how to fool foreign universities into giving you money to study with them

HOW TO FOOL FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES INTO LETTING YOU DO AN LLM WITH THEM ARJYA B. MAJUMDAR

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HOW TO FOOL FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES INTO LETTING YOU DO

AN LLM WITH THEM~ AN ALGORITHM

Arjya B. Majumdar

At the outset, let me tell you that this is not a sure fire way to get into a foreign

university. There can be a million things that can go wrong at all times and each one

leading to certain failure. The overall requirements for a successful application, generally,

are patience and attention to detail. The rest will take care of itself.

When I was applying for my LLMs and doing all the post-application work, I was

going through a lot of shit and this you probably know about. I was also at Hyderabad,

Assam, Calcutta, Mumbai, Bhubaneshwar and New Delhi over a period of three months

and having to co-ordinate mails from Tulane being sent all over India. Why am I telling

you this? Because I want you to know that no matter what the difficulty, no matter what

the odds, it will happen as long as you want it to happen. But you have to really want it

bad enough. It may seem crazy sometimes, but as long as the job gets done- its fine. For

instance, I had to send a commitment deposit to Tulane. I was at Hyderabad at that time.

The papers from Tulane had arrived in Calcutta. I had someone send them over, used a

credit card of someone who stays in Hyderabad. The credit card billing address was in

Delhi and the returning mail address for the deposit was in Assam. It must have driven

the Tulane people mad. But the job got done and that�s what counts!

So here is a step-by-step break down of what you need to do to get into an LLM

program abroad. This algorithm is aimed primarily at the UK and the US and may not

apply to other countries but the general principles will remain the same. If anything here

is out of date or is incorrect, stuff it and live with it. I didn�t have any guidance

whatsoever. So feel lucky that you�re actually reading this.

There are three primary barriers between you and admission to an LLM program-

- The offer of admission

- The funding

- The visa


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Each is tackled separately and at different points of time and can be further broken down

into the following sections:

1. Why do an LLM? a. Access and accreditation to foreign firms (this means that you can work in

Linklaters without having a gold medal from NLS and having to wait in a

sweatshop called AMSS, for five years)

b. Specialization in a particular area of law (like Human Rights, IP,

Securities, etc)- note: if you�re looking for an LLM in Corporate Law,

forget it. Don�t go so broad- the more specialized the course, the better

chances you have- try something like Infrastructure Finance.

c. Getting into academia- here a general LLM is fine, just ensure its from a

fantastic law school. If you�re not going to Harvard, don�t go at all.

d. Your father is loaded- need I say more?

2. Which subject? Once you�ve decided why you want to do an LLM, you�ll probably know in what

you want to do the LLM. If you�re still unsure as to which subject to take, rethink

as to why you want to do an LLM. Most of the time, it�s an interest in the subject,

that is, point #2, which was the case for me. Try taking something that interests

you- that way you won�t get bored. And you�ll never feel forced into it. Also, you

could try taking something unusual- that way you�ll create demand for your self

later.

3. Research Deciding which law school to apply to can be difficult in the best of cases.

Remember, each application takes up about a week to complete, plus has to be

sent and an application fee is usually asked for. For US universities, the

application fee can be anywhere from $20 to $70. That�s a total of about Rs 4000

per application. UK universities generally don�t charge an application fee but you

still have to send the damn application form- more on that later.


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Most of the research is generally done over the Internet. Some good starting

points are www.llm-guide.com and www.hero.ac.uk (for UK universities only).

But the best way to find out about which universities offer your course is by

asking your seniors, especially ones who have applied to the same course in the

past. At this point of time, collect as many brochures/ application packs as you

can. You can order the brochures online from the university websites, they send it

for free and they make for nice bedtime reading. Plus, you get a better idea about

the school as opposed to from a website.

4. Setting Parameters

Now that you know which law schools offer your course, you need to figure

which ones to apply to. As a thumb rule, don�t apply to more than five. I say this

because I figure that if you�re not getting into your first five, you probably won�t

be offered a place in the 6th. Also, if you get through two or three, there�s no point

in applying to a 6th anyway. So, which are the parameters you need to look into?

a. Rating- how well a law school compares to its peers. Check US law

school listings on the Net. Check this website for the ratings-

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/law/brief/lawrank_brie

f.php. The best schools are generally the Ivy League ones like Harvard,

Yale, Georgetown, Columbia, etc. But don�t disregard the lesser schools

that may have fantastic departments which offer your specialization- like

Texas, U Penn and of course, Tulane.

