Family Law LLB (Hons)

Modules

Assessment is through coursework, oral presentation, multiple choice tests, case notes, in class essays and exams. Methods of assessment for course overall: 18% coursework

• Public law
  You'll study the fundamental laws, practices and principles of Public law which define and influence the relationship between the individual and the state as characterised by various governmental institutions in the UK. Detailed consideration is given to the fundamental mechanisms by which human rights are protected and government is subject to legal and political accountability. Various skills are developed including those of analysis, critical evaluation and problem solving.
• Law of torts
  This module builds on the Introduction to Tort and Contract Module and introduces you to the basic concepts of tortious liability in the context of negligence and torts derived from negligence. The module seeks to explore the workings of these areas of torts with exploration of the underlying legal, social and economic policies. In addition this module is also designed to reinforce 3LS.
• Law of contract
  This module is designed to build on the Introduction to Tort and Contract Module and introduces you to the basic concepts of contractual liability arising in the context of contract content, vitiating factors and discharge of a contract. You'll explore the workings of these areas of contract by considering the underlying legal, social and economic policies. In addition this module is also designed to reinforce 3LS.
• Public and EU law
  In this module you will further develop your understanding of the nature of constitutional arrangements in the UK with a focus on the sovereignty especially in relation to membership of the EU.
• Introduction to contract and tort
  This module is designed as your introduction to the areas of Tort and Contract Law. You'll be introduced to the basic concepts of contractual and tortious liability. In terms of substantive coverage, Contract Law will focus on formation of contract and Tort will focus on Trespass to the Person and how this aims to ensure protection of liberty, autonomy and personal integrity. The module seeks to explore the workings of these areas of law with exploration of the underlying legal, social and economic policies. In addition this module is also designed to reinforce 3LS.
• Legal skills, legal study, legal system
  You'll be introduced to aspects of the English Legal System, and practical, transferable and legal skills and legal theory essential to effective engagement with their legal studies. You'll be introduced to the theories of what law is and what are its sources, the court system, EU and International law, and the personnel involved in the administration of the law.
  You'll encounter and develop a range of skills, including study skills, deriving law from primary sources and explaining, discussing and applying it, research, using secondary sources, problem solving, essay writing, communication and IT skills, numerical skills, and reflective learning.

• Property, equity and trusts 1
  This module introduces you property law (including Land law) and Equity and Trusts. You'll study some basic property law topics, focusing upon the creation, transfer and management of property interests. Key legal, transferable and practical skills are developed. At the same time, the module explores the economic and social basis of property law in business and the family, and the reasons for and policies behind the law. Assessment is by means of a part seen examination. The module also gives preparation for the further study of Property Equity and Trusts 2 and Land Law.
• EU rights
  Law of the European Union reflects the importance of EU law in the English Legal system. It is important to the management of the UK economy and relevant to the financial practitioners in the City. Business leader's decisions are influenced by EU competition law. It is important to migrants and practitioners of immigration law, to consumers and trading standards officials, to all employees through employment law and to all of us in relation to the environment. The module is assessed by an unseen examination paper (100% - 2 hours plus 15 mins reading time).
• Criminal law 1
  You'll be introduced to the basic principles of criminal liability, and will explore statutory and common law sources on which the law is based. The module is assessed by a part seen examination paper (100% - 2 hour examination + 15 minutes reading time - 50% for unseen questions and 50% for a seen question which will be made available to students a week prior to the examination).
• Criminal law 2 and the law of criminal evidence
  In this module you'll build upon the basic principles of criminal liability studied in Criminal Law 1 and examine how the rules of Evidence apply while considering some more complex areas of the Criminal law. The module is assessed by a trial Observation (50% - 2,500 words maximum) for Criminal Evidence, and, an unseen examination paper (50% - 1 hour + 15 minutes reading time) for Criminal Law 2.
• Working in the law
  In this module you're provided with an opportunity to develop transferable and practical skills in the context of your career development. You'll have the opportunity to think about different kinds of legal work and to reflect on your knowledge, develop and practice your skills and gain experience needed to pursue the career of their choice. The module will assist you in making, reviewing and implementing your career plan. You'll be encouraged and supported in gaining practical work experience in furtherance of the development of their career plan alongside the module. The module is assessed by 100% coursework.

One option from:

• Gender, justice and the law
  You'll explore a number of legal topics which have important consequences for women and their relationship with the law. You'll be encouraged to develop an appreciation of the social, economic and political contexts in which the law and feminist theories operate. The Module recognises the importance of combining theory and practice and seeks to explore those connections by embedding theory within a practical legal framework; for example, by exploring the impact of feminist and associated theories in the areas of Domestic Violence, Rape and Sexual Harassment.
• Alternative dispute resolution: theory and practice
  This module begins with looking at the theories of the function of courts, the problems related and the relationship this has to the emergence of ADR processes. The module looks at legal theory and then specifically ADR theory that emerged from the US in the 1970-'s and 80's. You'll then be introduced to the specific skills involved in negotiation and mediation. In looking at the theory of these processes, the module identifies the principles and ethics that have evolved in this developing field. Communication skills are taught on this module. You'll be expected to write up your experience and evaluation of your skills each week. This skills report is your first piece of assessment.
• Medical law and ethics
  You'll study key concepts of medical law and medical ethics. You'll study current topics of debate in medical law, such as consent to treatment, abortion and euthanasia, from a legal and then an ethical perspective. This allows you to analyse and explore the relationship between ethics and law. You then choose one of these topics as the subject for an extended essay, researching, analysing and evaluating the law and proposals for reform in the light of different ethical positions and approaches.
• Law and politics
  You'll examine a number of the major theories of law and state from the foundations of the modern British constitution to the present day. This will by done through readings and discussions of extracts from original texts in small groups. The Module explores the operation of the law through an examination of both classical and modern legal theories.

