Introduction to Law
20 Credits
(Compulsory)
This module is designed to enable students to acquire the skills and foundation knowledge of the law to succeed in their program of study. The module aims to facilitate students' personal and academic development and to provide students with the opportunity to undertake independent research tasks which require students to locate primary sources of law using electronic legal databases. The module also enables students to develop good working relationships with their fellow students and to work effectively in group situations to contribute to group tasks. The acquisition of legal skills is situated within the attainment of an understanding of the operation and structure of the English legal system and understanding of the court structure and operation including the system of precedent, awareness of sources of law, and methods of statutory interpretation. Additionally, students will be introduced to theoretical approaches to the law to consider, through group discussion in workshops, notions of justice and consider the relationship between law and morality.
Contract Law
20 Credits
(Compulsory)
This module introduces students to the key principles relating to the law of contract the following themes: Contract Formation, Contract Management, Contractual Remedies, Vitiating Factors, and discharge. This provides students with a conceptual academic framework to assist the application of knowledge gained to problem-based scenarios. This affords students the opportunity to consider the operation of Contract Law and its relevance in daily life, business, and commercial contexts by providing an overview of remedies available for contract law disputes. The module aims to equip students with a thorough understanding of both the theoretical Law of Contract as well as an overview of how contract law applies in practice. It provides students with an opportunity to work in groups to consider real and hypothetical problem situations and to develop their oral and written communication skills to present reasoned arguments and conclusions to contract law problems.
Tort Law
20 Credits
(Compulsory)
This module will introduce students to the objective of the tort system and basic principles of liability underpinning tort law to consider some of the various interests that are protected. The module will explore the acts and omissions that give rise to liability and the type of harm which is actionable and for which compensation can be sought. The module deals with issues of caution and fault within particular types of action in tort and considers the role of policy in relation to this area of law. The module also considers briefly the relevance of different modes of liability, including strict liability, vicarious liability, and contributory negligence, as well as defenses, and some of the potential remedies available to an action in tort.
Public Law
20 Credits
(Compulsory)
This module introduces students to constitutional law and the various constitutional institutions of the UK state such as the Parliament, the Executive, and the Judiciary. The module considers how these constitutional institutions are defined in law as well as their respective functions and powers and the relationship between these, within the political context in which they function. The concept of constitutionalism is considered with reference to concepts such as the Rule of Law and Parliamentary Sovereignty, to examine the legal and political relationships between the Government, Executive, and judiciary and to consider how constitutional powers are administered. This provides an opportunity to consider the relationship between the state and the citizen, and the obligations of the state in the protection of human rights. The body of administrative law is also reviewed to consider the range of potential legal and political methods of holding the Executive to account.
Professional Practice Placement
20 Credits
(Compulsory)
This module embeds subject-specific employability skills and is intended to prepare students for their Professional Practice Placement module in level 5. As part of this preparation, students will have the opportunity to access a range of online resources and learning activities that will assist students in identifying their learning style, personality traits, and work environment preferences. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their experience in the module and their engagement with workshop activities requiring working in groups to gain an understanding of the group/ team process. Students will have the opportunity to gain insight into and investigate a range of law and non-law careers, and understand the expectations of employers and how they may meet these. Students will have the opportunity to undertake a review of their CV, and practice their interview techniques in developing a range of employability skills. Students will have the opportunity to engage in observation of criminal and civil court proceedings in the Magistrates and Crown Court and to observe legal processes and legal professionals in this context.
Criminal Law
20 Credits
(Compulsory)
This module provides students with the opportunity to gain an understanding of the essential elements of criminal liability, including the nature of the actus reus (conduct element of the offense) and the men's rea (the mental element), and the principle of causation, to consider how these relate to the construction of criminal liability and the categorization of criminal offenses. In addition, students will consider a range of defenses that may apply and the circumstances and scope of their application. These key principles are considered in relation to their application to homicide offenses and a range of non-fatal offenses against the person. Students also review various modes of liability including strict liability, secondary participation, and inchoate offenses (attempts and conspiracy). Students also consider in brief the issue of capacity in relation to the criminal liability of children and corporations.