LL.B. Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Laws

The degree of Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) will be conferred upon students who satisfactorily complete a minimum of 90 semester hours of work either under the Law School's three-year morning program or under its five-year evening program, with a cumulative average of 2.00 ("C") or better, and are recommended for the degree by the Faculty of Law. Students who qualify for the degree with especially meritorious standing may be awarded the LL.B. degree cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude.

Residence Requirements

Each student is expected to take the required course of study each semester and to complete the morning program in six consecutive semester (three academic years) to complete the evening program. A student who has taken substantially all of his or Her law study at the Grimes Law School, and who has otherwise met all degree requirements, is deemed to have satisfied the residence requirements.

Academic Dismissal

Any student who has a cumulative average of less than 2.00 at the end of any academic year shall be dismissed from the Law School.

The Dean may, at his discretion, dismiss from the Law School any student whose average in any single academic year is below 2.00.

Deficiencies

Realizing that the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law is a graduate professional school, and noting the schools commitment to promote quality education and academic excellence, effective academic year 1981, no" regular student enrolled at the Law School shall be allowed to obtain a "D" (unsatisfactory) grade in all of the courses offered at the Law School. This shall not apply retroactively agaainst all in-coming first year students for academic year 1981 and students who will be continuing their education at the Law School in 19S1 and thereafter.

LL.B. Curriculum Requirements

The Grimes Law School does not require students to major or specialize in any particular field of study for graduation. However, the School is for the first time affording students to choose and arrange their courses and clinical programs in a manner to give them the range and intensity of coverage appropriate to a deep understanding of some branch of the law.

All courses offered are mandatory. Students are expected to get a good grasp of private law concepts such as ownership of property, contract, and liability for tort offences, but also such fundamental public law concepts as due process of law and constitutional rights. This program is geared to launch the student in the direction of acquiring a broad range of skills upon which he or she will need in the practice of the law and in the administration of justice. The School reserves the right to blend morning and evening courses offerings so as to ensure effective student participation in class discussions and exchange of views.

Course Description - Law

First Year Courses

Civil Procedures - Two Semesters

This course is designed to highlight the basic problems of civil procedure. Trial and appellate procedure In pleading, trial practice; motions and indictments are reviewed and analysed in terms of function and technique. It is also designed to introduce Students to certain underlying problems as regards jury trial and jurisdictional issues arising between and among the constitutional courts, the statutory courts, the administrative courts or agencies, and the native customary (trial) courts. Emphasis is placed on procedure as outlined in the Liberian Civil Procedure Law.

Contracts - Two Semesters
Three hours each semester

A study of the legal protection accorded contractual obligations. The subject matter embraces mutual asset and consideration necessary to establish an enforceable agreement, illegality and excuse for non-performance, the interpretation of terms and conditions of the contract, and remedies which the law provides for breach of the agreement. Contracts negotiated by agents, the rights of third party assignments, joint and several contracts are also considered. The course places primary emphasis on various facets of contract in litigation.

Criminal Law - One Semester

Three hours each semester

This course is primarily concerned with the origin and purposes of criminal law, the nature of crime and its elements, the criminal process and enforcement, sources of Liberian Criminal Law, the common law and statutory offences. Constitutional limitations upon police conduct ana protections afforded the accused or suspect under statutory and constitutional due process of law receive substantial analysis and review. Also accorded keen attention are chapters dealing with mental disorders, crimes against the person, property and against both.

Criminal Procedure - One Semester

Two hours

The course covers all aspects of criminal procedure as they relate to an accused person or the criminal defendant. The control of police activity in the investigation of crime and the arrest of suspects, with emphasis on the legal rights of an accused person. Emphasis is placed on procedure as laid out in the Liberian Criminal Procedure Law.

Legal Method - Two Semesters

One hour each semester

An introduction to and practical experience in the use of the basic resources of the law library; instruction and practice in the fundamentals of the law writing; the development of legal research skills, the use of legal materials in the preparation of memoranda and an appellate court brief.

Property - Two Semesters

Three hours each semester

This course is principally devoted to an understanding of the basic concepts of persona' property and real property; the concept of possession and present and future estates in land; historical background of the law of estates and conveyancing, types of estates, dower and courtesty, landlord and tenant relationship, future interests at common law and after the statute of Uses; adverse possession, prescription, rights to the land of another (such as casements and fructuray rights), title protection, eminent domain, real estate and ease agreement, deed, and the controlling of the use of land.

