thesis topics about laws

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213 In Depth Law Thesis Topics For Perfect Score

Universities around the world require learners to complete papers on law thesis topics when pursuing advanced legal studies. Completing this task is both stressful and exciting because of the reward of writing a quality paper. However, selecting a title for your project, researching it, and writing is not easy.

For this reason, students should select interesting legal topics to enjoy working on their theses. What’s more, they should settle on issues that provide ample research scope. A thesis or dissertation is a lengthy academic paper. Therefore, learners should select topic ideas they can manage and work with comfortably over time. Here are sample topics for learners with difficulties selecting topics for their dissertations.

Interesting Law Topics for Theses

Perhaps, you’re looking for exciting topics to form the basis of your academic papers. In that case, consider these exciting law dissertation topics for inspiration.

• Examining presumption validity resulting advancement and trusts have acquired defunct status requiring their abolishment
• How Harison vs. Gibson decision changed the intention certainty law
• Investment trustee powers: Examining the financial benefits considerations by the courts
• Examining the courts’ attitude as shown in relevant rulings towards trusts with political purposes
• How the prevailing media entities’ attitude and the first Amendment rights to speech freedom advance the public interest
• Examining legal and moral issues surrounding abortion procedures on a long-term basis
• The ramifications of Roe v Wade amendments to offer adequate protection to the father’s rights
• Examining the conflict between public safety and civil liberties in the anti-terrorism legislation arena
• Analyzing the judicial review process from the weak vs. strong perspective
• Analyzing the law that governs the state authority to intervene in citizens’ private lives when a child’s welfare is in question
• How the law responds to domestic violence effects on male victims
• Examining the central trademark protection’s rationale as a way for businesses to protect brand value versus public interests
• Can the copyright system respond to intellectual property digitalization and the internet challenges?
• Comparing the U.K. and U.S. trademark and copyright law, including damages
• How viable is benefit-sharing as a way to regulate intellectual property rights?
• Examining the conflict between corporate trade secrets and business law
• Analyzing the role of customs and cultural norms in international criminal law’s development
• Examining the relationship between international law and national law
• What are the legal ramifications of authoritative norms breaches in international law?
• Analysis of the legal ramifications of a stem cell study to use human embryos for profits
• Should governments restrict journalists’ expression freedom?
• An investigation of the weak and strong points of the judicial review process?
• How effective are anti-corruption laws in your state?
• Abortion legalization- How the law treats abortion and the moral elements of the problem
• Relocating with a child- Discussing the legal gaps in relocation
• Assets division after divorce- How fair is the divorce law?
• Child protection from abuse and neglect- Gaps in the current law
• Child labor prevention- Legal mechanisms for detecting and preventing child labor
• Mediation role in family law- Should it be mandatory?
• Changes in the cohabitation law- Should cohabitating and married couples enjoy equal treatment?
• Can copyright owners and authors protect their rights under the current copyright law?
• Copyright law and modern art- Which contemporary artworks should enjoy copyright protection?
• Trade secrets protection under business law- How to ease the existing conflict
• National and international law- Which are the prevailing rules?
• Peaceful international conflicts resolution- Discuss the current international dispute settlement mechanisms.
• International law attitudes towards the self-determination concept- How to set a fair balance between the minorities and majorities interests
• Organ retention legislation- How to regulate the existing problems and controversies
• When should the international criminal court come into play?
• How domestic violence accurate picture differs from statistics
• Why does the law give severe punishment for some crimes?

A carefully selected example in this category can spark exciting research that will lead to a brilliant thesis. Nevertheless, pick an exciting idea to come up with a dissertation that will impress your educator.

Commercial or Business Law Thesis Topics

Maybe you’re looking for the best business or commercial law master’s thesis topics. That means you need titles that will allow you to focus on the legal aspects of the rights, conducts, and relations of organizations or individuals that engage in merchandising activities, trade, or commerce. Here are exciting business law topics to write about when working on your thesis.

• Do the current commercial laws in the U.S. need any change?
• How effective are the international business law programs in U.S. universities?
• How effective is business law in supporting commercial transactions?
• Does corporate social responsibility have a mediating role in companies’ performance?
• What are the impacts of international commercial laws on U.S. business laws?
• A review of the international business law use in new projects
• An evaluation of commercial laws for dealing with dishonest business managers
• Commercial partnerships- A closer look at the potential results and dangers
• Regulations for stopping corruption- A UK case study
• Analyzing pre-incorporation contracts- How they work
• Evaluating arbitration under business law- Understanding the U.K. policy practices
• What are the difficulties, significance, and essence of a commercial lease to business owners?
• Regular versus commercial lease- Analyzing its advantages and disadvantages for businesses.
• The role of the legislature in working and interpreting contracts
• Commercial law’s role in business framework establishment in society
• An evaluation of contract laws and their effects on businesses
• Verbal and non-verbal agreements in the business law’s context
• Analyzing business entity’s role concerning commercial law
• Evaluating business laws for fighting corruption in companies
• How effective is commercial law in prompting transactions?
• Copyright infringement- How offline and online law enforcement differ.
• Business partnerships- Understanding legal remedies, results, and threats
• Commercial laws for guiding businesses in energy projects
• How to work within the advertising law’s guidelines and framework when advertising online
• Analyzing the significance, role, and application of wills within the business law
• International vs. national commercial laws
• Analyzing pre-incorporation contracts
• Assessing the effectiveness of international commercial law
• Why investing in a business’ trademark and copyright application matters
• Commercial law arbitration- An in-depth evaluation and analysis of policy practice
• An evaluation of anti-corruption business regulations using a relevant case study
• Corporate social responsibility laws for businesses
• Termination agreements- Significance, role, and application in business transactions
• Contract law- Role and interpretations in business transactions
• Director’s guarantee- Transaction structure and role within business law
• Analyzing business entity’s role in commercial law
• Exploring loopholes in international laws that allow business corruption
• Consumer protection in Wales and England after the Brexit era
• Investigating Wales and England’s insolvency laws for addressing insolvency instances
• A legal assessment of the commercial law role in sustaining public-private partnerships, depending on what happened during the Carillion Collapse

These research topics in law can be the basis of a paper that will earn you the top grade. However, be ready to research your preferred idea and analyze information to write a high-quality essay.

International Law Thesis Topics for Research

Some learners find international law research topics quite interesting because they focus on legal aspects of businesses during global pandemics and wars. You can also focus on the economic trade aspect when writing a thesis on any of these ideas. Here are exciting topics for a law school thesis in this category.

• Precedence importance during international court hearings
• Internet and digital legislation- Future forecasts
• How civil liberties and public safety relate within the context of international laws
• Analyzing the principles of the international law
• Challenges facing different parties during the application of the Vienna Convention on the international sale of good contracts
• Assessing business implications of the future possibilities of the U.K. and U.S. military cooperation in fighting terror
• When international law allows a country to intervene in another nations’ affairs
• A closer look at the human rights gaps from the international law’s perspective
• Analyzing the U.S. involvement in Iraq- Was it a violation of international law or a justified move?
• How to enforce international law in third world countries
• Analysis of international tribunals’ efficiency in addressing war crimes
• International human rights hearings- Why precedence matters
• Challenges facing parties in contracts relating to the international sale of goods and the application of the Vienna Convention
• Why the international law matters for the digital laws and internet legislation
• How effective are international tribunals in taking action for war crimes?
• Analyzing conditions when the international law permits a country to intervene in trade matters
• Assessing the international criminal laws’ principles and why change could be necessary
• Analyzing the human rights law from an international perspective
• Human rights and international law violations- A case study of U.S. involvement in Iraq
• The impact of civil liberties as enshrined in the international law on public safety
• International consumer protection during the post-Brexit era
• International laws for protecting consumers against unlawful communication during the war
• International laws for protecting and rescuing the refugees’ human rights at sea
• Top five offenders facing the international law and their offenses
• How the international law can protect child soldiers during the Israel-Palestine conflict
• NATO ethics in Afghanistan and Iraq
• Human rights violation in Africa- How the international law can address them
• Describe the appeal process for the international criminal court
• Analyzing the international tribunals
• XYZ corporation’s transnational crimes- A detailed analysis

These are exciting thesis topics for law students interested in international law. Nevertheless, learners must invest time and effort in research and data analysis to develop quality papers.

Controversial Law Topics for Academic Research

Some law master thesis topics can trigger debates while encouraging learners to take a stance in support or against an idea. Such titles can include constitutional law paper topics and sensitive matters in different legal study fields. Here are exciting topics in this category.

• Does the world need gun law review?
• Analyzing human rights vis a vis the Islamic criminal law
• Transgender rights- Solving injustice and discrimination arising from inequality.
• Legal implications of blocking international students temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Deportation protection and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program
• Immigration reforms and restrictions- Change and improvement scope
• Black lives matter- Analyzing the lack of legal or political repercussions of custody deaths.
• Abortion- Legal angles for pro-life and pro-choice
• Analysis of religious freedom in law and the choice freedom to deny person services depending on their religion
• Addictive opioids prescription as legal painkillers- Justifications and the aftermath
• The legal framework for animal research
• Vaccine administration from the legal implications perspectives, non-compliance and compliance, parental and herd immunity’s duty
• Privacy rights- Conflict between public safety versus individual privacy
• Free market capitalization- Free trade versus government regulations
• Analyzing government regulations, environmental support policies, and economic costs
• Equal minimum wage system- Legal parameters, remedies, and controversies
• Legalizing marijuana for recreational and medicinal usage
• White supremacy- How this political ideology affects the economic and legal framework
• The legal justification of capital punishment
• Marriage equality act- Analyzing responsibilities and rights in a same-sex marriage.
• The ethics of capital punishment
• Law code and mental hospitals
• Analyzing the legal implications of sniffer dog practices
• College violence causes and legal implications
• Legal code in different states in America
• Crime propaganda and modern music culture- Using the law to address the emerging issues.
• Is the law biased against African-Americans?
• The limited rights for police officers
• The importance of eyewitness evidence
• How developing countries can improve business laws’ effectiveness
• Does the world have more female lawyers than males?
• Trade union role in championing for the workers’ rights
• Effects of technology on business laws’ viability
• Impact of coronavirus on business laws
• Why employees deserve a role in business laws’ formulation
• Why business laws are employee-oriented instead of siding with team members
• Business laws and their role in preventing malicious competition
• Can business law undermine women’s empowerment?
• Should every country have unique business laws for foreign investors?
• How sufficient are business laws in covering cyber espionage?

These are controversial ideas to explore in dissertations. However, learners should prepare to research extensively to write winning papers.

Child in Conflict with the Law Thesis Topics

This category comprises titles relating to legal issues concerning kids that contravene the law by committing juvenile offenses. Nevertheless, they are exciting law enforcement topics to explore when pursuing masters or Ph.D. studies.

• Analysis of children’s rights against economic exploitation and harmful work
• Laws and human rights that support children during illegal migration
• Exploitation and violence leading children into legal conflicts
• Court procedures for children that break the law
• Abuse and exploitation of children that violate the law and how to prevent it
• Rights and legal protection for children during cases
• The legal framework for guiding the people handling children’s cases
• How to deal with children involved in legal matters in metro cities
• How to improve legal protection for children during conflict
• Analysis of the measures for reintegrating children into the society after conflicting with the law
• Laws for facilitating children’s rehabilitation after conflicting with the law

Criminal Law Thesis Topics

Criminal law entails the study of rules governing individuals’ prosecution after committing crimes. Here are titles to consider in this category.

• Crimes and religious laws in developing countries
• Analyzing the war against terror and potential crimes
• Examining racial prejudice during incarceration
• Police interrogations- Legal framework, human rights, and principles
• Balancing legal rights for the defendant and the victim during a lawsuit
• Anatomy justification with the defendant and victim in mind
• Challenges in the crime’s nature identification and distribution- A case study analysis
• Criminal theory- A review for exploring crime and morality connection
• Death penalty justification, research, and history
• Male and female rape legislations- Evaluating the critical differences
• Lie detectors use in criminal law courts- Assessing their efficacy
• How to protect victims in case of manslaughter cases
• Analyzing crime-related factors best left out of the court

Family Law Thesis Topics

Family law has several ideas to explore in a dissertation. Here are examples of such notions.

• Grandparents’ role in the family law provisions and social fabrics
• Non-consensual adoption- What are the legal implications?
• Family laws that govern divorce and marriage for transgender individuals
• Children rights to family life within non-marital families
• Impacts of Islamic traditions on family laws for UK-based Muslims
• Custody rights for children with learning disabilities
• Divorce laws- Are they perception or gender-based?

Medical Law and Ethics Thesis Topics

This field focuses on the responsibilities and rights of medical professionals and patients. Here are brilliant ideas to consider in this category.

• Laws governing medical research- Animals protection against cruelty
• Can medical practitioners treat mental disorders without bias?
• Ethical and legal challenges relating to bio-banks
• Effects of lawsuits on medical practitioners dedication and commitment
• Medical, ethics, and legal perspectives of assisted suicide
• Medical laws and ethics in practice

Sports Law Topics

If interested in sports law, consider these topics for your papers.

• Coaches employment laws and contracts
• Policies facilitating rights protection and promotion for transgender athletes
• Rules for fighting sexual harassment in the sporting field
• Constitutional rights for student-athletes
• Practices and policies of sports law in the U.S.
• The legal stance for national sports governing bodies
• Lifestyle sports- What sports laws say about them
• Analyzing the negligence of cheerleading teams with a case study
• The role of legal aspects of sporting events at the international level
• Transnational sports’ management perspective
• Laws relating to club sports management
• Match-fixing and the related laws
• Legal issues relating to sportsperson marketing
• The legal implications of sports promotion aids

Hot Thesis Topics in Employment Law

Do you want to write a thesis on employment law? If yes, consider any of these ideas for your paper.

• How to improve zero-hour contracts
• Wrongful vs. unfair- What provides better protection within the employment laws
• Studying the right to fair employment practices
• 2010 Equality Act and the disabled people’s rights
• Employment laws for the disabled
• Effectiveness of sexual harassment laws at the workplace
• Gender variations in employment regulations and laws
• How working parents benefit from Flexible Working Regulations 2002
• The convergence of employment laws with religion
• The impact of trade unions on businesses
• Unfair dismissal- What the law says
• Legal aspects of social work employment

If you pick any of these topics and then have difficulties down the road, seek help with research paper from the best-rated online experts. Using affordable thesis help, you can complete your project on any of these titles. Nevertheless, work with a professional company to get cheap and quality assistance.

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160+ Outstanding Law Dissertation Topics for Students

If you are a university student studying law, you would know that it is both, exciting and stressful to work on dissertations because law dissertation topics or help with dissertation are not easy to select.

While students can pick a topic that interests them, good thesis topics for law, students would be the ones that offer ample scope for research and study. It is vital to keep in mind that dissertations tend to get lengthy; therefore, your topic should also be a subject you can manage to finish working on within the time you have at hand. Given below are some exciting topics that you can explore for your law school thesis.

