Studying law at Düsseldorf means to study at a top university for law in a great environment. Here are some facts: The Law Faculty has around 1200 students coming from Germany and abroad to study law. Most of our students do the German law track that leads to the “first examination” which is an exam partly taken by the University (30%), partly by the government (70%). This very traditional law course (taught in German) encompasses the whole universe of legal studies from civil law, public law and criminal law. Student have the possibility to specialise to a certain degree. Düsseldorf offers nine fields of specialisation, mirroring the particular research strengths of our faculty: Conflicts of laws and international procedural law; business law and economic law (with further specialisation in corporate law, competition law and intellectual property law); labour law; criminal law; public law; law of politics; European and international law; tax law; and medical law.

Faculty consists of 16 full professors, 2 junior professors and numerous lecturers, honorary professors, practitioners, teaching and research associates. All of them are highly qualified and some of them are leading national and European experts in their respective fields.

We also offer two postgraduate LL.M programmes (in Intellectual Property Law, and in Medical Law). In addition, an integrated German-French study course has been offered since 2005. The law degree programme is supplemented by an accompanying course in Anglo-American law.

As of 2021 we start offering an English language programme for international students – stay tuned!

The Faculty of Law is located on the south side of the university campus in two new buildings (constructed in 1996 and 2005). Spacious and modern library and seminar rooms support studies and scholarship.

An open friendly relationship characterises the interaction of all members of our faculty. Student groups include the student council and ELSA. The faculty is led by Dean Professor Dr. Christian Kersting LL.M. (Yale), Vice Dean is Professor Dr. Katharina Lugani. Fundamental decisions are made by the Faculty Council; an Advisory Board serves to maintain contacts with legal practice in the city and region. Düsseldorf is a hub for lawyers, it is often called the legal centre of Germany. Many law firms, including the major international players, but also small specialised firms, companies with their inhouse lawyers, important courts, government agencies and other employers offer great connections for students (e.g. for internships). Many lawyers from practice are involved in teaching at Heinrich Heine University.

We attach great importance to international exchange and our cooperation with foreign universities. There are particularly close contacts with the Radzyner School of Law in Herzliya (Israel) and to Cergy-Pontoise (France). There are also partnerships with numerous European universities. In addition, an agreement with Suffolk University Law School provides for an exchange of students.

Ranking

The Centre for Higher Education Development, in cooperation with the "ZEIT", a renowned German newspaper, regularly publishes rankings of law schools. This ranking is widely regarded as the most encompassing one for students. According to this CHE ranking, the faculty is one of the best ones in Germany on a total of five criteria (academic publications, research funds, library facilities, supervision, overall study situation). Also in other rankings Düsseldorf is often seen as a top place to study law in the friendly atmosphere of a smaller faculty, but with a stellar environment for doing law in the city and the region.