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 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 definitionCriminal Justice in England and Wales will introduce you to the criminal justice system in this country, taking you through the key elements of the justice system: Police, Courts, Prisons, Probation, and the Youth Justice System. Each week, you will be introduced to a different stage of the system and unpack some of the critical issues that are discussed in this area. For example you will learn about the role of police, and the benefits that a policing system provides, while also looking at the controversial aspects of policing, such as racism and the ongoing debate about how much force the police should use. You will also discuss the statement ‘prison works’ and examine the shifting landscape of the prison system in the context of overcrowding and privatization. During the research skills workshops, you will learn how to critically assess research on the criminal justice system, developing evaluation skills and knowledge of research methods in the process. You will learn how research is undertaken and have the chance to do this yourself in relation to issues of criminal justice, such as public attitudes to various elements of the criminal justice system. By the end of Criminal Justice in England and Wales, you will be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the complicated position of victims and offenders in England and Wales. You will be taught in weekly two hour lecture/workshops and one hour ‘research evaluation skills’ workshop. Your assessment will comprise a portfolio of work discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the criminal justice system.
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.
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Ruskin Modules are designed to prepare our students for a complex, challenging and changing future. These interdisciplinary modules provide the opportunity to further broaden your perspectives, develop your intellectual flexibility and creativity. You will work with others from different disciplines to enable you to reflect critically on the limitations of a single discipline to solve wider societal concerns. You will be supported to create meaningful connections across disciplines to apply new knowledge to tackle complex problems and key challenges. Ruskin Modules are designed to grow your confidence, seek and maximise opportunities to realise your potential to give you a distinctive edge and enhance your success in the workplace.
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.
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Violence, Gender and Victimisation will take a deep dive into issues surrounding gender-based violence and harms. You will examine violence in the context of gender and wider societal responses, examining social norms, policy challenges and criminal justice responses. You will critically consider current and potential barriers and complexities in the response to gender-based violence and reflect on current policy guidance.
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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 definitionIn this module, you'll cover the basic law and procedure involved in acting in a criminal case. You'll look at interviewing a client and taking instructions in relation to a criminal charge. Your work will be based on a case study, starting with the arrest of a client and continuing through caution, practice and procedure in the police station and the test for charging. This will include police powers of arrest and search and the rights of the person detained in the police station. You'll cover the professional conduct aspects of attending at the police station and of conducting the case to its conclusion, as well as costs and funding. Post-charge, you'll cover the first court appearance, including bail and pleas, before moving on to taking further instructions, building a defence case, practical application of evidence and trial venue, followed by summary trial. You'll be assessed through coursework in which you'll analyse and apply legal and factual information to complete two practice-based tasks typical of those encountered in legal practice by paralegals.
View the full module definitionOrganised Crime begins with a discussion of the UN 2030 sustainability goals and you will identify policies and practices, justifying why they have to be challenged in these uncertain times. You must be prepared to research and discuss controversial cases relating to organised crime and the far-reaching, and often hidden impact that they can have on society, the economy and policing jurisdictions. You will consider the nature and shape of criminal networks, and the potential immunity that power and influence can wield. You will critically evaluate the potential exploitative opportunities that are available to criminal networks, focusing on particular selected recent examples of white collar crimes, environmental crimes and corporate crimes each week. For the assignment, you will select a relevant theme and explore it within a variety of social, political, media, legal and cultural contexts. You will test your adaptability skills by facilitating discussion of organised crimes from a range of social contexts; and cultivate an understanding of a variety of ‘voices of authority’.
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This 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.
You’ll explore the concepts of environmental justice and green criminology, examining how environmental harm is defined, addressed, and experienced across different contexts. You’ll look at the legal, social, and criminological responses to environmental damage, including the role of the state, corporations, international bodies and application of criminal law, regulatory justice and restorative justice to environmental harms. Through case studies and contemporary examples, you’ll investigate how environmental harm affects different communities, particularly vulnerable and marginalised groups and non-human nature, and consider the global inequalities in environmental protection. You’ll also examine the limitations of traditional criminal law in addressing environmental harm, and explore alternative approaches including regulatory frameworks, civil enforcement, and activist responses. As part of the module, you’ll analyse real-world cases of environmental injustice and consider how legal, policy tools and effective enforcement can be used to promote accountability and sustainability.
Perceptions of rising extremism and growing insecurity have increased the opportunities for tighter and arguably more invidious forms of social control in western societies in the rhetorical 'war on terror'. On this module you will identify and critically examine terror-related issues through criminal justice, criminological and legal perspectives. You will investigate the shift from 'old' terrorism to 'new' terrorism, and apply a range of theoretical perspectives to selected cases of 21st century domestic and international terrorism. You will contrast various typologies of terrorist, such as the 'home-grown', the 'lone-wolf', religious extremist, animal rights activist or neo-Nazi, and consider the various types of media coverage that each category attracts. Counter-terrorist measures will be evaluated in relation to a number of factors, such as prejudice, propaganda, nationalism, xenophobia and religion. You will critically evaluate concepts such as universal human rights, freedom of speech, radicalisation, axis of evil and war on terror, and apply them to examples of strategies that have been utilised and justified in the international 'war against terror'. You will attend a one hour lecture and one hour seminar each week for the whole trimester.
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