Riga Graduate School of Law

Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL)

Rīgas Juridiskā augstskola
Type	Private
Established	1998
Rector	George Ulrich
Academic staff	18
Administrative staff	17
Students	ca. 450 (2013)
Location	Riga, Latvia
Campus	Urban
Website	www.rgsl.edu.lv

The Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL) (Latvian: Rīgas Juridiskā augstskola) in Riga (Latvia) is a private law school in the Baltic region offering Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral studies. It was established in 1998 through an international agreement between the Governments of Sweden and Latvia and the Soros Foundation. The Law School is an academically independent institution within the University of Latvia (LU, Latvijas Universitāte). Current rector is Prof. George Ulrich.

RGSL offers post graduate degree programmes in International and European Law, in Law and Finance and in Legal Linguistics, all taught exclusively in English. The programmes are taught on site by an international faculty of resident and visiting professors, lecturers and practitioners from Europe and the USA.

Riga Graduate School of Law (RGSL) offers legal education at an advanced level. The teaching methodology is research-based and extends beyond the field of law itself, offering access to related fields such as economics, business, and policy. Current degree courses include LL.M in International and European Law, LL.M in Law and Finance, and MA in Legal Linguistics, LL.M in Public International Law and Human Rights, LL.M in Transborder Commercial Law, and MA in European Union Law and Policy.

RGSL is an independent institution within the University of Latvia and teaching is conducted exclusively in English. RGSL boasts an international student body, from the various European Union member and non-member states, the Balkans, CIS states, and the Americas. The international aspect of student life is a core element of RGSL development and diversity.

The resident members of faculty offer teaching in their respective fields of competence. Visiting professors from other universities and organisations conduct a relatively large part of the teaching. Practitioners from institutions such as the European Court of Justice and the EU Trade Marks and Designs Office appear as guest speakers on courses.

The LL.M in International and European Law programme in International and European Law integrates Public International Law, International Trade Law, and European Union Law, preparing students for careers in practice or administration at national or European level. The programme comprises both theoretical study and class work, followed by a Master’s thesis. The teaching methodology is interactive and based on a mix of lectures and seminars.