Law and Criminal Justice LLB (Hons)

30 credits

Land law studies the nature of land, the history of the current legislative structure and third party interests in, on and over private land in England and Wales. It introduces the concepts behind ownership and use of private land, considering also how the law operates in the context of freehold and leasehold title, rights of way and squatters' rights.

30 credits

This module studies the general principles of criminal liability, definitions of what constitutes particular crimes and offences, and how that law affects particular circumstances. This involves not only a critical examination of the law, but also, using hypothetical factual situations, an understanding its detailed application. 

30 credits

The European Union's (EU) development has had a significant impact in Europe and globally. Although the UK has left the EU, its law is still relevant not only because it remains part of the applicable law of the UK, but also to understand how the UK now interacts with the EU.

You will develop detailed knowledge and in-depth understanding of the core areas of EU law, and the relationship between the EU and its member states and the respective role of the Court of Justice of the European Union and national courts in applying EU law.

This module also has a strong focus on developing your employability skills. You will take part in personal development activities designed to strengthen your professional identity and global citizenship, while expanding your knowledge of legal practice in different professional contexts.

30 credits

This module provides you with a critical insight into key issues and controversies in the delivery of justice by our principal criminal justice institutions: the police, prison and probation services.

You will learn about the historical context of these key institutions of justice, as well as the main issues confronting the criminal justice system in the 21st century.

You will explore the range of different penalties available, from fines and community sentences to restorative justice, and the changing ways in which ‘justice' is conceptualised and delivered, or not delivered, in the present day, particularly with respect to the changing place of the victim. You will connect theory to practice through projects in partnership with external organisations.

30 credits

This module examines the idea of conscience in English law. It looks at how, historically, equity developed from the King in order to ameliorate the problems caused by an increasingly inflexible common law, at a time when Parliament met infrequently. The concept of the trust, where ownership is divided between legal and beneficial owners, is examined, including the conscience-inspired constructive trust, and the use of the trust in many contexts, including charity law. The administration of trusts is also considered.

30 credits

This module will help you to develop legal reasoning skills in specific legal contexts, such as environmental law, criminal justice, employment issues, business law, company law and family matters.

You'll analyse legal issues and how they apply to real-life scenarios, enhancing your employability skills. You'll also have a choice of pathways in which you can showcase your legal research, writing and presentation skills in a topic that interests you.

We will help you to further strengthen your professional skills, encouraging you to critically evaluate your own personal development and plan for your future career.

30 credits

This module introduces you to the criminal law responsibility of private individuals and their human rights protection under international law.

The first part of the module focuses on the mechanisms of international criminal justice, and the law that underpins it. The sources and fundamental principles of ICL, institutional aspects of ICL are explored, from the Nuremberg Tribunals, to the international Criminal Court (ICC), as well as established international crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes). 

The second part of the module focuses on essential aspects of international human rights law. It examines the main international instruments which provide protection for human rights, substantive established human rights, the importance of the distinction between global and regional protection of human rights, with a special focus on the European Convention of Human Rights, as well as the mechanisms in place to protect and enforce these rights.

The final part of the module focuses on a number of crimes, analysed both from an international criminal law and international human rights perspective, such as the crime of torture.

15 credits

This module brings criminological theories and perspectives to bear on the uses of criminal law in contemporary societies. Students will have the opportunity to think critically about selected current and emerging topics in criminal law and explore how the relationship between the elements of crimes and the processes of criminalisation change over time.

As new technological developments present challenges to existing frameworks in criminal law, offending behaviour in cyberspace and the uses of artificial intelligence in the delivery of criminal justice raise important criminological issues in law reform. Similarly, popular and media narratives about social disorder often expose the limits of the criminal law and how such limits may be justified – should the criminal law have a place in the construction of the self and identities in public and private spheres?

The module examines a range of current and emerging problems that raise questions about law and power in crime control, individual autonomy and consent, security and liberty in criminalisation and decriminalisation, surveillance technology in law enforcement, and the protection of vulnerable groups.