For the UK, the BCL brings out a �Guide to UK Education� every year. Its

generally kept in the Education@UK section of the library. The NUJS

library also has a copy. Check whether it�s current or not. In the UK,

universities and departments within them are rated from 3 to 5* on

something called the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Never apply

to anything less than a 5*. The least acceptable rating for you is 5 and no

less.

Remember- if nobody has heard of it, it�s not worth going to.


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b. Cost- the major factor. US universities are generally more expensive than

the UK ones. Cost of living is also much higher. Apart from the usual

tuition, accommodation and food also include entertainment, books, travel,

passage, a laptop, etc

c. Scholarship- usually US universities have a tuition waiver. More on this

later

d. Faculty- if the rating is good, the faculty would be well, good too

e. Law school- industry interface- this is important if you want to work

after the LLM and not go into academia

f. Location- New Orleans might be an amazing place but there�s too much

partying and not enough studying. Boston is too cold. So are Oxford and

Cambridge. On the other hand, Singapore is closer to home. You get the

drift, don�t you?

Like I said before, don�t apply to more than 5 after considering all these

points. If you still cant make up your mind, drop the one you are least likely to

go to. You may consider this to be a drop in your chances, but it just doesn�t

make any sense applying to too many universities. However, if the cost of

application is not an issue, then this rule does not apply.

5. The Application Now you�ve narrowed your choice to 5, ask for those brochures again. Especially

if quite some time has passed and the application procedure might have changed.

Never hurts to ask for something for free.

Begin working on the annexures to your application. While different law schools

may ask for copies of different documents, some typical documents include:

a. Transcripts (this means mark sheets) You could also put in a list of

subjects taken and a graph showing your academic performance over the

years (attached at the back)

b. Recommendation/Reference letters- a question may arise here as to who

should one approach for reference letters. When you�ve studied the LLM

subject before, usually it�s a good idea to get that subject teacher to write


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you one. But, if you know any hotshot prof well, that would do too. Also,

the longer the tail of the referee, the better it is. But one of the referees

should be the subject teacher. For example, one of my referees was Bindu,

the others were Pinky Anand, Mohanty and Patanik. Don�t be surprised if

the prof himself asks you to write it out. While this may be a good idea, be

extremely careful. The people who will read that letter are very good at

picking out false ones. A few sample letters have been attached at the

back.

If the prof writes it himself, there�s a question of secrecy and objectivity.

You don�t want the LLM school people to know that you had anything to

do with writing those letters. Have the prof sign across the envelope flap

and have them sealed without you seeing them. But if the prof. Wants to

write the letter without you seeing it, always ask for one extra. For

instance, if you�re applying to 5 places, ask for six. That way, you open

one and see if its good enough to be sent.

If a law school wants two reference letters, ask three people to write. That

way, if one isn�t good enough, you could always send the third.

c. Certificates of Leadership/ Co-curricular/ Extra- curricular activities-

no, they are not looking for only swots and muggu kiras�

d. Essay/ Statement of Purpose- an extremely important document- one

that you will have to make up yourself. This is your advertisement- one

that should sell you without sounding boastful or presumptuous It should

ideally contain the following information in the following order:

i. What do you want to do

ii. What have you done about it so far

iii. How will it help you

iv. How will an LLM at that law school help

Trust me, it�s not as easy as it looks. You need to have a fucking good

reason why you are applying to them. Set aside at least a month for the

final draft to be prepared. Mine took about three months and is attached at

the back.


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e. List of internships, especially those that pertain to your area of proposed

study (attached at the back)

f. List of Research Papers/Projects/Articles that you may have written

and/or published in connection with the area of study (attached at the

back). You may want to include a copy of an article published, but ensure

that it has to do with the course you are seeking admission to.

g. An English Language Test Score- this is usually the TOEFL or the

IELTS. TOEFL is easier but check if the UK university will accept it. The

testing service itself will send the score directly to the university

concerned.

h. Any other info that you may think important

Don�t overload them with too much info about yourself. No one wants to know

whether your father is in the Government Service or whether your mother is a

lawyer at the Supreme Court. Remember- what they look for is either academic

excellence, or wholehearted focus/ dedication. Even if you have neither, try to

persuade that you have the second. It worked for me.

Sometimes the application form may ask for �sensitive� information. Like they

most likely will ask which other schools are you applying to and in which order of

priority. Simple- be honest with this. It just makes good sense as these admissions

offices may check with each other. No one likes a brown noser!!!

