LLB (Hons) Law

This module aims to provide knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of English land law and an introduction to the various rights and interests which can exist in land, with particular reference to the development of equity, registered & unregistered land, trusts of land & co-ownership, freehold covenants, leases, easements and mortgage.

The module aims to : i. provide awareness of the different types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), as an alternative to civil litigation through the English Legal System, for civil dispute resolution; ii. provide an introduction to negotiation, arbitration and mediation as a means of alternative dispute resolution; iii. provide guidance on negotiation skills theory and practice to enable students to develop and/or enhance their verbal communication, negotiation and presentation skills.

The module aims to give you a contextual understanding of law regulating domestic trade with identification of the distinction between business to business and business to consumer contracts. A case study approach is taken to identify key legal concepts and principles relating to sale of goods, payment on credit and the role of agents in forming contracts.

This module will look at the procedure and processes involved in criminal investigation and litigation with regards to the core principles of criminal liability, building upon the substantive criminal offences covered in the level 4 module Substantive Crime. This is an application based module, where students will learn about the criminal litigation process based on real life scenarios, interactive learning, role play, lectures and seminars. Students will be expected to draw on and apply knowledge f the following areas of law and practice: • Core legal principles of criminal liability relating to a number of offences; • The procedure and processes at the police station, including advising the client prior to interview; • The procedure and processed involved in prosecuting and defending a case before the Magistrates, Crown and Youth Courts.

The concept of the family becomes more difficult to define. For a lawyer definitions are important because mutual rights and obligation arise within certain relationships and not others. The module will examine the rights and duties that arise on marriage both towards spouses and children born within marriage. Mutual responsibilities now extend beyond the traditional married relationship to include same sex civil partnerships and whilst cohabitees might not have legal responsibilities to each other they do in relation to their children. The module will consider the legal response to forced marriage, the law on divorce and the application of legislation which provides a framework for the courts to settle property and maintenance disputes on divorce. In relation to children the module will deal briefly with the legal concept of parentage, consider the extent of parental rights and consider the principles developed through the courts to resolve disputes over where children should live following divorce and what the contact rights should be for the other parent. The module will also consider the law’s response to domestic violence, a recognised serious problem which affects a very significant number of families. The injunctive remedies available to victims and the legal basis for a successful application for a remedy will be examined. Where relevant the position of cohabitees in respect of each of the above areas studied will be integrated into the teaching.

Brief Module Description The Beveridge Report aimed to rid society of five "Giant Evils": squalor, ignorance, want, idleness and disease, yet poverty still blights the lives of millions in this country. Why, despite the welfare state, are people still poor or are homeless or living in unacceptable housing? This module will involve an examination of the differing theories of poverty and the ideologies and models of welfare and welfare provision. The module will also examine the welfare state and housing provision in the UK in its historical, legal, political and social context.

Intellectual property protects ‘ideas’ with legal rights such as copyright, trademark and patent. The module studies aim to give you an understanding of the nature of rights that can be held in different types of 'works' and of the differences in protection afforded by registered and unregistered rights. The emphasis of the study lies with rights held in original copyright works and in UK trademarks.

The module will provide the students with the knowledge to identify the key elements of a freehold property transaction to include investigation of a registered and unregistered freehold title. Students will be able to identify the purpose of carrying out pre-contract searches and enquiries and both the pre-completion and post completion steps relevant to a freehold property transaction. Students will gain an understanding of the grant and the assignment of a commercial lease including an understanding of the key lease covenants in a commercial lease and the law relating to a breach of these covenants.

Forms of punishment have changed over time from the infliction of retributive and immediate bodily pain (hanging, branding etc) in public to the wider use of imprisonment and non-custodial based punishments, such as probation and fines. The module will discuss how and why these changes have taken place. It will explore the types of punishments employed in the UK in the period 1718-1948, as well as the social and intellectual forces that have had a seminal impact on the development of punishments and sentencing during that period. It will also consider how, over time, the role of the victim in sentencing has altered, as well as the wider social, historical, economic and cultural factors which various theorists argue have driven these changes.

Membership of the European Union has had a profound, and often controversial, effect on the constitutions and national legal systems of its member states, as well as the lives of the citizens of those states. The Treaty of Rome and a succession of subsequent amending treaties, together with the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the work of other Union institutions, have significantly advanced the cause of European legal integration. This integration has been achieved sometimes with the support of member state governments and often times in the face of significant member state government and popular opposition. & nbsp; The most significant development in European Union law has perhaps been the establishment of the internal market (sometimes referred to as the & lsquo;single market& rsquo;), which provides for the free movement of citizens, goods, services and capital within the external boundaries of the Union. The establishment of the internal market has in turn led to an increasing harmonisation of national laws in the European Union in a large number of areas. The drive to achieve the realisation of the internal market has also caused the Union& rsquo;s institutions, in particular its Court of Justice, to develop and expand the treaties& rsquo; existing enforcement mechanisms to ensure the uniformity and effectiveness of European Union law. & nbsp; This module explores the themes above, focussing particularly on the institutional framework of the Union; the manner in which Union laws are made; the effect of Union law; the mechanisms to ensure the enforcement of Union law; and, the law of the internal market.

