• Summer Legal English Program
• Summer Legal Institute in London
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THE SUMMER LEGAL INSTITUTE IN LONDON

Academic Standards

Because the Summer Legal Institute does not provide a review of basic English grammar or vocabulary, all participants must have a solid command of the English language. Applicants must certify their English proficiency to the Summer Legal Institute's satisfaction by submitting with their applications (1) a TOEFL score of at least 570 (paper-based), 230 (computer-based) or 88-89 (internet-based); or (2) a recommendation letter from an English speaking instructor or colleague; or (3) a detailed description of their English-language training and exposure.

Part A sessions take place in mornings and afternoons each day for three weeks for approximately 75 hours of total classroom instruction. Students are also expected to meet individually with their writing instructors. Lectures by the Summer Legal Institute's Resident American Legal Scholar will take place in the late afternoon, twice a week. Part B classes meet daily for two hours each. The teaching approach is the "Socratic method" -- the tradition in American law schools -- with participants called upon in class to discuss and analyze the judicial opinions assigned to them. Readings in Part B courses primarily include the American judicial opinions which give rise to prevailing doctrines, as taught in U.S. law schools. This exposes participants to the primary source materials of American law and to the analytical training of American lawyers.

Students will be expected to complete assigned readings and attend and participate regularly in all scheduled classes. Part B participants may elect to take written exams at the completion of their classes. Students will receive Certificates of Completion upon meeting the program's requirements. Students subsequently admitted to Boston University School of Law's graduate (LL.M.) programs may apply Summer Institute coursework to satisfy certain program requirements. Students should inquire with other law schools, including their home schools, regarding the transferability of Summer Institute grades and credits.

John Riccardi, the Director of the Summer Legal Institute, meets with SLI participant Hiroaki Takagi and his wife, Misaki Takagi.

 

Students recepting at the law offices of Shepherd and Wedderburn in 2006