You should have finished collecting all these documents, photocopying them and

having them notarized or attested (by the Registrar or a Gazetted Officer) by the

end of October. Keep a set extra.

6. Sending Applications Fill out the forms carefully. If necessary, first fill them out in pencil and then in

pen. The annexures must be in the same order as mentioned/required in the

application form. Make a covering letter and a list of annexures. Number the

annexures accordingly.


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Don�t seal the packages/ envelopes. The courier company will want to have a look

inside. Go with DHL- they have a special University Application Service. And

they reach whatever destination in 3 days or less.

Send the applications as soon as the law school starts accepting them. For

example, if the law school begins accepting applications from 1st November, your

application should reach them on the 2nd. This will make your application eligible

for an early decision, which usually goes in favor of the applicant. As time passes,

the admissions office will make lesser offers. So hurry. Once you�ve sent the

applications, forget about them- as if you never sent them. Go have a look what

the sky looks like and whether the sun is still shining because soon after, you

wont have time to do even that.

7. Funding (Part I)

There are points of time when you will have to spend substantial sums of money.

Ensure that these funds are available to you. These are as follows:

a. At the time of application- the application fee (upto $ 70) and the courier

money (upto Rs 1000) per application

b. If you get called for a scholarship interview outside your city- depends

upon where you are and where you have to go

c. Commitment deposit after getting an offer of admission- depends upon the

university

d. Visa application fees- as much as Rs 20000

e. Passage (India to UK/US)

f. Pre departure spending- clothes, supplies, maybe a laptop, etc

Set aside about Rs 100,000 for all of this. Yes, that�s how much it�ll cost you even

before you set foot in the university of your choice.

If your father is rich enough, you can skip this. Otherwise, this section may as

well be as important as the application. Funding can be sought in either one of the

following ways and should be looked at the same time as the applications:

a. External Scholarships- A number of institutions offer scholarships or

grants. Most of them are highly prestigious and sought after, so expect a


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lot of competition. Some of the well known ones are Rhodes, Felix (only

for Oxford, SOAS and Cambridge), INLAKS, Commonwealth

Scholarships (for the UK only), Paul Foundation, Birla Foundation.

Prepare for these along with the college applications and apply for them as

soon as they open. Be prepared for a tough interview, if you make it, that

is.

b. University Scholarships- Slightly less prestigious, these are granted by

the university on a merit basis and usually do not cover the entire amount.

You�ll have to mention whether you require financial assistance when you

apply.

c. Fellowships- Works the same way as a scholarship. However, you get to

assist a professor in research and in return they waive the entire fees.

Sometimes, the waiver includes the living expenses as well and a stipend.

Cushy, but be prepared for a lot of expectations and hard work.

d. Tuition waivers- Sometimes the university may reduce the tuition fees on

a need basis making it easier to attend

e. Loans- Banks offer educational loans up to Rs 15 lakhs against security.

Don�t go by what the websites say. Go to the banks and find out for

yourself. If you have someone who works at a bank- this is the time to

contact him. Try nationalized banks first- they are the most likely to give

you a loan.

One of the main things you need to take care of is whether the interest is

serviceable during the course period. In other words, whether you will

have to pay the interest on the loan while you are studying. This may turn

out to be a hefty sum, especially if the principle runs into over ten lakhs.

And you don�t want to have your parents paying such a huge sum every

month, do you? Allahabad Bank is one such that allows repayment after

the course period.

The securities that banks accept are as follows:


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i. Real Estate- ensure that the property is in ownership and not on

lease or rent (esp for Saltlake residents). Value of the security is

calculated by a bank appointed valuer.

ii. Life Insurance Policies- the policy needs to be assigned to the

bank. This means that if the life assured dies (God forbid!) the

bank gets the money. Value of the security is the surrender value at

that time. Ensure that these policies are fully paid up- saves a lot of

trouble.

iii. Government Issued Securities/Bonds- Kisan Vikas Patra. Indira

Vikas Patra, National Savings Certificate. Value of the security is

the bought/invested value and not the Maturity Value

iv. Mediclaim Policies- Value of the security is again the surrender

value

In all the cases the security needs to be assigned. Usually the bank will do

it, but you�ll have to do a lot of running around. The policies will be

assigned by the respective insurance company, the govt bonds will be

assigned by the Post Office (they have a special form for this) and the

property is assigned by a mortgage deed. Personally, I wouldn�t mortgage

house property- hurts the ego.

Ask for the lowest interest rate possible. Usually it�s at the PLR, but if

you�re nice to them and the Bank Branch Manager likes you, he may

lower it a little. For example, I got a deal which has an interest rate of 2%

lower than the PLR. Trust me, that makes a huge difference.