Torts - Two Semesters
Three hours each semester

An examination of the basic concepts of civil liability for harm to person or property, intentional wrong doing, negligent, tortious acts, nuisance. Products liability, defamation, and invasion of one's privacy causation, and damages. The course also focuses on the provisions in the Private Wrongs Law of Liberia

Constitutional Law - One Semester
Three hours

A study of significant Liberian and Foreign constitutional cases. Major topics include judicial review and constitutional interpretation impiementation of the doctrines of separation of powers, the protection of individual rights and liberties, development and exercise of national powers.

Second Year Courses

Administrative Law - One Semester

A study of the administrative process in the government ministries and public corporations, with emphasis placed on judicial review of making powers, investigation, regulation and adjudication. Relationship of government ministries and agencies to the executive and legislative branches of government. Emphasis is also placed on local government bodies in the counties and territories as well as municipal councils in the cities and townships.

Evidence - Two Semesters

Three hours each semester

A study of the rules governing the admission of evidence in civil and criminal cases; preparation and presentation of evidence, including proof of writings; qualification and examination of witnesses with emphasis on impeachment; determination of relevancy; privileged communications; application of the hearsary rule, the best evidence rule; the parole evidence rule, burden of proof and presumptions; demonstrative evidence and judicial notice of law and facts.

Business Organization - Two Semesters

Three hours each semester

The course is designed to explore and analyze the workings and complex problems surrounding the various forms of business organizations - sole proprietorship, partnership and corporations - and their effects on the economic structure of our society. Particular emphasis is placed on corporate organizations, public and private, spanning the period from their formation to their dissolution; the rights, duties and responsibilities of corporate financing and the regulation of corporate institutions by the government are also examined. Liberian corporation laws and cases are used in conjunction with American corporation cases.

Commercial Law -Two Semesters
Three hours each semester

The course deals with more complex constructual problems, beginning with transactions involving security interests in personal property and extending to various problems of commercial paper and documentary sales. In addition, the course examines the fundamental principles of negotiable instruments with respect to formalities, transfer, holder in due course, equities and defences, liabilities ^nd discharge. A brief treatment of the nature of bankruptcy proceedings, loan, sales and credit transactions. The course draws on the Liberian Business Law and the American Uniform Commercial Code.

Third Year Courses

Estates and Trusts - Two Semesters
Three hours each semester

The first part of this course deals with will and trusts, and the rudiments of the administration, execution and evocation of wills and trusts; testamentary capacity, the non-commercial transfers of wealth at death or during life; essential elements and formalities for creation of trusts and execution of wilt - revocation and alternation, grounds for contest, limits on property owner's power to control intestate succession; property rights of the surviving spouse. The remainder of the course is concerned with the creation of future interest and their constructional problems; estates by implication; powers of appointment; the rule against perpetuities. At least two writ ten drafting problems will be taken up and discussed in class. The course draws heavily on Liberia's Decedents Estates and Trusts Law and American cases. (Such as casement and eminent domain, real estate and lease agreement, deed, and the controlling of the use of land.

Labor Law - One Semester
Three hours

The course is designed principally to acquaint students with several phases of the employment relationship within the Liberian setting; the evolution of labor unions, activity, and labor law legislation; union recognition and collective bargaining relationship; unlawful combinations picketing and strikes; the use of dispute settlement mechanisms as after-natives to the resort to the strike and lookout weapons; problems of union democracy; illegal and wrongful dismissals; rights of individual employees with respect to unions. It also deals with problems of the individual employment contracts, problems relating to the interpretation and enforcement of the Liberian Labor Statutes and the collective bargaining agreements in such fields as wages, hours of work and other terms and conditions of employment. Coverage also includes workmen's compensation for death and industrial injury. The course takes into account the interests of private employees, private employees (including civil servants) and seamen in maritime employment.

