Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 40 hours total |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 8 one-hour seminars (The moot takes place within one of the timetabled seminar hours) |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours Exam at the end of Semester 1 | 35% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours Exam at the end of Semester 2 | 35% |
| Semester Assessment | Oral presentation - mooting exercise - mock trial | 30% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours Exam (Sem 1) - if element failed | 35% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours Exam (Sem 2) - if element failed | 35% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Oral presentation - if element failed | 30% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Explain and demonstrate an understanding of the structure and development of the English and Welsh Legal system, and those who play a role in it
2. Explain the use and significance of judicial precedent and its relationship with the court system
3. Analyse the processes of creating legislation and how it is interpreted by judges
4. Display a knowledge of alternative forms of dispute resolution
5. Show an ability to retrieve legal information by use of both electronic and hard copy research methods in order to demonstrate a basic level of competence in locating and using both primary and secondary sources of law
6. Interpret, evaluate and critically analyse primary and secondary legal sources
7. Demonstrate problem-solving skills, and the organisation of ideas and arguments in applying the law to factual situations
8. Construct legal arguments and apply legal reasoning in oral and written communication
9. Effectively and coherently prepare, argue for and orally present a case for defendant or prosecution in a formally assessed moot (mock trial)
Brief description
2. The module prepares students for their other Law studies at University by introducing them to the range of skills they must master if they are to be successful in those studies. This will include reading legislation and cases; critical analysis; essay writing; case noting and problem solving.
3. Mooting, oral presentation and advocacy skills will be taught in the module by way of lectures and seminars. The mooting element will be formally assessed, as this forms an important skill for vocational purposes.
Content
2. The functions of the law and the Court System
3. How precedent works; reading cases and case noting (this includes a practical exercise in the case noting lecture)
4. Legislation; reading legislation and statutory interpretation
5. Problem solving in relation to both common law and legislative offences (each of the problem solving lectures is linked with a practical exercise to be prepared by the students prior to lectures)
6. Critical analysis of cases and commentaries again, practical exercises on how to critically analyse.
7. Legal personnel, including the legal profession; magistrates; judiciary; and the jury
8. Further skills: Essay writing and footnoting; exam preparation; and avoiding unfair practice
9. Tribunals; inquisitorial and adversarial procedures
10. Alternative dispute resolution and negotiation.
11. Mooting, oral presentation and advocacy skills (this block of lectures will (i) reflect the relevance of advocacy skills in legal practice, and (ii) accommodate the Moot (the mock trial) which is an assessed component of the module. Students will be taught the essential elements of mooting; will prepare the relevant case notes; will receive a demonstration from the mooting team; and will be taught advocacy skills in general.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | (Oral) - Moot; (Written) - Examination |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Pre and post-lecture research and seminar preparation |
| Information Technology | In lectures; pre and post-lecture research; seminar preparation |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Learning throughout the module will be relevant to a career in the legal profession |
| Problem solving | Preparation for and discussion of problem-solving questions in lectures and seminars. |
| Research skills | Pre and post-lecture research and seminar preparation |
| Subject Specific Skills | Legal research: use of specifically designed legal databases as a resource for statute and case law Reading primary sources in the way of cases and legislation Problem solving; critical analysis and case noting Mooting and advocacy |
| Team work | Seminar work: preparation and group discussions. Moot |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4