There will be a lot of paperwork and a lot of running around. Set aside

about two months for the entire process. If friends or relatives ask, �What

can I do to help?� get them to help you on this. Its mind numbing,

repetitive work with loads of paperwork.

8. The Offer Letter One of my favorite events, the law school tells you that you are good enough to

study with them. Now the offer may be either absolute or conditional. If it�s


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absolute, then there�s nothing to worry about. If it�s conditional, it�ll probably be

based on your marks or the English Language Requirement. Nothing to worry

about, really.

Often, the university will ask for a commitment deposit, especially if the offer is

absolute. Think long and hard about this. The commitment deposit is non-

refundable and usually runs into tens of thousands of rupees. If you�re serious

about the university, don�t fuck around and pay it. You could ask for an extension

for the time within which you have to pay the deposit. This will let you wait for

other universities to respond.

At this point of time, universities still haven�t made up their minds on the

scholarships. They decide who gets what and how much only after the

commitment deposits are in and people are confirmed of their attendance.

9. Faculty Contact

So, you have the admission offer but need to commit and you cant do the course

without scholarships and are skeptical of sending so much money. You need to

convince the faculty that you really need that fellowship or scholarship. So send a

mail to the professors who will be teaching you along with your CV and

Statement of Purpose and ask them about your chances of getting one. If they

reply in the affirmative, its as good as the scholarship offer, send the deposit right

away and inform them of doing so. Also, keep in touch with them- this will build

a rapport that will come in handy when you start classes.

10. Scholarship Offer

Soon after you send the deposit, the scholarship letter will arrive.

Congratulations! Check whether it�s full or part. If it�s full, check whether it�s

only for tuition or does it cover living expenses as well. Usually by this time, you

know where you stand with the external scholarships, so you�ll have a pretty good

idea of where the money is coming from. From here on I�m going to assume that

you�ve got part scholarship and have decided to attend, paying part of the costs. If

you�ve got full scholarship (tuition, living expenses, the works�.) skip the next


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section and go directly to Section 12. If you haven�t got a scholarship, tough luck-

but then there�s always AMSS!

11. Funding II So now you have the college admission and the scholarship, but you still need to

show them that you will have enough to suffice for your education. It�s called a

Statement Of Adequate Funding, which will have to be sent for your visa to be

processed. In this you could show the following-

a. Any scholarship that you�ve already received

b. Personal Bank Account

c. Loan from banks

d. Letters of comfort- this applies only when you have a relative staying in

the same country as the University. This benevolent relative does not

actually have to give you the money, just to show that it will be available

for you. This is just for the visa purposes. Once you get there, you could

work your way through the course. More about work later. The relative

could send the letter to the university directly- that way its faster.

Don�t forget to attach copies of all the sources of funds, whether it�s a loan

agreement, or a bank statement. And don�t forget to put in a covering letter.

12. Visa Issues

One word- tough.

Since the WTC and London Underground attack, getting visas to the US and the

UK has become very difficult. Current student visas issued are about 50% of the

total applied for. Remember that this is the last barrier between you and the

course of your dreams. So don�t screw up.

The university will send you some documentation saying that you have been

admitted there and that you have shown proof of enough funds. In the US it�s

called an I-20 form. This is your ticket to the visa office. Get online and check for

the required documentation that you will have to fill out. There will be a visa

application fee as well which will have to be paid in advance.


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Don�t freak out before the visa. Relax, watch TV, generally chill. The visa

interview will in all probability be the scariest thing you�ve ever done. Months of

planning and execution essentially revolve around those few minutes spent with

the visa officer. So there will be some amount of pressure. Just keep telling

yourself that there is no turning back and that all your energy, effort and time has

culminated into this moment of the visa interview and that it can�t all go to waste.

Take all documents (even if remotely necessary) with you in a semi transparent

plastic folder. Take someone with you whom you can rely upon. You will not be

allowed to enter with a cell phone, nor with a bag.

The visa officer will essentially want to know two things- one, that you have

enough money for your stay there and two, that you will return after your course.

So you need to show proof of funds again- use the same stuff as you did in the

Statement of Funding and you need to show enough family ties and reason to

return to India.

A word of caution- if your proof of funds is a relative, that shows a strong

possibility that you may stay back there. If the visa officer asks, it�s not a relative

but a family. This works best if the relative does not have the same surname. If

he/she does, you need to offset that by more reason to come back to India.

