Law and Practice BA (Hons)

The Criminal Law and practice module is intended to introduce the key concepts of criminal law and criminal litigation in England and Wales within its applications to real-life scenarios. You will examine the general principles of criminal law and its specific substance in particular offences. The offences include those involving property, non-fatal offences against the person, sexual offences, and fatal offences. In this module, you will learn key doctrines and rules relating to a number of offences and gain insight into how criminal liability is incurred and the exclusions of liability. This includes looking at aspects of actus reus, mens rea and the general defences that exist. Case law will be examined to see how the doctrines and rules relating to criminal law have developed and whether we have certainty in this area of law.

As part of this module, you should gain knowledge in both client care and criminal litigation and should obtain an understanding of the professional requirements and skills to run a criminal file in practice. As part of the assessment strategy for this module you will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the rules relating to criminal practice by producing documentation that would be required of you in practice.

This module will highlight the powers of the police in relation to arrest and detention for the purposes of investigating criminal offences. You will then examine the aspects of the principal functions and the procedures of the magistrate and crown court. Disclosure of evidence and the function and mode of the trial proceedings will be discussed and investigated. The sentencing procedure will be inspected and explored along with the provisions of funding a criminal case in relation to advice, assistance and representation at varying levels.

Compulsory

You will be required to gain knowledge in both client care and civil litigation and should gain an understanding of the professional requirements and skills needed to run a civil file in practice. As part of the assessment strategy for this module, you will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the rules relating to civil practice by producing documentation that would be required of you in the workplace.

The module will start with an exploration of the civil court hierarchy and the alternative methods of resolving disputes without litigating. You should gain understanding that Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) aids the resolution of civil disputes without proceeding to court. You will be able to critically discuss the use of ADR by exploring the advantages and disadvantages of its use together with the ethical and tactical considerations that face a lawyer in practice. Various methods of ADR will be explored including arbitration, negotiation, mediation and conciliation.

You will then learn how to run a civil client file from the first client interview to trial. You should gain an understanding of how the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 (CPR) operate including a working knowledge of the Pre-Action Protocols.

The module will also explore the interim matters of proceedings and how a trial can be ended before a final hearing. Finally, upon completion you should be equipped with knowledge and understanding of the law governing costs and how the costs are awarded as well as the enforcement of these costs.

Compulsory

This module will study the fundamental principles of English and Welsh land law. The course will examine property rights in relation to land and deal with their definition, development, acquisition, and transfer. The Land Law module provides an awareness of the rules relating to the registration and transfer of land. It will investigate issues such as the term ‘land’ and its meaning, how ownership of land is transferred, and how land can be registered.

The module will discuss and investigate aspects of co-ownership and doctrines of trusts. Covenants and mortgages will also be examined including how they are created and discharged.

Compulsory

This module will examine the process and the rationale for client care appropriately and within the Law and rules governing the solicitor profession. It will highlight the overarching principles governing interactions between solicitor; client and explore how this relationship functions practically within real-life situations with practical examples and workshops.

The module will introduce you to fundamental accounting and principles, including double-entry book-keeping, ledgers, balance sheets, and profit and loss accounts. It will introduce you how to draft these accounting documents from the case study scenario. With practical application of how the Solicitor’s Accounts rules place a unique burden on the day-to-day operation of financial accounts within the solicitors’ office/practice. Further how the Solicitors Accounts Rules operate in the firm uniquely from other accounting processes.

The module introduces and explores in detail the different entities or practices that may operate as a solicitor’s firm. For example, Incorporated businesses, unincorporated businesses, sole traders, partnerships and limited companies, and limited liability partnerships. Further exploring the roles and responsibilities of the people operating these business structures for example the directors and partners. The module will introduce various elements of tax and insolvency and bankruptcy.

Compulsory

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

The aim of this module is to equip you with a thorough understanding of the institutional and procedural law of the European Union. The module aims to examine the history of European Union law, explore its development, and evaluate the impact of Brexit on English jurisprudence. It will discuss the supranational nature of the law of the European Union and the direct and indirect effect it has on national law.

The Institutions of the European Union will also be examined with an exploration of how the law is made, the court structure, sovereignty and the interaction with Member states. This will give rise to the discussion of the enforcement of European Union law and the rights of Member States.

Internal Markets and competition law will be considered and explored with reference to free movement of goods and services and how the law interacts with the doctrine of integration and economic principles.

Compulsory

Businesses, especially companies, are responsible for the economic development of the country. The module aims to provide a deep insight into the concept of corporate personality and other forms of business. You will be required to examine the legal requirements for the formation, administration, governance, financing, and termination of a company. The module will also require you to critically evaluate the rights and duties of all stakeholders at every stage of the business.

Compulsory

The aim of this module is to ensure you develop a clear understanding of the concepts, principles, and rules of equity and trust, and of their impact on the development of English Law. Upon successful completion of the module, you should be able to interpret the contents of a will and the rules of intestacy when someone has died without leaving a valid will. You should be able to appreciate the nuances involved in the administration of estates and other issues related to inheritance.

You should be able to engage in a reasoned and informed analysis about the relative merits of the use of equitable principles and institutions, notably the trust, both in law and in wider society and, where appropriate, make informed proposals for reform. The module will also ensure you have improved critical thinking relating to probate practice.

Compulsory

The dissertation module aims to give you the experience of carrying out an original research project where you can put into practice the skills of information collection, analysis, and presentation gained during your degree programme. It also provides an opportunity to demonstrate that you can select a methodology appropriate to your investigation and outline and discuss its philosophical basis. It aims to promote you to conduct independent secondary research from a spectrum of sources in a given period of time.

The module also aims to develop further, your oral communication skills through presentations and meetings and in groups, with members of academic staff. Depending on topic and methodology, you may gain additional practice in (among other things) using library services and your own independent research.

Compulsory