Business Law Dissertation Topics

Business law, also known as commercial law, focuses on the legal aspects of the conduct, rights, and relations of individuals or organizations that engage in commerce, trade, and merchandising activities. Therefore, commercial law masters thesis topics have a broad scope as they revolve around important and relatable aspects guiding society and trade. Here are some exciting business law topics to write about. Take a look:

• Business laws against corruption within firms — an in-depth evaluation
• Commercial Law and its effectiveness in supporting commercial transactions.
• Copyright Infringement – Understanding the difference between online and offline law enforcement.
• Business partnerships: Threats, legal remedies, and results
• Commercial laws guiding energy projects within the country and a comparison with top countries globally.
• Online advertising – working within the framework and guidelines of Advertising Law
• US commercial laws: A review on what needs to change
• Legal framework guiding unfair advertising and marketing practices – a case study analysis
• Business wills — application, significance, and role in translations of Business Law
• Domestic vs International commercial laws of five countries
• Pre-incorporation contracts – a thorough analysis
• International commercial law programs: An assessment of their effectiveness as part of the University curriculum
• Importance of investigating a business’s application for Copyright and Trademark
• Arbitration under commercial law: In-depth analysis and evaluation of policy practice
• Evaluating anti-corruption regulations for businesses through a relevant case study
• Laws governing Corporate Social Responsibility for businesses and their evaluation
• Termination agreements — application, significance, and role in business transactions
• The Law of Contracts — Interpretations and Role in Business Transactions
• Director’s Guarantee – Its role in Business law and the Structure of Transactions
• What is the role of a Business Entity concerning Commercial Law – An analysis
• Contract Laws and an evaluation of the application of Verbal or Nonverbal Agreements
• The role of Commercial Law in establishing a business framework within the society
• The legislature and its role in the interpretation and working of contracts
• Commercial Vs RegularLease – Analysing the pros and cons for the businesses
• Commercial lease – Significance, difficulties, and importance for business owners

International Law Thesis Topics

International law is an important area of interest when it comes to thesis writing. You can focus on studying the legal aspects of economic trade, businesses during the war, global pandemics, and more. Ethics and human rights play a significant role in international matters. Here are some excellent international law research topics to explore:

• Hearings on cases in International Human Rights Court — What precedence says
• Challenges faced by parties involved in contracts related to the International Sale of Goods (CISG) when the Vienna Convention is applied.
• What do the future hold for internet legislation and digital laws
• Are International Tribunals effective in taking action against war crimes?
• An in-depth analysis of various conditions under which international intervention in trade or matters of general affairs of a country is permitted by law
• International criminal laws — an assessment of the underlying principles and need for change
• Human rights law: An international perspective on gaps that need to be addressed
• Violation of Laws and Human Rights when the US got involved in matters of Iraq – An analysis
• Enforcement of international laws in developing countries – Issues, justification, and remedies
• Military cooperation between the UK and the US to address terror — A historical perspective and future analysis
• What are the civil liberties in International law and how do they impact public safety
• Post-Brexit era — where does consumer protection stand?
• Laws ensuring the protection of civilians against unlawful communication during armed conflicts between countries
• International laws governing rescue and protection of human rights of refugees at sea
• International civil jurisdiction on transborder disputes related to the infringement of intellectual property rights — a comprehensive study

Criminal law thesis topics

The study of Criminal law comprises understanding the laws that govern the prosecution of individuals who have committed crimes as defined by law. When you select law master thesis topics based on criminal law, you can choose law enforcement topics related to drug dealing, manslaughter, kidnapping, and more. Some examples are shared below:

• Female and male rape legislations: An in-depth evaluation of critical differences
• Using lie detectors _ an assessment of their efficacy in criminal justice
• Are manslaughter laws possible to misuse — what are the remedies to protect such victims?
• A detailed analysis of crime-related factors best not presented in the court of law and why?
• Witness protection – laws, guidelines, and measures against retaliation
• Death Penalty – History, justification, and analysis
• Criminal theory – A thematic review to explore the connection between morality and crime
• Challenges in identification of the nature of crime and its distribution — an in-depth analysis based on a case study
• Is anatomy justified in lawsuits related to sexual offenses — evaluating the rights of the victim and the defendant
• Legal rights — striking a balance between the rights of the victim and the defendant during the lawsuit
• What are the implications of the war against terror — Enforcement of criminal law and its implications
• A case study analysis of the war against terror
• A case study analysis of racial prejudice in prison
• Religious laws and crimes in developing nations
• Police interrogations – Principles, legal framework, and human rights

Child in conflict with the law thesis topics

These topics are related to the study of issues and laws concerning children who conflict with the law due to committing juvenile crimes.

• Legal protection and rights of children in cases of a child in conflict with the law
• Children in conflict with the law in metro cities and the legal framework guiding the handling of such cases
• Improving the legal protection available for children in conflict with the law
• An in-depth study of the measures available to reintegrate children in conflict with the law into the society
• Laws to facilitate the rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law
• Exploitation and abuse of children in conflict with the law and remedies to prevent it
• Procedures in court for children in conflict with the law
• Violence and exploitation leading children into conflict with the law – Case study analysis
• Human rights and laws supporting children affected by illegal migration
• Analyzing children’s rights against harmful work and economic exploitation

Controversial law topics

As a college student, there will be umpteen issues that will spark debates and encourage you to take a stance either for or against. These may include constitutional law paper topics or laws on sensitive matters that have triggered global emotions. Here are some such topics to explore:

• Reviewing the need for the Gun Law
• Abortion – Pro-choice or pro-life the legal angles
• Understanding religious freedom by law and the freedom of choice to deny service based on religion
• Prescription of addictive opioids as legal painkillers — the justification and after effects
• The legal framework guiding animal research
• Vaccine administration from the perspective of legal implications, compliance and non-compliance, herd immunity, and parental duty
• Right to privacy – the conflict between individual privacy Vs public safety
• Freemarket capitalization – government regulations vs free trade
• Environment support policies, government regulations, and economic costs
• Uniform minimum wage system — controversy, legal parameters, and remedies
• White supremacy — a political ideology that affects the legal and economic framework
• Legalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational usage
• Capital punishment and its legal justification
• The Marriage Equality Act – Rights and responsibilities in same-sex marriages
• Black lives matter — an insight into the lack of political or legal repercussions for death in custody
• Immigration restrictions and reforms – scope for improvement and change
• The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and upholding deportation protection
• Temporary blocking of international students during the Corona Virus Pandemic – Legal implications
• Transgender rights — Remedies against discrimination and injustice caused by inequality
• Islamic Criminal law vis a vis Human Rights — an analysis.

Sports law topics

Sport is an ever-intriguing subject, and it offers some interesting legal topics for dissertation writing. Your topic can cover international sports laws, rules and regulations guiding sports, sporting bodies, their jurisdiction, and more.

• Cheerleading teams — negligence across different case studies
• Sports law implications on cases of doping in international events
• Legal aspects of international sporting events and the role of social media
• The transnational perspective of sports management – an overview
• Bosman Rulings – The EU Sports law and its international implications
• The management of club sports in the UK and related laws
• Match-fixing in football and sports laws governing the same
• Match-fixing in cricket and international sports laws governing the same
• Sportspersons marketing – Reviewing legal issues and influences
• Sports promotion aids in the UK, US, and EU — legal implications
• Legal aspects related to governance and monitoring of sports organizations
• Sports laws on lifestyle sports – a review
• National governing bodies of sports and their legal stance
• The role and impact of labor contracts concerning UK sporting bodies
• Policies and practices of the US sports law
• Visa systems for international sportspersons and problems faced by them
• Constitutional rights of student-athletes
• Sexual harassment in sports and laws against it
• Policies aiding the promotion and protection of rights of transgender athletes
• Coaches’ contract and employment laws

Hot thesis topics in employment law

Employment law offers some very interesting law topics to work on. Under this, you can write your dissertation on labor laws, worker compensation, immigration laws, minimum wages, wrongful termination, and many such research topics in law.

• How employment laws convergence with religion in the US
• UK employment laws — A before and after comparison after exiting the EU
• UK Trade Unions and their impact — challenges and successes
• A review of unfair dismissal laws in the UK
• Employment laws in the UK and US automobile industry — A comparative study
• Employment contracts in the UK manufacturing industry — A comprehensive study of job satisfaction
• Issues with application and enforcement of laws in international firms: A case study
• Agency workers — employment rights and legal status in firms
• US ‘Fire at will’ employment ability and should it be made possible in the UK.
• Social work employment — Reviewing all legal aspects through a case study
• Employee dismissal — a comparison of UK and EU laws.
• Working parents and the benefits of Flexibility Working Regulations 2002
• Gender differences in employment laws and regulations across the US and the UK.
• Analyzing the efficacy of sexual harassment laws in the workplace
• Employee mobility across EU countries — a legal overview.
• Employment laws concerning the disabled in the UK — policies, and practices
• Equality Act 2010 and the rights of disabled
• A comprehensive study of the right to fair labor practices in the UK
• Unfair Vs Wrongful — what offers greater protection under employment laws
• Zero-hour contracts — significance and ways to improve

Medical law and ethics thesis topics

Medical law focuses on the rights and responsibilities of patients and medical professionals. Some exciting areas of medical law that you can focus on include patient confidentiality, patient consent, negligence, professional malpractice, failure in diagnosing, treatment malpractices leading to injury or death, and patient defamation among other topics.

• Laws governing organ retention — pros and cons
• Organ transplantation — A comprehensive study of governing laws in the US.
• Abortion — A comprehensive study of governing laws and stages when abortion is allowed or forbidden in the UK.
• Do judges handling medical disputes need special education to ensure fact-based judgments?
• Forced sterilization — laws, implementation, and who is to be targeted?
• Laws governing medical research — a comprehensive study
• Disputes arising due to medical complications during surgeries — legal implications
• Unregistered medical intervention — Legal implications in the US
• Electronic fetal monitoring and concerning laws.
• Medical ethics in practice concerning medical law
• Assisted suicide — the legal, ethical, and medical perspectives
• Lawsuits and their effect on the commitment and dedication of medical practitioners
• Biobanks — The associated legal and ethical challenges
• Is it possible for medical practitioners to treat mental disorders without bias?
• Laws against animal cruelty during medical research — a case study

Family law thesis topics

Besides marriage, divorce, custody, compensation, and alimony, you can cover several other interesting aspects of family law in your dissertation. Given below are some examples of topics you can explore:

• UK Family Law — Changes over the past five decades.
• Human rights in countries following religious family laws
• Family lawsuits and how they are impacted by culture
• Domestic violence and its effects on men Vs women
• Deciding custody in divorce cases and the importance of the child’s desire in influencing the court’s decision
• Divorce law and how it has impacted the number of divorces
• Child neglect and its legal implications in the US
• Child justice Vs family justice: Evaluating the compatibility
• What are the factors that prevent couples from seeking a divorce?
• US family law — is it due for reforms?
• Family law and its provisions when a divorced parent wishes to move abroad with the child
• Cohabitation Law in the US and is it due for reforms
• Divorce laws — are they gender-biased or is it only a perception
• Custody rights when the child has learning disabilities — a comprehensive overview
• Do Islamic traditions impact family laws of UK-based Muslims
• UK family laws governing financial decisions in cases of dementia and forced separation
• Rights of children to have a family life in non-marital families
• Family laws governing marriage and divorce in transgender people — a comparison of US and UK
• Legal implications of non-consensual adoption in the US
• The role of grandparents in the social fabric and provisions in the Family law

The topics mentioned above are great examples of what you can write on. However, if you are still confused, are running against time, have too much on your platter, or are simply unsure how to proceed to feel free to take law thesis help from some of the best-rated writers we have on board.

Feel free to ask for a sample from the professional you shortlist, and we will be happy to assist you all the way. Get in touch with us online or call us for help with a research paper. We have a team of experienced writers who offer high-quality, original work done to perfection. Our services are available at cheap and affordable rates as we are aware that we are assisting college students. So go ahead and connect with us for quality assistance to get you good grades and a stress-free time to focus on your academic commitments.

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Legal Dissertation: Research and Writing Guide

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This guide contains resources to help students researching and writing a legal dissertation or other upper-level writing project. Some of the resources in this guide are directed at researching and writing in general, not specifically on legal topics, but the strategies and tips can still be applied.

The Law Library maintains a number of other guides on related skills and topics that may be of interest:

The Wells Library also maintains guides. A few that may be helpful for managing research can be found here:

Choosing a Topic

This video discusses tips and strategies for choosing a dissertation topic.

Note: this video is not specific to legal dissertation topics, but it may still be of interest as an overview generally.

The Bloomberg/BNA publication United States Law Week can be a helpful resource for tracking down the major legal stories of the day.  Log into Bloomberg Law, in the big search box, start typing United States Law Week and the title will appear in the drop down menu beneath the box. This publication provides coverage of top legal news stories, and in-depth "insight" features.

If you have a general idea of the area of law you wish to write about, check out the Practice Centers on Bloomberg. From the homepage, click the Browse link in the top left-hand corner. Then select Practice Centers and look for your area of law. Practice Centers are helpful because they gather cases, statutes, administrative proceedings, news, and more on the selected legal area.

Bloomberg has other news sources available as well. From the homepage, click the Browse link in the top left-hand corner. Then select News and Analysis, then select News or Analysis, and browse the available topics.

If you know what area of law you'd like to write about, you may find the Browse Topics feature in Lexis Advance helpful for narrowing down your topic. 

Log into Lexis Advance, click the Browse Topics tab, and select a topic.  If you don't see your topic listed, try using the provided search bar to see whether your topic is categorized as a sub-topic within this list. 

Once you click on a topic, a box pops up with several options.  If you click on Get Topic Document, you'll see results listed in a number of categories, including Cases, Legislation, and more.  The News and Legal News categories at the right end of the list may help you identify current developments of interest for your note.  Don't forget about the filtering options on the left that will allow you to search within your results, narrow your jurisdiction, and more.

Similar to Lexis Advance, Westlaw Edge has a Topics tab that may be helpful if you know what area of law you'd like to write about.

Log onto Westlaw Edge, and click on the Topics tab.  This time, you won't be able to search within this list, so if you're area is not listed, you should either run a regular search from the main search bar at the top or try out some of the topics listed under this tab - once you click on a topic, you can search within its contents.

What is great about the Topics in Westlaw Edge is the Practitioner Insights page you access by clicking on a topic.  This is an information portal that allows you quick access to cases, legislation, top news, and more on your selected topic.

In United States federal courts, a circuit split occurs whenever two or more circuit courts of appeals issue conflicting rulings on the same legal question. Circuit splits are ripe for legal analysis and commentary because they present a situation in which federal law is being applied in different ways in different parts of the country, even if the underlying litigants themselves are otherwise similarly situated. The Supreme Court also frequently accepts cases on appeal that involve these types of conflicted rulings from various sister circuits.

To find a circuit split on a topic of interest to you, try searching on Lexis and Westlaw using this method:

in the search box, enter the following: (circuit or court w/s split) AND [insert terms or phrases to narrow the search]

You can also browse for circuit splits on Bloomberg. On the Bloomberg homepage, in the "Law School Success" box, Circuit Splits Charts appear listed under Secondary Sources.

Other sources for circuit splits are American Law Reports (ALR) and American Jurisprudence (AmJur). These publications provide summaries of the law, point out circuit splits, and provide references for further research.

"Blawgs" or law-related blogs are often written by scholars or practitioners in the legal field.  Ordinarily covering current events and developments in law, these posts can provide inspiration for note topics.  To help you find blawgs on a specific topic, consider perusing the ABA's Blawg Directory or Justia's Blawg Search .

Research Methodology

Types of research methodologies.

There are different types of research methodologies. Methodology refers to the strategy employed in conducting research. The following methodologies are some of the most commonly used in legal and social science research.

Doctrinal legal research methodology, also called "black letter" methodology, focuses on the letter of the law rather than the law in action. Using this method, a researcher composes a descriptive and detailed analysis of legal rules found in primary sources (cases, statutes, or regulations). The purpose of this method is to gather, organize, and describe the law; provide commentary on the sources used; then, identify and describe the underlying theme or system and how each source of law is connected.

Doctrinal methodology is good for areas of law that are largely black letter law, such as contract or property law. Under this approach, the researcher conducts a critical, qualitative analysis of legal materials to support a hypothesis. The researcher must identify specific legal rules, then discuss the legal meaning of the rule, its underlying principles, and decision-making under the rule (whether cases interpreting the rule fit together in a coherent system or not). The researcher must also identify ambiguities and criticisms of the law, and offer solutions. Sources of data in doctrinal research include the rule itself, cases generated under the rule, legislative history where applicable, and commentaries and literature on the rule.

This approach is beneficial by providing a solid structure for crafting a thesis, organizing the paper, and enabling a thorough definition and explanation of the rule. The drawbacks of this approach are that it may be too formalistic, and may lead to oversimplifying the legal doctrine.

Comparative

Comparative legal research methodology involves critical analysis of different bodies of law to examine how the outcome of a legal issue could be different under each set of laws. Comparisons could be made between different jurisdictions, such as comparing analysis of a legal issue under American law and the laws of another country, or researchers may conduct historical comparisons.

