LC2S215 - Law on Trial 01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: LC2S215
Module Title: Law on Trial
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Law
Faculty Sub Group: Law
Module Leader: Clare Lewis, Hannah Coburn
Module Team: Holly Evans, Ayesha Fulat, Hannah Menard
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

The module will introduce students to the theories and doctrines of law and will encourage a critical evaluation of aspects of the Anglo-Welsh Legal System.

The module will provide a basis for study for students to;

1. Demonstrate understanding of law, the legal system and its methods in the context of society's competing values, influences and political pressures.

2. Analyse the impact of unequal distribution of power and wealth and the influence of other [perceived] inequalities on the processes of law creation and adjudication.

3. Critique the role of key personnel within the legal system and the operation of the civil and criminal justice systems.

4. Apply critical legal theories and perspectives to contemporary case studies.

Content Summary

The module provides a wide-ranging critical examination of the structures, personnel, methods and substantive laws of the English Legal System and other legal systems and covers the following indicative content:

• Main theories underlying the study of law. These theories will serve as tools of analysis enabling students to examine aspects of the ELS and other legal systems from a more critical perspective.
• Importance of the rule of law from a domestic and an international perspective.
• Role of human rights within the ELS.
• Critical approaches on the law making processes.
• Operation of the criminal justice system and the civil justice system through a number of case studies.
• Legal attempts to deal with differences and discrimination in society
• Topical case studies

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 20
Seminar 20
Independent Study 88
Directed Study 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Evidence understanding of different theoretical legal perspectives and apply them to case studies.
LO2 Evidence critical reasoning skills through an evaluation of the role of law, legal institutions, methods or personnel in contemporary society.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 A portfolio consisting of a collection of three critical essays and a reflective account relating to an overarching critical theme within the English Legal System. 0 N/A 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio 1

Reading List

THERE IS NO PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK for this module. Readings will be
suggested and made available where possible in an electronic format on BB.

Here is a list of books that will be helpful;

R. Wacks, Understanding Jurisprudence, OUP
Lloyd’s Introduction to Jurisprudence, Sweet and Maxwell.
D. Nicolson and L.Bibbings, Feminist Perspectives on Criminal Law, Cavendish
H. Kennedy, Eve was Framed, Vintage
H. Kennedy, Just Law, Vintage
H. Kennedy, Eve was Shamed, Vintage
T. Ellis and S.Savage [eds], Debates in Criminal Justice: Key Themes and Issues
T. Bingham, The Rule of Law, 2010 Penguin
H. Barnett, Sourcebook on Feminist Jurisprudence, Cavendish Press
C. Wells and N.Lacey, A Woman and the Law: Reflections on Gender, Class and Politics,
G. Slapper and D. Kelly, The English Legal System, Routledge
P. Harris, An Introduction to Law, Butterworths
M.Travers, Understanding Law and Society, Routledge
S. Vago, Law and Society,9th Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall
C. Stychin, and L.Mulcahy, Legal Methods and Systems, Sweet & Maxwell
B. Meteyard, A.Thomson, & W. A. Mansell, A Critical Introduction to Law,
Cavendish
R. Chisholm, & G. Nettheim, Understanding Law, Butterworths.
M. Zander, The Law Making Process, (6th Edition) Cambridge
J. Waldron, The Law, Routledge
P.A Thomas, Discriminating Lawyers, Cavendish
T. Honore, About Law: An Introduction, Clarendon Press
L. Friedman, Law and Society: An Introduction, Prentice Hall

Websites
• www.homeoffice.gov.uk (Home Office circulars, press releases, consultation papers, research publications)
• www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk (Parliament on line)
www.hmso.gov.uk/acts.htm (Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments)