Programme Modules
Year 1
Legal Systems and Skills
This module provides an introduction to the nature and sources of English and European Law and the institutions and processes by which laws are applied in practice. It is designed to develop an appreciation of the work of the civil and criminal justice system and the processes of dispute resolution, and to develop an awareness of the necessary skills appropriate to the study of law (eg. legal writing, drafting and advocacy and the recognition of the relevance of ethical consideration).
Contract Law
This module aims to equip students with an understanding of the complexities involved in the intricate area of private contracts. Philosophical aspects of the contract will be examined, as will the grounding principles of how these are adopted and implemented in a commercial setting. This module will give students an appreciation and understanding of the role that contracts play in the commercial arena in addition to equipping them with the relevant skills to enable them to progress on to professional training at a later date.
Constitutional and Administrative Law
The module investigates the system of government in England and Wales including legislature, judiciary and the executive (emphasising the doctrine of separation of powers), and the role of the law courts interpreting the laws. The module also demonstrates the impact of European Union law, and the ways in which judicial review affects parliamentary sovereignty and responsible government.
Human Rights Law
This module identifies the growing concern in many countries for human rights and civil liberties and demonstrates how this concern has been incorporated into the domestic legal systems including civil, political, economic, social and cultural areas of law. The module also shows how human rights provisions have been adopted by international organisations and promoted by international conventions.
Year 2
Land Law
The purpose of this module is to offer students an in-depth knowledge and perspective of the concepts of land law. An understanding of the fundamental issues and tangible concepts of land law will be examined, e.g. interests in land, leases and co-ownership. This module will also outline the various ethical and moral issues involved within this area. It will illustrate how the courts address these issues in line with legislation such as the Human Rights Act and decisions from the European Courts.
Tort Law
This module will illustrate the obligations and implications of activities involved within the public arena. Students will be introduced to the basics of general negligence and its liability, coupled with specific areas such as clinical negligence. In addition, this module will cover areas such as product liability, defamation and nuisance as well as defences to these claims. Additionally, students will be encouraged to consider the socio-economic conditions within which torts are committed, and the implications that these have on society. Moreover, this module will draw from other common law systems and illustrate how their precedents could affect judicial decisions here in the UK.
Law of the European Union
This module aims to equip students with a detailed knowledge of EC Institutions along with primary, secondary and tertiary law in respect of the free movement of persons and goods and competition. It also aims to examine the role of the European Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance in the complex area of enforcement of EU law by the Institutions, Member States and natural and legal persons. Conflict with the domestic law of Member States will also be addressed.
Company Law
This module identifies the various forms and structures of companies and at what level they operate, including regulatory guidelines within which they operate. In addition, legislative instruments affecting the role of companies and the fiduciary duties placed upon their corporate officers are examined. This is a wide ranging and challenging module which will draw from a number of core areas including tort, contract and equity. Students will be encouraged to develop their interpretation of statutory and common law functions, enabling them to better understand the changing dynamics of company law.
Year 3
Criminal Law
This module will evaluate the key principles of the criminal justice system and offer students a detailed knowledge of this area of the law. The general principles of what constitutes a crime will be addressed, as well as the various corresponding sanctions that can be implemented through offences of criminal liability. As well as grasping fundamental issues of criminal law, students will develop an appreciation of the relationship between the theory and practice of criminal law. Moreover, students will be encouraged to offer opinion based on relevant statutory guidelines to factual scenarios. Through critical analytical approach, students will be able to comprehend the extent and range of criminal law issues.
Equity and Trusts
This module examines the legal basis of the various forms of trusts and the application of the principles of equity to legal judgments. The module also reviews the reasons for the creation of trusts and the legal basis of their management. It identifies the liability of trustees and the remedies available for trust beneficiaries. The principles of equity and trusts will be applied in a practical context such as estate planning.
Law Project
This module is concerned with the analysis in depth of a problem, or a series of related problems, related to a particular and significant area of the law. The analysis will contain coherent and lucid sections on objectives, methodology, and will review published views on the problems(s) stated. The project will also contain a review of primary evidence and/or detailed case history and present and evaluate relevant data.
GSM London