MLaw Law with Professional Practice

In the second year, you should continue to build your understanding of the foundations of legal knowledge. You should also begin to develop your practical legal skills, which will lay the groundwork for the final years of your degree.

Modules

• Practical Legal Skills – 20 credits

  The module should provide you with a working understanding of practical legal skills and professional ethical awareness in the areas of advocacy, drafting, client interviewing and negotiation. The module is designed to introduce you to the type of work that you would do in legal practice and help inform your career aspirations. The skills you will aim to develop in this module are highly attractive and transferable in a variety of professional spheres outside of the legal profession.

  Compulsory

• Client Care and Professional Ethics – 20 credits

  Client care skills are an essential aspect of the work of a legal professional and during this module you will start to develop those skills. You should learn how to navigate the practitioner-client relationship by developing an understanding of the relevant Codes of Conduct and Principles governing solicitors, as imposed by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority, and CILEx Lawyers . You will engage with the ethical complexities and responsibilities that you will encounter as future legal professionals. You will examine fundamental principles that underpin the legal profession, such as confidentiality, integrity and competency.

  Compulsory

• Tort Law – 20 credits

  Tort law is the name given to the branch of law that imposes civil liability for breach of obligations owed by both individuals and organisations to another. It encompasses a wide variety of different legal actions, such as negligence, defamation, trespass, and nuisance. In this module, you will explore some of these areas and how the law of Tort has developed in a changing economic, social, and political climate. You will examine the defences available to a tortious action and the remedies that are available to a claimant to compensate the victims of tortious conduct.

  Compulsory

• Land Law – 20 credits

  This module aims to teach you the terminology, concepts, policy objectives and statutory schemes necessary to understand modern property law in England and Wales, with a particular focus on land law. You should develop your problem-solving skills in the context of practical problems arising in land law and also explore the underlying policy rationales which shape the law of property.

  Compulsory

• European Union Law – 20 credits

  The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of the operation of European Union Law within the English legal system, and of the legal frameworks that operate within the EU. In this module you should gain an understanding of both the public law of the European Union, as well as the substantive rules of the internal market. You will examine the institutional framework within which EU law operates; the sources of EU law and their legal effects, in particular in the English legal system; and the enforcement of EU law obligations. You will also study the law of the internal market, with particular emphasis placed upon the free movement of goods and services.

  Compulsory

• Equity and Trusts – 20 credits

  This module introduces you to the equitable principles governing the creation, operation, and administration of public and private trusts. This module examines the reasons for creating trusts in the contemporary social, economic, and international contexts, and the requirements for such creation. During this module you should gain an understanding of the fiduciary nature of trusteeship, the powers and duties of trustees, and remedies for breach of trust. This module will aim to give you an appreciation of the flexibility of the trust concept, its traditional function in relation to family property, and its contemporary role in commercial contexts.

  Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement² can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee³ of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depends on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student. Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year.

Modules

• UK Work Placement – 0 credits

  This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

  Optional

• International Study/Work Placement – 0 credits

  This module² provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

  Optional

During this year you will put your understanding of the law into practice. You will further explore legal procedure alongside an emphasis on professional ethics and the skills that a lawyer needs to be successful.

Modules

• Family Law – 20 credits

  This module aims to enable you to understand the ways in which English law regulates relationships between adult partners (in marriage, civil partnership, and co-habitation), and relationships between parents/carers and children. The module further aims to develop an understanding of the relationship between domestic family law and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, and the ways in which both private and public law operate to safeguard children and adults from violence and abuse in a family context with reference to the rights guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights.

  Compulsory

• Company Law – 20 credits

  The primary aim of this module is to provide you with a critical understanding of the statutory provisions and common law principles governing registered companies. Registered companies conduct most of the economic activity of the United Kingdom. Therefore, lawyers and other professional persons require an understanding of the concepts that shape company law, as well as the rules that govern corporate activities. This module seeks to achieve its aim by examining the legal regulation of the formation, administration, financing and governance of companies.

  Compulsory

• Employment Law – 20 credits

  This module examines and assesses the law governing the individual employment relationship. The module aims to provide you with a broad understanding of the legal aspects of employment. It examines the legal regulation throughout the employment relationship, from recruitment through to termination. The nature of employment, the rights and duties of employers and employees during employment, and on termination, are investigated with reference to statute and the extensive case law and literature.

  Compulsory

• Criminal and Civil Litigation – 20 credits

  This module aims to develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of how criminal law (governed by the Criminal Procedure Rules) and civil law (governed by the Civil Procedure Rules) work in practice. When critically examining the Criminal and Civil Procedure Rules you will have opportunities to also develop advocacy skills through practical sessions that involve roleplays to reflect representing clients. For both areas, you will have an opportunity to develop advocacy skills through practical sessions that include roleplay and explore the core principles of criminal and civil liability. You will also explore the law, procedure and processes involved in 1) advising clients, 2) pre-trial considerations, 3) meeting client’s objectives, and 4) the relevant courts for both criminal and civil law.

