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School of Law

Carlos Liborio Frans Alves, LLM in Energy and Natural Resources Law (2021)

"I am forever grateful to CCLS for enhancing my academic skills and professional exposure through an internship program at the Herbert Smith Freehills".

Published:
Carlos Liborio Frans Alves

Year of graduation: 2021
Name of programme: Energy and Natural Resources Law LLM
Country: Timor-Leste and Portugal
Company name: Autoridade National do  Petroleum and Minerais (ANPM) or National Petroleum and Mineral Authority of Timor-Leste

What influenced your decision to choose a LLM at Queen Mary?

I chose to study at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) because of the following reasons:

1. According to the LLM Guide 2021, the QMUL’s LLM in Energy and Natural Resources Law is classified as the top LLM in the world.


2. The LLM is relevant to my current job at Autoridade Nacional do Petroleo e Minerais (ANPM), which laid a strong foundation in considering the essence of energy and natural resource law in the context of developing the energy sector in Timor-Leste.


3. The LLM of Energy and Natural Resources Law at QMUL offers world-class teaching methods from academic and industry experts pursuant to the demands of the energy sector.


4. The LLM approaches commercial law, dispute resolution, environmental law, decommissioning, petroleum contract, energy transaction, renewable energy and others, all through a comparative and international perspective .


5. The LLM also provides an opportunity to study within the Energy Law Institute (ELI). A home for Multidisciplinary research into natural resources and it provides guest lecturers from the top energy firm and companies in London.


6.  Opportunities to participate in networking and social events run by the Queen Mary Postgraduate Law Society and the CCLS community.


7. I am forever grateful to QMUL for enhancing my academic skills and professional exposure through an internship program at the Herbert Smith Freehills - a top law firm in London under an energy dispute department.

How did you find the teaching and learning?

QMUL provides a world-class teaching method that is intellectually stimulating, very interactive lectures - both physical and virtual, and it enables students to express their ideas rather than just listening to the lecturer. All lecture materials are available through QMPLUS. Also, the library facility is the most sophisticated and accessible in London. As a student, I had the opportunity to visit the Senate House library at the University of London, where I could easily find world-class legal literature.

What was key about your programme/ were there any highlights?

The Energy and Natural Resources Law LLM is a perfect combination of academic, legal practitioner and energy industry.

Did you combine modules across specialisations and if so, what were the advantages of this?

The advantages of studying the Energy and Natural Resources Law LLM are the opportunity to attend excellent lectures and learn modules from other specialisation courses such as energy arbitration. The knowledge on the energy sector combined with knowledge on potential disputes arising in the energy sector will give students a comprehensive picture of what is happening with the energy dispute through International Commercial Arbitration and/or Investor-State Arbitration.

What piece of insight or advice would you offer for future students?

I would encourage new students to come and study at QMUL not only because of its high ranking but also because of the opportunities to engage with various cohort researchers, establish the academic network and participate in various guest lectures. Opportunities includes participating in various social events part of an inclusive society and multiculturism promoted by the University.

Has gaining a deeper understanding of your specialisation helped your career?

Yes, it does; it opens the opportunity to engage in other energy sectors such as renewable energy.

What was your best experience of studying at Queen Mary?

My best experience of studying at QMUL was the productive engagement with my academic supervisor and receiving academic support to finalise my dissertation.

Would you be willing to share your Testimonial? If so, you could help a prospective student to make an informed choice to study at Queen Mary. (Class of 2020, 2021 and 2022 only).

 

 

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