University of the West of England, Bristol
SUBJECT SPECIFICATION
Code: UJXU53-10-1 Title: English Legal System Version: 2
Level: 1 UWE credit rating: 10 credits ECTS credit rating: 5 credits
Subject type: Non MAR subject (but standard half module equivalent)
Owning Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities
Valid from: September 2008
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: all 7 Foundation Subjects; and the other (8th) area of legal study (Independent Research Project)
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
Knowledge and understanding
On successful completion of the subject, the student will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of
• The main concepts and legal institutions of the English Legal System
• The nature of civil and criminal procedure and the provision of legal services
• The sources of English Law
Intellectual skills
On successful completion of the subject, the student will be able to
• Discuss the main concepts, legal institutions and procedures of the English Legal System
• Identify, retrieve and apply primary and secondary legal sources
Subject/Practical skills
On successful completion of the subject, the student will be able to
• Locate primary and secondary legal sources, both in paper and electronic form
Transferable/Key skills
On successful completion of the subject, the student will be able to
• Act independently in the ongoing study of the 7 Foundation subjects
• Undertake independent research in preparation for assessments in the 7 Foundation subjects and the Independent Research Project
Syllabus outline:
• Civil and Criminal Courts
• Civil and Criminal Procedure
• Law reform
• Professionals in the English Legal System
• Lay persons in the English Legal System
• Access to justice
Teaching and learning methods:
The aim of the subject is to provide the students with a basic understanding of the English Legal System, its concepts, institutions and procedures. In addition, the students are given a basic introduction to legal terminology, legal reasoning and legal method, which they will continue to practice and develop throughout the course. Legal Method and Research is assessed through the 7 Foundation subjects and not as part of the English Legal System subject.
The subject is studied in part by means of a detailed study pack, containing specific reading and tasks, which every student (Full and Part-time) is required to undertake before starting the CPE course. This preliminary study is used as the basis for a number of classes held during the Induction week (Full-time students) and during the first residential of the year for year 1 Part-time Distance Learning students. During these induction periods a series of lectures, seminars and workshops are held. In addition, students are provided with Library induction sessions and exercises.
Class Contact and Study Hours
Full Time CPE
Prior to the start of the course, students are provided with a Preliminary Study Pack of independent study to be completed before Induction in September. Students are required to obtain the two books referred to below to support their independent preliminary study. It is anticipated that students will take approximately 90 hours to complete the preliminary study (ie the equivalent of two weeks of full-time study). The preliminary study is designed to prepare students for the ELS classes held at Induction and for the ELS assessment at the end of the second week of the course.
During the Induction week in September, students will normally have the following classes relating to ELS:
• A two hour Legal Method lecture
• A two hour Legal Method workshop
• A one hour ELS lecture
• A one hour Civil Justice System lecture
• A one hour Civil Justice System workshop
• A one hour Criminal Justice System lecture
• A one hour Criminal Justice System workshop
In any given academic year, there will normally be
• 5 hours of lectures
• 4 hours of workshops
Consequently, in any academic year, there will normally be 9 hours of contact time for each student.
In addition to the preliminary study and the Induction week classes, students are required to undertake private study to prepare for the ELS assessment.
Part Time CPE
Prior to the start of the course, students are provided with a Preliminary Study Pack of independent study to be completed before Induction in September. Students are required to obtain the two books referred to below to support their independent preliminary study. It is anticipated that students will take approximately 90 hours to complete the preliminary study (ie the equivalent of four weeks of art-time study). The preliminary study is designed to prepare students for the classes held at Induction and for the ELS assessment at the residential session in October.
During the Induction week in September, students will normally have the following classes relating to ELS:
• A two hour Legal Method lecture
• A one hour Legal Method seminar
• A one hour Civil Justice System lecture
• A one hour Civil Justice System seminar
• A one hour Criminal Justice System lecture
• A one hour Criminal Justice System seminar
In any given academic year, there will normally be
• 4 hours of lectures
• 3 hours of seminars
Consequently, in any academic year, there will normally be 7 hours of contact time for each student.
In addition to the preliminary study and the Induction classes, students are required to undertake private study to prepare for the ELS assessment.
Reading Strategy and Indicative sources:
Each year the teaching team identifies two texts to support the package of preliminary study provided to students before the start of the course. These two texts form the essential reading for students. If any further reading is expected, this will be indicated clearly to students. Students who have accepted the offer of a place on the course are provided with the study pack and are instructed to obtain their own copies of the two required texts. Exercises take the students through their reading with a view to enhancing their understanding and to prepare them for the seminars held during the induction period and the assessment of the English Legal System.
By way of illustration, in the 2007/2008 academic year, the two texts to support the preliminary study will be:
“Introduction to the English Legal System”, 3rd edition, M.Partington, Oxford 2006
“Learning Legal Rules”, 6th edition, J. Holland & J. Webb, Oxford 2006
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B
A: 100% B: 0%
First attempt within CPE Regulations
Component A
Candidates will be required to produce concise answers to a series of short questions, written in controlled conditions of time and place. The questions will range across the materials specified for study in the preliminary study package and the work done during the induction period.
Component B
Not applicable
Second Attempt within CPE Regulations
Further attendance at taught classes is not required
Component A
Candidates will be required to produce concise answers to a series of short questions, written in controlled conditions of time and place. The questions will range across the materials specified for study in the preliminary study package and the work done during the induction period.
Component B
Not applicable
Third and last attempt within CPE Regulations
Further attendance at taught classes is not required
Component A
Candidates will be required to produce concise answers to a series of short questions, written in controlled conditions of time and place. The questions will range across the materials specified for study in the preliminary study package and the work done during the induction period.
Component B
Not applicable
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………Date ………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)