• Property, equity and trusts 2
  You'll build on the Property Equity and Trusts 1 module, in particular its introduction to Equity and Trusts, to fulfil the study of these topics required by the legal professional bodies as a foundation subject of a qualifying law degree. You'll examine the trust and equity in action by considering the powers and duties of trustees, and the control exercised by the courts over them at the behest of beneficiaries (or in the case of charity trustees, the Attorney-General and the Charity Commissioners). Special attention is given to the role of trustees in the management of charities and co-owned land among numerous other examples of the role played by trustees in business life, such as in pension funds, investments, and as personal representatives. The module is assessed by a part seen end of term examination paper (100% - 2 hour examination + 15 minutes reading time).
• Relationships and their financial consequences
  In this module you'll examine selected aspects of black letter law in the context of family relationships – marriage, cohabitation, same sex partnerships and will examine the legal status of each one. There will be discussion and comparison of the differing family patterns and you'll examine the law and government attitude to domestic violence in each type of relationship. You'll then examine financial responsibilities and liabilities of the adults in the family and will look at the financial position when the relationship breaks down. At appropriate points the Parliamentary standpoint will be discussed.
• Project (family law)
  You'll be given an opportunity to carry out extended, independent, research in an area of your choice relating to substantive English law. Normally, you'll not be allowed to choose a topic that has been taught in detail on the degree. There are three pieces of assessed work, which count towards the final project mark. A project supervisor is allocated to you once you've selected a project area.
• Land law
  Land law is a study of relationships. You'll study the relationship between the land and the rights which can exist in or over it, the relationship between the various persons who own an estate or interest over the land or want to defeat the competing interests in or over the land. You'll look at the rights and duties of each party to that relationship, how these relationships co-exit and what happens when the relationships come into conflict. Land Law governs the relative priorities enjoyed by two or more interests concerning the same piece of land. Land Law creates clear rules and formalities as to how the owner of an interest in land can acquire, transfer or extinguish that interest in land. You'll study the interests over land which Land Law is prepared to recognise and how these interests must be protected to ensure enforceability against third parties. The module is assessed by a part seen end of term examination paper (100% - 2 hour examination + 15 minutes reading time).
• Law in relation to children
  You'll examine black letter law in the context of children in relation to the adults in their lives. Starting with private law disputes about children you'll progress to looking at abduction, public law cases and on to adoption. The child in court as a defendant or witness will be dealt with as a separate topic which will be related back to the role of the child in each of the other topics covered. At each stage the Parliamentary standpoint will be discussed.

Plus one option from:

• Civil litigation
  The module examines key areas in the civil litigation process, from pre-action steps and issue of claim, through to trial and appeal.
• Criminal litigation in context (CILEx)
  You'll examine key areas in the criminal litigation process, from arrest and charge, through to trial, appeal and sentencing. You'll focus on the roles of key personnel and organisations in the criminal justice system, the funding of criminal matters by the Legal Services Commission/Criminal Defence service and human rights issues. You'll also be introduced to the rules of client care & professional conduct in criminal cases, criminal evidence and the special considerations that apply to young offenders under the age of 18.
• Analysis of evidence and proof
• Mediation and negotiation skills
  This module starts with looking at negotiation process and theories and strategies of negotiation. You'll look at the blocks to negotiation and then the use of mediation and its process and principles. In looking at the theory of the mediation process, the module identifies the principles and ethics that have evolved in this developing field. The emphasis on the module is demonstrated by the practical element involved in every week of classes, where you'll do practical exercises requiring you to role play and use different skills involved in negotiation and mediation. Communication skills are taught on this module and used to enhance negotiation skills. You'll write up their experience and evaluation of their skills each week and this is their first piece of assessment – a reflective skills report.
• European human rights
  You'll critically consider and evaluate the protection provided by the European Convention on Human Rights and its institutions and to consider its impact in setting human rights norms.
• International protection of human rights
  You'll study the International Protection of Human Rights in the context of specific countries and themes. Lectures will introduce you to key topics such as the UN procedures and Human Rights Activism. You'll then research these topics in the context of a specific country (such as Myanmar, Nigeria and Pakistan) and theme (such as Fair Trial, Free Speech and Torture). Seminar discussions will be based on research on your selected country and theme. There will be an emphasis on developing effective strategies for combating human rights abuses. Assessment is by a single piece of Coursework.

Working in the Law is a compulsory module for second year LLB students. The module delivers sessions on graduate employability, writing applications for law work, developing Curriculum Vitae and making presentations. You'll actively use online materials developed by the University Careers Service designed to encourage you to think about your knowledge, skills and attributes when considering career options. Personality and psychometric tests are carried out for you to further reflect upon and provide an opportunity to develop further as part of the Personal Development Plan (PDP). The module goes further to introduce you to the contentious and non contentious areas of practice, providing an opportunity to appreciate application of the law in practice.

The module places a great emphasis on employability, you're supported in gaining work experience and additional evening sessions are arranged for practitioners to deliver talks to you about life in practice. We regularly arrange Continuing Professional Development sessions, which are open to you to attend and provide an opportunity to network with practitioners.