The adaptation of the Law studies to the Bologna Process: English complacency, German resistance

Abstract

The implementation of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) is affecting the Law Faculties of Spain and other European countries. English Law Faculties, like the rest of their university system, consider with good reason that the EHEA is based on their Bachelor and Master degrees, and so they see no need for any adaptation on their part. This stance of theirs is now holding up the implementation of other important aspects of the EHEA. The case of German Law Faculties is different. Their system in no way conforms to the EHEA. However they have managed until now to stay out of the Bologna Process. It should be easier in 2011 to forecast whether the Germans will continue to go their own way, or whether they will think better of it and take the EHEA on board.