Please note- the visa officer is not a person. It is a cold, emotionless robot that

often loses its power of reason as well. So don�t be smart alecky and don�t

provide more information than what is required. They�re always on the look out

for anything that they might use to deny you a visa.

If you don�t get the visa, try again after a few days (I think the minimum gap is 3

days). Figure out where you went wrong and correct yourself. If you do get the

visa, the following three things should happen:

a. PARTY!!!

b. Resign from wherever you were working

c. Give me a treat

13. Working on Campus


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A good way to support yourself while studying is by working part time. Possible

jobs include research, teaching or library assistantships, on campus stores, coffee

shops, banks, etc. Remember the dignity of labor- no job is too lowly.

If you�re going to the US, start looking for a job on campus even before you get

there. You need a job even if you have enough money to pay for yourself. You�ll

be an international student and hence not eligible to work outside campus. You

can only work on campus and that too a maximum of 20 hours a week. And guess

what, you aren�t given a Social Security Number either. And no SSN means no

credit, no cell phone, no driver�s license, essentially you don�t exist. This is a real

bummer. The only way you can get an SSN is by getting employment on campus.

It�ll get you some extra money, you�ll get your hands dirty and know what it�s

like to be a waiter/janitor!!!

14. Pre- Departure

So, all barriers have come tumbling down and you have a passport with a shiny

new visa stamped on it as well as the tickets. Cool!

Take clothing suitable to the climate. Most Indians haven�t seen snow, much less

a blizzard. Trust me, it can get really cold. Everything is more expensive there

than in India, so you might consider taking a lot of supplies like toiletries,

cosmetics, underwear, socks, etc.

Take some cooking utensils- yes, it is better to cook than eat out everyday. A

saucepan, a ladle (or khunti) some microwaveable bowls, forks, spoons, knives,

plate, glass, coffee mug, etc.

Get used to toilet paper. If that�s too much, buy a couple of mugs/lotas (!) from

India. They don�t have that concept here. For bedding, take bed linen only-

pillows and quilts you can buy here. We don�t want you to overshoot the weight

limit.

Where you go, your information should follow. Take everything you every

downloaded and cut, copied and pasted while doing time at law school. Leave

nothing. You never know when it might come in handy. Possible exceptions could


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be chitting paper and the sorry excuses for NUJS modules. But keep an eye on the

weight limit too.

Lastly, spend as much time with family and friends as you possibly can. You

never know when you�ll see them again. And once you leave, the first few months

are really painful- you will miss them. Don�t leave any unresolved fights and if

you liked somebody/ had a crush, this is the time to tell him/her.

Like I said, this might not get you into a law school of your choice but it will give

you a perspective on the various things involved and all the running around you will have

to do. It is a tough process and involves a lot of effort, time and money. But hey, if I

could do it, so can you. I�m no Avirup Bose, nor Shubhankar Dam, not even Saloni

Chaturvedi (who went to Manchester University). But that does not mean that I can�t live

my dream. And if I, with my CGPA of 3 can make it, so can you.

So, go live your dream�


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Timeline

This is the time frame I had followed. It might not be the same for you but will

give you some indication of what takes the most and/or least amounts of time.

Year Month To do

2004Oct Started researching Courses

Nov

Dec

2005Jan Asked for brochures

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Started collecting Documents and

Jun started on the essay

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct Applications ready

Nov Sent applications

Dec

2006Jan Admission letters came in

Feb

Mar

Made faculty contact+ paid

commitment deposit

Apr Scholarship offer

May Bank Loan

Jun Visa

Jul

Aug Left for US


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LIST OF SUBJECTS STUDIED AT THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF JURIDICAL

