Message From The Dean
Welcome to Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (JSW Law), Bhutan’s first and only law school. Since our founding in 2015, we have committed to preparing Bhutan’s future legal leaders and professionals with a focus on social justice and environmental sustainability.
Guided by our vision of being a premier institution for legal education and research, dedicated to nurturing leaders who uphold Justice, Service, and Wisdom, JSW Law strives to provide globally recognised legal education infused with the values of Gross National Happiness. We are also committed to producing impactful research and scholarship that contribute to the realisation of a fair, just, and harmonious society.
Our academic programme combines the best of international standards with unique Bhutanese values, offering hands-on experience through four legal clinics: Human Dignity, Entrepreneurship, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and the Climate Change and Environmental Law Clinic, reflecting our increasing focus on global environmental challenges. Our final semester externships help make our graduates practice-ready.
Our current student body consists of students undergoing the 5-year indivisible LL.B/PGDNL [Post Graduate Diploma in National Law] programme on full government scholarship while those in the 1-year Post Graduate Diploma in National Law (PGDNL) programme are self-funded. At least 65 per cent of the student body are female. We are excited to announce that we will offer a 1-year LL.M/MLS (Master of Laws/Master of Legal Studies) in Climate Change & Environmental Law starting August 2025.
JSW Law also hosts Summer Schools, both undergraduate and graduate levels providing an intensive learning experience through lectures, workshops, and discussions on emerging legal topics. We also offer intensive demand-based executive training programmes on campus.
We have graduated three classes since 2022 and all the graduates gainfully employed following their success in the Bhutan Civil Service Selection Examinations and the Bar, actively contributing to the enhancement of the capacity of the justice sector and rule of law in Bhutan.
I invite you to explore more about JSW Law through our website or by visiting us at our beautiful campus at Pangbisa, Paro. Thank you for your interest in our law school.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us.
Sangay Dorjee
Founding Dean
2015
JSW Law is Bhutan’s only law school established by the Royal Charter on 21st February 2015. In justice, service and wisdom, JSW Law will strive to set the standards and lead the way in education, research, and good practices in the field of law.
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The law school welcomed its inaugural class (Class of 2022) on 3rd July 2017. Today, we have a total of 113 students, comprising 78 female and 35 male students. Of these, 102 are enrolled in the 5-year LL.B/PGDNL programme, and 11 are pursuing the 1-year Post Graduate Diploma in National Law (PGDNL) programme
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Currently, JSW Law is staffed with 18 full-time faculty members supported by adjunct (from Judiciary, Office of the Attorney General, Law Firms and other organizations) and visiting (from different parts of the world) faculty members.
Leadership
Honourable President HRH Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck
Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck is appointed as the founding President of JSW Law by His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Her Royal Highness also led the project of establishing Bhutan’s first law school since 2010.
Dean Sangay Dorjee
Dean Sangay Dorjee is appointed as the founding Dean, the Chief Executive Officer of the Law School in 2016 by the Honourable President. Dean Sangay also worked as the Project Director for the establishment of the Law School since 2013.
Management & Administration
JSW Law is governed by the Governing Council (chaired by the Chief of Justice of Bhutan) and the Academic Council (chaired by the Dean) supported by other academic and administrative officers.
Click here to download JSW Law Brochure