Law

You will be introduced to the core legal skills needed for a career in law and explore the operation and fundamental principles of the legal system of England and Wales, enabling you to acquire a sound knowledge of the key legal institutions and the professions within this jurisdiction, the sources of law, and the criminal and civil justice systems. In particular, your learning will include the rules of precedent and the judicial interpretation of legislation, and the issues around the funding of legal services. Above all else, you will develop the critical and research skills required for the study and practice of law.

You’ll study the key principles of corporate law in England and Wales looking at the concept of the company as a separate legal entity and considering aspects such as limited liability, the corporate veil, constitution and the role of directors and shareholders. You’ll also explore the internal processes and procedures that a company must follow together with the associated legal reporting requirements. You’ll be encouraged to think critically about issues such as minority protection, majority rule and the separation of ownership and control so that you can apply these key concepts to problem-based scenarios. 

You’ll develop your awareness of issues surrounding contract law and dispute resolution.  You’ll consider the practical and ethical implications of contract law and how it operates in society within a range of social, economic and political contexts. You’ll gain knowledge and understanding of the main legal principles and issues of dispute resolution, the contexts in which disputes may arise and the objectives of parties in disputes. You’ll have the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the methods and processes used to resolve civil disputes cost-effectively in England and Wales, using contract law scenarios to contextualise the material.  

We’ll introduce you to the operation and fundamental principles of the UK’s constitution, including the Crown and Parliament, central government, devolved institutions, EU institutions and the judiciary, as well as principles of the British Constitution, the nature, status and procedure for passing primary and delegated legislation, government accountability and the relationship between the government and parliament, parliamentary sovereignty, the separation of powers, the rule of law, judicial control of the Executive, the process and principles of judicial review and the role of the European Convention of Human Rights in domestic law. This module also explores the fundamental principles of the European Union’s legal basis and the important role that this supranational organisation still retains on the structure of law in England and Wales.

This module introduces you to torts. As well as knowledge, the module also enables you to develop awareness of the issues surrounding torts and underlying policy issues, e.g. within the duty required for negligence claims. In covering the module content, the seminars will also provide training and support for the key legal skills to carry out your own research and to practice how legal principles can be applied to both actual and hypothetical situations, and to be able to do so, taking either side of a case. Overall, you will be required to undertake independent research, using and analysing the law from relevant primary and secondary sources, to produce current and accurate legal information. 

You’ll gain an appreciation of areas of key importance to legal practitioners in England and Wales relating to Property and Land Law. You’ll be introduced to the process of analysis of the definition of land and practical application to the conveyancing process. Areas covered will include: Estates; Unregistered and registered land and conveyancing processes; Trusts of Land; Adverse Possession; Mortgages; and Conveyancing. The theory will be illustrated using current and contemporary case studies to allow you to apply your learning to real scenarios and consider the interrelation of different areas of your studies.

This module covers the main principles of English and Welsh criminal law, and you will learn about the key themes and issues within the law and its everyday practice. You will develop your core knowledge and skills (e.g. advocacy) through your study, including: elements of criminal liability, including the 'salutary principle' of criminal law: intention and recklessness; actus reus and causation; strict liability and omissions; homicide: murder and manslaughter, evidence, preparing for court, and advocacy, both written and verbal. Throughout, you will be introduced to key legislation and case law.

You’ll develop your knowledge and understanding of issues relating to equity and trusts. Through the use of specific case studies, you’ll explore practical and ethical implications, and evaluate the operation of equity and trusts within society. You’ll look at the social, economic and political contexts and underlying policy issues relating to their operation, and their impact.

In order to demonstrate your critical understanding of issues and concepts in connection with a legal topic, you will define a research project of your choice on an area of law. You will be supported through a series of seminars to formulate a satisfactory proposal with research questions, to analyse and make judgements on an informed understanding of arguments in your chosen area of law, and to complete a research-based written dissertation.