Doctorate of Law (D.Law)

About the Course

The Doctor of Law (D.Law) is designed for experienced legal and regulatory professionals who wish to influence policy, practice and organisational decision-making through doctoral-level research. It is intended for solicitors, barristers, judges, legal advisers, compliance professionals, regulators, public sector leaders and those working in related professional contexts who wish to generate original knowledge capable of informing legal practice, policy development and institutional reform.

The programme recognises that legal professionals develop substantial expertise through practice. The D.Law provides a structured pathway that enables participants to build upon this experience whilst developing the advanced research skills, theoretical understanding and critical reflection required of doctoral study.

Unlike a traditional PhD, the Doctor of Law combines a taught phase with a substantial independent research project. This enables participants to develop confidence as researchers before progressing to the completion of an original doctoral thesis focused upon a significant issue within law, regulation, governance or professional practice.

Throughout the programme, participants critically engage with contemporary professional issues, research methodologies, professional knowledge, ethics, governance and evidence-informed decision-making. The emphasis is on developing reflective professionals capable of using research to inform policy, strengthen legal practice and contribute to professional and scholarly debates.

The programme is suitable for experienced professionals working across legal practice, public administration, regulation, compliance, criminal justice, local government, business and related sectors. Applicants are normally seeking to undertake research that emerges directly from their professional experience and addresses challenges within contemporary legal and regulatory environments.

The Doctor of Law is a doctorate through practice rather than simply a doctorate about practice. It is designed for professionals who wish to investigate significant legal, regulatory and governance challenges and to generate knowledge capable of informing policy, professional practice and institutional development.

Curriculum Overview

The Doctor of Law is delivered in two phases.

Phase One: Taught Phase

The taught phase provides a structured foundation for doctoral study through six interconnected modules:

• Critical and Contemporary Issues
• Introduction to Research in Practice
• Literature Review in Your Specialism
• Research Methods
• Methodology and Methods in Your Specialism
• Research Proposal

These modules support students in developing advanced research knowledge, methodological expertise and a clear understanding of the educational issue they wish to investigate. All assessments are designed to contribute directly to the development of the doctoral research proposal.

The taught phase also encourages interdisciplinary discussion with professionals from a range of sectors, enabling participants to explore how research, evidence, ethics and professional judgement operate across different professional contexts.

Phase Two: Research Phase

Following successful completion of the taught phase and approval of the research proposal, students progress to the doctoral research phase.

Working with an experienced supervisory team, students undertake a substantial programme of original research focused upon a significant issue within education or a related professional field. The research phase culminates in the submission of a doctoral thesis and viva voce examination.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should normally hold a minimum of a Second-Class Honours degree in a relevant discipline awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification.

Applicants should also normally demonstrate a minimum of three years of sustained professional experience relevant to the proposed field of doctoral study. For the Doctor of Law, applicants would typically have substantial experience within legal practice, regulation, compliance, governance, public administration, criminal justice, policy development or related professional contexts.

A Master's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university (or an equivalent qualification from outside the UK) is desirable.

Applicants who do not satisfy the standard academic requirements may nevertheless be considered if they can demonstrate significant professional experience and the potential to undertake research at doctoral level. Such applicants may be asked to submit a written review of a contemporary issue relevant to their field that demonstrates critical understanding and the capacity for doctoral study.

Applicants will normally be required to attend an interview and discuss their proposed area of research with members of the Professional Doctorate team.

International applicants should possess qualifications equivalent to the University's standard entry requirements and demonstrate a high level of competence in written and spoken English. Applicants whose first language is not English will normally be required to achieve IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, or an equivalent recognised qualification.

International Entry Requirements

International applicants should possess qualifications equivalent to the University's standard entry requirements and demonstrate a high level of competence in written and spoken English. Applicants whose first language is not English will normally be required to achieve IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, or an equivalent recognised qualification.

*Part time study is not available for Non-EU International applicants

Teaching and Research

The Doctor of Law is available through full-time and part-time study at Liverpool Hope University, alongside a Professional Doctorate International route delivered fully online. These flexible study options enable students from the UK and across the world to undertake doctoral study in a manner that reflects their professional and personal circumstances.

Teaching on the campus-based routes is delivered through a combination of face-to-face and online learning, including Saturday and evening teaching. The Professional Doctorate International route is delivered entirely online, enabling students to participate from anywhere in the world whilst remaining fully engaged in a vibrant doctoral learning community.

Throughout the taught phase, students engage with contemporary research, methodological debates, professional knowledge and critical issues affecting professional practice. A distinctive feature of the programme is its interdisciplinary nature. Students study alongside professionals from a wide range of sectors, creating opportunities to explore how questions of evidence, ethics, leadership, professional judgement and organisational change emerge across different professional contexts. Teaching is discussion-based and research-focused, encouraging participants to draw upon their own professional experience whilst engaging critically with academic literature and contemporary debates.

Each student is supported by a specialist research mentor whose expertise aligns closely with their proposed area of research. Alongside module teaching, students maintain a professional learning journal which supports their development as reflective practitioner-researchers and helps them track their progress towards doctoral-level study.

Research projects are developed around the professional interests, expertise and aspirations of individual students. Participants are encouraged to investigate significant issues arising within their own professional contexts and to undertake research that has the potential to make an original contribution to knowledge, legal practice and policy development. The programme supports students in developing rigorous, impactful and professionally relevant research capable of informing change within legal, regulatory and governance environments.

UK/Channel Island Tuition Fees

Visit our Postgraduate research tuition fees page for full details

EU/Non EU International Tuition Fees

Visit our Postgraduate research tuition fees page for full details

Funding your studies

Students on this course may be eligible for doctoral loans to support the cost of study. Further information is available through the University’s funding and scholarships pages.

Careers

The Doctor of Law is intended for experienced legal and regulatory professionals seeking to deepen their professional expertise and enhance their influence within legal, governmental and regulatory sectors.

Graduates develop advanced capabilities in research, critical reflection, leadership and evidence-informed decision-making. The programme prepares participants to contribute to policy development, legal reform and professional leadership through research-informed practice.

Graduates may progress into senior leadership roles within legal practice, government, regulatory bodies, compliance functions, public administration and policy organisations. Others may pursue careers in consultancy, professional education, research leadership and organisational development.

Graduates of the Doctor of Law are independent researchers and professional leaders who have generated original knowledge through rigorous doctoral inquiry. They are equipped to influence legal practice, inform policy and regulatory development, and contribute authoritatively to debates concerning law, governance, justice and contemporary social challenges.