Admiralty - One Semester
Two hours

This course deals with all matters relating to the jurisdiction of the admiralty courts in Liberia and the United States; navigable waters and vessels; attachment and maritime liens, contracts of affreightment, towage and employment; wrongful death and injury of persons; the principles of limitation of liability, general average and salvage, unseaworthiness; and collision cases. Substantial knowledge of the Liberian Maritime Law and Regulations is required.

International Law - Two Semesters
Two hours each semester

Attention is focused on fundamental contemporary problems involving the role and effectiveness of law and legal institutions in the international community. This course includes studies on basis of jurisdiction of states; the law of the sea; the law of air and airspace; sovereign immunity; the "act of state" doctrine; statehood and recognition; international agreements; international organizations; the peaceful settlement of international disputes; responsibilities of state for injuries to aliens; and control of the use of force in international affairs.

Family Law - One Semester
Three hours

Examination is made of a broad range of topics on domestic relations; disputes over paternity, child custody and support; adoption; guardianship; domestic violence; and the legal status of extra-marital relationship, including adult cohabitation and illegitimate children. Attention is also focused on delinquent children and goverhmental intervention in matters relating to domestic relations, including child abuse and neglect; and discussions on the general interest and welfare of the child; and scope of parental privilege to discipline children. Particular emphasis is placed on an understanding of the provisions of the New Domestic Relations Law of Liberia.

Insurance Law - One Semester
Two hours

The law in relation to various modes of insurance, including the making, administration and interpretation of insurance contracts; common insurance contract provisions; subrogation personal property insurance; fire insurance and related lines; casualty insurance, including automobile and other liability; property damages burglary and theft; life insurance, including accident and health. The course further focuses attention on malpractice insurance problems and the principles of indemnity.

Medical Jurisprudence - One Semester
Three hours

Art Introduction to medicine as It relates to legal problems In personal injury and medical malpractice and drences. It includes perspectives Into the medical profession and what a lawyer should know about the training and competency of doctors; medical litigation techniques; medical testimony; duties of physicians, nurses and patients; psychiatry and the law; forensic pathology; and lexicology; medical proof In litigation; medical records-, issues of human birth, medico-legal Issues In organ trans-plantatlon;and the legal definition of death.

Accounting - One Semester
Three hours

This course deals with an examination and analysis of the bask mechanics and theory of the accounting process, with special attention to the problems of matching costs and revenue, valuation of tangible and Intangible assets, depreciation and amortization, and In general the meaning of financial statements In keeping with accounting practices and conventions; prerequisite to Taxation.

African Law - One Semester

A comparative study of African social and legal institutions, with emphasis on native customary law and practices as they interact with constitutional, statutory and Islamic laws. It includes a review of the chieftancy or kingship system and its relationship to the monacchial and presidential systems; sources of African customary law; chiefly and acephalous societies; jurisdiction^ issues in native customary matters; tribal administration in Liberia; tribal loyalty to cultural and linguistic groups vlsavls loyalty to the national government; the doctrine of the "repugnancy test"; effect of judicial attitude to tribal customs and customary laws; civl and criminal wrongdoing. African concept of ownership of property; declaration of title of land; marriage, children, divorce, Status of African women. Special attention Is focused on the LIberian Government's hinterland regulations and legislations relating to the ethnic people who have adopted customary law as the I r personal law.

Taxation - One Semester
Three hours

The course principally deals with a practical exploration of various problems arising In the practice of tax law with particular attention devoted to taxation of realty, securities, insurance and personal financial planning; examination of inconje taxation, allowable deductions, and credits; judicial resolution of tax disputes; construction and Interpretation of Liberia tax law; and the role of the tax lawyer in business and financial planning.

Legal Ethics - One Semester
Two hours

A study of the legal profession, with emphasis on the required professional conduct of the lawyer as an agent of his client, as an officer of the court, and a member of the legal faternity. The course also deals with professional counselling of clients and conflict of interest issues.

Moot Court - Two Semesters
Two hours

The Law School subscribes to the general philosophy that a legal education Is incomplete without exposure to all faces of the profession. The Moot Court class gives final year students practical experience in research, brief writing and oral argument. The class is organized in a way designed to develop scholastic standing and demonstrated skill in oral and written avocacy. The class is divided into teams or Iaw firms, and an opportunity given to prepare and try a civil or criminal Jury case in a court room setting and to understand through actual practice, the anatomy of a trial and the adversary system.