When using a comparative approach be sure to define the reasons for choosing this approach, and identify the benefits of comparing laws from different jurisdictions or time periods, such as finding common ground or determining best practices and solutions. The comparative method can be used by a researcher to better understand their home jurisdiction by analyzing how other jurisdictions handle the same issue. This method can also be used as a critical analytical tool to distinguish particular features of a law. The drawback of this method is that it can be difficult to find material from other jurisdictions. Also, researchers should be sure that the comparisons are relevant to the thesis and not just used for description.

This type of research uses data analysis to study legal systems. A detailed guide on empirical methods can be found here . The process of empirical research involves four steps: design the project, collect and code the data, analyze the data, determine best method of presenting the results. The first step, designing the project, is when researchers define their hypothesis and concepts in concrete terms that can be observed. Next, researchers must collect and code the data by determining the possible sources of information and available collection methods, and then putting the data into a format that can be analyzed. When researchers analyze the data, they are comparing the data to their hypothesis. If the overlap between the two is significant, then their hypothesis is confirmed, but if there is little to no overlap, then their hypothesis is incorrect. Analysis involves summarizing the data and drawing inferences. There are two types of statistical inference in empirical research, descriptive and causal. Descriptive inference is close to summary, but the researcher uses the known data from the sample to draw conclusions about the whole population. Causal inference is the difference between two descriptive inferences.

Two main types of empirical legal research are qualitative and quantitative.

Quantitative, or numerical, empirical legal research involves taking information about cases and courts, translating that information into numbers, and then analyzing those numbers with statistical tools.

Qualitative, or non-numerical, empirical legal research involves extracting  information from the text of court documents, then interpreting and organizing the text into categories, and using that information to identify patterns.

Drafting The Methodology Section

This is the part of your paper that describes the research methodology, or methodologies if you used more than one. This section will contain a detailed description of how the research was conducted and why it was conducted in that way. First, draft an outline of what you must include in this section and gather the information needed.

Generally, a methodology section will contain the following:

• Statement of research objectives
• Reasons for the research methodology used
• Description and rationale of the data collection tools, sampling techniques, and data sources used, including a description of how the data collection tools were administered
• Discussion of the limitations
• Discussion of the data analysis tools used

Be sure that you have clearly defined the reasoning behind the chosen methodology and sources.

• Legal Reasoning, Research, and Writing for International Graduate Students Nadia E. Nedzel Aspen (2004) A guide to American legal research and the federal system, written for international students. Includes information on the research process, and tips for writing. Located in the Law Library, 3rd Floor: KF 240 .N43 2004.
• Methodologies of Legal Research: Which Kind of Method for What Kind of Discipline? Mark van Hoecke Oxford (2013) This book examines different methods of legal research including doctrinal, comparative, and interdisciplinary. Located at Lilly Law Library, Indianapolis, 2nd Floor: K 235 .M476 2013. IU students may request item via IUCAT.
• An Introduction to Empirical Legal Research Lee Epstein and Andrew D. Martin Oxford University Press (2014) This book includes information on designing research, collecting and coding data, analyzing data, and drafting the final paper. Located at Lilly Law Library, Indianapolis, 2nd Floor: K 85 .E678 2014. IU students may request item via IUCAT.
• Emplirical Legal Studies Blog The ELS blog was created by several law professors, and focuses on using empirical methods in legal research, theory, and scholarship. Search or browse the blog to find entries on methodology, data sources, software, and other tips and techniques.

Literature Review

The literature review provides an examination of existing pieces of research, and serves as a foundation for further research. It allows the researcher to critically evaluate existing scholarship and research practices, and puts the new thesis in context. When conducting a literature review, one should consider the following: who are the leading scholars in the subject area; what has been published on the subject; what factors or subtopics have these scholars identified as important for further examination; what research methods have others used; what were the pros and cons of using those methods; what other theories have been explored.

The literature review should include a description of coverage. The researcher should describe what material was selected and why, and how those selections are relevant to the thesis. Discuss what has been written on the topic and where the thesis fits in the context of existing scholarship. The researcher should evaluate the sources and methodologies used by other researchers, and describe how the thesis different.

The following video gives an overview of conducting a literature review.

Note: this video is not specific to legal literature, however it may be helpful as a general overview.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few suggestions for digging into sources once you have selected a topic.

Research Guides

Research guides are discovery tools, or gateways of information. They pull together lists of sources on a topic. Some guides even offer brief overviews and additional research steps specifically for that topic. Many law libraries offer guides on a variety of subjects. You can locate guides by visiting library websites, such as this Library's site , the Law Library of Congress , or other schools like Georgetown . Some organizations also compile research guides, such as the American Society of International Law . Utilizing a research guide on your topic to generate an introductory source list can save you valuable time.

Secondary Sources

It is often a good idea to begin research with secondary sources. These resources summarize, explain, and analyze the law. They also provide references to primary sources and other secondary sources. This saves you time and effort, and can help you quickly identify major themes under your topic and help you place your thesis in context.

Encyclopedias provide broad coverage of all areas of the law, but do not go in-depth on narrow topics, or discuss differences by jurisdiction, or  include all of the pertinent cases. American Jurisprudence ( AmJur ) and Corpus Juris Secundum ( CJS ) have nationwide coverage, while the Indiana Law Encyclopedia focuses on Indiana state law. A number of other states also have their own state-specific encyclopedias.

American Law Reports ( ALR ) are annotations that synopsize various cases on narrow legal topics. Each annotation covers a different topic, and provides a leading or typical case on the topic, plus cases from different jurisdictions that follow different rules, or cases where different facts applying the same rule led to different outcomes. The annotations also refer to other secondary sources.  

Legal periodicals include several different types of publications such as law reviews from academic institutions or organizations, bar journals, and commercial journals/newspapers/newsletters. Legal periodicals feature articles that describe the current state of the law and often explore underlying policies. They also critique laws, court decisions, and policies, and often advocate for changes. Articles also discuss emerging issues and notify the profession of new developments. Law reviews can be useful for in-depth coverage on narrow topics, and references to primary and other secondary sources. However, content can become outdated and researchers must be mindful of biases in articles. 

Treatises/Hornbooks/Practice Guides are a type of secondary source that provides comprehensive coverage of a legal subject. It could be broad, such as a treatise covering all of contract law, or very narrow such as a treatise focused only on search and seizure cases. These sources are good when you have some general background on the topic, but you need more in-depth coverage of the legal rules and policies. Treatises are generally well organized, and provide you with finding aids (index, table of contents, etc.) and extensive footnotes or endnotes that will lead you to primary sources like cases, statutes, and regulations. They may also include appendices with supporting material like forms. However, treatises may not be updated as frequently as other sources and may not cover your specific issue or jurisdiction.

Citation and Writing Style

• Legal Writing in Plain English Bryan A. Garner University of Chicago Press, 2001. Call # KF 250 .G373 2001 Location: Law Library, 3rd Floor Provides lawyers, judges, paralegals, law students, and legal scholars with sound advice and practical tools for improving their written work. The leading guide to clear writing in the field, this book offers valuable insights into the writing process: how to organize ideas, create and refine prose, and improve editing skills. This guide uses real-life writing samples that Garner has gathered through decades of teaching experience. Includes sets of basic, intermediate, and advanced exercises in each section.
• The Elements of Legal Style Bryan A. Garner Oxford University Press, 2002. Call # KF 250 .G37 2002 Location: Law Library, 1st Floor, Reference This book explains the full range of what legal writers need to know: mechanics, word choice, structure, and rhetoric, as well as all the special conventions that legal writers should follow in using headings, defined terms, quotations, and many other devices. Garner also provides examples from highly regarded legal writers, including Oliver Wendell Holmes, Clarence Darrow, Frank Easterbrook, and Antonin Scalia.
• Grammarly Blog Blog featuring helpful information about quirks of the English language, for example when to use "affect" or "effect" and other tips. Use the search feature to locate an article relevant to your grammar query.
• Plain English for Lawyers Richard C. Wydick Carolina Academic Press, 2005. Call # KF 250 .W9 2005 Location: Law Library, 3rd Floor Award-winning book that contains guidance to improve the writing of lawyers and law students and to promote the modern trend toward a clear, plain style of legal writing. Includes exercises at the end of each chapter.
• The Chicago Manual of Style University of Chicago Press, 2010. Call # Z 253 .U69 2010 Location: Law Library, 2nd Floor While not addressing legal writing specifically, The Chicago Manual of Style is one of the most widely used and respected style guides in the United States. It focuses on American English and deals with aspects of editorial practice, including grammar and usage, as well as document preparation and formatting.
• The Chicago Manual of Style (Online) Bryan A. Garner and William S. Strong The University of Chicago Press, 2017. Online edition: use the link above to view record in IUCAT, then click the Access link (for IU students only).
• The Bluebook Compiled by the editors of the Columbia Law Review, the Harvard Law Review, the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, and the Yale Law Journal. Harvard Law Review Association, 2015. Call # KF245 .B58 2015 Location: Law Library, 1st Floor, Circulation Desk The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is a style guide that prescribes the most widely used legal citation system in the United States. The Bluebook is taught and used at a majority of U.S. law schools, law reviews and journals, and used in a majority of U.S. federal courts.
• User's Guide to the Bluebook Alan L. Dworsky William S. Hein & Co., Inc., 2015. Call # KF 245 .D853 2015 Location: Law Library, Circulation Desk "This User's Guide is written for practitioners (law students, law clerks, lawyers, legal secretaries and paralegals), and is designed to make the task of mastering citation form as easy and painless as possible. To help alleviate the obstacles faced when using proper citation form, this text is set up as a how-to manual with a step-by-step approach to learning the basic skills of citation and includes the numbers of the relevant Bluebook rules under most chapter subheadings for easy reference when more information is needed"--Provided by the publisher.
• Legal Citation in a Nutshell Larry L. Teply West Academic Publishing, 2016. Call # KF 245 .T47 2016 Location: Law Library, 1st Floor, Circulation Desk This book is designed to ease the task of learning legal citation. It initially focuses on conventions that underlie all accepted forms and systems of legal citation. Building on that understanding and an explanation of the “process” of using citations in legal writing, the book then discusses and illustrates the basic rules.
• Introduction to Basic Legal Citation (Online) Peter W. Martin Cornell Legal Information Institute, 2017. Free online resource. Includes a thorough review of the relevant rules of appellate practice of federal and state courts. It takes account of the latest edition of The Bluebook, published in 2015, and provides a correlation table between this free online citation guide and the Bluebook.
• Last Updated: Oct 24, 2019 11:00 AM
• URL: https://law.indiana.libguides.com/dissertationguide

Law Library

Writing Academic Papers for Law School

• Substantial Writing Requirement
• How to Find and Narrow Your Topic
• Researching for Your Paper
• Other Support for Substantial Writing

The thesis of your substantial writing paper must meet several requirements:

• It must be original
• It must take a position, advance an argument, or propose a solution
• It must be concrete, identifiable, and manageable
• It must be novel, useful, nonobvious, and sound

Your approach to the topic may be descriptive, prescriptive, or both.

You should also do a preemption check on your thesis, which means you make sure no one else has argued your exact same thesis/argument. You research the key terms of your thesis to make sure that no scholarly work comes up in your list of results with the same thesis.

Types of Theses

Most law review theses fit into three main categories: proposing a solution to a legal problem, bringing an interdisciplinary idea into the law, and comparing two or more legal ideas.

Common Arguments

A law review thesis will usually engage in one or more common types of arguments. These may include:

• an argument from precedent,
• an interpretive argument,
• a normative argument, or
• an institutional argument.

For more information about these types of arguments, see Elizabeth Fajans & Mary R. Falk, Scholarly Writing for Law Students 37-38 (5th ed. 2017).

Solution Theses

There are a few helpful ways to think about generating a solution as your thesis.

• This type of thesis might transfer a solution from one area to a new area.
• It might re-categorize claims and facts that have been made elsewhere.
• It might challenge assumptions about an area of law.
• It might extend or modify an existing theory or doctrine.
• It might borrow distinct legal principles to respond to new events.
• It might use analogy and metaphor.

For more information, see Elizabeth Fajans & Mary R. Falk, Scholarly Writing for Law Students 55-56 (5th ed. 2017).

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Thesis Helpers

Find the best tips and advice to improve your writing. Or, have a top expert write your paper.

Outstanding Law Thesis Topics for Law Students

At some point, every law student in the UK and US universities is required to write a thesis or dissertation. In many cases, it is the last hurdle before graduating from a law graduate school. This requirement evokes excitement and horror in equal measures. On the one hand, it is a unique opportunity to interrogate an area of interest academically, but on the other end, it is a monumental responsibility. Therefore, where do you even start? The answer is the ‘topic.’

Because a dissertation is a long piece of writing, the topic you select is very crucial. It will determine how easy or difficult the journey of writing your thesis will be. But how do you even come up with great legal topics to write about?

The first step to picking great law thesis topics is narrowing to areas of interest. In this post, we are going to help you cut to the chase by outlining outstanding legal thesis topics that you can use today. Do not just settle for any topic, go for the best!

Why Scholars Should Choose the Best Law Dissertation Topics

The law thesis topic you select can make or break your dream career. Therefore, no effort should be spared in getting a good topic and crafting a thesis that will catapult you to the next level of your career. Here are some benefits of identifying and working with the best law dissertation topic.

• A great thesis topic allows you to explore the areas that are lacking in the legal profession. Well, you have the opportunity to fill the gap and make a name for yourself.
• A good dissertation topic offers you the opportunity to work on an area of interest. Unlike other areas of your study, this is the only opportunity where you have the freedom to choose. Therefore, select what you associate with and fancy more.
• The topic you select will determine how easy or hard it will be to prepare your thesis. With this in mind, you should go for interesting law topics that have enough resources. If you select the topics with no resources, there is a risk of getting stuck at some point.
• Interesting legal topics to write about also make it easy to defend the thesis. When selecting the topic, it is important to understand that at the end of it, you will be required to defend the thesis. You should only go for the topic that you can easily defend and grab that degree, masters, or PhD accreditation that you have been yearning for years.

Now that you know why you should only go for the best topics, we are going to list the best topics that you should consider in legal studies.

Criminal Law Thesis Topics

Criminal law is an area of legal study and practice that defines what constitutes crime and prosecution of those who commit such crimes. Crime is considered an act or omission of an action that violates a law that forbids or commands it.

As you select legal topics for research papers or a thesis in criminal law, it is important to appreciate that the branch of law is broken into two main categories – misdemeanor and felony. Misdemeanors are crimes considered of low level, and that attracts penalties of less than one-year jail-term. On the other hand, a felony is a more serious crime. Felonies include crimes such as robbery with violence, murder, dealing with drugs, and manslaughter. Here are some great dissertation topics in criminal law.

• A comprehensive evaluation of male and female rape legislations: What are the key differences?
• Analyzing the use of lie detectors in criminal justice: How effective are the lie detectors?
• Evaluating the misuse of manslaughter laws in the US: What are the best ways to protect victims?
• Evaluating crime-related factors that should not be presented in a court of law.
• What are the best ways to protect witnesses from retaliation in criminal cases?
• A deeper look at the history of the death penalty.
• A thematic review of criminal theory: Exploring the link between crime and morality.
• An investigation into the challenges of identifying nature and distribution of crime: A case study of London.
• Use of anonymity in sexual offences lawsuits: How to strike a balance between the rights of defendants and victims.
• What are the implications of the war on terror on the enforcement of criminal law: A case study of the US.
• Evaluating cases of racial prejudice among the prisoners in the US.
• Analyzing the relationship between Islamic criminal law and human rights.

International Law Research Topics

International law is a comprehensive body of norms, standards, and rules that are used between legally recognized international states. The term was first used between 1748 and 1832 by Jeremy Bentham, an English philosopher. It is an interesting area to derive international business law topics because you are able to look at and deal with real problems that face the globe and individual states today.

