Law (Graduate Entry) LLB

Compulsory

• Land Law

  Land Law enables students to learn and critically interrogate the key concepts and operations of modern Land Law within its historical and social context. It explores how, why and the ways in which Land Law has evolved to govern and protect both ‘estates in land’ and ‘rights in land’.

  The module interrogates the rights and interests of owners, occupiers, third parties and others concerned with land and how disputes between owners and between owners and third parties can be resolved.

  It also offers critical perspectives on contemporary land issues, especially when they relate to inequalities in society and amongst different groups.

• Public Law and Legal Skills

  In Public Law & Legal Skills, you will learn how to create your own country – and how to make it work. What are the basic ideas that you need to organise government? How do we choose the people who rule us and which powers they should have? You will also be learning basic legal skills and judicial review – how to ensure courts check on the administration of power.

• Contract Law and Civil Justice Systems

  This module introduces students to the Law of Contract and the civil justice system, providing a solid foundation in the theoretical underpinnings of these legal concepts. This module provides an in-depth exploration of the principles of contract in Common Law and Equity. It is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of how these principles are applied to agreements in legal contexts.

  The module also gives students an understanding of how civil disputes are resolved in England and Wales, covering both court processes, including adjudication by judges and the non-adjudicative approaches.

  Students will also have the opportunity to thoroughly examine and learn about various topics such as the formation of contracts, contractual terms, misrepresentation, vitiating factors, the courts and tribunal system structure, key procedural rules, and current issues on securing 'access to justice'. This comprehensive approach aims to provide students with a deep and nuanced understanding of the legal framework that governs contractual agreements and civil dispute resolution in the specific context of England and Wales.

• Criminal Law and Criminal Justice systems

  This module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of key aspects of criminal law and the criminal justice system to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to critically evaluate the efficacy of the criminal justice system in England and Wales and engage with ongoing debates in criminal law reform.

  The module includes the study of specific offences such as murder, manslaughter, sexual offences and theft as well as important legal concepts such as criminal liability and defence.

  Students will also explore police powers when investigating crime, the criminal trial process, and the role of other key actors in the criminal justice system in England and Wales. The module also delves into contemporary issues such as domestic violence and autonomy, encouraging critical thinking and debate, and setting the foundations to help them develop essential legal skills, including research and analysis which are crucial for future legal careers. 

Compulsory

• Tort Law

  Tort law is a body of rules that primarily govern how a community should allocate costs within society when some form of harmful event occurs. The module covers the general rules of negligence, alongside a range of specific individual torts, such as defamation, privacy, land related torts, and vicarious liability.

• Trusts

  The idea of a trust has been described as the greatest and most distinctive achievement of English law (Maitland). Even though it is difficult to give a single, overarching definition to a trust, this legal instrument is of great significance to many areas of law and modern life. 

  Students on this module will examine different types of trusts such as express private trusts, charitable and non-charitable purpose trusts, and understand the nature and scope of trustees' powers and duties. You will also analyse the available remedies for breach of trust and, importantly, the broader relevance of trusts and the importance of trusts law to other areas of law and society.

Optional

• Banking Law

  The module intends to help students understand the legal issues associated with banking and credit markets. The laws and regulations of banking include the laws  setting  the  conditions  for  establishing  banks, the legal  framework for the transactions between banks and their customers and the rationale, structure and operations of the authorities supervising the financial services industry.

• Company Law

  Company Law offers an in-depth analysis of the legal framework governing companies with a focus on core principles of corporate governance, directors’ duties, shareholders’ rights, and corporate liability. Students will critically examine the structure and regulation of companies, engaging with key legislation (such as the Companies Act 2006) alongside relevant case law.

  The module also explores contemporary issues including corporate finance, minority shareholder protection, and the evolving role of corporate governance in global markets.

  The teaching structure consists of a combination of lectures and seminars aimed at enabling students to develop a rigorous analytical understanding of how legal principles apply to real-world corporate scenarios.

  By the end of the module, students will be equipped to critically assess corporate structures and regulatory frameworks while engaging with both theoretical and practical aspects of company law. The module prepares students for careers in corporate law, compliance, and financial regulation.

• Intellectual Property Law

  The Intellectual Property module aims to provide students with knowledge about the theoretical rationales and policy arguments for the recognition and protection of intellectual property rights such as copyright, trademarks, designs, patents and trade secrets.

  The module seeks to explain the nature and scope of these rights, the procedures for the granting or recognition of the rights, and mechanisms for enforcement as well as defences against enforcement.

  Additionally, the module aims to explore intellectual property law within a wider social, economic, cultural and political context. This includes consideration of the impact of technological changes in the protection of intellectual property. 

• International Commercial Arbitration

  The module has been formally recognised by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), the primary professional body within the field of arbitration.