SCIENCES, KOLKATA IN PURSUANCE OF A COURSE LEADING TO A B.SC./

B.A. L.L.B. (HONS.) DEGREE

Semester Subject Grade Grade Point

Grade Point

Average

10th Clinical Legal Education- III Currently taken

Law and Teaching* Currently taken

International Commercial Arbitration* Currently taken

International Sale of Goods* Currently taken

Securities Law* Currently taken

9th Insurance Law * Pending

Alternative Dispute Resolution * Pending

Advanced Intellectual Property Law * Pending

Professional Ethics Pending

Indirect Taxation Pending

8th Clinical Legal Education- II A 5

Direct Taxation B 3

Banking Law and Negotiable Instruments A+ 6 5.4

Conflict of Laws * E 7

International Trade Law * A+ 6

7th Clinical Legal Education- I A 5

Corporate Insolvency * A 5

Water Law * A+ 6 5.4

Law relating to Valuation of Assets * A+ 6

Marine and Shipping Law * A 5

6th Law and Economics * A 5

Intellectual Property Law B+ 4

Corporate Law- II B 3 3.4


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Agricultural Law C+ 2

Jurisprudence B 3

5th Labour Law B 3

Environmental Law B 3

Property Law B 3 2.2

Corporate Law- I C 1

Administrative Law C 1

4th Science, Technology and Law C 1

Criminal Procedure Code C+ 2

Constitutional Law- II C 1 1.8

Law of Evidence C+ 2

Civil Procedure Code B 3

3rd Contracts- II C 1

Family Law- II C 1

Criminal Law B 3 1.4

Public International Law C 1

Constitutional Law- I C 1

2nd Contract- I C 1

Family Law- I C+ 2

Sociology- II C 1 1.4

Economics- II C+ 2

Political Science C 1

1st Legal Method A 5

History A 5

Torts C+ 2 3

Economics- I C 1

Sociology- I C+ 2

Note: * denotes optional seminar papers


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GPA over Years

2.21.7

2.8

5.4

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 2 3 4Years

GPA

GRADING SYSTEM

Grade Numerical Grade Percentage Remarks

E 7 75% and above Excellent

A+ 6 70-75 Distinction

A 5 65-70 Very Good

B+ 4 60-65 Good

B 3 55-60 Fair

C+ 2 50-55 Average

C 1 40-50 Pass

F 0 Below 40% Fail

Year GPA

1 2.2

2 1.7

3 2.8

4 5.4


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To Whom It May Concern:

Arjya Bir Majumdar has been a law student at the National University of

Juridical Sciences, Kolkata for the last five years, during which time I have taught him in

compulsory courses on Contract Law and Corporate Law and a seminar course on Marine

and Shipping Law. He is currently pursuing a course on Law and Teaching in Corporate

Law under my direct supervision.

Arjya has shown a keen interest in Maritime Law and this is evident in his

course work and his choice of internships. As mentioned earlier, he had taken up a course

on Marine and Shipping Law where he was given a basic familiarity of this highly

specialised area of law.

To back his theoretical knowledge with practical experience, he undertook

an internship with Mr. Venkiteshwaran- the leading name in maritime litigation in India

as of now. He also interned on two separate occasions with M/s Mulla and Mulla and

Craigie, Blunt and Caroe- a Mumbai law firm specialising in Maritime Law under Mr

Shardul Thacker. I understand that he wishes to carry on this focus into the Post Graduate

level outside India and to this effect, has applied to certain universities in the UK.

In this respect, what I find most commendable is his disciplined approach

to the subject. I believe that it is his ambition to teach Maritime Law in India. To this

purpose, I believe that Arjya would benefit greatly having more than a basic

understanding of the field- a familiarity that can be sought only at a Master�s Degree

course and at other higher levels of education.

Arjya Bir Majumdar would be an obvious choice for any post-graduate

course on Maritime Law. In addition to his determined approach to Maritime Law, I find

him to be a hard-working and dedicated student who would have much to offer any

institution that he may be admitted to. I expect that he will significantly improve his

familiarity of the subject matter if given the opportunity to and will eventually go on to

teach the same. I wish him all the best for his future.

Bindu Ronald

Co-ordinator, School of Economic and Business Laws


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I have known Arjya Bir Majumdar for the last two years as a law student

at the National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata.

I have had the pleasure of teaching Arjya in seminar and compulsory

courses on Corporate Insolvency, Insurance Law and Banking Law. During these

courses, I observed that he possesses an inquisitive and questioning nature, which reflects

itself in his work. While he would take note of what the law is, he would also try to find

out the rational behind the law- to find out what the law is. I particularly appreciated his

research paper on Corporate Insolvency where he placed certain suggestions on why

India should adopt the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross Border Insolvency.

His performance- as a student and as a researcher has been exemplary in

my courses and his work also shows that he has an ability to �think out of the box�- a

quality that stands him in good stead in comparison to others. Moreover, I find him to be

a hardworking and sincere student. This, coupled with his warm, easygoing personality

makes him a valuable addition to any course.

It is my understanding that Arjya wishes to specialise in Maritime Law

and is applying to your university for this purpose. In this respect, I find that his focus on

the discipline has been no less than admirable. Not only has he taken up subjects relating

to the field, he has also tried to link up Maritime Law to other subjects wherever possible.