You can focus your study on things such as war, peace, diplomacy, and economic trade issues. When selecting dissertation topics in international law, it is prudent to appreciate that the discipline has been greatly influenced by ethical principles, especially in the realms of human rights. Here are some great international law topics that you should consider:

• Assessing the challenges faced by different parties when applying the Vienna Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG).
• Evaluating the future of consumer protection in the post-Brexit era.
• Assessing history and future possibilities of the US and UK military cooperation in addressing terror.
• Evaluating situations in law when a country is allowed by international law to intervene in the affairs of other countries.
• Comparing gaps in human rights law: A closer look at the UK.
• Did the US involvement in Iraq provide justice or violate the law?
• What are the problems of enforcing international law in developing countries? A case study of South Africa and India.
• Evaluating the efficiency of International Tribunals in solving war crimes.
• Rethinking the principles used to formulate international criminal laws.
• Assessing the relationship between public safety and civil liberties in international laws.
• Digital and internet legislation: Forecasting the future.
• International Human Rights Court Hearings: Evaluating the importance of precedence.

Legal Dissertation Topics in Family Law

If you have an interest in legal relationships at the family level, it is advisable to look for dissertation topics in family law. Family law is an area of legal practice that focuses on matters surrounding family relationships. By picking a thesis topic in family law, you will be honing your skills in dealing with issues such as divorce, adoption, and child custody.

Note that according to family law, individual states have their rights to determine the requirements for marriage, including things such as age, legal capacity, and procedures of different things such as marriage and divorce. Therefore, there are very many areas you can focus your dissertation on. Here are some great thesis topics to consider in family law:

• Reviewing the major changes of family law in the last 50 years: A case study of the UK.
• Assessing human rights in states that follow religious laws for families: A case study of India.
• Analyzing the impact of culture on family lawsuits: A case study of Manchester, UK.
• Domestic violence: Evaluating the repercussions for males vs. females.
• Making decisions in divorce cases: Establishing to what extent the child’s desire to stay with one party should influence the decisions made by the courts.
• Evaluating the impacts of the law on divorce: Has it increased the cases of divorce or reduced them?
• What are the legal implications of child neglect in the US: A systematic review of literature
• Evaluating the compatibility of child justice with family justice: A case study of the UK.
• Assessing the factors that hinder couples from pursuing a divorce.
• Is it time to reform US family law?
• Analyzing the legal foundations of parenting and civil partnerships.

Employment Law Dissertation Topics

Employment law is another broad area of legal practice that focuses on employer-employee relationships. If a business has several employees (more than one), it is likely to apply employment law in one area or another. This legal niche comprises of both federal and state laws, and further hinges other subjects such as workers’ rights. This means that if you target employment law for your dissertation, there is a very wide area to pick the topic of choice.

In employment law, it is not simply about understanding which law to apply. In addition, you need to know when a specific law covers a subject, and at what point to seek help from an attorney. Some of the areas that you can base your employment law dissertation include workers’ compensation, labor relations, immigration, social security, wrongful termination, minimum wage, employee benefits, and employment discrimination. To help you with the chase, here are the top employment law dissertation topics that you should consider:

• The convergence of employment laws and religion in the USA: A literature review.
• Comparing the UK laws before and after exiting the European Union.
• Analyzing the impact of trade unions and their work in the UK: What are their successes and challenges?
• A comparative analysis of employment laws application in the automotive industry in the US and UK.
• Are you secure in your job: A comprehensive review of employment contracts and job contracts in the US manufacturing industry.
• Reviewing international firms’ law application and enforcement issues: A case study of Barclays Bank and Southwest Airlines.
• Reviewing legal perspectives of social work employment: A case study of California, USA.
• Employee dismissal: Comparing the legal basis for staff dismissal in the US and EU.
• Equal employment opportunities: Comparing gender differences in the UK and US regulations.
• Evaluating the efficiency of workplace sexual harassment: A case study of the US and UK.
• A legal viewpoint of employee mobility between European Union countries.
• A critical evaluation of the employment law of disabled individuals in the US. What policies should be integrated to enhance its efficiency?

Commercial Law Dissertation Topics

Commercial law is another broad area of legal practice that deals with laws related to persons, businesses, and merchants engaging in sales, trade, and commerce. In some cases, it is also referred to as commercial law. Indeed, it interacts with other areas including real estate, environmental regulation, and safety laws.

To pick a good commercial law dissertation topic, it is important to understand the common issues in the niche. Notably, commercial laws are associated with distinct issues relating to transactions between businesses as well as with their clients. The most notable is the breach of contract by one or both parties. Other issues you can focus on when selecting the commercial law topic include:

• Issues related to unfair competition.
• Disputes and violations related to advertising and marketing.
• Complexities associated with starting new businesses.
• Consumer complaints about businesses and business practices.
• Trade secrets.

When an issue in commercial law is raised, it is resolved depending on the nature of the conflict, or type of violation. The following are some great commercial legal thesis topics you should consider:

• Evaluating the effectiveness of commercial law to support commercial transactions in the US.
• Reviewing the US commercial laws: What should be changed or added?
• Assessing the effectiveness of international commercial law programs in UK universities.
• Reviewing the implications of international commercial law in UK commercial laws.
• Reviewing the use of international commercial law in the energy projects across the globe.
• Evaluating the commercial laws that should be used against dishonest managers.
• A closer look at commercial partnerships: What are the dangers and potential results?
• Evaluating the regulations aimed at stopping corruption: A case study of the UK.
• A comprehensive analysis of pre-incorporation contracts: How do they work?
• A comprehensive evaluation of arbitration under commercial law: A closer look at policy practice in the UK.
• Assessing the mediating role of corporate social responsibility in companies’ performance.

Intellectual Property Law Thesis topics

Intellectual property law is a branch of law that deals with rules for enforcing legal rights, artistic works, designs, and inventions. The same way law protects personal property, so does it protect the control of intangible assets. The aim of this law is benefiting inventors for their creative works.

In the US constitution, Article 1, Section 8 empowers Congress with authority to issue inventors and authors exclusive rights to their works. And, it is not just the US. The UK, Germany, and the EU, among other countries, also have strong statutes crafted to protect intellectual property.

As a student of law, there are diverse areas you can focus on when selecting a topic in intellectual property law. You can focus on copyright that protects people’s rights to their creative work, patents that grant legal rights to original inventions, or trademarks. Others include industrial design rights, trade dress, and plant variety rights. Here are some great intellectual property law dissertation topics that you should consider.

• A comprehensive assessment of the economic impacts of intellectual property rights: A case study of the UK.
• Evaluating the extent and effectiveness of indigenous people’s intellectual rights protection in the US.
• Can the emerging technological advancements operate smoothly with the current intellectual property laws in the US?
• Demystifying the relationship between intellectual property laws and EU regulations?
• Evaluating laws for intellectual property rights protection on the internet.
• A deeper look at the innovation and patent model in the UK: Can the current highly stringent system drive innovation?
• Does the EU copyright law provide ample balance between the needs of inventors and users?
• Evaluating the fair dealing in terms of copyright law: A case study of the US.
• Comparing and contrasting the intellectual property regimes in the UK and US.
• Is the EU intellectual property law safe and fair for users and owners?
• How has EU law impacted the intellectual property regime in the UK?
• What more needs to be done to improve the effectiveness of the current intellectual property laws in the US?
• Evaluating the implications of Brexit on the protection of intellectual property rights in the UK.

Medical Law Dissertation Topics

Medical law is a branch of law that focuses on the responsibilities and rights of medical professionals and patients. Like other legal areas, medical law has different areas that a scholar can focus on. The common area you can focus your dissertation on is confidentiality. Confidentiality between medical experts and patients can be traced back to the English Common Law. But it has recently been codified so that any information provided to a doctor during diagnosis or treatment cannot be released without the patient’s consent or unless the patient demonstrates intention for personal harm.

The other area of interest that you can base your dissertation on is negligence. It can relate to professional malpractice in diagnosing or treating patients resulting in death or injury. But it is important to appreciate that other torts also cross into the medical law field. For example, a medical professional can defame a patient by disclosing the wrong info. Here are some great medical dissertation topics that you should consider.

• Should judges, handling medical-related disputes, undergo special education to make their judgments fact-based?
• Evaluating the laws governing organ transplantation: A case study of the US.
• Abortion: At what point should an embryo be considered capable of having feelings, and abortion should be forbidden?
• Forced sterilization: Who should be targeted, and how should it be implemented?
• Evaluating medical complications in surgeries: What is the best way to decide the responsible party?
• Exploring the legal aspects of electronic fetal monitoring.
• How do ethics and medical law coexist?
• How do lawsuits affect medical practitioners’ commitment to offering lifesaving treatments?
• Law application in medicine: Exploring the antecedents and practice.
• Evaluating the ethical and legal challenges of using biobanks.
• Can a medical practitioner remain neutral when treating a mental disorder?
• Evaluating the effectiveness of animal cruelty punishment methods: A case study of Oregon, USA.
• Unregistered medical intervention in the UK: What are the legal implications?

After Selecting Great Topics … The Writing Journey Has Just Began!

Once you have selected the best legal dissertation topic, your dissertation writing journey has just begun. Therefore, how do you do it? You need to start by creating the right dissertation structure and work with your supervisor. Then, start early enough and work on the dissertation step after step until it is completed.

But we are not going to lie here: writing a dissertation is a huge task. Many are the times that people have written dissertations, only to be told that they are wrong. You do not want to follow that route. Do you?

The sure way to ensure you have the best dissertation is seeking thesis writing help . The writing help is affordable and is offered by expert writers. And, you know what? They have been writing dissertations for years and know the best structure for a winning piece.

NOTE: The dissertation is your last shot at getting a nod to graduate with a master’s or PhD degree. Therefore, make sure to get the right topic and craft the best dissertation with writing help from experts.

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Dissertation Topics in Law for LLM Students

• Updated on  
• May 9, 2023

The last academic challenge before the completion of your postgraduate degree is a dissertation or thesis. Many students pursuing LLM are often confused while deciding the correct topic for the dissertation as it requires a lot of research. To help you with the dissertation this blog contains ideal law dissertation topics for LLM in India. Keep reading to know more!

This Blog Includes:

How to choose the best dissertation topic, advantages of choosing a good dissertation topic, criminal law dissertation topics, international law dissertation topics, family law dissertation topics, employment law dissertation topics, international commercial law dissertation topics, law dissertation topics india, intellectual property law topics in dissertation, constitutional law topics in dissertation, sports law topics in dissertation, medical law topics in dissertation, commercial law dissertation topics, company law dissertation topics, tort law dissertation topics, eu law dissertation topics, the english legal system and constitutional and administrative law dissertation topics.

A lot of research and hard work is required to decide what is a correct and valuable topic for the dissertation or thesis. It is seen in various students that before graduation the dissertation is the last hurdle in the way. It is advised to pursue a topic after valuable research and most importantly that goes with the student’s interests.

Also Read: Dissertation Topics

There are an array of benefits when you choose a good and valuable dissertation topic. These advantages include:

• This helps you in the analysis of the topic and deep research.
• Present you with a program to enhance your investigative skills.
• In explaining your subject option, you should be prepared to show how your previous research experiences ended up with great knowledge. 
• You can find a degree of education useful for postgraduate research.

Also Read: Law Entrance Exams: India & Abroad

Criminal law is the body of law regulating crime and criminal activities in India. This proves to be an important topic and is interesting as well. Some of the criminal law dissertation topics are:

• A Significant Study of Struggle against Girls in India
• Case Debate on business trial in India
• An Analysis on Terrorism and Lawlessness Against Infants in India
• A survey on Legislation against private terrorism in India
• Significant Evaluation Of Death Cost In India
• An Analysis of Juvenile Justice System and Order in India
• The appearance of the group is in the criminal law process
• The Root Elements of the Infant Mergers
• White-Collar Crime Law in India
• Criminology and Criminal Justice

Also Read: How to Write a Dissertation?

International law dissertation is another amazing topic where you can add your relevant thoughts. Some of the unique international law dissertation topics are:

• What are the significant aspects of collective civil obligations in now’s global order?
• What are the causes that cause application of foreign order at the state standard also complex?
• Figure out the very important issues encountered by establishing universal rules.
• What are the effects of accelerated market restraints on people? Can such a thing be explained?
• What are global challenges encountered by international businessmen, when installing service projects in third group societies?
• What are the effects of letting offenders continue to their native land for action?
• How seeing abuse as a foreign war case will change the position of African people?
• What are the important challenges encountered by companies that are coming in the global travel industry from the ocean.
• What universal rules regulate copy? How should this case be corrected?
• Which governmental law of the UK is sufficiently sufficient to be carried out universally?

Also Read: What is a Dissertation? Meaning, Projects, Report Work

Some of the most important and unique family law dissertation topics are:

• Separation case for father and female representatives of the group, makes it favour any particular gender or is it merely a sense
• Matrimonial Act and how it affects women who join without their permission. What is the attitude of decisions about made mergers and how can one explain it in the court of decision
• Residential part by stepmothers and offspring, how goes on the case provide everybody has their got right and place
• Youth insurance problems in the unified kingdom, which of the state shows to have very trouble with such arguments and why is it so
• Adolescent abuse-is it important to discipline your children and youths? What is the perimeter between youth abuse and correcting your children for setting their limits
• Internal disorder and its effect on the boy and female representatives personally, which of them picks up a greater claim in the mind of order and how can we get rid of that biasness
• Protection problems for separated mothers, how goes on it go and what goes on the statute have to do about the protection of the child for each mother
• How looks at the proper form thing if a man is incapable to provide and provide his house owing to lack or scarcity of means
• Long-distance communications and their fair significance cut off from the spiritual and artistic attitudes
• Minor job- what are we looking at to abolish it and how goes on our constitutional process set limits and provide that they are found

Employment law dissertation enables you to craft perfect research on your thesis or dissertation. Some of the employment law dissertation topics are:

• The link between trade and morality in the UK. An academic context.
• A study of the relationship between sports departments and their service contracts.
• The effect of variation in the business decisions of the UK after starting the EU.
• The task of infant employment regulations in the UK. How does the judiciary remain fighting developing youth employment?
• The influence of civil responsibility service in UK regulations.
• A study of the market association in the UK study of the business requirements and principles.
• A provisional review of business decisions in the station waggon part of the UK and EU. Who gets the first job benefit and rights insurance systems?
• An in-depth study of justice fees in the validities of UK legislation.

Some of the international commercial law dissertations you can choose from are:

• An assessment of the enemy-pollution bill in the UK. Its origins and effects on the state leaders.
• A strategic study of the joint cloak and how the decision can pass through it.
• The performance of UK legislation in affecting joint difficulties while preserving major human rights.
• A symposium on the differences enveloping the purview of field 33 groups do 2006 in the UK
• The effects of setting reasonable requirements for the principal’s needs. How does the organisation do well under this?
• An in-depth assessment of economic regulation programs at attending institutions in the UK.
• The effect of UNCITRAL’s performance on the unification of universal economic legislation in the UK.

Also Read: How to Write Acknowledgement for Dissertation?

Some of the Indian legal topics you can choose for your dissertation are:

• Handgun Case in India: Provision of a Different Structure
•  Animal investigation: Order in India
• Wire advertising and constitutional structure
•  Joint Civil Power and change
• Moral Orders and Cases in producing societies
• Men Investigations and Indian constitutional practice
•  Improvement of infants and proper conflict

Some of the catchy and interesting dissertation topics that you can choose as a dissertation topic for law assignment:

• Scientific advances and present IP rule in India
• IP rules and the safety of/on Internet
•  New patent statutes and digitalisation

Also Read: University of Law: Eligibility, Application, Courses & More

Here are some of the finest dissertation or thesis topics for constitutional law dissertation topics are:

• Accident plans in India: A study
• Legal exploitation and its interest: An assessment
• Application of International Cases in Indian Legal Structure
• Able expression in virtual life and Indian Custom

Also Read: Dissertation vs Thesis

A constantly fascinating subject, sports provides a large range of fields and issues to judge from to create your analysis report. It can deal with universal order, national order, carrying out parties, power, and often better.

