You study the foundations of legal knowledge; these seven subjects are Contract Law, Public Law, Tort, Land Law, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts, and European Union Law. These subjects are required to allow you to go on to further training to qualify as a solicitor or barrister. You will also study modules introducing you to core principles of business management.
We are fully appraised of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) proposal for changes to legal education and training and mindful of the recent introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). These developments will be accommodated in appropriate changes made to the course going forward. For further information on these changes consult the SRA website at www.sra.org.uk.
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
Business Finance
You gain an understanding of the way in which accounting is used in the external evaluation of organisations and develops the ability to use accounting and finance techniques in decision making, control, management and adding value to performance.
Law of Contract
Contract law is one of the most fundamental aspects of law. All contracts are agreements but not all agreements are contracts. This module explores the differences between informal agreements and those enforceable in law. It also covers issues that can arise within a contract including when someone is misled, when a party changes its mind about a contract, when one party does not perform a contract in whole or in part, and when property delivered as part of a contract is defective. In all of these cases you study the established principles for allocating responsibility.
At the end of the module you can look at a problem scenario, identify the legal contractual issues involved and propose a solution or offer advice to the parties involved. This module is very relevant to the business environment.
Legal Foundations
This module begins the skills development which forms the basis not only for successful legal study but also for success in legal practice or indeed any other career. Initially the focus is on the basic skills for legal study and the fundamental processes of legal reasoning followed by consideration of the key skills of the lawyer in practice and an appreciation of the transferability of those skills.
The Citizen and the State – Civil Liberties and Human Rights
This module provides an opportunity to consider the relationship between the state and individuals, it examines the Human Rights Act 1998 and the growing significance of European Convention rights for the UK citizen. This is a crucial area of legal study which provides important foundations for subsequent study.
The Citizen and the State - The Constitution
The subject matter of this module concentrates on the structure and functions of the state and is concerned with the interaction between the organs of state. In particular the way in which power is exercised by parliament and the government is considered.
Understanding Organisations
You study some of the general principles of business management, particularly in the context of structure, culture, leadership, organisational behaviour, the business environment and the impact of these areas operationally. You are also introduced to the concept of strategic management with an emphasis on organisational resource and competency. And you consider the impact of organisational behaviour on overall business effectiveness, examining the role of the individual within the organisation and exploring motivation, perception and personal impact.
Year 2 core modules
Contemporary Issues and Legal Research
This module allows you to engage with research topics being pursued by members of academic staff at the University and in the wider academic community.
You are introduced to current issues in the legal profession by visitors with experience in the field. Seminars supplement your learning in this area and are followed up with complementary workshops and advanced reading.
Criminal Law
As perhaps the best known aspect of the legal system, criminal law presents an interesting and challenging area of study.
You are introduced to the English legal system and gain an understanding of the nature and purpose of criminal law, the principles of criminalisation and the basic elements of a crime. You examine some controversial aspects of criminal law, including, for example, particularly problematic criminal offences and defences and the way the criminal law responds to social problems.
Enterprise and Practice
This applied module allows you to demonstrate your practical skills and knowledge within a work environment. You explore the theoretical and practical world of business and will explore entrepreneurial and wider managerial approaches to the development of business within enterprise. Through your work within an enterprise, you will develop valuable professional skills and first-hand knowledge of an enterprise. If you already work you will be guided to recognise and reflect on this practice and use your own organisation as a case study. You are supported by academic staff and business contacts from across and outside the University.
International Business and Management
You develop an understanding of the main issues affecting international business in the global economy and explore topics including globalisation, trade, economic growth and development. You focus specifically on examining these topics across different cultures. As the module progresses you become able to differentiate cultural variations and the impact of cultural difference on individuals and key organisations. You also have the opportunity to study a culture of your choice in-depth.
Law of Tort
You encounter a range of civil actions associated with tort and are introduced to tort as a compensation system. Module content draws on the issues of claiming compensation after an accident. Unlike criminal law, which determines guilt, you come to understand the way that tort seeks to apportion liability and award damages to compensate the injured party.
The most prominent area of tortious liability is negligence. You examine the elements required to establish liability in detail. The importance of understanding the components of negligence and how to minimise the risk of liability is relevant to all businesses. Other forms of tortious liability include trespass (to land and to the person), defamation and nuisance - you consider a range of these torts.
We emphasise developing your critical awareness of the issues underpinning the legal process of tort and enhancing your analytical abilities and written presentation skills. You consider how our society has adopted a litigation culture and the potential drivers.
The Law of Equity and Trusts
You consider how equity has developed alongside the common law to provide justice in cases where the law provides no remedy or where the remedy is inadequate. You come to understand that the common law only provides the remedy of damages whereas equity provides additional remedies. These can include specific performance and injunctions - both are often the desired outcome of civil action.
You explore the legal ownership of property and its history. You are introduced to the law’s most important contemporary uses in relation to family provision, pension funds and the operation of charities.
Final-year core modules
Dissertation
This module begins with formal lectures and seminars covering topics like how to conduct a dissertation and the research process – timetabling, supervision, structure and guidelines will be covered. You will be provided with a supervisor to support and guide you through the dissertation process. Personal development is embedded within the process as you are expected to complete a reflective diary.
Emerging Technologies for the Enterprise
You gain an insight into developing and implementing emerging technologies in relation to information management and the technological aspects of business enterprise. You learn how these technologies affect all organisations in a wider business and technology context.
Land Law
Law relating to the transfer of land affects us all. No piece of land is the same as another and the law has developed in the last 900 years to reflect this. Historically, land law was about large interests and traditional estates. This changed during the 20th century as more people aspired to be owner-occupiers and the individual home owner replaced the landlord as the dominant figure. In the latter part of the 20th century the owner-occupier couple replaced the single, predominately male owner.
Today, the process of compulsory land registration is completing the transformation of this subject. The focus of this module is co-owned, registered land as land law is taught in its modern, social context.
Law of the European Union
You study European Union (EU) with particular emphasis on the institutions involved in making and interpreting law. You explore how EU law works and how it impacts on the UK’s legal system.
You consider the free movement provisions of the EU, particularly of people and goods. You also consider some of the EU’s policies which have a significant impact on its 500 million people. Knowledge of EU law and the law making process is vital for businesses operating in and with the EU.
and one optional module
Contemporary Issues in Business Management
You develop an understanding of the challenges faced by organisations and explores the controversies and dilemmas of contemporary management thinking and practice. You study three key interrelated contemporary issues facing businesses - internationalisation; technological innovation and sustainability.
Corporate Law
This module examines the law relating to public and private limited companies. It defines the legal framework, both statutory and common law, within which companies operate. You will learn to assess the conduct of a company, its members and directors, and the legal obligations. You will consider the law relating to all the main aspects of its operation - from forming a company to winding it up.