For example, in a course on Insurance Law, taught by me, he prepared a research paper

on how customary practices of marine cargo insurance have been given the sanction of

the law over time. I believe that he has undertaken a number of other research papers and

internships that deal with the subject matter of Maritime Law. His perseverance and

enthusiasm to the speciality is most remarkable and his understanding of the subject

matter is excellent.

It is my heartfelt belief that Arjya would be one of the most appropriate

candidates to be admitted into a Master�s Degree Course in Maritime Law and would like

to place my recommendation for the same.

Vaneeta Patnaik

Lecturer-in-Law


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I have known Arjya Bir Majumdar for the last year and a half as a law

student at one of India�s premier law schools. I understand that he is applying to the LLM

program with a specialisation in Maritime Law at your school and would like to

recommend his admission.

Arjya interned under me for a period of eight weeks during March-April

2004. As a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India, I deal with matters regarding

constitutional law and arbitration, amongst others. Needless to say, these issues are

extremely complex and intricate and I found Arjya to be more than able to the task. His

responsibilities as a trainee extended from legal research and drafting to counselling the

Ministry of Agriculture- one of my clients in an arbitration appeal. A major case he

worked on was a Habeas Corpus petition, which has now been decided in our favour. In

addition to assisting me in preparing for court hearings, he also prepared lectures on

Judicial Activism and another matter regarding women�s permanent resident status in

Kashmir.

Arjya is a student of many qualities out of which one of the most

endearing is his work culture. During his tenure with me, he often had fourteen-hour

workdays and stayed back at my office well past midnight just in order to complete a

given task. He works with enthusiasm, which I find extremely invigorating. He is an

extremely bright, alert and understanding trainee and his grasp and understanding of the

law is superb. However, he does have his weaknesses, which include overconfidence. But

I am sure that he will be able to overcome that defect.

In my career of over 24 years, I found Arjya to be one of the best and

outstanding trainees and would like to unequivocally state my strong recommendation for

him. If you have any questions or need more information, I will be happy to talk to you.

Please call me at the telephone number printed on this letterhead or email me at the

address mentioned above.

Pinky Anand

Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India


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ESSAY/STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

I have always been interested in the sea. I come from a family of seafarers

and it has held me in its grasp from a very tender age - the stories my father and uncles

told me only served to increase that allure. While I never did think of �running away to

sea� my fascination with the sea has never diminished. I guess that would explain why I

chose to enrol for an optional course in Marine & Shipping Law as part of my LLB

course in my 4th year of study. I immersed myself in a variety of subjects in Maritime

Law; my interests increasing apace with my awareness of the subject and a growing

appreciation of its subtleties. I could relate to the concepts in practical terms, which made

it easy to absorb, but I did not anticipate the pleasure I would get in pursuing this avenue

of law.

On a more practical note, the figures of the Indian maritime industry sharply bring

to focus the need for maritime lawyers in India today. This large and thriving industry is

not matched by a proportionate numerical strength of lawyers specialising in Maritime

Law, of whom there are only a handful. This is in spite of Maritime Law being an

extremely lucrative field both financially and in terms of fulfilment.

I have tried to increase my awareness and understanding of maritime law by

undertaking extensive coursework in this area, and complemented the rigor of

coursework with practical exposure through suitable internships.

The academic coursework I emphasized on during my fourth year had a

significant bias towards maritime law. As part of the course on Marine and Shipping

Law, I traced the implementation and effects of �Civil Liability Conventions for Oil

Pollution Damage�. In, a specialized course on Insurance Law, I wrote a paper titled

�Marine Cargo Insurance� - this paper highlights some of the customs involved Marine

Insurance, such as Institute Clauses, Lloyds, etc. which are not really law but are given

the same sanction. The dichotomy of the treatment of maritime liens in common and civil

law countries was analysed in �Conflict of Laws in Maritime Liens� as part of a course

on Private International Law. Negotiations on Maritime Transport services at the WTO

have come to a standstill and needs revival. A paper titled �Marine Transport Services

under GATS� as part of a course on International Trade Law investigates this issue.


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Finally, dispute resolution in the maritime industry usually takes the form of arbitration. I

explore this aspect in a paper titled �Maritime Arbitration� as part of a course on

Alternative Dispute Resolution.