Here are some of the finest dissertation (thesis)points on Sports law:

• Doping and Sports: National and International fair innuendo
• Legalisation of speculating in India: Law and Cons
• Handling sports organisations and their constitutional ramifications
• Transgender animals and Indian Custom

Medical law dissertation is another great topic you can choose from, some of the medical law dissertation topics are:

• Member retention: Fair experts and cons
• Miscarriage in India: A global review
• Made fertilisation: Provision of primary training to find out these matters
• Supported suicide: Fair, honest and therapeutic ethics
• Animal torture: A fair claim research

Also Read: Law Courses

Commercial Law is one such topic where a wide area of study is to be covered because it cannot be described within a single legal jurisdiction. A commercial law dissertation often involves comparisons with other countries. Listed below are some topics for Commercial Law Dissertation:

• A critical assessment of the international commercial arbitration system as a cost-effective and efficient means to administer justice in commercial disputes
• An assessment of security over personal property when it comes to the matter of possessory and non-possessory forms of security and other legal devices
• An investigation of the emergence of new manifestations of international commercial law
• A critical assessment of the passing of risk in the commercial law in England and Wales
• A critical assessment of the Future of consumer protection in England and Wales in the post-Brexit era

There is a great scope of producing an effective Company Law Dissertation as it provides you with potential sources. From the Companies Act 2006 to corporate governance, you have a lot of options to choose from. Listed below are some great Company Law Dissertation Topics:

• A critical analysis of the shareholder versus stakeholder basis of corporate governance
• Arguments for and against ‘stakeholder theory’ and to what extent are they still valid?
• Should the OECD’s Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital 2010 be ratified into UK Law?
• To what extent has Environmental Law merged together Vicarious and Corporate Liability
• Is the English maintenance of the “internal management” model failing to bring company law in the 21st Century?

The word Tort comes from the Latin term torture which means “Wrong”. In simple terms, Tort Law is supposed to address the civil wrongs done to a person, accidentally or incidentally. The victim/injured/aggrieved party is provided with compensation for the damages.

This area of law is one of the most important aspects of law study as it demonstrates the circumstances through which an individual is held accountable for another party’s injury either done intentionally or omissions or even by accident. Listed below are some topics for a Tort Law Dissertation to make it easier for you to draft an effective dissertation:

• Importance of foreseeability and policy in establishing a duty of care
• Analysis of the rules regarding the recovery of economic losses in tortious actions
• When it comes to matters of occupiers’ liability under the Occupiers Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984 respectively, when is a trespasser, not a trespasser?
• Wrongful Restraint of a man’s Liberty: Meaning, Defense and Remedy
• Why might the duty of care afforded to children be considered to be a step too far regarding the recognition of tortious liability?

Also Read: All About PhD Thesis

EU Law is considered as an expandable area of academic interest, particularly due to the UK’s recent Brexit from the Union. There is a wide range of dissertation topics you can consider for an EU Law Dissertation, from UK’s Brexit to the superiority of EU Law. Listed below are some great dissertation topics to start with your EU Law Dissertation:

• Critical Analysis of the UK’s Separation from the EU.
• Brexit and EU economy: How the UK’s decision has affected EU trade.
• An argument: Is EU Law actually superior?
• Importance of the enforcement actions against EU Member States as part of the European law-making process.
• How has the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 1950 contributed to the recognition of human rights internationally?

The English Legal System and Constitutional and Administrative Law may be classified into 3 key areas-

• The nature of the Constitution may be considered in areas including, but not limited to, the recognition and application of conventions and the rule of law. 
• Evaluation of the roles of the legislature, executive and parliament in the context of the recognition of the separation of powers, which could include legislation’s passage through Parliament, the delegation of legislation, the relationship between Parliament, the crown and the Royal Prerogative, and the executive, legislative and judiciary’s relationship.
• Judicial Review includes the basis for intervention, such as ultra vires and illegality, procedural irregularity, irrationality, proportionality, and the nemo judex rule.

A number of areas can be covered in this dissertation as the English Legal System and Constitutional and Administrative Law is quite different from other legal systems as the role of the judge differs in an adversarial system. The major difference is in how a trial is pursued. Some topics for an English Legal System and Constitutional and Administrative Law Dissertation are as mentioned below:

• The Role of natural justice  in the UK Constitution
• Are conventions still a valid part of the UK Constitution?
• Is the Royal Prerogative an essential part of the British Constitution?
• Are the current models of statutory interpretation fit for purpose, especially as the jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) infer a more active approach for judges?
• In what ways will the relationship between constitutional and administrative law in England and Wales be affected by Brexit?

The following are the popular law universities in the world: Harvard University Columbia University Stanford University

Here are some of the finest dissertation or thesis topics for constitutional law dissertation topics are: Accident plans in India: A study Legal exploitation and its interest: An assessment Application of International Cases in the Indian Legal Structure Able expression in virtual life and Indian Custom

The average salary of a lawyer in India is 3.5 Lakh per year.

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Selecting and Developing a Law Research Topic

• Introduction
• Selecting a Topic
• Developing a Thesis
• Checking the Novelty of the Thesis
• Referencing and citing

Finding a Topic

One of the most important yet challenging aspects of writing a research paper is selecting an appropriate topic.  When selecting a topic, make sure that it is interesting to you and your audience, well-defined, manageable, novel and worthy of publication. If you need help finding a research topic, you can start by:

• Examining legal developments
• Searching for a novel case or a legal issue where courts have split on their interpretation of the law
• Browsing recent scholarly publications
• Mining topic ideas, including calls for papers and writing competitions
• Talking to people
• Keeping up to date with current affairs, e.g. news items can generate topic ideas

The Law Library has numerous resources listed on this page to assist you in selecting your topic. If you get stuck or need customised advice, please email us at:  [email protected]

Novel Cases

A common approach to finding a topic is to focus on a case that raises a novel issue of law. To find these cases, search for legal developments (see Legal Developments) or browse recent cases before the Australian High Court or highest appellate court in other countries.

• High Court of Australia
• Supreme Court of Canada
• Supreme Court of New Zealand
• Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
• Supreme Court of the United States

The following blogs also contain valuable information about High Court/Supreme Court decisions:

• Opinions on High University of Melbourne Law School's blog on decisions from the High Court of Australia
• The Court Osgoode Hall Law School's blog on decisions from the Supreme Court of Canada
• UKSC Blog United Kingdom Supreme Court blog written by influential solicitors and barristers
• SCOTUS Blog United States Supreme Court blog written by lawyers, law professors, and law students

Unresolved Legal Issues

Another common approach to finding a research topic is to examine an unresolved legal issue. Unresolved legal issues can occur when courts have split in their interpretation of the law, leaving the ultimate meaning of the law unresolved. In the United States, this is known as a 'circuit split' because it is based on federal circuit courts interpreting the same legal issue differently. These sorts of issues are ripe for appeal to the US Supreme Court, the highest court in the land. 

A research topic may describe the split, identify any issues that may be influencing the courts, and propose a way to distinguish the situations or resolve the discrepancy. These topics can be very timely and relevant. However, if the discrepancy is resolved before your paper is completed, the topic can be rendered entirely obsolete. Because these topics are so popular in the United States, there are resources dedicated solely to tracking circuit splits, including the following:

• Seton Hall Circuit Review A law review dedicated to covering the United States federal circuits. The section entitled 'Current Circuit Splits' provides brief summaries of the circuit splits identified in federal court of appeals opinions.
• The University of Cincinnati Law Review's Circuit Splits Blog
• Circuit Splits Reported in U.S. Law Week (BNA) To access Bloomberg Law: staff and students must use their University of Melbourne email addresses when completing the registration form to establish a Bloomberg Law School account.

Journal Articles

• Meeker, Heather, 'Stalking the Golden Topic: A Guide to Locating and Selecting Topics for Legal Research Papers' (1996) 3 Utah Law Review 917
• Volokh, Eugene, 'Writing a Student Article' (1998) 48 Journal of Legal Education 247

Law Library Catalogue: ebooks and print materials

Use introductory texts to begin your research. These will help you structure your research and point to key issues that may be appropriate for a research topic.

1. To find print and ebooks, search the Library catalogue for your topic in the keyword field e.g. international humanitarian law.

Keyword Title Author Subject Journal title Call number ISBN or ISSN  or

2. Browse the shelves according to call numbers. Books will be shelved by call numbers according to their subject matter.

• << Previous: Introduction
• Next: Developing a Thesis >>
• Last Updated: Mar 25, 2024 4:17 PM
• URL: https://unimelb.libguides.com/law_research_topic

Stanford Law School's Theses and Dissertations Collection

• Early Thesis and Dissertation of Stanford Law School, 1929 to 1956
• Theses and Dissertations of Stanford Law School,1970-1995
• Stanford Program in International Legal Studies’ Theses, 1996 to 2010
• Stanford Law School’s Dissertations, 1996 to 2010
• Stanford Program in International Legal Studies Theses, 2011 to 2025

Collection Description

This collection contains Stanford Law School Students’ theses and dissertations written to fulfill the academic requirements for advanced degrees.   Historically, the collection of Theses and Dissertations were produced as part of the requirement coursework for receiving a Master of Laws (1933-1969), a Juris Doctor (1906-1932), or a Doctor of Jurisprudence.  

Currently, works received from students are produced under two different graduate programs.  Thesis are works were produced as part of the requirement for the Stanford Program in International Legal Studies (SPILS). SPILS was established in 1995 by Professors Lawrence Friedman and Thomas C. Heller, to educate international students, lawyers, judges, public officials, and other professionals trained in the study of law outside the United States.  Students in the SPILS Program are required to do interdisciplinary research that affects the global community.  The culmination of this program is a research project that each individual student develops over the course of the year under a faculty advisor, after which the earns a Master of the Science of Law degree.  The research project must demonstrate the student's ability to employ empirical methods of investigation and must addresses issues in the international community or within a specific country.  These can cover a large range of topics that analyze legal cultures, legal reforms, or public policy.  

Dissertations are produced under Doctor of Science of Law program or JSD.  The JSD program as we know it was revised for the Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1969 is designed for students who are interested in pursuing an academic career. Doctor of Science of Law Students are selected from the Stanford Program in International Legal Studies and those who have a postgraduate degree in Legal Studies.

All materials in this collection were donated by individual authors to the Stanford Law Library's Special Collections.

Collection Identity Number: LAW-3781

Finding Aid prepared by

Robert Crown Law Library Stanford, CA 94305-8610 Phone: 650.723-2477

• Last Updated: Dec 18, 2023 9:02 AM
• URL: https://guides.law.stanford.edu/c.php?g=1087208

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HLS Dissertations, Theses, and JD Papers

S.j.d. dissertations, ll.m. papers, ll.m. theses, j.d. papers, submitting your paper to an online collection, other sources for student papers beyond harvard, getting help, introduction.

This is a guide to finding Harvard Law School (“HLS”) student-authored works held by the Library and in online collections. This guide covers HLS S.J.D Dissertations, LL.M. papers, J.D. third-year papers, seminar papers, and prize papers.

There have been changes in the HLS degree requirements for written work. The library’s collection practices and catalog descriptions for these works has varied. Please note that there are gaps in the library’s collection and for J.D. papers, few of these works are being collected any longer.

If we have an S.J.D. dissertation or LL.M. thesis, we have two copies. One is kept in the general collection and one in the Red Set, an archival collection of works authored by HLS affiliates. If we have a J.D. paper, we have only one copy, kept in the Red Set. Red Set copies are last resort copies available only by advance appointment in Historical and Special Collections .

Some papers have not been processed by library staff. If HOLLIS indicates a paper is “ordered-received” please use this form to have library processing completed.

The HLS Doctor of Juridical Science (“S.J.D.”) program began in 1910.  The library collection of these works is not comprehensive. Exceptions are usually due to scholars’ requests to withhold Library deposit. 

• HLS S.J.D. Dissertations in HOLLIS To refine these search results by topic or faculty advisor, or limit by date, click Add a New Line.
• Hein’s Legal Theses and Dissertations Microfiche Mic K556.H45x Drawers 947-949 This microfiche set includes legal theses and dissertations from HLS and other premier law schools. It currently includes about 300 HLS dissertations and theses.
• Hein's Legal Theses and Dissertations Contents List This content list is in order by school only, not by date, subject or author. It references microfiche numbers within the set housed in the Microforms room on the entry level of the library, drawers 947-949. The fiche are a different color for each institution.
• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses @ Harvard University (Harvard login) Copy this search syntax: dg(S.J.D.) You will find about 130 SJD Dissertations dated from 1972 to 2004. They are not available in full text.
• DASH Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard Sponsored by Harvard University’s Office for Scholarly Communication, DASH is an open repository for research papers by members of the Harvard community. There are currently about 600 HLS student papers included. Unfortunately it is not possible to search by type of paper or degree awarded.

The Master of Laws (“LL.M.”) degree has been awarded since 1923. Originally, the degree required completion of a major research paper, akin to a thesis. Since 1993, most students have the option of writing the LL.M. "short paper."  This is a 25-page (or longer) paper advised by a faculty supervisor or completed in conjunction with a seminar.  Fewer LL.M. candidates continue to write the more extensive "long-paper." LL.M. candidates holding J.D.s from the U.S. must write the long paper.

• HLS Written Work Requirements for LL.M. Degree The current explanation of the LL.M. written work requirement for the master of laws.

The library generally holds HLS LL.M. long papers and short papers. In recent years, we require author release in order to do so. In HOLLIS, no distinction is made between types of written work created in satisfaction of the LL.M. degree; all are described as LL.M. thesis. Though we describe them as thesis, the law school refers to them solely as papers or in earlier years, essays. HOLLIS records indicate the number of pages, so at the record level, it is possible to distinguish long papers.

• HLS LL.M. Papers in HOLLIS To refine these search results by topic, faculty advisor, seminar or date, click Add a New Line.

HLS LL.M. Papers are sometimes available in DASH and Hein's Legal Dissertations and Theses. See descriptions above .

The HLS J.D. written work requirement has changed over time. The degree formerly required a substantial research paper comparable in scope to a law review article written under faculty supervision, the "third year paper." Since 2008, J.D. students have the option of using two shorter works instead.

Of all those written, the library holds relatively few third-year papers. They were not actively collected but accepted by submission from faculty advisors who deemed a paper worthy of institutional retention. The papers are described in HOLLIS as third year papers, seminar papers, and student papers. Sometimes this distinction was valid, but not always. The faculty deposit tradition more or less ended in 2006, though the possibility of deposit still exists. 

• J.D. Written Work Requirement
• Faculty Deposit of Student Papers with the Library

HLS Third Year Papers in HOLLIS

To refine these search results by topic, faculty advisor, seminar or date, click Add a New Line.

• HLS Student Papers Some third-year papers and LL.M. papers were described in HOLLIS simply as student papers. To refine these search results, click "Add a New Line" and add topic, faculty advisor, or course title.
• HLS Seminar Papers Note that these include legal research pathfinders produced for the Advanced Legal Research course when taught by Virginia Wise.

Prize Papers

HLS has many endowed prizes for student papers and essays. There are currently 16 different writing prizes. See this complete descriptive list with links to lists of winners from 2009 to present. Note that there is not always a winner each year for each award. Prize winners are announced each year in the commencement pamphlet.

The Library has not specifically collected prize papers over the years but has added copies when possible. The HOLLIS record for the paper will usually indicate its status as a prize paper. The most recent prize paper was added to the collection in 2006.

Addison Brown Prize Animal Law & Policy Program Writing Prize Victor Brudney Prize Davis Polk Legal Profession Paper Prize Roger Fisher and Frank E.A. Sander Prize Yong K. Kim ’95 Memorial Prize Islamic Legal Studies Program Prize on Islamic Law Laylin Prize LGBTQ Writing Prize Mancini Prize Irving Oberman Memorial Awards John M. Olin Prize in Law and Economics Project on the Foundations of Private Law Prize Sidney I. Roberts Prize Fund Klemens von Klemperer Prize Stephen L. Werner Prize

• Harvard Law School Prize Essays (1850-1868) A historical collection of handwritten prize essays covering the range of topics covered at that time. See this finding aid for a collection description.