  Compulsory

• Wills, Trusts and the Administration of Estates – 20 credits

  This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal principles and practical aspects related to wills, administration of estates and trusts. You will examine the law and practice relating to succession of property upon death, including the creation of wills, common challenges that arise in the context of will creation and variation of wills. You will also explore the rules of intestacy and how the rules determine the distribution of assets in the absence of a valid will. Furthermore, you will examine how certain property may pass according to other legal mechanisms, such as by survivorship, and the practical implications of these mechanisms. Building upon their understanding of Equity and Trusts from year two, you will examine the legal principles, theories and concepts that apply to managing and distributing estates and consequent trust arrangements, and how they are applied in professional practice.

  Compulsory

• Property Law and Practice – 20 credits

  Drawing upon your understanding of contract law, land law and equity and trusts, this module aims to explore property law in practice. With a focus on conveyancing, you will examine the process that enables the transfer of freehold and leasehold property to take place, both in a residential and commercial context. You will examine the legal and procedural processes that must be undertaken when taking instruction from a client, investigating title, conducting pre-contract searches, progressing a transaction to exchange of contracts and completion. You will also explore post-completion procedures as well as delays and remedies.

  You will also examine leasehold property and the grant of commercial leases, including an investigation of key lease covenants and the consequences of breaching those covenants, together with the relevant applicable law. Furthermore, you will examine core principles of planning law and property taxation as it relates to property transactions.

  Compulsory

As you move through your final year, you will continue to put your understanding of the law into practice. This culminates in participation in a simulated law firm exercise in the final semester during which you will be required to apply your knowledge and skills to simulated client and courtroom experiences.

Modules

• Business Law and Practice – 20 credits

  This module aims to provide you with the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to identify and deal with a range of legal and ethical issues likely to be encountered in business. The module covers business formation, including the types of business, funding and liability. It also explores the nature and function of various company structures, the rights and obligations of shareholders and directors, and how business may come to an end. You will examine how business law principles are applied in professional legal practice, as well as the fundamentals of business ethics, including decision-making, governance and corporate social responsibility in a global economy.

  Compulsory

• Dispute Resolution – 20 credits

  Dispute resolution is wider than litigation and it has become common place for disputes, particularly those relating to contract and tort law, to be settled out of court through a variety of mediums. This module aims to look at the various types of arbitration and mediation that are used as a means of alternative dispute resolution. You are provided with the opportunity to learn and apply the rules and etiquette used in such forums to provide access to justice and resolve of legal disputes. This module will be highly practical in nature and will involve the development of key negotiation skills through exploration of authentic case studies.

  Compulsory

• Solicitors Accounts and Tax – 20 credits

  Through this module you will explore the accounting techniques used in legal practice and a range of legal issues likely to be encountered by solicitors when dealing with taxation. You will explore how accounts are compiled and analysed to enable professional legal practices to record all financial transactions and analyse these to make strategic and operational decisions relating to their business. You will examine how the ethical frameworks and accounting presumptions operate and consider the fundamentals of ethical decision making in relation to tax and the recording of financial transactions. The module will cover the main taxes in the UK i.e., income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, corporations tax and value-added tax. It also considers more specific taxes that only arise in certain circumstances e.g. stamp duty tax.

  Compulsory

• Advocacy – 20 credits

  This module aims to provide you with an advanced understanding of courtroom advocacy techniques. Through rigorous training and practice, you should develop the proficiency needed to effectively represent clients in a court room, make compelling legal arguments and handle complex legal issues and procedure in the context of both criminal litigation and dispute resolution. The module aims to instil a strong sense of professional ethics and understanding of courtroom etiquette, emphasising the significance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism whilst advocating on behalf of a client in legal proceedings. You will be expected to conduct legal analysis of a client’s issue, prepare effectively for oral advocacy by identifying the relevant facts and legal principles and present reasoned arguments in a clear, logical, succinct and persuasive way.

  Compulsory

• Client Interviewing and Case and Matter Analysis – 20 credits

  During this module you will undertake a comprehensive exploration of the essential skills and techniques required for effective client interactions within the legal profession. Building upon modules studied previously in the course, you will learn how to establish a rapport with the client, actively listen and communicate effectively to build trust and gather pertinent information from clients. You will explore cultural competence, enabling you to effectively engage with clients from diverse backgrounds and adapt their interview approach accordingly. This module will also address the importance of accurate record keeping in the form of attendance notes. Based upon the information obtained in interview and documents forwarded to yourself from the partner in a simulated law firm, you will also need to identify and analyse legal issues, assess the client’s needs and formulate appropriate strategies, including options and strategies for negotiation. You will then articulate this client-focused advice in a variety of different formats.

  Compulsory

• Legal Research, Writing and Drafting – 20 credits

  This module aims to develop your ability to conduct effective legal research in response to the types of legal problem encountered in practice and to utilise that research in the drafting of legal correspondence and documentation. Acting in the capacity of a solicitor within a simulated law firm, you will be required to act in the interests of fictitious clients and develop your ability to communicate effectively in writing and in a professional capacity, to a range of audiences such as the other side in litigation or a transaction, a third party, a partner within their organisation or the client themselves. Additionally, you should hone your legal drafting skills by drafting a range of legal documents, with and without the use of precedents.

  Compulsory