I chose to augment my grasp of Maritime Law through more practical exposure to

the field. To that end, I interned with two of the most reputed maritime law offices in

India. These internships have given me precious insights into the workings of maritime

law and I consider them to be most invaluable in my understanding of the field. I had the

opportunity to work with Mr S. Venkiteshwaran, a seasoned litigator and senior advocate

at the Bombay High Court who is widely renowned to be the best maritime lawyer in the

country for maritime litigation. Under his guidance, I appreciated the nuances of marine

insurance, arbitration and maritime litigation; on occasion I accompanied him to court

and arbitration hearings. I also focussed on improving my awareness of non-contentious

maritime law. I explored the non-litigational side of maritime law, such as ship finance

and sale of goods on the High Seas while working for Mr Shardul J. Thacker. Mr Thacker

- renowned to be one of the best lawyers for non-contentious maritime law matters in

India - is a partner at Mulla and Mulla and Craigie, Blunt and Caroe, one of the largest

law firms in the country.

I believe that my academic training and practical exposure through internships

will stand me in good stead. I have also tried to stretch myself through extra-curricular

activities - I am an avid mountaineer, a lead singer and guitarist in a rock band, and an

occasional contributor to newspapers and websites as an adventure travel freelancer. I

have formal training in mountaineering from the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in

Darjeeling and have developed my leadership skills through leading small excursions of

budding mountaineers. It has also instilled in me a quiet confidence in my teaching and

communication abilities.

I strongly believe that an LLM at the Tulane Law School- widely acknowledged

to have one of the best courses in Maritime Law and located at a major US port- will help

further my ambition of joining academia specializing in maritime law. I envision India

becoming a major location for international maritime arbitration; I personally would like

to contribute in enabling the transition to a future where the Indian maritime industry is

supported by a vibrant practice of maritime law in India. I feel I have much to contribute


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as a student and a future professional in this field. I would be very grateful if you would

present me with the opportunity to follow my passion by admitting me into this

prestigious and highly sought-after program of study.

Arjya Bir Majumdar


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LIST OF INTERNSHIPS UNDERTAKEN

• April- May 2005- Intern/trainee at Mulla and Mulla and Craigie, Blunt and

Caroe, Mumbai, under Mr. Shardul Thacker. Specialised in Ship Finance,

Maritime and Admiralty Law, Foreign Direct Investment, Business Process

Outsourcing and Issue of FCCBs.

• March- April 2005- Intern/trainee at the chambers of Mr S. Venkiteshwaran,

Mumbai under Mr. V. Subramanian- Advocate, Mumbai High Court. Specialised

in Maritime and Admiralty Law, particularly Marine Insurance and Commercial

Arbitration

• February- March 2004- Intern/ trainee at the Supreme Court of India and the High

Court of Delhi at the chambers of Ms Pinky Anand �Senior Advocate, Supreme

Court of India. Specialised in arbitration, land acquisition and constitutional

matters at the Supreme Court

• March- April 2003- Intern/ trainee at the High Court at Calcutta under Singhania

and Co. (Advocates). Specialised in matters regarding company law, negotiable

instruments, trade marks, incidental matters and civil conveyance.

• April- May 2002- Intern/ researcher at the World Wildlife Fund for Nature-

India, West Bengal State Office, Kolkata. Researched on the illegal wildlife trade

in Kolkata and deforestation practices in the Singalila National Park, West

Bengal, India.


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LIST OF MARITIME LAW- RELATED RESEARCH PAPERS UNDERTAKEN AS

PART OF THE CURRICULUM AT THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF JURIDICAL

SCIENCES.

• �Marine Arbitration�, in a course on Alternative Dispute Resolution-

this paper discusses the applicability of Arbitration as an alternative to

litigation and why a large number of maritime disputes are resolved by

arbitration

• �Marine Cargo Insurance�, in a course on Insurance Law- there are a

number of customary practices that do not have the endorsement of law,

either through legislation or through judicial pronouncement. This paper

analysed such practices and hypothesised that such practices would

eventually become part of the lex maritima.

• �Maritime Transport Services under the General Agreement on

Trade in Services� in a course on International Trade Law- Maritime

Transport Services are a part of the GATS text and there have been

significant negotiations on the same. This paper traces the history of such

negotiations and submits certain suggestions on India�s stand at the same.

• �Conflict of Laws in Maritime Liens�, in a course on Private

International Law- Maritime liens form an important part of maritime law

as such. Although the maritime industry shows a certain international

character, the manner in which liens are dealt with differ from nation to

nation. This paper discusses how this poses a problem and how it may be

resolved.

• �Civil Liability in Case of Oil Pollution�, in a course on Marine and

Shipping Law- The Civil Liability Conventions were signed as reactions

to major oil spill disasters. This paper traces the development of the civil

liability regime for tanker oil spills and analyses the implementation and

success of the same.