The following information about online repositories is not a recommendation or endorsement to participate.

• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses HLS is not an institutional participant to this collection. If you are interested in submitting your work, refer to these instructions and note that there is a fee required, which varies depending on the format of submission.
• EBSCO Open Dissertations Relatively new, this is an open repository of metadata for dissertations. It is an outgrowth of the index American Doctoral Dissertations. The aim is to cover 1933 to present and, for modern works, to link to full text available in institutional repositories. Harvard is not one of the institutional participants.
• DASH Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard

Sponsored by Harvard University’s Office for Scholarly Communication, this is an open repository for research papers by members of the Harvard community. See more information about the project. 

Some HLS students have submitted their degree paper to DASH.  If you would like to submit your paper, you may use this authorization form  or contact June Casey , Librarian for Open Access Initiatives and Scholarly Communication at Harvard Law School.

• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (Harvard Login) Covers dissertations and masters' theses from North American graduate schools and many worldwide. Provides full text for many since the 1990s and has descriptive data for older works.
• NDLTD Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations Union Catalog Worldwide in scope, NDLTD contains millions of records of electronic theses and dissertations from the early 1900s to the present.
• Law Commons of the Digital Commons Network The Law Commons has dissertations and theses, as well as many other types of scholarly research such as book chapters and conference proceedings. They aim to collect free, full-text scholarly work from hundreds of academic institutions worldwide.
• EBSCO Open Dissertations Doctoral dissertations from many institutions. Free, open repository.
• Dissertations from Center for Research Libraries Dissertations found in this resource are available to the Harvard University Community through Interlibrary Loan.
• British Library EThOS Dissertation source from the British Library listing doctoral theses awarded in the UK. Some available for immediate download and some others may be requested for scanning.
• BASE from Bielefeld University Library Index of the open repositoris of most academic institutions. Includes many types of documents including doctoral and masters theses.

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Environmental Law Research Paper Topics

This page presents a comprehensive collection of environmental law research paper topics , tailored for students studying law and interested in exploring the complexities of environmental issues. Environmental law is a vital field that addresses the legal aspects of protecting the environment, ensuring sustainable practices, and regulating human activities that impact the planet. From climate change and biodiversity conservation to environmental policies and international treaties, students will find a wealth of thought-provoking topics to delve into. Whether you are passionate about environmental advocacy or seeking to understand the legal implications of environmental challenges, this page is a valuable resource to expand your knowledge and refine your research skills.

100 Environmental Law Research Paper Topics

Environmental law encompasses a wide array of legal issues related to the protection and preservation of our planet’s natural resources and ecosystems. This comprehensive list of environmental law research paper topics is designed to inspire students and researchers alike to explore the intricate and ever-evolving landscape of environmental law. The topics are organized into ten distinct categories, each focusing on different aspects of environmental law and its significance in shaping environmental policies and practices.

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Environmental Policy and Regulation

• Evaluating the effectiveness of environmental policies in achieving sustainability goals.
• Analyzing the role of government regulations in addressing environmental challenges.
• The impact of international environmental agreements on global conservation efforts.
• Legal frameworks for addressing climate change and promoting renewable energy.
• The role of public participation in shaping environmental policies and decision-making.
• The legal implications of environmental impact assessments in policy formulation.
• Balancing economic interests and environmental protection in policy development.
• The role of judicial review in upholding or challenging environmental policies.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of market-based approaches in environmental regulation.
• The impact of political ideologies on environmental policy formulation.

Biodiversity and Wildlife Protection

• The legal implications of conserving endangered species and habitats.
• Analyzing the role of wildlife protection laws in combating illegal trafficking and poaching.
• Legal challenges in balancing human development with wildlife conservation.
• The impact of habitat destruction on biodiversity and legal measures for preservation.
• The role of international treaties in promoting cross-border wildlife protection.
• The legal aspects of wildlife rehabilitation and reintroduction programs.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of protected areas in biodiversity conservation.
• Legal challenges in addressing invasive species and their impact on ecosystems.
• The role of private landowners in wildlife conservation efforts.
• The intersection of indigenous rights and wildlife protection.

Pollution Control and Remediation

• The legal framework for regulating air and water pollution.
• Analyzing liability and compensation mechanisms for environmental damages.
• Legal challenges in hazardous waste management and cleanup.
• The role of environmental impact assessments in pollution prevention.
• The legal implications of emerging contaminants and their regulation.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of pollution trading and offset programs.
• Legal challenges in addressing plastic pollution and marine litter.
• The role of corporate environmental liability in pollution prevention.
• Analyzing the impact of industrial pollution on public health and communities.
• The legal aspects of noise pollution and its regulation.

Water Resource Management and Conservation

• Legal considerations in managing and allocating water resources.
• Analyzing the impact of water pollution on ecosystems and public health.
• Legal challenges in protecting and restoring aquatic habitats.
• The role of water rights and agreements in transboundary water management.
• The legal implications of water scarcity and drought management.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of water conservation and efficiency measures.
• Legal challenges in addressing groundwater contamination and depletion.
• The role of ecosystem-based approaches in water resource management.
• The legal aspects of water privatization and its implications for access and equity.
• The intersection of water law and indigenous water rights.

Land Use and Sustainable Development

• The legal framework for sustainable land use planning and urban development.
• Analyzing the impact of mining and extraction industries on the environment.
• Legal challenges in regulating deforestation and promoting reforestation.
• The role of property rights in promoting conservation and sustainable land practices.
• The legal implications of land use conflicts and dispute resolution.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of land conservation easements in sustainable development.
• Legal challenges in balancing agriculture and conservation on agricultural lands.
• The role of zoning laws and land use ordinances in urban planning.
• The legal aspects of land restoration and brownfield redevelopment.
• The impact of climate change on land use and legal responses for adaptation.

Energy Law and Climate Policy

• Analyzing the legal aspects of renewable energy development and integration.
• The role of international agreements in promoting sustainable energy practices.
• Legal challenges in transitioning to a low-carbon energy economy.
• The impact of energy regulation on achieving climate change goals.
• The legal implications of energy subsidies and their impact on sustainable energy.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of carbon capture and storage technologies.
• Legal challenges in promoting energy efficiency and conservation measures.
• The role of energy law in promoting decentralized and distributed energy systems.
• The legal aspects of energy infrastructure development and environmental concerns.
• The intersection of energy law and indigenous rights in energy development.

Environmental Justice and Human Rights

• The legal implications of environmental discrimination and equitable access to resources.
• Analyzing the role of human rights in environmental protection and advocacy.
• Legal challenges in seeking remedies for environmental harm and social injustices.
• The intersection of environmental justice and indigenous rights.
• The role of environmental litigation in advancing environmental justice.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of public interest litigation in environmental cases.
• Legal challenges in addressing environmental racism and marginalized communities.
• The role of environmental ombudsmen and their impact on justice and accountability.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of community-based environmental monitoring and advocacy.
• The legal aspects of citizen engagement in environmental decision-making.

Climate Change Law and Adaptation

• Evaluating the effectiveness of climate change adaptation policies and strategies.
• Analyzing the legal implications of carbon pricing mechanisms and emissions trading.
• Legal challenges in implementing climate change agreements and commitments.
• The role of litigation in holding governments and corporations accountable for climate actions.
• The legal aspects of climate-induced migration and displacement.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of climate adaptation finance and funding mechanisms.
• Legal challenges in promoting nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation.
• The role of climate law in integrating climate resilience into infrastructure planning.
• The legal implications of climate engineering and geoengineering technologies.
• The impact of climate change on indigenous rights and legal responses for adaptation.

International Environmental Law and Governance

• Analyzing the role of international organizations in environmental governance.
• Legal challenges in enforcing global environmental treaties and agreements.
• The impact of climate change litigation on international law and policy.
• The role of soft law in shaping international environmental norms.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of international dispute resolution mechanisms in environmental cases.
• Legal challenges in addressing environmental crimes and transnational environmental harms.
• The role of corporate social responsibility in international environmental governance.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of international environmental impact assessments for development projects.
• The legal aspects of trade and environmental protection in international law.
• The intersection of human rights and international environmental law.

Emerging Issues in Environmental Law

• Legal challenges in regulating emerging technologies and their environmental impact.
• The role of legal frameworks in promoting circular economy practices.
• Analyzing the legal implications of biotechnology and genetic engineering on the environment.
• The impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning on environmental decision-making.
• Legal challenges in addressing e-waste and electronic waste management.
• The role of environmental law in governing nanotechnology applications.
• Analyzing the legal aspects of ocean governance and marine conservation.
• Legal challenges in addressing space debris and its impact on the environment.
• The impact of legal principles on sustainable development in the digital era.
• The legal aspects of protecting biodiversity in the face of emerging threats.

This comprehensive list of environmental law research paper topics provides a diverse and thought-provoking selection of themes to explore, offering valuable insights into the complex relationship between legal frameworks and environmental issues. Whether you are a student embarking on your research journey or a seasoned scholar seeking new avenues of inquiry, these topics are designed to stimulate critical thinking and foster a deeper understanding of the intricate world of environmental law.

Environmental Law: Exploring the Range of Research Paper Topics

Environmental law is a dynamic and evolving field that encompasses a wide range of legal issues concerning the protection, conservation, and management of the environment. As global concerns about climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss continue to grow, environmental law plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges and shaping policies that promote sustainability. This section delves into the vast array of research paper topics within environmental law, highlighting key areas of interest and discussing the significance of exploring these subjects to address pressing environmental issues.

Climate Change and Mitigation Strategies

One of the most pressing issues in environmental law is climate change, and researchers have a plethora of topics to explore in this domain. Some potential research paper topics include the legal framework for international climate agreements like the Paris Agreement, the role of governments and corporations in climate change mitigation, the impact of climate litigation on policy formulation, and the legal challenges in transitioning to renewable energy sources.

Biodiversity Conservation and Wildlife Protection

Preserving biodiversity and protecting wildlife are essential aspects of environmental law. Researchers can delve into topics such as the legal framework for wildlife protection, the role of national parks and protected areas in biodiversity conservation, the impact of illegal wildlife trafficking on ecosystems, and the legal challenges in regulating bioprospecting and genetic resource exploitation.

Environmental Impact Assessment and Regulation

Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) are crucial tools for evaluating the potential environmental consequences of development projects. Research papers can focus on the effectiveness of EIAs in different countries, the role of public participation in the EIA process, the legal aspects of strategic environmental assessment, and the challenges in regulating emerging technologies through EIAs.

Pollution Control and Waste Management

Pollution is a significant environmental concern, and environmental law plays a pivotal role in regulating and mitigating its impacts. Researchers can explore topics such as the legal framework for air and water pollution control, the role of liability and compensation in environmental damage cases, the challenges in regulating electronic waste and plastic pollution, and the legal aspects of hazardous waste management.

Natural Resource Management and Conservation

The sustainable management of natural resources is critical for the long-term health of the environment. Research papers can delve into topics such as the legal framework for sustainable forestry and fisheries management, the role of indigenous and local communities in natural resource conservation, the legal challenges in water resource management, and the impact of land use planning on biodiversity conservation.

Environmental Justice and Equity

Environmental law intersects with social justice and equity issues, as certain communities may bear a disproportionate burden of environmental harm. Researchers can explore topics such as environmental racism and its legal implications, the role of environmental impact assessments in addressing environmental justice, the legal challenges in ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for marginalized communities, and the impact of climate change on human rights.

Renewable Energy and Green Technology

The transition to renewable energy sources and green technologies is a critical aspect of addressing climate change. Research papers can focus on topics such as the legal framework for promoting renewable energy projects, the role of intellectual property rights in green technology innovation, the challenges in regulating offshore wind energy, and the legal aspects of carbon capture and storage.

Environmental issues transcend national boundaries, necessitating international cooperation and governance. Researchers can delve into topics such as the legal framework for transboundary pollution control, the role of international organizations like the United Nations Environment Programme, the challenges in enforcing international environmental treaties, and the impact of trade agreements on environmental protection.

Corporate Environmental Responsibility

Corporations play a significant role in environmental impact, and environmental law seeks to regulate their activities responsibly. Research papers can explore topics such as the legal framework for corporate environmental reporting, the role of sustainability certifications and eco-labeling, the challenges in holding corporations accountable for environmental harm, and the impact of green finance initiatives on corporate behavior.

Land Use Planning and Urban Environmental Law

Land use planning and urban development have a profound impact on the environment and human well-being. Researchers can focus on topics such as the legal aspects of urban planning for sustainable cities, the role of environmental zoning and conservation easements in land use regulation, the challenges in balancing urban development with environmental conservation, and the legal implications of green infrastructure projects.

The field of environmental law offers a vast and diverse range of research paper topics, each contributing to a deeper understanding of environmental challenges and the legal mechanisms to address them. From climate change to biodiversity conservation, pollution control to renewable energy, environmental law provides an avenue for researchers to explore innovative solutions and policy frameworks that safeguard the planet’s future. By delving into these research topics, students can make valuable contributions to environmental protection and contribute to a sustainable and resilient world.

How to Choose Environmental Law Research Paper Topics

Choosing the right research paper topic is crucial for a successful and fulfilling academic journey. When it comes to environmental law, selecting a relevant and engaging research topic is not only essential for earning good grades but also for making a meaningful contribution to the field. Here are some valuable tips to help you navigate the process of choosing environmental law research paper topics that align with your interests, academic goals, and the current environmental challenges:

• Identify Your Passion and Interests : Passion is the driving force behind exceptional research. Begin by reflecting on the aspects of environmental law that pique your interest the most. Consider whether you are more intrigued by climate change, wildlife conservation, pollution control, or any other specific area within environmental law. Identifying your passion will make the research process more enjoyable and motivate you to delve deeper into the topic.
• Stay Updated with Current Environmental Issues : Environmental law is constantly evolving to address new challenges and emerging issues. Keep yourself informed about the latest environmental developments, global climate conferences, landmark legal cases, and policy changes. Staying up-to-date with current environmental issues will help you identify relevant and timely research topics that have real-world implications.
• Consider the Practical Implications : An essential aspect of environmental law research is understanding how legal frameworks translate into practical applications. Evaluate how your chosen topic impacts communities, industries, ecosystems, and global sustainability efforts. Research topics that have tangible and practical implications are likely to generate greater interest and contribute to meaningful discussions.
• Review Previous Research : Before finalizing your research topic, conduct a thorough literature review of existing studies in environmental law. Analyze the gaps in the literature and identify areas that require further exploration. Building upon existing research can provide a solid foundation for your own work and ensure its relevance in the field.
• Seek Guidance from Professors and Experts : Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from your professors, advisors, or other experts in environmental law. They can offer valuable insights, suggest potential research topics, and help you refine your ideas. Engaging in discussions with knowledgeable individuals can lead to fresh perspectives and help you choose a research topic aligned with current academic interests.
• Balance Complexity and Feasibility : While it’s essential to select a research topic that challenges you intellectually, be mindful of the practical constraints of your project. Ensure that the research topic is feasible within the given time frame and resources. Striking a balance between complexity and feasibility will lead to a well-executed and comprehensive research paper.
• Consider Comparative Studies : Comparative studies in environmental law allow you to analyze legal frameworks and their effectiveness in different countries or regions. Investigating how various jurisdictions address similar environmental issues can provide valuable insights and open doors for cross-cultural learning.
• Emphasize Interdisciplinary Approaches : Environmental law is inherently interdisciplinary, encompassing elements of science, economics, policy, and ethics. Consider topics that allow you to explore these interdisciplinary connections. For instance, you can investigate the economic impact of environmental regulations, the ethical implications of wildlife conservation policies, or the scientific basis for climate change mitigation strategies.
• Evaluate the Policy Implications : Environmental law research often has a policy-oriented focus. Analyze how your chosen research topic aligns with existing policies or how it can influence policy formulation. Understanding the policy implications of your research will add practical significance to your work.
• Brainstorm and Refine : Take the time to brainstorm multiple research ideas and then refine them gradually. Discuss your potential topics with peers and instructors to get feedback and suggestions. The iterative process of brainstorming and refining will lead you to a well-defined and compelling research paper topic.

