Law

Course Catalog

Program Duration and Structure
Duration 5 years (10 semesters)
Total Credit Hours for Major Courses 176 Total Credit Hours for Elective Courses 24
Medium of Instruction English

Year Semester Courses Key Learning Theme / Elective Courses
Year I Semester I • Communicative English Language Skills I
• Introduction to Economics
• General Psychology
• Mathematics for Social Sciences
• Critical Thinking
• Physical Fitness
• Geography of Ethiopia and the Horn
Foundation Skills & Context: focuses on developing essential communication and analytical tools and establishing the necessary socio-economic context.
Semester II • Communicative English Language Skills II
• Social Anthropology
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Law and Ethiopian Legal System
• Introduction to Emerging Technologies
• Global Trends
• Moral and Civic Education
Legal & Social Fundamentals: Building on foundation skills, introducing basic legal concepts, societal structures, ethics, and global issues.
Year II Semester I • Law of Persons
• Legal History and Customary Law
• Jurisprudence
• Law of Contracts I
• Constitutional Law
• Inclusiveness
Core Legal Concepts: Public & Private Law — Theories of law, constitutional framework, legal personality, and the basic rules for agreements (Contracts).
Semester II • Family Law
• Succession Law
• Contracts Law II
• Criminal Law I
• Property Law
• Legal Research Methodology
Fundamentals of Private Law and Criminal Law: Principles of state punitive power and essential skills for legal inquiry.
Year III Semester I • Land Law
• Law of Extra Contractual Liability
• Law of Special Contracts
• Criminal Law II
• Civil Procedure I
• Law of Traders & Business Organization
Advanced Liability, Commercial Law, and Civil Litigation: Introducing court proceedings and practical business law.
Semester II • Civil Procedure II
• Criminal Procedure
• Law of Evidence
• Public International Law
• Law of Banking, Insurance and Negotiable Instruments
• Federalism
Adjudication, Evidence, and Public Governance: Frameworks, financial sectors, and core financial instruments.
Year IV Semester I • Conflict of Laws
• Tax Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• International Human Rights Law
• International Humanitarian Law
• Gender and the Law
Global Dimensions of Law: Protection of individuals in peace and conflict, international law, human rights, law of armed conflict, taxation, and IP regulations.
Semester II • Investment Law
• International Trade Law
• Employment Law
• Senior Thesis
• Environmental and Natural Resource Law
• Introduction to Information Technology Law
Elective Course (E)*
Elective Courses: Construction Law, Administrative Contract, Law of Non-Profit Organizations, Law of Micro-Finance and Public Enterprise.

Theme: Contemporary Law concerning Business, Technology, Labor, and the Environment.
Year V Semester I • Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Legal Ethics
• Pretrial, Trial and Appellate Advocacy
• Legal Clinics
• Legislative Drafting
• Administrative Law
Elective Course (E)
Elective Courses: Criminology, Islamic Law, Law and Development, Military Law, Refugee Law, Electoral Law, Media Law, Maritime Law.

Theme: Professional Practice & Lawyering Skills — Ethical conduct, practical litigation, and dispute resolution.
Semester II • Exit Exam
• Externship
Professional Readiness & Capstone: Final assessment and practical supervised work experience.