Domenico Ligato, Banking and Finance Law LLM (2025)
Domenico Ligato
Year of Graduation: 2026
Name of Programme: LLM in Banking and Finance Law
Country: Italy
Company name: N/A
What influenced your decision to study at CCLS, Queen Mary?
I chose to study the LLM in Banking and Finance Law at Queen Mary’s Centre for Commercial Law Studies because it is known around the world for its tough, practical teaching in commercial law. London, where the program was held, is a global centre for financial and legal services. This made it the right place to combine academic quality with real-world experience. The course’s focus on M&A, international finance law, restructuring and derivatives, as well as the wide range of specialised modules and the competence of the faculty, convinced me that it was the perfect way to challenge myself and move my career forward.
How did you find the teaching and learning?
Teaching at CCLS was the perfect mix of hard work and real-world application. Well-organised lectures gave me a solid base, and seminars and tutorials made me think critically and have high-level conversations with both teachers and other students. I learnt a lot about modern finance through a range of ways, from doctrinal study to guest lectures by practitioners.
What was key about your programme/ were there any highlights?
The most impressive thing was how well theological study and real-world financial practice worked together. Advanced modules in structured finance and derivatives, combined with seminars on international regulatory frameworks, helped me understand the problems that today’s markets face. The chance to write a dissertation on a topic that was directly related to my career under the guidance of an expert was a major turning point for me, impacting both my intellectual growth and my career goals.
Did you combine modules across specialisations, and what were the advantages?
Yes, I put together modules from corporate finance, restructuring, and regulation on purpose to get a broader view. This helped me understand better how transactions, risk management, and legislation all come together in cross-border situations. It helped me look at complicated financial problems from many angles, which improved my legal reasoning and made me more employable for jobs that require knowledge in more than one area.
What did you enjoy about living in London whilst studying at CCLS?
Studying in London was a distinct privilege. Because there were so many law firms, banks, and regulatory authorities nearby, there were always chances to go to networking events, practitioner lectures, and industry debates. London’s vibrant culture and cosmopolitan population made the experience better on a personal level, giving me ideas that went beyond the classroom.
Did you learn alongside and stay in touch with classmates from other jurisdictions?
Definitely—the fact that my classmates came from so many different backgrounds was quite helpful. Talking to people from diverse areas let me see regulatory systems and market behaviours in a new light. A lot of these relationships have turned into long-term professional and academic networks that keep helping me with my career and giving me a broader view of the world.
Has gaining a deeper understanding of your specialisation helped your career?
The LLM has already changed the course of my career. Getting more knowledge about banking and finance legislation has made me a stronger candidate for specialist jobs in structured finance and similar fields. More importantly, I’ve learnt how to do things like critical analysis, draughting, and addressing transactional problems that I can utilise right away in private companies, in-house finance teams, or regulatory agencies.
What piece of insight would you offer future students?
Make the most of all the academic and professional opportunities at Queen Mary. To establish a well-rounded, integrated skill set, work with academics and professionals, go to extra seminars and workshops, and choose courses that go well with each other. There are limitless opportunities for networking and internships in London’s ecosystem. Take advantage of them as soon as you can.
What was your best experience of studying at CCLS?
The most rewarding experience for me was writing my dissertation on the private capital and hybrid financing of perpetual alternative investment funds, which is a cutting-edge area of financial innovation. Investigating the integration of company law and investment fund regulation inside perpetual fund structures enabled me to examine the legal, regulatory, and market frameworks influencing this innovative asset class. With the help of great supervisors, I was able to work on difficult topics including capital formation, hybrid financing instruments, and cross-jurisdictional regulation. This research was directly useful to the practice of banking and finance law. This tough but gratifying process not only made me better at structured finance and investment funds, but it also made me more determined to help shape the ongoing conversation between law, markets, and regulation. It is still the most important part of my LLM journey, and it has equipped me to handle the most complicated transactions and maybe even to make a contribution