Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)
AI and the Law

A focused legal response to artificial intelligence

 

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future consideration for the legal profession — it is already reshaping legal practice, compliance functions, and organizational decision-making. During the Fall edition of AI and the Law, this reality was explored in depth through a highly practice-oriented lecture series that brought together academia, industry, and legal professionals.

Under the guiding principle shared by Microsoft expert Primo Amrein — “If you do not use AI, another lawyer will” — the pilot edition created a space for open, critical, and forward-looking dialogue. Participants engaged with concrete use cases, regulatory developments, governance challenges, and organizational strategies for deploying AI responsibly and effectively.

 A particular highlight was the dedicated Microsoft session, which provided rare insights into how AI tools are developed, governed, and implemented in practice. This was complemented by an extensive panel discussion bringing together representatives from academia, legal practice and industry across different sectors, all of whom shared candid perspectives on how AI and the law intersect within their organizations. Across sessions, one message was consistent: these exchanges were perceived as highly informative, practically relevant, and genuinely value-adding.

Building on this outstanding feedback and strong demand, the University of Fribourg, through the Institute for International Business Law (IBL), has decided to transform this successful pilot into a permanent Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in AI and the Law. The program will be offered again in Spring and is now fully aligned with the established IBL CAS structure, ensuring academic rigor, flexibility for working professionals, and long-term continuity.

The CAS will continue to evolve, with an expanded and carefully curated course portfolio covering, among others, a deeper dive into the EU AI Act, ethics, product liability, contract lifecycle management, and much more. The program also retains its strong emphasis on dialogue with industry through applied sessions and panel discussions, ensuring that legal analysis remains closely connected to real-world implementation.

 

The detailed course structure for the upcoming semester can be found here: https://www.unifr.ch/ius/llm/en/programs/cas-ai-and-the-law/schedule-lecturers.html

• The EU AI Act and global legal developments
• AI fundamentals (machine learning, algorithms) in legal practice
• Data Privacy and AI (GDPR and beyond)
• Cybersecurity frameworks for AI systems
• Intellectual Property Rights and Generative AI
• Software and Product Liability in the AI context
• Real-World  Cases of Responsible and Efficient Use of AI in legal and compliance work
• Interactive panel discussions with industry experts
• Optional short thesis supervised by leading experts

Participants will be able to…

• Understand and apply emerging legal frameworks to AI technologies
• Evaluate risk, compliance, and liability in AI-driven systems
• Advise clients or internal teams on legally sound and responsible AI use
• Bridge the knowledge gap between AI innovation and legal safeguards
• Stay competitive in a rapidly evolving legal landscape
• Understand the ethical implications and societal considerations of AI
• Gain interdisciplinary skills to future-proof their careers
• Develop strategic and critical thinking about emerging technologies

Programme Highlights

• 30+ hours of expert-led instruction and case-based learning
• Flexible, practice-oriented format designed for professionals
• Lectures by leading academics and industry practitioners
• Networking opportunities with AI experts and legal professionals

AI and the Law CAS Schedule

The Spring semester starts on 18 February 2026 with the introduction lecture.

The schedule for the courses specifically offered within the CAS in AI and the Law is available: https://www.unifr.ch/ius/llm/en/programs/cas-ai-and-the-law/schedule-lecturers.html

AI and the Law that all courses offers are available to LL.M. students as core or electives.

Please note that the schedule and course topics may be subject to change.

Additional Information

Please see the Program documentation, IBL Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, IBL Student Guide and the IBL Housing in Fribourg Flyer for more information about studying at the Institute for International Business Law, University of Fribourg. 

• Who is eligible for the Fribourg Law CAS Program?

  The Fribourg Law Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in AI and the Law is designed to meet the demands of practicing lawyers within this area of law, as well as compliance officers, whether from independent law firms, companies operating internationally, non-governmental or other international organizations.

  CEOs, CFOs, board members, and anyone with an interest in AI and the Law are welcome to apply and check their eligibility, provided they can demonstrate their motivation. We would be delighted to receive your application.

• Your career options

  The Fribourg Law Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Compliance will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities :

  • compliance or legal departments of national or multinational companies in any field of industry and services such as international trade, chemical and pharmaceuticals, industrial products, telecommunications, construction, banking and financial services;
  • national or international regulatory agencies;
  • international organizations or non-governmental organizations.
• Graduation

  To receive their Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS), full- and part-time students must complete curriculum units to earn a minimum of 10 ECTS credits, including:

  • 8 ECTS credits for coursework;
  • 2 ECTS credits for the preparation of a master’s thesis, or completion of a management project.

  Graduation ceremonies are held twice a year, in July and February. The CAS certificate, issued by the University of Fribourg's Faculty of Law, certifies the completion of a Certificate of Advanced Studies and includes the graduate's chosen specialization, name, age, and academic distinction. The certificate is accompanied by a transcript detailing the curriculum units completed, the corresponding ECTS credits, grades achieved, and the overall GPA.

• Tuition fees

  Early Application Reduction – Spring Semester 2026 (starting on 18 February)

  
  Apply for spring semester before 25 January 2026 and benefit from a 30% reduction on tuition fees for the CAS in AI and the Law at the Institute for International Business Law.

   

  Standard tuition fees apply. Please find out more about your eligibility for scholarships and financing options by contacting us: Michaela.Reed@unifr.ch

   

  The full tuition fee for the Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) program is CHF 8,000, which must be paid in full before graduation. There is no scholarship available for the CAS.

  Application costs

  For successful applications, an administrative fee of CHF 150 and a registration fee of CHF 1,500 are charged.  These non-refundable fees must be paid before the start of the courses on 17 September 2025 and will be credited toward the total tuition. The remaining balance must be paid in full before February 2026.

  Payment options

  A 10% discount is offered for full tuition payments made before the semester starts for students not eligible for scholarships.

  Other fees

  An administration fee of CHF 75 will be charged for any changes to the program track or when switching between CAS and LL.M. programs.

   

  IBL Tuition Terms and Conditions: Click here