On completion of this module students should be able to understand the nature and structure of the different business media (sole traders, partnerships and companies), select an appropriate medium and structure to meet the client's commercial requirements and advise on the legal and taxation implications of and procedures required in common form transactions and developments arising during the life, development and demise of the business.

The module will provide the students with knowledge of the core principles of contract law and tort and apply them appropriately and effectively to client-based and ethical problems and situations to identify causes of action, their defences, and remedies. Students will evaluate and analyse the legal and factual issues of a claim and the evidence required to support or defend a cause of action. Students will evaluate, analyse and apply pre-action considerations and key areas of the Civil Procedure Rules. Students will gain an understanding of how to progress or defend a claim in contract and tort, the trial procedure, and critically evaluate post-trial appeal and enforcement options. Students will gain key knowledge regarding costs to enable them to critically evaluate funding options available to parties involved in litigation.

The module will provide an overview of general employment law matters in the context of the employer employee relationship from recruitment to dismissal. It will introduce the key themes which need to be aware of in order to comply with their obligations and act within the law. It will explore current issues from time to time for example dealing with underperformance, absenteeism and related contractual matters within the legal framework. Major topics for example dismissal and discrimination and rights within the workplace will also be covered.

The module aims to give you a contextual understanding of how different contracts interlock to bring about an international trade transaction. The studies cover general principles and key topics relating to international sale of goods, international carriage of goods, cargo insurance, and payment and financing in international trade. The extent to which the law has to adapt legal principles to address some of the novel legal problems created by modern commercial practice is explored.

Internet law is a module concerned with the legal issues arising from online activities. The law is responding to developments and new challenges such as cybercrime, data protection, privacy, social media abuses, internet regulation, and cyber-squatting claims to name a few. This module will consider the diverse legal responses to the broad challenges posed by online interaction.  

This module aims to develop a critical knowledge and understanding of the law of criminal evidence and, in particular, how it operates in practice. It is a vital subject for anyone considering a career as a barrister or a solicitor and will also be valuable grounding for other criminal justice careers, such as the police or Probation Service. 

The module will focus on three different topics: nationality law with particular attention to British nationality, the concept of statelessness and EU citizenship. International migration with particular attention to migration from countries not belonging to the EU to the EU and the UK, irregular migration and the connected crimes of human trafficking and people smuggling. International Refugee law where we will explore the International Convention of Refugee Law, asylum law in the UK and in the EU and the interaction between these two legal systems.

This module provides students the opportunity to develop advanced practical legal skills.  This module aims develop students practical legal skills and ethical awareness through one of the following: A.  Participation in the Legal Advice Centre where students will have the opportunity to offer legal advice, under the supervision of a qualified solicitor, to members of the public. B.  Participation in mooting.  Mooting is the process by which students will be able to argue cases in a mock trial and thereby develop their advocacy skills. C.  Undertaking a placement approved by the University.  This will normally be with a firm of solicitor's or the local council. Students will have a choice, subject to their course requirements and to the number of places available, to study the law in practice in one of the above elements of practical legal skills.    Mooting will allow student to develop their advocacy and presentation skills. Participation in the Legal Advice Centre and undertaking a placement with a solicitors firm or other relevant legal placement will  complement the students’ academic legal studies with practical skills and problem solving encountered on a law placement and the Legal Advice Centre.  

The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to study a topic in the area of law, Criminology or Criminal Justice in greater detail than is possible on a taught module. By undertaking this module the students will not only increase their knowledge of the principles and topical issues concerning the particular area selected but also the opportunity to develop skills in legal and/or sociological research and academic writing and presentation. Students will employ appropriate research theories and methodologies to facilitate the deeper understanding of a topic required to underpin the completion of an extended piece of writing.

This module examines concepts and theories of serious and organised crime and evaluates its development, impact and initiatives taken to tackle it. Case study material will include drug smuggling, human trafficking, environmental crime and maritime piracy.        

The module will follow the administration of an estate from its beginning (including pre-grant practice) to conclusion. The module will therefore include (but will not be limited to) the validity of wills, applying for the grant of representation, intestacy, inheritance tax and the powers and duties of personal representatives and trustees.