LC2S179 - Legal Systems and Sources 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2025 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: LC2S179
Module Title: Legal Systems and Sources
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Law
Faculty Sub Group: Law
Module Leader: Ian McKim
Module Team: Mandy Davies, Clare Lewis, Hannah Coburn, Tayiba Hussain, Sara Davies
First Intended Intake: SEP 2015 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100485 - law
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2025

Module Aims

To develop detailed knowledge and understanding of the sources of law, legal structures, institutions and personnel of the English Legal System and the social context in which it operates.

To develop knowledge of other legal systems and processes.

Content Summary

The module introduces students to the structures, institutions, and personnel of the English Legal System ;

Students will undertake a comparative study of alternative systems and processes e.g. inquisitorial systems;

Students will also consider the sources of law and the law making institutions of the English Legal System e.g. common law, statute law, equity, Parliament and the legislative process, Welsh Government and devolution;

They will also examine critically the selection and role of key personnel of the legal system of England and Wales both lay and professional – judges, magistrates, juries, solicitors and barristers;

Students will then examine critically the features and operation of both justice systems – the Criminal Justice System and the Civil Justice System.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Tutorial 48
Demonstration 12
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 60
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate an in depth knowledge and understanding and an ability to critique the operation of the English Legal System; its sources, institutions, personnel and processes. 
LO2 Demonstrate an in depth knowledge and understanding and an ability to critique the social and political context in which the legal system of England and Wales operates.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Project Output Project Output 1 Written Assignment 0 2500 50 No 40
Oral Assessment (CW) Presentation (CW) 1 Presentation 15 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Project Output 1
Presentation (CW) 1

Reading List

Latest editions

Finch and Fafinski - Legal Skills OUP

Slorach and others - Legal Systems and Skills OUP

G.Slapper and D.Kelly - The English Legal System Routledge

Alisdair Gillespie - The English Legal System OUP

Elliot and Quinn - The English Legal System OUP

Berlins and Dyer - The Law Machine

Michael Zander - The Law Making Process