Graduate Diploma in Law / Common Professional Examination GDL/CPE

The module is designed to provide students with a sound knowledge base for Public law, which is a ‘core’ Law Society module. At the end of the module the students should have a working knowledge of the constitution and the issues surrounding it. In addition they should have a working knowledge of police powers, the law relating to public order and judicial review

By the end of the module you should be able to:

explain what is required to form a contract, the impact of various terms of a contract, when a contract is invalidly formed, how a contract may be brought to an end, the remedies available upon a contract being broken and the principles of restitution;

identify areas of the law of contract where the law of tort provides an alternative cause of action;

read a case and formulate a principle of law upon which the decision in a case is based and identify other statements of law which are not necessary to decide a case;

analyse legislation, breaking sections into constituent parts and show how such parts apply to a body of facts;

construct legal advice and/or legal argument from the application of case law and legislation to a body of factual material;

analyse, evaluate and discuss contractual concepts;

research independently areas of contract law; and

demonstrate an ability to explain contractual principles clearly and succinctly in a written form.

This is a core module on the Graduate Diploma in law.

The aim of the module is to familiarize students with key issues and topics in substantive criminal law. Students will consider the nature, scope and function of the criminal law and will then be introduced to fundamental concepts concerning the elements of criminal liability (actus reus and mens rea). They will then study key offences including homicide, offences against the person (non-fatal offences and sexual offences), property offences (including dishonesty offences and criminal damage offences). Key defences will also be introduced at appropriate points, including mistake, intoxication, automatism, duress, necessity, self-defence / prevention of crime and consent. Topics relevant to participation in crime and inchoate offences will also be covered.

Students will be introduced (where appropriate) to policy issues arising from the substantive law and will consider proposals for reform. Aspects of aspects of comparative law will also be discussed.

At the conclusion of the course, students should have an understanding of the fundamental principles of criminal law, knowledge of key offences and the ability to apply the law to the facts of given case scenarios.

The module will be taught by way of lectures and seminars. Students will be required to undertake independent learning in preparation for seminars. These will take the form of case studies in which students will begin to develop the ability to apply the law to the facts of a case. Students will also be required to explain and analyse the law in relation to given topics in the context of essay questions. They will participate in discussions about the theory of substantive criminal offences and defences.

Assessment will take the form of a three-hour, unseen examination.

The module is designed to introduce students to the law and institutions of the European Union. It begins with an historical overview of the development of the EU from its origins in the 1951 European Coal & Steel Community to the present day EU. This is followed by a look at the EU’s institutions, with an emphasis on the European Court of Justice, and the various sources of EU law (this is consolidated in a special IT-based seminar on researching EU law). The module continues by examining the preliminary rulings procedure, the extent to which EU law can be enforced in national courts, state liability, European Citizenship – a rapidly developing area – and substantive EU law in the form of the free movement of goods, persons, establishment and services. A critical approach is fostered throughout.
The module is designed to develop students’ skills in legal research, critical analysis, and problem-solving.
The module is delivered by a combination of large group sessions, small group sessions and independent learning. Where appropriate, the module makes use of real and realistic scenarios and activities to add practical context to the students’ learning.

The module is assessed by a 3-hour, unseen, closed-book examination.

The overall aim of the module is to introduce students to some of the central principles of substantive English land law. Following its completion the students should be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of those principles.
The module will be delivered by a combination of large and small group sessions, directed learning and independent learning.

The module will be assessed by way of an end of year examination.

The Law of Tort is concerned primarily with the circumstances in which one person may seek compensation for a civil wrong (other than a breach of contract) committed by another, and with the form and measure of compensation where liability is established. The overall aim is to provide students with an understanding of the principles of liability in relation to specific torts (such as negligence, nuisance and defamation), and of the way in which compensation is assessed, with reference in particular to personal injury claims (which in practice account for the vast majority of tort claims). The impact of the Human Rights Act will also be considered where relevant.
Assessment takes the form of a 3 hour examination.

This module introduces students to the substantive law of equity and trusts. It begins with an historical overview of the development of equity. This is followed by study of the creation of trusts (both express and implied). The next topic is Charitable trusts, an area which lends itself well to critical analysis. Next is non-charitable purpose trusts where students study the situations in which these trusts can be valid. Students then study the powers and duties of trustees, breach of trust and the remedies for this including tracing. A critical approach is fostered throughout.
The module is delivered by a combination of large group sessions, small group sessions and independent learning. Where appropriate, the module makes use of real and realistic scenarios and activities to add practical context to the students’ learning.

The module is assessed by a 3 hour unseen closed book exam which accounts for 100% of the overall module mark.

In this module you will develop a critical understanding of an area of law outside of the foundations of legal knowledge as defined by the SRA and BSB.
The module will allow a degree of flexibility in choosing from a wide range of specific legal area. It will also enable the transfer and application of knowledge learned from the core legal areas to a specific area of study.

The areas available vary each year depending upon specialist tutor availability.

This module is a requirement of the GDL course and as an introductory module, it is delivered by way of a pre attendance packages and taught sessions during the induction sessions. It is examined by way of an MCQ test in October on a pass/fail basis.