Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Economic Criminal Law
Economic crime – from tax evasion and money laundering to cybercrime and cryptocrime – poses growing challenges for both states and companies. The Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Economic Criminal Law provides in-depth expertise in Liechtenstein, EEA, European, and international economic criminal law, Liechtenstein administrative criminal law, and Liechtenstein criminal procedure law. The programme combines academic foundations with practical application and qualifies graduates for responsible roles in criminal defence, prosecution, criminal compliance, and crime prevention.
The Master's programme impresses with its contemporary and comprehensive curriculum. If I were a student again – I would choose this LL.M. programme."
A comprehensive and uniquely designed programme. An essential resource for anyone working in business law who wishes to address the ever-present criminal law risks. Think strategically, act with legal insight – choose our LL.M. in Economic Criminal Law!"
The programme offers a highly specialised legal education that provides in-depth knowledge of economic criminal law and procedural law, taking into account European and international contexts."
Digitisation is no longer a sideshow, but a structural driver of both economic and regulatory dynamics. Those who think business, law, and technology together can not only manage complexity, but also shape it."
White-collar crime is at a record high. It is all the more important for companies and their employees to correctly assess the threat situation, take effective measures, and respond appropriately in the event of a crisis. With its practical orientation, the degree programme makes an important contribution to this."
Module Overview
The LL.M. programme provides in nine modules in-depth knowledge of Liechtenstein, European, and international criminal law, corporate criminal law including compliance and whistleblowing, the criminal law aspects of the digital age including modern IT technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, and finally criminal procedure law.
The first three modules can also be taken as the Certificate Programme in Economic Criminal Law.
Module 1 – Fundamentals of Economic Criminal Law
This introductory module covers the basic principles of economic philosophy as well as the theoretical foundations of criminal law, economic criminal law, and, in addition, administrative criminal law. Students gain insight in particular into the Liechtenstein Criminal Code, theories of punishment, and the societal role of criminal law, and learn the principles of criminal liability as well as the requirements for criminal conduct. The module conveys the fundamental categories of criminal law, such as action and omission, causality, intent and negligence, attempt and participation, sentencing, active repentance, and limitation periods. The knowledge acquired is deepened through case studies.
Students acquire the necessary knowledge to follow the subsequent modules of the programme. They are familiar with the theoretical foundations of criminal law as well as its basic terminology and have gained basic knowledge in economic philosophy.
Module 2 – Economic Criminal Offences in the Criminal Code (StGB)
In this second module, students acquire in-depth knowledge of the Liechtenstein Criminal Code. The focus is on economic criminal offences, in particular property offences such as fraud, breach of trust, and embezzlement; document-related offences; insolvency offences; and corruption offences, such as bribery and acceptance of bribes, prohibited intervention, or acceptance and granting of advantages. These offence categories are examined in detail and explained comprehensively. The knowledge acquired is consolidated through the analysis of practice-oriented case studies, enabling a deeper understanding of the application of legal provisions. The module concludes with a comparative law section in which selected countries and their specific criminal provisions are examined.
Students gain comprehensive expertise regarding key economic criminal offences covered by the Criminal Code. They are able to identify criminally relevant facts, analyse pertinent issues, develop corresponding solutions, and apply them in practice.
Module 3 – Money Laundering and Supranational Criminal Law
In this third module, at both the national and supranational levels, the subject matter concerning the central concept of money laundering in a broad sense is addressed. First, the fundamentals of the Liechtenstein Due Diligence Act (SPG) are taught, which aims to combat money laundering, organised crime, and the financing of terrorism within the meaning of the Criminal Code. This is followed by a review of the relevant criminal provisions.
Given the cross-border nature of these criminal phenomena, the module explains Liechtenstein’s criminal jurisdiction, which governs cases with foreign elements, and presents the basics as well as the most important institutions of European, EEA, and international criminal law. The module concludes with an introduction to legal research.
Students acquire expertise on professional due diligence obligations for combating money laundering, organised crime, and terrorist financing. They are able to recognise these criminal phenomena, identify cases with a foreign element, and develop appropriate solutions. In addition, they become familiar with the fundamental concepts of EU, EEA, and international criminal law.
Module 4 – Economic Criminal Offences in Laws of Matter (or Elective Module)
In the fourth module, students are introduced to economic criminal provisions enshrined in various laws of matter. They acquire in-depth knowledge of tax and customs criminal law, accounting and capital market criminal law, as well as the provisions for the criminal protection of secrets. In addition, they engage intensively with the legal foundations and practical aspects of international sanctions. Due to the accessory nature of these criminal provisions, the underlying non-criminal behavioural norms are also examined in detail. The acquired knowledge is deepened through practice-oriented case exercises and integrated into concrete application situations, thus preparing students to solve real cases.
Students gain in-depth knowledge of the most important criminal provisions in secondary criminal law. They are able to analyse relevant actions in practice, solve complex issues, and develop targeted, academically sound solutions.
