Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - International Dispute Resolution

Jannis Tiede

1. Why have you decided to pursue a Master of Laws degree abroad?

I am German but acquired my undergraduate law degree outside of Germany, in the UK. In a way, a German LLM degree felt much more ‘home’ than ‘abroad’ to me! This allowed for some unique perspectives: observing the German arbitration system through my ‘foreign law’ lens, and in turn viewing dispute resolution in common law jurisdictions from a new angle.

Of course, my motivations were not academic only: I was equally excited to engage with the German arbitration community through the LLM program, and to foster new friendships in the fascinating, culturally rich city that is Berlin. 

2. How was the application process? Was it demanding?

The application process allowed me to give a full picture of my background and my motivations to apply to the LLM.

I was especially grateful for the structure of the merit scholarship application process. It is flexible and holistic, and I would encourage all LLM applicants to consider it.

3. Reflecting on your experience, how would you describe the diversity of perspectives and backgrounds among fellow students?

This range of perspectives became one of my favourite aspects of the IDR LLM. Although relatively small, our cohort featured a wide variety of jurisdictions and backgrounds. This was fascinating not only in class – hearing about Colombian arbitration law, for example – but also outside of it! I have made friends from different parts in the world, tried delicious new cuisines thanks to them, and gained a newfound appreciation for the different possible pathways into law.

4. How did you enjoy living and studying in Berlin?

Living in Berlin was a blast. Once you make it past the grey winter months, which is not too difficult with all those Christmas markets, you’re in for an amazing time – going swimming in Berlin’s many lakes, exploring the parks and forests, evenings outside the famous Spätis, there really is so much to do. As a student, you can buy concession tickets for concerts and theatre, which lets you make the most of the cultural landscape.

As a student of the IDR LLM, you will spend a lot of time in the Mitte area, right by Museumsinsel. This could be lectures you attend at the law faculty, visiting the Bebelsplatz Christmas market right outside after class, law firm events that are located nearby, or revising at the Grimm-Zentrum library. The faculty is easy to reach, and the university lunch places (‘mensas’) allow you to have cheap meals during the day.

5. Which modules did you like the most and why?

The main arbitration lectures were great. The professors drew from their practical experience to make this in-depth and engaging. The Private International Law lectures were also attended by other international students at the HU, which was a good opportunity to talk to students outside of the IDR LLM.

I much enjoyed the ‘New Technologies in Dispute Resolution’ module. Interested in this area myself, it was particularly exciting to explore the technology strategy of a major arbitration practice – straight from the industry! Finally, I am very grateful to have selected ‘Oral Advocacy Skills’ as one of my summer semester modules. Those lectures were fun, engaging, invaluable, and I highly recommend them to future IDR LLM students.

6. Balancing the various components of the LL.M. curriculum can be demanding. Could you share your time management technique or approach that helped you excel academically and make the most of your experience?

I don’t have anything new to say on good study practice. I do recommend talking to the people in your cohort, though! Everyone in my year was incredibly supportive, from sharing notes to checking up on each other. Should you ever feel behind on work, then there is a good chance that others are in a similar position and can help you out. 

7. Can you share a particular group activity, workshop, project, or research topic that you found especially engaging, and how it contributed to your professional growth?

I remember practicing a cross-examination during our ‘taking evidence’ workshop. We were provided with an interesting scenario drawn from practice and got to play both the roles of the examiner and examined in turn. The exercise made me realise just how quick on your feet you must be to nail a witness down on some crucial bit of evidence.

That workshop, together with the brilliant ‘oral advocacy’ module, has let me appreciate the advocacy-aspect of dispute resolution more fully; I am sure that these new skills will come in handy in practice.

8. What are some of the highlights of the IDR LL.M. adventure in Berlin?

I will remember our group excursions for a long time for sure: visiting the Christmas market together with Prof. Wagner, the summer picnic in front of the Berliner Dom, and our day at the Kammergericht Berlin – we even got to see the historic Plenarsaal there, which was memorable.

Aside from the course-specific events, our cohort organised some highlights on our own, too: evenings in Friedrichshain, celebrating birthdays together, and a hike to the Teufelsberg station.

9. What are your plans after graduation and going into 2026?

I have moved back to London and will soon sit the Solicitor Qualifying Examination (SQE). Next year, I will begin working as a trainee solicitor at a city firm. 

10. Would you recommend the IDR LL.M. to other young lawyers? Why?

The IDR LLM ended up being the perfect program for me, even though I had not qualified as a lawyer or worked a significant amount of time in dispute resolution before: it cemented my choice for a career in dispute resolution and functioned as an ideal stepping stone for it.

In particular, it incorporated many insights from dispute resolution practice and involved several opportunities to engage with the German dispute resolution community. These are invaluable.

That being said, I should stress that the German legal sector can appear more inaccessible than others; language-requirements and the weight placed on the ‘Staatsexamen’ are not negligible. Future applicants should make the most of this being an International Dispute Resolution LLM.

Ejona Lueger