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 needed to allow you to progress to further training as a solicitor or barrister.
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.
In addition to this you study carefully selected modules from the policing stream which, together, provide an introduction to the principles and concepts underpinning the study of policing and the investigative process
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
Introduction to Digital Investigation
You explore digital data, devices in modern society, and digital investigation principles and guidelines.
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.
Policing and the Community
This module covers the 'Valuing Difference and Inclusion' section of the Pre-join Degree in Professional Policing, along with the majority of the 'Policing Communities' section and part of the 'Research Methods and Skills' section.
The module provides an appreciation of the core principles and values that underpin the police service in England and Wales. Areas covered will include the Code of Ethics, policing diverse communities, professional approaches to policing, discretion, and the evolution and current status and purpose of community policing, including partnership working.
The module also introduces you to a range of study and transferable skills relevant to their degree course and future careers, such as critical thinking, reflective practice, academic writing, referencing, team working, and presentation skills.
The assessment for this module consists of a critical research task.
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.
Year 2 core modules
Contemporary Issues and Legal Research
This is an opportunity for you to engage with and be inspired by research topics being pursued by members of academic staff in law and related disciplines, and to be introduced to issues currently exercising legal professionals by visitors who are in practice or engaged in related activities in and around Tees Valley. The module will continue the process of developing research skills in preparation for your dissertation.
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.
Exploring Investigation
This module introduces you to issues relating to contemporary investigation practices. Building on knowledge gained in level 4 modules, it will expand your existing knowledge of criminal investigations, broadening the focus to include state and political crime, and issues relating to the recording of crime and the sentencing of offenders. Assessment focuses around researching a topic, presenting it, and reflecting upon that process.
Investigation in Context
This module will develop your existing knowledge in relation to crime and its investigation, drawing on existing cases to offer an updated context, focusing on current investigative practices, preparing you for your final year of study.
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
Defendants and Witnesses in the Criminal Justice System
This module focuses on the law concerned with the obtaining and admissibility of evidence at trial. It challenges you to explore the relevance of evidence in the investigatory process and during the criminal trial. Whilst the module is suited for those who wish to continue their studies and join various legal or investigative professions, it is an academic module and examines the law of evidence from an academic viewpoint.
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.
International Policing
The module examines the policing systems in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, along with the law enforcement agencies in place to assist the investigation of transnational crime.
The module charts the respective police services development and you explore the structural variations that exist between them. Attention is given to the function and role of the wider police family in different societies, the different tasks and responsibilities undertaken by policing personnel, and the relationship between the police and the wider society of their native country.
and two optional modules
Criminal Law Theory
This module promotes a critical understanding of some of the theories that underpin our criminal law. From general legal philosophies to their particular effects on specific areas of criminal law, you explore the theories of culpability and blameworthiness in the context of specific academic debates.
You question which types of conduct should be criminalised, how the criminal law should treat mentally disordered offenders, when we should exempt individuals from criminal liability, whether the test for recklessness is subjective or objective, and whether there a place for negligence in criminal law.
Family Law
Explore cohabitation, marriage, separation and divorce and consider the various legal aspects of these relationships. Examine how the law regulates the interaction of parties within a relationship, defining their rights and responsibilities, minimally during the course of the relationship, but in detail should it end.
The module also concentrates on children in family law. Traditionally the law focused on parents but modern developments, particularly those resulting in the Children Act 1989, have focused more on the rights of the child and the responsibilities of parents and others taking the place of parents.
You examine how private law (which regulates the relationship of the child to others) and public law (which focuses on child protection) are brought together.
International Law
This module examines the principles and structures underpinning international law. You explore the sources and modes of development of international law and look into key international institutions and the operation and enforcement of international law in specific areas. The topic is considered in the context of current international issues.
By studying the nature of international law you become able to critically analyse the extent to which international law performs its function. The content of this module may vary to take account of current issues.
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.
Medical Law
This module covers medical and mental health law in a broad context. You study the medical professions, and liability in medical law with a focus on medical negligence. You also cover birth and death, assisted reproduction and other topical debates. Spanning across the subject is the issue of consent – its scope and its implication for those with disability.
You explore compulsory detention in hospital, and treatment for those with a mental disorder and the law in relation to their discharge. You also examine how the law affects those without capacity.
