Scots Law

Scots law is a distinct legal system with its own history, principles, and institutions, rooted in Roman law and shaped by centuries of separate Scottish legal development. It differs from English law in significant and important ways, both doctrinally and procedurally, and practising law in Scotland requires a qualification in Scots law rather than English law. The LLB in Scots Law at Dundee provides exactly this qualification, equipping you with the foundational legal knowledge and the analytical skills needed for professional practice in Scotland and, with additional qualification, in other jurisdictions.

At Dundee, this four-year programme covers the core areas of Scots law, including obligations, property, criminal law, constitutional law, and evidence, alongside a wide range of specialist options that allow you to focus on areas of particular interest, whether that is commercial law, family law, environmental law, or another specialisation. You will develop the analytical precision, the ability to apply legal principles to factual situations, and the understanding of legal process that professional practice demands. A year abroad is built into the programme, giving you the opportunity to study in a different legal system and to develop the comparative perspective that enriches understanding of any single jurisdiction.

Graduates of the LLB in Scots Law proceed to the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice and subsequent traineeships leading to qualification as Scottish solicitors. Others enter careers in advocacy, academic law, legal research, public policy, the Scottish courts, and the civil service. The analytical and communication skills developed through legal study are also valued in many non-legal careers.

Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in areas of specialist legal interest.