  In a world where commerce knows no borders, International Commercial Arbitration offers the fastest, most effective way to resolve disputes, making it a dispute-resolution method of preference for international traders. International Commercial Arbitration (LX3606) explores the principles, rules, and procedures governing the resolution of cross-border commercial disputes through arbitration. It examines the legal framework provided by key international instruments such as the New York Convention (1958), the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial Arbitration, and institutional rules from organisations like the ICC, LCIA, and SIAC.

  Students will gain a deep understanding of arbitration agreements, jurisdictional challenges, arbitral procedure, enforcement of awards, and the interplay between arbitration and national courts.

  The module also covers the intersection between arbitration and technology, ethical considerations, and emerging trends in the field. Through case studies, moot exercises, and critical analysis, students develop practical skills in drafting arbitration clauses, procedural strategy, and advocacy.

  The module is ideal for those pursuing careers in international business, dispute resolution, or legal practice, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to navigate complex arbitration disputes effectively. 

• International Investment Law and Arbitration

  Investment treaty arbitration is a field of law that has grown exponentially. Not only due to increased foreign direct investments, but also due to the increase in states having signed international investment agreements, and that such agreements typically include an arbitration clause. Such arbitration between foreign investors and states under the public international law regime of investment laws is often transparent, at least with respect to the outcome (the arbitral award).

  With an increase in drafting and signing treaties, on the one hand, and the vast arbitral case law stemming from investment treaty arbitration on the other hand, the importance of international investment law has grown. This course is divided in four elements that inform each other: (1) Introduction, (2) International Investment Law, (3) Investment Arbitration, and (4) Post-Award Proceedings.

• Dissertation

  The primary aim of the dissertation is to assess a student’s ability to undertake independent research under the supervision of an academic member of staff. Students will have the opportunity to explore a chosen topic in depth and to write an original piece of critical analysis on the issues arising from the topic.

• Competition Law

  Competition law is an exciting subject which regulates how businesses behave in relation to their competitors and consumers. It protects competition in the market by prohibiting (a) abuses of dominance, (b) anti-competitive agreements between businesses (e.g., cartels), and (c) mergers that may lead to higher prices and less variety for consumers.

  It is a fascinating field of study which has recently been at the forefront of initiatives to regulate big technology companies and address climate change and sustainability issues. The module focuses on EU and UK competition law. However, the EU and UK rules are the ‘model law’ for many other jurisdictions. As a result, students following this module will acquire a solid background to competition rules that are applicable in most jurisdictions around the world.

  You'll go beyond the study of legal rules, exploring the economics of supply and demand (no prior knowledge of economics is required), the influence of politics over the application of competition law, and how societal and technological changes affect the enforcement priorities that competition authorities set.

  Students choosing a career path in the field of competition law will realise that ‘the sky is the limit’. An expert in competition law is sought after by law firms; companies looking for in-house counsel to work on competition compliance; regulators (e.g., the UK Competition and Markets Authority); and public affairs agencies.

• Families, Children and the Law

  This module examines the law relating to the different forms of families and family relationships, the rights of children and responsibilities of parents, arrangements for children after family breakdowns, and protection from domestic abuse.

  The module will also focus on state responses to children and young people including the role of the state and the law in protecting children at risk of harm. Students will examine some of the assumptions on which the law is based, and how changing perceptions of the family and of roles within it are reflected in the law and in continuing pressure for legal change.

• AI, Data and the Law

  In this module, you will study the legal framework governing the development and deployment of AI and data protection laws of the EU and the UK, enabling students to develop an in-depth understanding of regulatory frameworks which are crucial for compliance across the private, public, and third sectors.

  The module will introduce students to key topics, concepts, theories, methodologies, and tools relevant to regulatory compliance, oversight, accountability, and legal liability for harm caused by the misuse of data and AI. Through various lectures, seminars, and engagement with relevant materials, students will develop critical thinking, legal argumentation, and analytical skills in relation to data and AI-driven decision-making.

• EU Law in its UK Context

  EU Law seeks to provide a solid working knowledge of legal principles, specifically in the current UK context as a third country maintaining a close relationship with the EU. The module begins with the history of the European legal order, the Treaties, the institutional framework, and the main constitutional principles regulating EU law. It then focuses on the EU internal market and economic trade integration as well as the protection of fundamental rights in EU law.

  In addition, aspects of Brexit, the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, and the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement will be discussed throughout the module.

  This module is essential for Canadian students wishing to gain NCA accreditation.

• International Law and Human Rights

  This module will address the nature of international law, state responsibility and the right to self-determination. It will focus on theories of human rights, and look into the structures, strengths and weaknesses of the international human rights systems including the United Nations.

  It will focus on human rights including the right to life, prohibition of discrimination, women’s rights and minority rights. Focusing on the legal dimensions, but also drawing from international politics and using sociological concepts, the module will give you the tools to identify, understand and critically discuss human rights worldwide.

  You will be taught by someone working with the United Nations on these issues everyday as the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of Cultural Rights!