30 credits

The dispute resolution module makes extensive use of role-play in order to develop a deeper understanding of the dynamics that underlie conflicts, and of the process of dispute resolution. Comparisons are made with litigation and with other adversarial and quasi-judicial mechanisms to place mediation and negotiation in context. Themes are identified and discussed, often using role-plays, and the social and psychological aspects considered. The module also covers theories of conflict and conflict management, and the general landscape of dispute resolution.

15 credits

This module considers the rules, processes and institutions involved in responding to young offenders. Together, these elements shape what is deemed the youth justice system as separate from the standard criminal justice system designed for adults.

From the point of arrest through to sentencing, you will be equipped to analyse the relevant legal framework and wider criminological research.

This module also has an international dimension, covering the basis, evaluation and enforcement of international human rights standards.

15 credits

Global migration has intensified rapidly since 1960, with the UNPD estimating an increase from 80 to 210 million by 2009. It has become a contentious political topic with far-reaching consequences for contemporary societies, and arguably for established sociological paradigms (e.g. methodological nationalism).

The module will equip students to understand and investigate in depth the social dynamics of migration and its consequences, and enable them to offer informed and critical comment on contemporary debates (e.g. media coverage of migration, on the economics of migration, and on migration's consequences for social solidarity). It is organised to reflect on social issues such as social mobility, poverty, gender and education, inequality and citizenship as they relate to different types of international mobility, and to explore fundamental consequences of migration for shaping social relations at local and global levels.

This module will introduce students to current trends in migration flows, to the different types of human mobility and the dynamics behind them, and to governments' responses to the social, political and legal challenges raised by international migration. In addition, students will have the opportunity to develop their own professional thinking in this field.

15 credits

This module explores miscarriages of justice: the issues, circumstances, and responses to problems in criminal justice processes that result in wrongful convictions.

You will consider theoretical, empirical, and practical explanations of miscarriages of justice with particular focus on the nature and construction of evidence. Therefore you will also be introduced to the law of criminal evidence, with insights from forensic science, psychology, and sociology.

This module also examines significant case studies – some historical and some contemporary – with opportunities to consider developments in comparable jurisdictions. You will be exposed to current and challenging debates about justice, rights, innocence, remedies and compensation that surround these cases.

30 credits

This is a Level 6 optional module that draws upon social science debates and knowledges. Students will learn by observing and undertaking work-based practice. The principle underlying this module is that worksites are important contexts for students to test, validate, expand upon, supplement and enrich their academic learning.

The module requires students to undertake a minimum of 40 hours of fieldwork in an organisational setting. The form that the fieldwork will take will depend upon the type of placement secured, but, typically it may involve interning, shadowing or volunteering in subject relevant placements (for example across social justice, criminal justice/crime prevention, welfare and support fields).

Whilst in their placements students are encouraged to think about the social aspects of organisations and working life, including their structural forms, interpersonal relationships and their practices. Students will be supported in securing their placement at Level 5 in preparation for the commencement of the module at Level 6.

15 credits

This module introduces you to philosophical underpinnings of justice, including ethics and morality. You will explore a range of case studies and the exercise of justice in different national and international contexts, including in response to war crimes and breaches of human rights, such as the work of the international criminal court and the role of truth and reconciliation commissions.

The module recreates real-world tasks you may encounter upon graduation in practitioner and policy focused environments. You will have flexibility in your assessments to grapple with justice in UK or international contexts.

15 credits

This module considers the place of drugs in society, ways of policing of drugs, and justice issues concerned with the possession, use, and supply of drugs.

You will analyse the wider societal harms linked to drug use, including drug-related crime, as well as the politics of drugs control itself. You will learn about the effects of drug consumption and dependency on the individuals who use drugs, with a spotlight on the UK's most popular drugs of choice, both illegal (e.g. cannabis) and legal (e.g. alcohol), as well as the misuse of medicines.

You will engage in topical debates around the efficacy of drug prohibition in reducing supply/demand, the potential costs (monetary and social) of drug law enforcement, and the adoption of a criminal justice approach, as opposed to a health-based approach, to drugs.