Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 16 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Seminar | 3 x 1 Hour Seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay 2000 words | 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay 2000 words | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Explain and demonstrate an in depth understanding of the structure of the courts and the development of the English and Welsh Legal system.
2. Display a high level of knowledge of the people who play a role in that legal system.
3. Explain in detail the use and significance of judicial precedent and its relationship with the court system.
4. Critically analyse the processes of creating legislation and how it is interpreted by judges.
5. Display a comprehensive understanding of alternative forms of dispute resolution, including the tribunal system of resolving civil disputes.
6. Express a reasoned, coherent and academic view of the vagaries of the English and Welsh common law legal system
Brief description
This module introduces students to the structure of the legal system in England and Wales, including courts and tribunals; the legal profession; the work of the judiciary and of the jury. It will explain how legislation and precedent work, as well as alternative dispute resolution, and adversarial and inquisitorial procedures. A thorough understanding of the environment in which the law operates will be provided.
Aims
The module aims to inform students of how the English and Welsh legal system works; who are the personnel who work in the legal environment; how laws are made; and how our English and Welsh Common law system works.
Content
- Introduction to law; law & fact
- The court system
- Precedent and case law
- Legislation and statutory interpretation
- Presumptions; inquisitorial and adversarial procedures
- Legal profession and the jury
- Judiciary and the magistrates
- Alternative Dispute resolution; tribunals
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | The module will develop students' written communication skills by way of the written assessment. In addition, students will develop their oral communication skills through individual and group responses to set work on the seminars. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Pre and post-lecture research and seminar preparation; using legal databases in preparation for seminar work and the written assessment |
| Information Technology | Students will be required to undertake research for the module using bibliographic search-engines and library catalogues in preparation for their examination, (and their seminars). They will also use standard word-processing packages to carry out their work. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Learning throughout the module will be relevant to a career in the legal profession, but will also enhance the VS student's knowledge of how a common law, as opposed to a civil law system of law works |
| Problem solving | The module will develop students' problem-solving skills in a number of ways. Students will be required to analyse a range of sources and texts in order to answer problem-solving questions in the seminars; as part of their independent research for their written assessment. |
| Research skills | Students are expected to research and synthesize a range of academic source material in preparing for their seminars and for their assessment. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Legal research: use of legal databases as a resource for statute and case law Reading primary sources in the way of cases and legislation |
| Team work | The seminars will include problem-solving and group discussions which will provide opportunities for students to develop team-working skills and discuss their thoughts with the rest of the class. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6