchester and Alan Turing, an AI pioneer, quite symbolic.’
Flexibility is central to the online format and students can study from anywhere while managing work and personal commitments. The course has already strengthened Hilda’s professional practice. ‘It certainly has given me a deeper understanding of the pertinent issues relating to emerging technologies and the interplay with existing legal frameworks. I feel more prepared to tackle emerging technological challenges and to support entities that I advise to mitigate these challenges in a more imaginative manner.
‘I would recommend this LLM. We are in the midst of a technological revolution, and it is imperative that we are prepared for dealing with the legal challenges as well as opportunities that lie ahead.’
‘Studying online means I can study at my own pace fitting my studies around my personal and work commitments.’ Hilda Wehbi
The University of Manchester’s online, part-time Master of Laws in International Commercial and Technology Law explores online privacy, financial law, business law and intellectual property, examining how technologies such as AI, blockchain, fintech and digital assets are transforming international legal frameworks.
Gain the knowledge and confidence to navigate these shifts and to help shape the future of digital regulation. Find out more about the course on Manchester’s website: www.manchester.ac.uk/techlaw
Chair of the Bar reports back
Get ready to lead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
Valerie Sterling, Head of the Family Team at New Park Court Chambers, offers reflections from a distinguished 40-year career in law
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, outlines the drug and alcohol testing options available for family law professionals, and how a new, free guide can help identify the most appropriate testing method for each specific case
There is no typical day in the life as a Supreme Court judicial assistant, says Josephine Gillingwater, and that’s what makes the role so enjoyably diverse
With at least 31 reports of AI hallucinations in UK legal cases – over 800 worldwide – and judges using AI to assist in judicial decision-making, the risks and benefits are impossible to ignore. Matthew Lee examines how different jurisdictions are responding
What has changed, and why? Paul Secher unpacks the new standards aligning the recruiting, training and appraising of judges – the first major change to the system for ten years
The deprivation of liberty is the most significant power the state can exercise. Drawing on frontline experience, Chris Henley KC explains why replacing trial by jury with judge-only trials risks undermining justice
Baffled by the government’s proposed s 41 reforms and by the Law Commission’s preferred model, Laura Hoyano looks at what won’t work, and what will
