Master's in International Litigation and Arbitration

Public policies, developed by the Council of the Judiciary for the Ecuadorian justice system, have placed particular emphasis and priority on promoting alternative methods of conflict resolution. This change in the Ecuadorian legal system, added to the continuous internalization of commercial transactions and the increasing importance of foreign investments, have created the need for specialized lawyers in arbitration and international litigation.

The legal field has undergone a change by currently requiring competent attorneys in sophisticated litigation, incorporating parties from multiple origins and contracts subject to various jurisdictions. Thus, the occupational field of graduates of the Master's in International Litigation and Arbitration comprises various areas, such as arbitrators, arbitration secretaries, mediators, assistant arbitrators, officials of arbitration institutions, public institutions, attorneys, experts in legislation in international courts, etc.

The Program addresses arbitration in all its forms: national, international and investment, and litigation within international courts and tribunals. For the development of each of the areas, the Master's program includes classes that focus on the study of procedural norms, the relevant substantive law and the development of practical skills and abilities; the foregoing with the purpose of developing and empowering students in their capacities for criticism, opinion, application, and assessment of litigation and arbitration.

The Master's Degree aims to distinguish the most important legal institutions for the resolution of disputes in international commercial arbitration, investment arbitration, and human rights, in order that students understand how to use them in practice.

• Analyze, organize and distinguish universally accepted legal concepts and contrast them with those in development.
• Solve problems presented in the national and international practice of arbitration and law, not only from an academic perspective but also from a practical one.
• Critique the way in which dispute resolution systems are currently built and propose solutions.

Basic requirements:

• Have a Law degree (Graduate level degree issued by an accredited and recognized university in the country in which it was granted) registered in the SENESCYT. In the case of third-level degrees from abroad, these must be presented apostilled or legalized through Consular channels. The University will verify that the degree corresponds to a third level degree, in accordance with the current Academic Regime Regulations.
• Sufficient command of the English language to read, understand, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate legal articles in that language. CEFR level A2 as a minimum.
• Copy of the identity card or passport.
• Degree certificate with grade average.
• Official transcript with grades.
• A printed copy of degree from SENESCYT, and
• Pass the USFQ graduate admission exam. To do this, refer to the USFQ Postgraduate admissions process: http://www.usfq.edu.ec/admisiones/admisiones_posgrado

Specific program requirements:

• Updated resume
• Two letters of recommendation, one professional and one academic.
• Letter of intent for admission to the Program.
• Interview with the Program Director.

USFQ Alumni have 10% discount.

Payments: Cash, check, educational/financial credit and credit/debit card.

Credit or debit card: you can make your payment through our Online Payment System, accessing the link: https://btnpagos.usfq.edu.ec/pagos/

• We accept all national and international credit and debit cards.
• You can defer your payments with cards issued by: Diners, Discover, Visa Titanium, Banco Guayaquil, Banco Pichincha, Banco Bolivariano, Produbanco and Banco del Austro.
• Payments by semesters or academic periods: up to 9 months interest free.
• This program has 4 (four) academic periods, therefore, the total of the program can be paid in 4 (four) equal installments and each one can be deferred up to 9 months without interest. The payment dates will coincide with the beginning of each academic period (check the Academic Calendar of the program).
• Payments per year: up to 12 months without interest.
• 50/50 mode. You can pay half of the cost of the program at the beginning of the first year of studies and the remaining half at the beginning of the second year. Each annual installment can be deferred for up to 12 months without interest.
• Payments for the entire program: deferred without interest for the duration of the graduate program (18 months for the MLAI).
• Financing with credit cards of the Produbanco-Promerica Group up to 24 months without interest.
• If you require a longer term, we have deferred payments of up to 36 months with interest.

Transfer or deposits: you can make your deposit or transfer with the following information and upload the receipt in the Online Payment System in the link: https://btnpagos.usfq.edu.ec/pagos/

Holder: Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ

• TAX ID: 1791836154001
• Banco Pichincha: Checking Account No. 3407330004
• Banco Bolivariano: Current Account No. 5075003350

Other payment options

For more information you can contact us at the following contacts.
Maria Eugenia Salazar: mesalazar@usfq.edu.ec. Telephone: 02-297-1991
Robert Gonzalez: rgonzalez@usfq.edu.ec. Telephone: 02-297-189

The cost of the program includes tuition, academic material, access to USFQ's electronic resources, and attention during the program.

Scholarship

The Graduate Program has a "STRATEGIC LITIGANT SCHOLARSHIP" of up to $3,000 to be deducted from the tuition fees. This scholarship will be awarded to those who demonstrate academic excellence during the application and selection process. For more information, contact Paulina Lozada plozada@usfq.edu.ec, (+593 2) 297-1700. Extension 1793.

The opening of a new cohort of a graduate program and its scholarship offerings are subject to the enrollment and registration of a minimum number of students. If this minimum number is not reached, a refund process for the amounts paid and the reversion of the student status will be carried out.

"There is no other master's degree in the country that has a body of professors as broad and specialized as this one. Being able to acquire knowledge and experiences from those who have litigated in international arbitrations, even defending the Ecuadorian state, is invaluable. I like this master's degree for everything I'm learning. I recommend anyone interested in this program to do it. It's top class!"
- Carlos Torres Salinas, Attorney, USFQ Alumnus. Master in International Litigation and Arbitration -

“Having begun the master's degree in International Litigation and Arbitration at USFQ has been an enriching learning experience provided by great teachers and experts in the field. Having the support and endorsement of the best university in the country, which provides a high-level academic and organizational structure, completes an excellent academic experience.”
- Patricia Vera Nieto, Master`s in International Litigation and Arbitration -

“If I had to describe my experience in the Master's in International Litigation and Arbitration, I would say that it means a great growth in my professional life. The program has first-rate teachers and offers academic resources that facilitate learning and enable the best professionals to be trained. I can attest that it has been an enriching experience and a rewarding investment.”
- Juan Andrés Espín Escorza, Master`s in International Litigation and Arbitration -