Selecting an environmental law research paper topic is an important and exciting step in your academic journey. By identifying your passion, staying updated with current environmental issues, considering practical implications, and seeking guidance from experts, you can choose a research topic that not only interests you but also contributes meaningfully to the field of environmental law. Remember to balance complexity and feasibility, explore interdisciplinary connections, and evaluate the policy implications of your chosen topic. With thoughtful consideration and dedication, you can embark on a rewarding research endeavor that advances environmental law knowledge and addresses critical environmental challenges.

How to Write an Environmental Law Research Paper

Writing an environmental law research paper requires a systematic approach and a keen understanding of legal concepts, environmental issues, and academic writing conventions. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or a student new to the field, mastering the art of crafting an effective research paper is essential to convey your findings and insights convincingly. Here are ten essential tips to guide you through the process of writing a compelling and well-structured environmental law research paper:

• Conduct Thorough Research : Begin your environmental law research paper by conducting in-depth research on your chosen topic. Utilize academic journals, books, reputable websites, and legal databases to gather relevant and credible information. Analyze previous studies, court cases, and legislation related to your topic to develop a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
• Outline Your Paper : Creating a clear and organized outline is fundamental to the success of your research paper. Develop a well-structured outline that includes the introduction, thesis statement, main arguments, supporting evidence, counterarguments, and conclusion. A well-crafted outline will serve as a roadmap, ensuring your paper flows logically and cohesively.
• Craft a Strong Introduction : The introduction is the gateway to your research paper. It should provide essential background information on the topic, state the purpose of the study, and present your thesis statement. A compelling introduction captures the reader’s attention and sets the tone for the rest of the paper.
• Develop a Strong Thesis Statement : The thesis statement is the central argument of your research paper. It should be clear, concise, and specific, outlining the main point you aim to prove or discuss. Ensure that your thesis statement reflects the scope of your research and aligns with your chosen environmental law topic.
• Use Clear and Precise Language : Environmental law research papers require clarity and precision in language. Avoid jargon and use straightforward terms to communicate complex legal concepts and environmental issues. Clearly define any legal terms or specialized vocabulary to ensure your readers understand the content.
• Support Your Arguments with Evidence : As you present your main arguments, back them up with relevant and credible evidence. Cite case law, legislation, expert opinions, and empirical data to support your claims. Properly referenced evidence strengthens the credibility of your research and demonstrates your thorough understanding of the subject matter.
• Address Counterarguments : Anticipate potential counterarguments to your thesis and address them in your paper. Acknowledging counterarguments and offering thoughtful responses demonstrate critical thinking and strengthen the overall argument of your research paper.
• Analyze and Interpret Data : If your research involves data analysis, take the time to interpret the results accurately. Present your findings in a clear and organized manner, using charts, graphs, or tables if necessary. Analyze the implications of your data on environmental law and draw well-supported conclusions.
• Discuss Policy and Practical Implications : Environmental law research often involves exploring policy implications. Discuss how your research findings can influence or inform environmental policy, regulation, or legal frameworks. Consider the practical implications of your research and offer recommendations for addressing environmental challenges.
• Write a Convincing Conclusion : In your conclusion, summarize the key points of your research and restate your thesis statement. Emphasize the significance of your findings and how they contribute to the broader field of environmental law. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion and end with a thought-provoking final remark.

Writing an environmental law research paper demands careful research, meticulous planning, and effective communication of ideas. By following these ten tips, you can craft a compelling and well-structured research paper that not only showcases your knowledge of environmental law but also makes a valuable contribution to the field. Remember to proofread your paper thoroughly and adhere to citation guidelines to ensure academic integrity. With diligence and attention to detail, you can produce a high-quality environmental law research paper that showcases your expertise and passion for the subject.

iResearchNet’s Custom Research Paper Writing Services

At iResearchNet, we understand the challenges that students face when tasked with writing complex and comprehensive environmental law research papers. As a dedicated academic writing company, we are committed to providing students with high-quality, custom-written research papers that meet their unique requirements and exceed their expectations. Our team of expert writers, all holding advanced degrees in law and related fields, possesses the knowledge and expertise to tackle a wide range of environmental law topics. When you choose iResearchNet’s custom environmental law research paper writing services, you can rest assured that you will receive a well-researched, well-structured, and meticulously crafted paper that aligns with the highest academic standards.

• Expert Degree-Holding Writers : Our team of writers consists of legal experts who hold advanced degrees in environmental law and related fields. With their vast knowledge and experience, they can deliver well-informed and authoritative research papers.
• Custom Written Works : We believe in the uniqueness of each research paper. Our writers craft every paper from scratch, tailoring it to your specific requirements and ensuring that it is entirely original and plagiarism-free.
• In-Depth Research : To provide you with a comprehensive and well-supported environmental law research paper, our writers conduct extensive research using reputable sources and up-to-date academic materials.
• Custom Formatting : Our writers are well-versed in various citation styles, including APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard. They will format your research paper according to your preferred style or any other specified guidelines.
• Top Quality : At iResearchNet, quality is our priority. We aim to deliver research papers that not only meet but exceed your expectations, earning you top grades and accolades from your instructors.
• Customized Solutions : We understand that each research paper has unique requirements. Our writers take the time to understand your specific needs and tailor the paper to address your research objectives effectively.
• Flexible Pricing : We offer competitive pricing packages to accommodate the budget of every student. Our pricing is transparent, and there are no hidden fees.
• Short Deadlines : Facing a tight deadline? Our writers thrive under pressure and can deliver high-quality research papers within three hours, ensuring you never miss a deadline.
• Timely Delivery : We understand the importance of timely submissions. With our efficient writing process, you can expect your custom environmental law research paper to be delivered on time, allowing you ample time for review and revisions.
• 24/7 Support : Our customer support team is available round-the-clock to address your queries, concerns, and provide assistance at any stage of the writing process.
• Absolute Privacy : We prioritize your privacy and confidentiality. Your personal information and order details are handled securely, and we never disclose any sensitive information to third parties.
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Choosing iResearchNet’s custom environmental law research paper writing services is the right step towards achieving academic success. With our team of dedicated writers and comprehensive features, you can submit a well-crafted and thoroughly researched paper that impresses your instructors and earns you the grades you deserve. Let us be your academic partner in the journey of environmental law research and writing, and unlock your true potential with our exceptional services.

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Tort Law Dissertation Topics & Ideas

Published by Ellie Cross at December 29th, 2022 , Revised On May 13, 2024

Tort law defines what constitutes legal damage. This field of law is noteworthy because it describes the conditions under which someone may be held liable for the harm caused to a third party by their deliberate or negligent actions. Tort law encompasses a variety of topics, including different types of recklessness and trespass to both land and persons, making it a potentially broad field of study for a law dissertation.

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As tort law is a complex area of law, it may be helpful to you to consider the following tort law dissertation topic ideas when drafting your write-up:

Tort Law Dissertation Topics Ideas

• Reform of the cohabitation laws is long needed. The law for ending a relationship is unclear, outdated, and unjust. Discuss
• A critical evaluation of policy and predictability’s role in establishing a duty of care
• A critique of the laws governing the recovery of financial losses in tort claims
• Compared to the United States of America, how much of the statement that there is still a rising compensation culture in England and Wales is true?
• Where does the loss of a chance in England and Wales stand in the light of the House of Lords ruling in Gregg v. Scott?
• How much of Bolam v. Friern Hospital Management Committee’s ruling remains the benchmark for determining reasonable care in professional negligence situations?
• Male Victims of Domestic Violence: The Law’s Reaction to the Ultimate Taboo
• Matrimonial Cause Act of 1973: Appealing Divorce Law Decisions: Ancillary Relief and Fairness Principles
• Child Welfare and Child Labor: Causes, Consequences, and Prevention
• Laws governing the ability of the state to intervene and child protection
• A review of English and Welsh legal precedent that restricts what can be recovered when mental harm of any kind is established
• The effect of Chester v. Afshar, a judgement by the House of Lords, on the law of informed consent in medical malpractice cases
• Why may the acknowledgement of tortious responsibility be viewed as going too far with the duty of care given to children?
• Examining the requirement to take policy factors into account in tort cases
• An evaluation of the need for rule modification to establish causation in the case that numerous, successive causes caused the claimant’s loss
• The legislation governing cohabitation has to be changed. The current legal system for ending a relationship is archaic, unclear, and unjust. Elaborate
• Concentrating on their rights and obligations, weigh the arguments for and against legislation making civil marriage more accessible to same-sex couples
• Under the UK Matrimonial Cause Act of 1973, divorce decisions may be appealed using ancillary relief and the principles of justice.
• The Effects of Domestic Violence on Male Victims: The Law’s Response to the Absolute No-No
• The laws governing child protection and the state’s ability to intervene
• Making Fairness a Priority: In the event of a divorce, the division of finances
• The rights and interests of the resident parent appear to outweigh those of the minor. Discuss
• Which party benefits most from the current defamation law: the claimants or the defendants?
• Examine the conclusions critically and consider the ramifications paying special attention to the police’s fiduciary obligations
• In tort law, judges act as effective policymakers, filling a void left by the Parliament. Discuss
• Identifying the fundamental and enhanced damages brought on by wrongful imprisonment. Can a substantial distinction be made?
• The causality in the medical malpractice reports isn’t only complicated and unclear. Discuss
• There is “barely… any place for the constraints on the freedom of expression” when there is a public interest. Elaborate
• The municipal authorities’ vicarious responsibility has somehow gotten out of hand. Discuss
• The legal structure of the negligence cases and the illegality concept
• A worldwide review of the expanding compensation culture shows that where there is guilt, there is a claim
• How should the quality of care for each American citizen be evaluated in light of their rights?
• Children are entitled to care. Taking it too far?
• Analyse the arguments favouring and against legislation making same-sex relationships eligible for a civil union
• Data Breaches and Tort Law
• The Expanding Scope of Duty of Care in the Digital Age.
• Can We Strike a Balance Between Free Speech and Reputation?
• When Can Drones Be Used for Surveillance? Do they violate public interest and provide privacy? 
• Who is liable for e-scooter injuries 
• Protecting Workers Through Tort Law
• The Commercialisation of Genetics and Tort Law

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May 22, 2024

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Varying state drug laws create patchwork landscape for efforts to prevent overdose and death

by Temple University Center for Public Health Law Research

U.S. states vary widely in their laws and legal approaches to managing drug paraphernalia and opioid prevention centers (OPCs), according to new research published by the Center for Public Health Law Research at the Temple University Beasley School of Law. This creates a patchwork of laws that could affect efforts to prevent overdose and overdose death.

The research examines laws that govern drug paraphernalia , with a specific focus on drug checking equipment, such as fentanyl testing trips. State laws can make it difficult for people who use drugs to access drug checking equipment because that equipment may be labeled as objects related to illicit drugs , or drug paraphernalia, and in states where that occurs, possession and distribution of drug paraphernalia is often prohibited by state law.

The research also includes laws that establish overdose prevention centers and state pilot programs for overdose prevention centers.

"Drug paraphernalia laws often create confusion and fear of criminal penalty in public health response aimed at reducing overdose harm and death. In absence of repealing these laws wholesale, clear exemptions for drug checking equipment, like fentanyl testing strips, can serve to increase access to lifesaving interventions as the drug supply landscape continues to evolve," said Jon Larsen, Legal Program Manager at the Center for Public Health Law Research, and a lead researcher on this project.

States typically increase access to drug checking equipment by including exemptions for the equipment from the state's definition of drug paraphernalia.

For example, as of November 1, 2023, 29 states explicitly exempt some form of drug testing equipment from the definition of drug paraphernalia, whereas nine states excluded any drug testing equipment from the definition of drug paraphernalia. Laws in this area continue to evolve, making ongoing research important.

Similarly, 12 states included exemptions for any drug testing equipment meant to determine the presence of fentanyl or fentanyl analog and 14 states specifically excluded fentanyl test strips from the definition of drug paraphernalia.

"We found that states with more expansive exemptions for drug testing equipment, for example excluding any drug testing equipment from the definition of drug paraphernalia, allow for more flexibility in response to evolving trends as new substances are added to the drug supply, threatening overdose and overdose-related death," said Larsen.

"States that do not provide exemptions for drug testing equipment from the definition of drug paraphernalia , potentially criminalize the use of these important tools to combat overdose."

Another approach to managing access to and improving the safety of drug use includes overdose prevention centers (OPCs), also known as safe consumption sites. These centers are intended to lessen the risk of overdose and often also provide access to critical services such as syringe exchange, fentanyl test strip and naloxone distribution, and referrals to treatment for infectious diseases and substance use disorder.

OPCs operate globally, but only two states have laws, Minnesota and Rhode Island, that facilitate the establishment of OPCs and state pilot programs, as of November 1, 2023. The Vermont Senate advanced a bill on May 1, 2024, that would authorize and fund an overdose prevention center in Burlington.

The datasets are part of a project that has identified a series of 84 opportunities for government at all levels to improve and align drug policy in the United States.

"The number of overdose deaths in the United States reached a record high in 2023. These new legal data help us get a more refined view of the way these laws are written, allowing us to research their implications for people who use drugs around the country, so we can change what isn't working and hopefully prevent as many future overdose deaths as we can," said Larsen.

Temple University Center for Public Health Law Research (2024, May 22). Drug Paraphernalia Laws And Access To Drug Checking Equipment. phlr.org/product/drug-parapher … g-checking-equipment

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• The Buzz on Florida Politics

Judge blocks law criminalizing transport of immigrants into Florida

• Ana Ceballos and Syra Ortiz Blanes Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau

A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked the enforcement of a Florida law that makes it a felony to transport immigrants without permanent legal status into the state, putting in question the fate of a key part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ immigration agenda.

The state law, which went into effect last July to prevent immigrants without legal status from coming into Florida, has already resulted in arrests and human smuggling charges. In one case, a Mexican national has been detained in a county jail for nearly a year on human smuggling charges after he was arrested for driving six other Mexicans in a van from Georgia into Florida.

Judge Roy K. Altman, a Trump-appointed jurist in the Southern District of Florida, said that the law “extends beyond the state’s authority to make arrests for violations of federal immigration law, and in doing so, intrudes into territory that’s preempted.”

“In this case, any harm the state may suffer from an injunction is overweighed by the harm (the transportation law) poses both to the Plaintiffs and to the United States, which has the ultimate interest in protecting federal supremacy in the realm of immigration,” Altman wrote.

The decision comes after a federal lawsuit was filed in August by the Farmworker Association of Florida and several of its members, who were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Southern Poverty Law Center and other advocacy organizations. The Farmworker Association, which advocates for almost 12,000 seasonal and migrant farm workers across the state, argued the law hurts members of immigrant communities, including mixed-status families and workers, as well as the people who help them.

In Wednesday’s order, Altman wrote that he temporarily blocked the law because, otherwise, the group would “suffer irreparable harm.” He said that its members would face family separations and that the law would impact service providers that transport immigrants across state lines to appointments for medical and immigration services.

DeSantis’ office did not respond to a request seeking comment on the court decision.

Consequences for criminal cases?

Under the law, which took effect last year, people can face a third-degree felony charge for “knowingly and willfully” transporting someone into Florida who “the person knows, or reasonably should know, has entered the United States in violation of law and has not been inspected by the Federal Government since his or her unlawful entry from another country.”

Mark Arias, an attorney who represents Raquel López Aguilar , a Mexican national charged last year under the law, said he would be requesting his client’s release following the court decision. Aguilar has been in jail since his arrest last August. He is awaiting his pretrial hearing, scheduled for next week.

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As the lawsuit has unfolded, the state has maintained its position in support of the law.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, who is a defendant in the lawsuit, has argued in court documents that the plaintiffs did not have the legal standing to bring the case forward and clarified that visa holders, recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, asylum-seekers and people with pending removal proceedings are not subject to punishment because they are considered “inspected” by the federal government.

