Module Information

Module Identifier
LA13410
Module Title
Legal System
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Also available in
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
GF13410 Current Welsh-language version
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
LA33410 GF33410 Current Part 2 versions
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
LA15710 Foundations of Law
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
LA38610 Visiting Student version
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
LA14720 or GF14720 Pre-2015 Part 1 versions
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
LA34230 or GF34230 Pre-2015 Part 2 versions
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
LA34720 or GF34720 Pre-2015 Part 2 versions
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
LA14230 or GF14230 Pre-2015 Part 1 versions

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 Exam 1.5 Hours   100%
Supplementary Exam 1.5 Hours   100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Explain and demonstrate an understanding of the structure of the courts and the development of the English and Welsh Legal system.
2. Display a knowledge of the people who play a role in that legal system.
3. Explain the use and significance of judicial precedent and its relationship with the court system.
4. Analyse the processes of creating legislation and how it is interpreted by judges.
5. Display an understanding of alternative forms of dispute resolution, including the tribunal system of resolving civil disputes.

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
The seminars will cover the main topics i.e. precedent; statutory interpretation and the jury.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number
Communication The module will develop students' written communication skills by way of the examination. 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 examination
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
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; Problem solving exercises in seminars will assist in examination problem-solving style questions, and, more widely, in the legal profession.
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 4