Alternatively, students may take a module from one of the LL.M. programmes offered in parallel. This allows them to expand their expertise in other areas of law according to their individual needs.
Module 5 – Criminal Law and Companies
In the fifth module, the focus shifts to companies. First, the corporate criminal liability stipulated in the Criminal Code in cases of misconduct by management personnel – or, in the case of so-called organisational fault, by other employees – is explained. This is followed by the broad field of criminal compliance, with particular emphasis on building compliance architecture, providing preventive advice to companies, and conducting internal investigations. The aim of internal investigations is to identify and clarify compliance violations within the company, develop strategies to remedy these violations, and, where necessary, support cooperation with external authorities.
The topic of whistleblowing is also addressed, referring to the reporting of grievances – in particular compliance violations or breaches of law – by a whistleblower either within the company or to an external body. Finally, students gain in-depth knowledge of copyright criminal law, unfair competition criminal law, and criminal provisions in various intellectual property rights. Practical case studies are used to illustrate the course content.
Students acquire in-depth knowledge of corporate criminal law as well as other relevant criminal provisions in the context of business activities. They are able to identify criminal risks at an early stage, develop and implement appropriate compliance strategies to minimise risk within a company, and actively participate in internal investigations.
Module 6 – Criminal Law and Digitalisation
The sixth module provides in-depth knowledge in the field of digitalisation, which presents new challenges for the law. First, the most important criminal provisions for addressing cybercrime are explained, distinguishing between cybercrimes in the narrow and broad sense. The former comprise offences in which attacks on data or computer systems are committed using information and communication technology, such as hacking. The latter refer to offences in which information and communication technology is used to plan, prepare, or commit conventional criminal offences, such as phishing. This is followed by the topic of cybersecurity.
A further key focus of the module is on modern technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). The blockchain technology has given rise to the token economy. Particular attention is given to the Liechtenstein Blockchain Act (TVTG), followed by an outline of the criminal law aspects of blockchain. Artificial intelligence is introduced to the students, particularly the possible uses of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, in professional practice. After presenting the legal framework for the use of AI, ethical and criminal law issues are addressed.
Students acquire the ability to identify and practically resolve criminal law issues in a digital context. They are able to deal competently with the challenges posed by tokens and AI.
Module 7 – Study Trip (or Elective Module)
The seventh module is designed as an elective module and can be completed by participating in the study trip, which provides interesting and insightful impressions of significant supranational institutions that are also highly relevant to the implementation of law in the Principality of Liechtenstein. The programme, tailored to the LL.M. programme, includes guided tours at key European authorities, workshops at companies, as well as visits to international courts and organisations. Meetings with experts from practice and academia offer the opportunity to deepen one’s knowledge and make valuable contacts. A supplementary social programme rounds off the study trip.
Instead of the study trip, students may choose to attend any module from the other Master’s programmes in Banking and Financial Market Law, Corporate, Foundation and Trust Law, or International Taxation. This makes it possible to expand one’s expertise in other areas according to personal interests.
Alternatively, for this module, students may write a seminar paper on a subject area covered in the LL.M. programme.
Module 8 – Criminal Procedure
The eighth module is dedicated to criminal procedure. Students first learn the principles of Liechtenstein criminal procedure before the pre-trial stage is explained in detail. Of particular importance are the rights of the parties involved as well as the taking of evidence, including the grounds for giving testimony and for exemption. Investigative measures such as searches and seizures, as well as the rules on inadmissible evidence, are also examined in depth. In the trial stage, the focus is on the final hearing. As the course progresses, students gain deeper insight into the appeals procedure.
As a necessary complement, in-depth knowledge of international mutual legal assistance law is provided, which is particularly crucial when dealing with cases involving cross-border elements. The module is rounded off by an explanation of the procedural provisions of the Liechtenstein Administrative Criminal Law Act.
Students acquire advanced knowledge of criminal procedure law and are able to apply it competently and successfully to domestic cases. They also develop the expertise required to handle cross-border criminal proceedings efficiently.
Module 9 – Case Studies
In this module, case studies are conducted in which students analyse, discuss, and present solutions for extensive, practice-relevant cases covering the entire course content. By working through the cases in detail, the knowledge acquired in the previous modules is consolidated and integrated into practical work.
Upon completion of this module, students will be able to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice and develop targeted, academically sound solutions for complex issues.
LL.M. and Certificate Programme Economic Criminal Law (in German)
LL.M. and Certificate Programme Economic Criminal Law (in German)
Programme Overview: Information, Structure and FAQs
Information Sessions for Prospective Students
Currently, no information events can be booked online. In the meantime, we will be happy to advise you personally.
Apply by 31 July 2027
Deepen your expertise with the Executive Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Economic Criminal Law and qualify for demanding leadership positions. Take this opportunity to advance your career to the next level – practical, flexible, and of the highest calibre!
Highlights
Downloads and Links
Legal Basis and Regulations
The General Terms and Conditions (GTC), regulations, and other guidelines for professional education degree programmes are available for download in the “Guidelines and Downloads” section of the university website.