Altman rejected arguments that the law is vague, saying the statute does not fail to “put reasonable people on notice of its meaning.”

The plaintiffs and their attorneys celebrated Altman’s decision to block the law on Wednesday. Amien Kacou, staff attorney with the ACLU of Florida, called it a “much-needed win for Floridians.”

“For too long, our state has imposed a barrage of anti-immigrant laws and policies that harm citizens and noncitizens alike,” he said in a statement. “We salute the courage of the individual and organizational plaintiffs who will continue to pursue this litigation.”

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USCIS Updates Guidance for Family-Based Immigrant Visas

Effective May 22, 2024, we are updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual  on family-based immigrant visa petitions (including  Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative and, in limited situations, family-based  Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant ), including explaining how we handle correcting approval notice errors, requests for consular processing or adjustment of status on the beneficiary’s behalf, and routing procedures for approved petitions.

If you are a petitioner submitting Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative , you must inform USCIS of the beneficiary’s current address and whether the beneficiary wants consular processing with the Department of State National Visa Center (NVC) or adjustment of status in the United States, if eligible. Providing this information causes us to keep the approved petition for adjustment of status processing or send it to the NVC for consular processing, as appropriate. If you do not provide accurate information on the petition, it can delay the immigrant visa or adjustment of status process. For example, if we keep a petition because you provided inaccurate information, you must generally file Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition , with the appropriate fee, to transfer the petition to the NVC.

Before issuing this update, we generally kept approved petitions that did not clearly indicate whether the beneficiary wanted adjustment of status or consular processing. This update clarifies procedures for family-based immigration petitions, to promote more efficient processing where the beneficiary’s preference for consular processing or adjustment of status is unclear or has changed or a correction is needed.

This updated guidance provides that if you do not clearly indicate whether your beneficiary wants consular processing or adjustment of status, we will use discretion to decide whether to send the approved petition to the NVC for consular processing or keep the petition for adjustment of status processing, based on evidence of the beneficiary’s most recent location, including the beneficiary’s address on the petition.

This updated guidance also explains how you can contact us to correct an error or update a pending or approved Form I-130. This includes updating the beneficiary’s location and indicating whether they want consular processing or adjustment of status.

Finally, this updated guidance provides general guidance on how we decide whether to approve or deny a family-based immigrant petition, including relevant notices.

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• Press Releases
• DHS Announces 26 Additional PRC-Based Textile Companies to the UFLPA Entity List

DHS Announces 26 Additional PRC-Based Textile Companies to the UFLPA Entity List 

Largest Ever One-Time Expansion Will Help Responsible Companies Keep Forced Labor out of their Supply Chain

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the addition of 26 textile companies based in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List. Effective May 17, 2024, goods produced by the named 26 entities will be restricted from entering the United States. By focusing on cotton manufacturers based outside of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) that source cotton from the XUAR, their designation will increase transparency and ensure responsible companies can conduct due diligence on their supply chains to ensure they do not include goods made with forced labor.

The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF), chaired by DHS, is taking these steps as part of the United States’ commitment to eliminating the use of forced labor in the U.S. supply chain and promoting accountability for the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other religious and ethnic minority groups in the XUAR.

“The Department of Homeland Security will not tolerate forced labor in our nation’s supply chains,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Today's announcement strengthens our enforcement of the UFLPA and helps responsible companies conduct due diligence so that, together, we can keep the products of forced labor out of our country. We will continue to execute on our textile enforcement strategy and hold the PRC accountable for their exploitation and abuse of the Uyghur people.”

Since the UFLPA was signed into law in December 2021, the FLETF has added 65 entities to the UFLPA Entity List. These entities reach into the apparel, agriculture, polysilicon, plastics, chemicals, batteries, household appliances, electronics, and food additives sectors, among others. The interagency FLETF – which also includes the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Justice, Labor, State, and the Treasury – voted to add the 26 companies to the UFLPA Entity List. Today’s announcement represents the largest ever one-time expansion to the UFLPA Entity List.

“Today we add 26 additional companies to the UFLPA Entity List,” said DHS Under Secretary for Policy Robert Silvers, who serves as Chair of the FLETF. “We have shown again through today’s enforcement actions that the United States is taking action to prevent forced labor in U.S. supply chains. Companies must conduct due diligence and know where their products are coming from. The Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force will continue to designate entities known to violate our laws, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue its vigilant enforcement at our ports.”

Adding these entities to the UFLPA Entity List advances DHS' Textile Enforcement Plan , which prioritizes examination and review of entities in the textile sector for possible inclusion on the UFLPA Entity List. The FLETF will continue to consider future designations to the UFLPA Entity List as part of DHS’ broader forced labor enforcement efforts.

The 26 entities added to the UFLPA Entity List include cotton traders and warehouse facilities within China, the majority of which operate outside of the XUAR. Adding these entities to the UFLPA Entity List will make it easier for responsible companies to ensure that they are not purchasing cotton from entities who are sourcing cotton from the XUAR. By identifying these additional entities in the textile sector, U.S. importers have more information to conduct due diligence and examine their supply chains for risks of forced labor to ensure compliance with the UFLPA. The FLETF determined that 21 of the entities source and sell cotton from the XUAR on the wholesale market. The FLETF also determined that five additional entities also source cotton from the XUAR.

Since January 2021, prior to the implementation of the UFLPA, cotton from the XUAR was subject to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Withhold Release Order. In addition, cotton and cotton products were also designated as a high priority sector under the Strategy to Prevent Importation of Goods Mined, Produced or Manufactured with Forced Labor in the People’s Republic of China, issued in June 2022. Before these new additions, the UFLPA Entity List included 10 textile entities.

The bipartisan UFLPA, signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., in December 2021, mandates that CBP apply a rebuttable presumption that goods that are mined, produced or manufactured in the XUAR, or produced by entities identified on the UFLPA Entity List, are prohibited from importation into the United States unless the Commissioner of CBP determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that the goods were not produced with forced labor. CBP began enforcing the UFLPA in June 2022. Since then, CBP has reviewed more than 8,000 shipments valued at more than $3 billion under the UFLPA. Additionally, Homeland Security Investigations, through the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking, supports investigations and outreach to secure international cooperation in investigating human rights abuses and forced labor in XUAR.

Today’s announcement supports President Biden’s memorandum on advancing worker empowerment, rights, and high labor standards globally. The memorandum represents the first whole-of-government approach to advance workers’ rights by directing federal agencies engaged abroad to advance international recognized labor rights, which includes DHS’s work implementing the UFLPA.

This expansion of the UFLPA Entity List reflects DHS’ prioritization of combating the introduction of forced labor into U.S. supply chains. This commitment is outlined in the Department’s recent Quadrennial Homeland Security Review , which added combating crimes of exploitation, including labor exploitation, as the newest and sixth DHS mission.

You can read more about the FLETF by visiting the UFLPA  page.

• Trade and Economic Security
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Forced Labor

In Idaho, don’t say ‘abortion’? A state law limits teachers at public universities, they say

Idaho's public university professors say a law barring state employees from ‘promoting’ or ‘counseling in favor of’ abortion limits their ability to teach..

This story was published in partnership with the Center for Public Integrity , a newsroom that investigates inequality.

University of Idaho student Bergen Kludt-Painter started school in August 2022, a few months after a U.S. Supreme Court decision struck down Roe v. Wade. Soon after, abortion was banned in Idaho in almost all instances.

The political science major was eager to discuss the precedent-shattering case in class, but, she said, “we talked about everything except for abortion.”

During a political science course on how to write a research paper, her professor said he could not give her feedback on her chosen topic — abortion. The issue didn’t come up in her other political science classes either, even as state after state changed their abortion laws. Nor did abortion get mentioned in her Introduction to Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies course.

“It wasn’t discussed,” she said, “which I found odd, personally, because it feels like something that would be relevant to talk about in a class like that.”

But few, if any, public university professors in Idaho are talking about or assigning readings on abortion these days. That’s due to a 2021 law that makes it illegal for state employees to “promote abortion” or “counsel in favor of abortion.” Professors have said those two phrases put them at risk of violating the law, known as the No Public Funds for Abortion Act , just for discussing abortion in class. The possible penalties include significant fines and even prison time.

Six named University of Idaho professors and two faculty unions filed a lawsuit against the state in August for violating their First Amendment right to free speech and academic freedom and their 14 th Amendment right to a clearly worded law. Lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union are representing the professors.

“The more I heard about it, the more worried I was that I really can't teach my class in a responsible way without putting myself at risk,” said Aleta Quinn, an associate professor of philosophy for the University of Idaho and a plaintiff in the case.

Quinn teaches a course in biomedical ethics that typically features readings and class discussions about abortion. When she saw that the highest penalty for breaking the law was 14 years in prison, “I decided I would not — I couldn't — teach the subject of abortion.”

The bulk of the arguments in the case center on the due process clause of the 14th Amendment, which the Supreme Court has interpreted to mean that a statute “so vague that men of common intelligence must necessarily guess at its meaning” violates a person’s right to fair treatment under the law. 

The case also raises an important First Amendment question about protections for academic freedom in America: Are public university professors exempt from laws that could otherwise govern the speech of state employees?

Supreme Court precedent suggests the government has significant leeway to regulate the speech of the people it employs while they are performing their professional duties.

Still, the most recent court opinion on the issue left open the question of how much that speech could be regulated for one key group: public university professors. 

“We need not, and for that reason do not, decide whether the analysis we conduct today would apply in the same manner to a case involving speech related to scholarship or teaching,” then Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the 2006 majority opinion in Garcetti v. Ceballos .

The Supreme Court has not yet returned to that decision. 

“So establishing that legal principle, in and of itself, is an important endeavor for those [Idaho] professors,” said Helen Norton, a professor of constitutional law at the University of Colorado who is not involved in the case.

Interestingly, none of the professors suing in the Idaho case are nursing instructors or even biology professors. They aren’t teaching anyone about the physical nature of abortion. Their concerns, as scholars of subjects like philosophy, political science, gender studies and English, are focused on whether they can speak about abortion as an ethical, political and historical issue.  

For example, a sworn statement by an English professor named in the case explained that he used to assign Sallie Tisdale’s 1987 Harper’s Magazine essay, “We Do Abortions Here,” in one of his classes. The essay about her work as a nurse in an abortion clinic explores the complicated morality of helping women end their pregnancies. It’s also considered to be an example of powerful writing. He has now removed it from his syllabus.

Lawyers for the state of Idaho agree that professors fall under a different regulatory framework than other public employees when it comes to what they are permitted to say in the course of their duties. In their motion to dismiss the lawsuit, the state’s attorneys concede that settled law establishes protections for academics’ speech.

A month after the case was filed, Idaho’s attorney general, a defendant in the case, issued a non-binding opinion that the law does not apply to the “teaching or scholarship” of public university professors. If it did, Raul Labrador wrote, “the prohibition would likely be unconstitutional.”

A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office declined to respond to repeated requests for an interview.

Republican state Rep. Bruce Skaug, the sponsor of the No Public Funds for Abortion Act, later introduced legislation to create a specific protection for classroom discussion of abortion, but it failed to pass. Skaug did not respond to requests for an interview.

Rather than arguing about the First Amendment claim, lawyers for the state focused on the professors’ assertion that the law is unconstitutionally vague under the 14th Amendment.

“Plaintiffs have alleged that there is a law that prohibits them from teaching college courses concerning abortion, producing scholarship in favor of abortion, and grading papers concerning abortion,” the state’s lawyers write in the November motion to dismiss. “There is no such law in the state of Idaho.”

The state’s attorneys argue that any reasonable reader of the law would see that the statute refers only to the act of advising a specific person to have an abortion. As written, they argue the law could not be interpreted as a prohibition on, say, giving a strong grade on a writing assignment where the student had chosen to make an ethical argument in favor of abortion. 

Because of the attorney general’s opinion and the “plain language” in the law, the state’s lawyers say the professors are imagining themselves to be at risk of prosecution when, in reality, no such risk exists.  

Lawyers for the plaintiffs disagree. Federal courts have issued rulings with varied interpretations of the word “promote.” And the lawsuit offers numerous hypothetical situations in which a professor could be prosecuted for promoting abortion even if that were not their intent.

Norton, the University of Colorado law professor, said it was reasonable for the professors to question the law’s language.

“That’s shown so far to be the focus of the dispute — what does ‘promoting’ or ‘counseling’ mean?” she said. “And it seems like that’s an important thing to nail down.”

Because there’s no definition of the terms in the law, she said, “there’s absolutely room for folks to argue about whether or not we should be quick or slow to interpret broadly or narrowly.”

The current case challenging Idaho’s No Public Funds for Abortion Act does not directly include the state’s many other public employees, like social workers and school counselors, who are unlikely to qualify for any special First Amendment protections. 

Public school teachers in the K-12 system do not have the same level of academic freedom protections as professors, either. But a high school history teacher could face the same concerns that speaking about abortion in class could be construed as either promoting or counseling in favor of it. 

However, those employees would no longer have their speech curtailed if the professors prevail and a court strikes the law down.

That matters because Idaho’s restrictions surrounding abortion are so tight at this point that nearly every other action connected to encouraging abortion has been outlawed some other way. At this point, regulating how public employees speak about abortion is arguably the only thing the No Public Funds law still does. Opponents of the law have questioned why the state is fighting to uphold it, if not to limit speech about abortion.

Wendy Heipt, a reproductive rights attorney with Legal Voice who is working on a challenge to Idaho’s ban on helping minors travel to receive abortions without parental consent, calls the state Legislature “extremist.” She worries that the state has become a “testing ground” for the far right.

“You would notice [these laws] in Texas,” where more than 30 million people live, she said, “not Idaho,” home to less than 2 million.

Indeed, copycat travel ban bills restricting the movement of minors seeking an abortion were introduced in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Oklahoma this session, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization that works to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights.

No one interviewed for this story had heard about a copycat law that raised the same combination of First and 14th Amendment concerns as Idaho’s No Public Funds measure.

A judge heard the professors’ case in Idaho District Court in April. His decision on whether the preliminary injunction they’ve asked for will be granted is expected soon. The judge could also decide to dismiss the case, as the attorney general’s office has proposed. If the judge doesn’t dismiss the case, he will likely ask both parties to reconvene for another hearing before a final resolution.

In the meantime, professors are continuing to stay quiet about abortion in class. 

For someone dedicated to the free exchange of ideas like Quinn, that silence feels wrong. When she started teaching, her goal was to make the world a slightly better place by helping young people learn how to think, not what to think. She feels like she’s not fulfilling her duty to her students by ignoring an ethical debate as relevant to daily life as abortion.

“Philosophy is thinking critically about ideas and concepts and arguments, and considering which arguments are stronger and which are weaker and how they apply and all their implications,” Quinn said. “My goal is to enable people to have the skills to evaluate positions on their own.”

Kludt-Painter, the University of Idaho student, is the president of the Young Democrats. But her issues with the No Public Funds law weren’t about the politics of abortion. It’s an education she wants and feels she is being at least partially denied.

“It's a form of censorship,” she said. “College students should be able to handle hearing about these difficult topics. And educators should be able to discuss them and have a free exchange of ideas without being worried about getting fired or having criminal charges be brought against them.”

Hayden Cassinelli, the vice president of the College Republicans at the University of Idaho, said the topic of abortion came up in one of his classes recently but was "quickly avoided" when a teaching assistant told students he couldn’t discuss it. 

Despite Cassinelli’s opposition to abortion, the sophomore education major believes the topic should be discussed in class. He doesn’t think the No Public Funds law prevents such discussions. But he supported his university’s decision to issue guidance to professors in fall 2022, urging them to be cautious when talking about abortion.

"Given many professors' thoughts on abortion — including the fact that some of them may advocate for it and [encourage] a student to commit a crime — a temporary hold on any abortion-related discussion until legal clarity is established is a sound decision," Cassinelli wrote in an email.

Kludt-Painter thinks professors are just trying to protect their jobs when they avoid discussing abortion in class, but she wishes they didn’t feel that way. 

“It takes away from the whole academic freedom thing that post-secondary education is supposed to be about,” she said.