To
The Visa officer,
Canadian High Commission,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Sub: Application for Study Permit
Respected Sir/Madam,
INTRODUCTION:
I am Farhan Raouf a Licensed counsel of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (9.2.2013). I am also an enrolled member of the Punjab Bar Council (29.1.2011), and Sheikhupura Bar Association. At the present I am working with Assad Law Associates in Lahore as an Associate lawyer. I have completed 2 year Master of Laws (General Coursework program) session February 2011 to December 2012 from The University of South Asia (LHR, Pakistan), and I am currently writing my thesis in Criminal/Evidence Law. I hold the highest percentage of (84% Marks) in this program among the class of 50 Graduates. Prior to the LL.M, I have done my articling with Sheikh Abdul Karim Criminal Law chamber from September 2010 to January 2011. I did my LL.B from the top law School of Pakistan (The Punjab University Law College) with a GPA of 3.80 (84% Marks) during September 2007- September 2010. I was the Jaishi Ram University Gold Medal recipient, and received a merit scholarship covering my tuition fee for the 3 years of LL.B. Moreover, I have an overall first class academic career in all my previous secondary and post secondary studies. The details are as following:
• 6 Month Diploma in Corporate and Commercial Laws (Session September 2010- September 2011) with 76% Marks
• 6 Month Diploma in Business and Labour Laws (Session September 2010- September 2011) with 71% Marks
• B.A (Political Science and Sociology) Session August 2005- August 2007 with 64% Marks
• Intermediates (Session August 2003- August 2005) with 63% Marks
• Matriculation (Session August 2001- August 2003) with 71% Marks
Now, I respectfully request you to grant me a study permit for gaining a Master of Laws Research Degree in Intellectual Property Laws from Canada.
WHY CANADA:
Canada is not only known for its beautiful landscapes, diverse cultures, loving people and peaceful environment, but is also a leading country in research and technology. I personally considered many factors while choosing to study in Canada. For instance, the individual attention that professors pay to the graduate students, small class size at graduate level, tuition fee was much less as compared to that in the USA and the UK. Last but not the least I selected Canada, because my proposed research is in the area of Intellectual Property Law, and Canada being the booming nation in Technological Advancements is the most appropriate place for me to complete my anticipated research in which I am critically analyzing the American and Canadian IP laws with reference to freedom of expression on the social media.
WHY SCHULICH SCHOOL OF LAW AND DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY:
I extensively browsed the web and consulted my Professors, seniors having foreign qualifications in the area of law as to which law school should I choose for my master research studies. I found out that the North American law schools are considered best than many of those in the United States or the UK. I got acceptance letter from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University (Dal) and The University of Ottawa (UoW) Faculty of Law in mid April this year. I was offered a seat in the Graduate programs at both these universities with concentration in Law and Technology. However, I felt that a degree from Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University would be more suitable for me. I had already done a coursework LL.M Program, and was again admitted to a coursework program at UoW, while I wanted to do research. Hence, as the best and oldest common law school known for superior legal research in Canada it was the most suitable institution for me to be in. Schulich offers leading specializations, interdisciplinary research options, great learning opportunities from eminent scholars of Canada and a heartening focused academic environment. I was in the 15 (selected graduate applicants) out of nearly 100, which is an evidence of getting the excellent supervision from the professors. Moreover, the Sir James Dunn Library sources, and access to online legal databases such as LexisNexis or West law are a must for my research to be a promise able one. Lastly, Schulich Law is also house to the Law and Technology Institute (LATI) which is a leading Canadian research institute in the Intellectual Property Laws. This research institute is directly in line with my area of studies. In addition, both of my supervisors Jonathan Penney and Dianna Ginn are experts of Intellectual Property Law and I hope to learn a lot from them during the pursuits of my research in Canada.
WHY MASTER OF LAWS IN RESEARCH?
While I was doing my LL.M in Pakistan, I studied various fields of law including Forensic Science, International Trade, Environmental Law and Intellectual Property Laws. However, the course work was more of a broad nature therefore; I believed that having a Master of laws degree with extensive and focused research will put me on a sound track of becoming a better IP practitioner and an active academia in Pakistan. So, after applying my research proposal titled “Blasphemy on social media: Extent of free speech” got accepted by the Graduate Committee at Schulich school of law. In this program I will study patents, trademarks, copyright law, internet law, privacy law, religious law making and human rights protection etc. And as this program is much focused and to the point as compared to my earlier LL.M (Coursework) degree, it will fully equip me with the modern intellectual property laws and practices of Canada as an advanced nation.
WHY PROGRAM NOT IN PAKISTAN:
Although master of laws research degrees are available in Pakistan, but the concentrations are offered in the fields of Constitutional, Administrative, Evidence or Criminal laws. Moreover, the research sources are not very commendable in Pakistan, as we seldom get access to famous legal databases or relevant literature. Large class size and lack of interest or adequate supervision by the professors is what led me to choosing Canada as my research destination. Thus, for my research interests and future plans a degree in IP laws from Canada will be a major addition in my credentials. This degree will help me in setting my own IP law firm in the near future as currently there is not much competition in this field of law in Pakistan. Moreover, it will significantly enhance my job prospects in both public and private sectors.
GRADUATE RESEARCH ALREADY DONE:
At the moment I am writing my LL.M thesis of approximately 15000 words in Criminal and Evidence law. My thesis monitors the questions of Effective Prosecution and Role of Evidence in Pakistan. Previously, I have written many research assignments covering various topics such as, liability of internet service providers in copyright infringements, critical analyses of general agreement on tariffs and trade, arbitration as an effective dispute resolution method in the UK, and constitutional writs under Pakistan's constitution. I have also worked and studied under guidance of many eminent judges, PhD's and Barristers during my LL.M and LL.B in Pakistan.
OVERALL ACADEMIC GOAL AND FUTURE PLANS:
Intellectual property law is a field full of opportunities for successful legal practice. In the case of Pakistan media and IT sector are booming and many issues arise regularly. But, proper legal expertise is hardly available to redress the issues of clients. Most lawyers practice in civil or criminal litigation, and are without any formal or specialized education in IP law. This is why I wish to establish my own IP law firm after finishing my higher studies from Canada. In Pakistan there is no specialization available for research scholars in this area hence, I want to study IP laws in Canada. Moreover, numerous job opportunities will appear for me once I complete my education in this field of law. Such as, legal advisor positions for media channels, Government jobs and most importantly I will be able to be an active member in Academia. I already have offers from various top law schools for teaching, but I first want to gain established research skills and then deliver the knowledge to my students. Lastly, this degree will also prepare me for dealing with the IP issues that our construction company faces for example the trade name issues, and by this I will be able to handle our own business cases well.
FINAL COMMENTS:
Finally, I strongly believe that my bright and prosperous future in Pakistan is largely dependent upon getting specialized education of IP law from Canada. And through this education I will be able to create my future just as I have planned and dreamt of. Similarly, my mind will enlighten more by learning about various legal systems of my prospective graduate fellows. This will help me both in my profession and future life as the member of the legal fraternity. As far as the questions of financing my studies and home ties are concerned my whole family, fiancée, relatives and friends live in Pakistan. In addition, I have annexed the relevant bank statements, bank satisfactory letters, deposit certificates, father's business, tax and property documents. I have sufficient funds to cover all my expenses of tuition, residence, travel, food and all others while I am in Canada. My parents are fully supporting me in this regard.
So I again request you to please consider my application for a study permit, and do email or call me for a personal interview if you have any other ambiguities regarding my application.