Constitutional and Administrative law is all about legal power: where it is located in the British constitution and how and by whom its use is scrutinised and checked. This foundational subject for those considering a career in the legal profession, provides a broad framework in which all other areas of substantive law operate, whilst also reflecting on the historical development of liberal values and contemporary notions of citizenship that underpin modern British society and values. Initially you’ll focus on the constitution of the United Kingdom, providing you with a solid foundation in the main structures, relationships and themes in domestic constitutional law. Consideration will be given to questions such as: What are the key features of the constitution? Where is power located in the United Kingdom? What is parliamentary supremacy and how has it been impacted upon by such things as EU membership, the Human Rights Act 1998, devolution and Brexit? After considering key areas of constitutional law, you’ll move on to administrative law and related matters. The focus will be on the main non-parliamentary ways in which decision-makers are held to account and will involve looking at inquiries and ombudsmen and the important function of judicial review which you’ll examine through authentic, real world case studies. Finally, you’ll be introduced to human rights and civil liberties, particularly the substance and impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 and its place conceptually and practically within law.
View the full module definitionYou'll be introduced to key concepts in English Law and the skills you will need to be successful in the LLB and later use in your career. The key theme running throughout the module is that law is dynamic, and the study skills are pervasive. The concepts you will cover are, the sources of law and statutory interpretation, the structure of the legal system, the civil legal system, the criminal legal system, access to justice, the future of law. The transferable skills that you will obtain will be legal research (such as fact handling and case reading and informational literacy), group working skills (such as advocacy and negotiation), enhanced communication skills (both written and oral), interviewing skills, digital and analysis skills.
View the full module definitionYou’ll gain a foundation in the basic principles relating to the formation of contracts, developing the idea of consensus and the rules and principles governing enforceability, performance and discharge of contracts. You’ll be introduced to common law and equitable principles as well as relevant legislation. In addition to studying 'black letter' law, you’re encouraged to critically assess the law and to evaluate it in a social, political and economic context. During group sessions you’ll take part in mooting activities, as preparation for your assessment but also as a means of developing your problem-solving, case location, communications and argument.
View the full module definitionYou'll gain knowledge and understanding of the core principles and rules of criminal law, concentrating on the principles of criminal liability relating to a range of criminal offences and specific defences. You'll examine and analyse case studies to understand the relevant legislation and case law in relation to the offence and identify the lines of defence. By analysing these case scenarios, you'll identify key facts governing criminal liability and relate these to the applicable law, as well as evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each sides case. The knowledge gained will help not only those interested in a career in the criminal justice system but also those interested in careers in non-governmental organisations (i.e. charitable organisations). You'll become familiar with the key organisations and their personnel and responsibilities, such as the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office and other organisations in the non-governmental sector.
View the full module definitionYou'll develop a thorough understanding of the major area of the law of tort, including key concepts and principles with particular emphasis on their application and evaluation as the law operates in society. You'll gain a sound knowledge of the principles of tort enabling you to suggest solutions to factual problems and analysis of contemporary issues. You'll also develop an appreciation of those with the sector such as courts, insurers, employers and the Health and Safety Executive.
View the full module definitionThis module introduces you to the fundamental principles of company law as the legal framework under which business is established and operates. The modules aim to capture the dynamism of this aspect of law and to develop your awareness of the pace and function of company law in a practical and theoretical context. The module aims to develop an understanding of the legal principles and theories underpinning the law relating to companies and focuses on four major areas; corporate personality, rights and liabilities; corporate governance and corporate social responsibility; shareholders and remedies; companies in financial difficulties. This module will facilitate both a 'black letter' and socio-legal approach to law and will provide both a practical and theoretical framework for the law relating to business.
View the full module definitionRuskin Modules are a great opportunity to explore challenges and ideas outside your area of study. Working with students from a range of courses, you'll be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines, and apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, realise your potential and help you prepare for the world of work.
You'll be introduced to the concept of property, proprietary rights, as they are recognised and protected in equity, and explore the nature of the trust including trusts formed under the laws of succession. We'll include an historical account of the development of and distinction between law and equity before examining the nature of equitable rights and remedies. Over the module, you'll gain sound knowledge and understanding of equity and the law of trusts, succession including wills and intestacy rules, developing your critical analysis to suggest reasoned solutions to factual problems. It covers the importance in a legal practice, possibly as a commercial or family practitioner, of property, conveyancing and succession as well as fiduciary relationships, charitable status and trustee duties, formalities and mental capacity.
View the full module definitionCommercial law is concerned with obligations between parties to commercial transactions and the relationship with rules of personal property. The module will focus mainly on the contract for sale of goods and agency in English law. First the concept of personal property will be covered, in particular the difference between property, possession and ownership. The study of sale of goods will involve examination of the main characteristics of this contract, in particular, the difference between consumer and business sales, examination of the Sales of Goods Act 1979 and the distinct approach taken by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in particular with regards to legal remedies. Lastly the module will address the main elements and liability within agency relationship. Commercial Agents Regulations 1993 will also be addressed. Both legislation and case law are covered within each area. Prior study of the contract law is advisable and this study of both areas is designed to improve your awareness and sensitivity to often conflicting interests of commercial parties.
View the full module definitionThis module is designed to enable you develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of the major areas of the law of information, intellectual property and social media including key concepts and principles and such detailed rules as are necessary to illustrate those broad principles as they apply in particular situations. This study will enable you (i) to gain a sound knowledge and understanding of the law relating to information, intellectual property and social media, (ii) to suggest solutions to factual problems and (iii) to apply this knowledge and understanding to the critical analysis of contemporary business and social issues relating to the law of information, intellectual property and social media. Teaching is by large group sessions and seminars. In addition to providing a structured outline and an introductory critique of topics and concepts, large group sessions will be used to consider research methods, relevant case law and statutory material. Seminar groups will focus on selected topics, cases, journal articles and other materials which you're required to read and analyse and, as appropriate discuss or apply in the context of problem solving. Particular emphasis is placed on discussion, application and evaluation of the law as it operates in business and society. The module develops a wide range of legal skills including those directly linked to employability and in particular employers producing, using and processing personal data information and those initiating or using social media, patents, trademarks and copyright material. You will also develop skills in research, problem solving, analysis and application.
View the full module definitionTax affects almost every part of life and business. Tax law connects with many areas of law such as employment law, business law, property law and family law. In this module, you’ll explore the key features of the UK tax system and the policies that shape it. You’ll study major areas such as income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, and the rules around tax avoidance and anti-avoidance. You’ll have the chance to engage with current debates about tax policy and reform, and to develop practical skills in analysing legislation and case law. By working through real-world scenarios, you’ll learn how to apply your knowledge to complex tax problems faced by individuals and businesses. By the end of the module, you’ll have a clearer picture of how law operates in a modern economy and how tax considerations influence legal decisions. The skills you gain will be valuable for many career paths, including legal practice, accountancy, inhouse legal work, and roles in government or regulatory bodies — in the UK and internationally.
The module starts with the consideration of the question 'what is land?'. You'll explore the nature of ownership and the legal and equitable estates and interests that can exist in land and examine how estates and interests are protected including the system of unregistered and registered title to land. Whilst looking at the underlying principles of land law, you'll study the various estates and interests in greater detail, including leasehold estate and third party interests such as mortgages, easements and covenants, co-ownership and the role and duties of trustees and beneficiaries of co-owned land.
View the full module definitionThis module critically introduces you to the nature and scope of EU law with reference to its key institutions and formation. In particular, this includes the way in which EU law is enforceable through national domestic courts and the European Court of Justice (ECJ). It then examines essential topics of EU substantive law with reference to EU legislation and case law. These topics include: the free movement of goods and persons with the EU, the creation of European citizenship, the free movement and rights of workers within the EU and the legal reasoning and judicial remedies used by the ECJ to resolve conflicts between EU and national law. Given the event of Brexit meaning that the UK has ceased to be a member of the EU and the IP (Implementation) Completion Day has passed, the module will pay particular attention to the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (which amended the 2018 version). UK courts are no longer bound by any principles laid down or decisions made by the EU although the UK court may have regard to decisions and principles from the ECJ - as well as anything done by the EU or any of its entities - after IP completion day if it considers it appropriate to do so. This legal uncertainty will enable you to engage in interesting and creative discussions about how UK national law will develop post-Brexit.
View the full module definitionThis module will provide you with the opportunity to examine a real-life, current legal issue and undertake a theoretically informed analysis, resulting in recommendations and considering the practical implications for implementing these recommendations. Drawing on knowledge, skills and tools gained from across your programme of study, you will undertake a secondary research project to critically assess a legal issue and formulate recommendations for practice. You will engage with relevant literature to identify, examine, analyse, interpret and synthesise relevant data from multiple sources.
View the full module definitionThis module explores wider legal and social obligations that apply to businesses in England and Wales, building on your level 5 module Business Law. It supplements other modules on the law degree (Optional Modules: Commercial Law; Intellectual Property Law; Employment Law) by providing an overview of other legal obligations that businesses face. You will learn about the increasing obligations being assigned to businesses in relation to social responsibilities, including environment, social justice, business ethics and human rights. If available, we will get a practising lawyer to come and talk about the legal firm as a business for the final lecture. This module is available to you if you are considering working in areas of corporate law, establishing your own business, or working within an established business - be that a law firm or any other kind of business.
View the full module definitionPeople represent a key source of sustainable competitive advantage for most organisations. Employment law continues to expand both in terms of volume and complexity and the amount of regulation covering the employment relationship and the workplace has grown substantially in recent years. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of employment law and employment relations in terms of theory, debates and practices in national and international settings and from a theoretical and behavioural competency perspective. Your knowledge, understanding and skills will let you brief and support organisations on the consequences of current and future developments in employment law/relations and give up-to-date, timely and accurate advice concerning the practical application of key legal principles of UK employment law. This will relate both to collective and individual employment relations and the actions of employers, employees and their respective organisations, whilst offering support and advice to management regarding best practice. Throughout the module you'll reflect critically on theory and practice and take into consideration both legal and ethical issues.
View the full module definitionYou'll cover basic law and procedures involved in acting in a civil litigation claim. You'll look at interviewing a client and taking instructions in a basic litigation matter. Based on a case study in the context of a personal injury matter, you'll take client instructions and explore the evidential basis of the claim, consider the costs and funding and the steps needed in the personal injury protocol before considering other causes of action such as simple breaches of contract and reviewing the implications of the claim not being settled. As part of the module, you'll draft a simple claim and look at the procedural steps that need to be taken to issue a claim in the County Court and serve it on a defendant before considering the draft of their defence.
View the full module definitionThis module introduces you to the major types of financial crime and examines their impact on society, markets, and institutions. Building on the fundamental framework for criminal law, you'll study the legal and regulatory systems in place within the UK, while also considering international standards and practices. You will examine the key financial crimes - such as money laundering, fraud, market abuse, bribery and corruption, and tax avoidance and evasion, to discover how these offences are defined, how widespread they are, and how they are tackled by both national and international frameworks. By the end of the module, you will have a strong understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape surrounding financial crime and gained insights into how these complex issues are addressed in practice, such as Anti-money laundering frameworks, Customer due diligence and Know Your Client, anti-bribery and corruption, regulatory reporting and internal controls and corporate governance and accountability. You will be equipped with a strong foundation of key regulations in careers in law, financial services, compliance, and public regulation.