This module introduces you to the main features of the English legal system and the procedures and processes that are followed. It provides a foundation for understanding how law is created, interpreted and applied in practice, and how legal institutions operate. The module also develops core legal skills, including legal research, case analysis, statutory interpretation and the use of appropriate legal terminology. You’ll begin to apply these skills to straightforward legal problems and to engage with primary and secondary legal sources. The module acts as an essential foundation for all further legal study. 

This module introduces you to the core principles of criminal law, including the elements of criminal liability, the structure of criminal offences and the operation of defences. You’ll examine how criminal responsibility is established, how offences are defined and interpreted, and how criminal law operates in practice within the wider legal and social context.

This module introduces students to the core principles of contract law, including the formation, content and regulation of contracts and the remedies available for breach. You’ll examine how contractual obligations arise, how contractual principles operate in practice, and the circumstances in which contracts may be avoided or enforced. 

This module introduces you to the constitutional framework of the United Kingdom, including the roles of Parliament, the executive and the courts. It examines the principles underpinning the UK constitution and the legal mechanisms through which the exercise of state power may be controlled, including the roles of judicial review and the Human Rights Act 1998.

This module examines the general principles of tortious liability in English law. You will study the main areas of tort, including negligence, occupiers’ liability, trespass and nuisance. The module will also consider the remedies that are available in tort, in addition to looking at contemporary issues and policy debates relating to the development of tort law.

This module introduces you to the legal framework governing rights and interests in land, including their creation, transfer and protection. It examines the distinction between legal and equitable interests and the operation of registered and unregistered land, including the rules governing priority and enforceability of rights. A problem-based approach is adopted throughout, requiring you to apply legal principles to realistic scenarios and to analyse the rights and obligations of parties in land transactions. 

This module develops your practical legal skills and professional awareness through the use of realistic case studies and simulated legal practice. You’ll work with case files, legal documents and professional scenarios in order to develop skills in legal research, writing, drafting, interviewing, advocacy and case preparation. The module also introduces the ethical and regulatory framework governing legal practice and considers the professional responsibilities of lawyers in different contexts.

In Block 4, you will choose a specialist module from one of the below.

Family Law

This module examines the legal principles and statutory framework governing family relationships in modern society. You will study the law relating to marriage, civil partnership, cohabitation, parenthood and the welfare of children, and will consider how the law responds to relationship breakdown, domestic abuse and disputes concerning children. The module also explores the role of the state in regulating family life and protecting the interests of children.

Human Rights Law

This module examines the foundations of human rights law at international, regional and domestic levels. It explores the development of human rights principles, the legal frameworks through which rights are protected, and the mechanisms used to enforce those rights. You’ll consider the application of human rights law in a range of contemporary contexts, and examine how legal rules operate in practice in response to current social, political and global challenges. You will analyse the scope and limits of human rights protection, and will evaluate the effectiveness of legal and institutional responses to human rights issues.

International Law

This module examines the foundations and contemporary challenges of international law. It introduces you to the structural framework of the international legal system, including the sources of international law, the role and responsibility of states and non-state actors, and the mechanisms through which international disputes are resolved. In this module you’ll also explore selected specialised areas of international law, such as the use of force, international criminal law, and environmental and human rights law, in order to illustrate how international law responds to complex global issues. A problem-based approach is adopted throughout, requiring you to apply legal principles to contemporary scenarios and to evaluate the effectiveness of international legal frameworks in practice. 

Sports Law

This module examines the legal principles, rules and regulatory frameworks that govern sport at national and international level. It explores the distinctive nature of sports law as an area in which private regulation, domestic law and international legal frameworks interact, and considers the role of governing bodies, disciplinary procedures and dispute resolution mechanisms. In this module you’ll also address contemporary legal issues affecting sport, including doping control, athlete welfare, intellectual property, media and broadcasting, gambling regulation, and the impact of international politics, human rights and environmental concerns. You will analyse legal problems arising in sporting contexts and consider the wider social, commercial and policy factors that influence the development of sports law. 

Criminal Evidence

This module examines the rules governing the admissibility and use of evidence in criminal proceedings. You will explore how statute and case law regulate the collection, presentation and evaluation of evidence in the criminal courts, and will consider the relationship between evidential rules, fairness and the administration of justice. The module develops your ability to analyse evidential problems arising in criminal trials and to apply the relevant legal principles to factual scenarios.

Companies and other Business Entities

This module examines the legal principles governing the formation, structure and regulation of business organisations, including sole traders, partnerships and companies. It considers the legal framework governing the operation of companies, including the roles and responsibilities of directors and shareholders, the management of the company, and the protection of creditors and third parties. This module will require you to analyse legal problems arising in commercial contexts and to consider the wider legal and policy issues relating to the regulation of business entities. 

This module is concerned with the management of property (real and personal) and in particular, with the management of personal property through the technical requirements of the trust relationship. It examines the fiduciary nature of the relationship between trustees and beneficiaries and the consequences of any breach of a trustee's fiduciary duties.  

In the second block of your final year, you will choose a specialist module from one of the below.

Law and Medicine

This module critically examines the relationship between law and medical ethics through the study of a range of contemporary medico-legal issues. It explores key areas such as consent to treatment, medical negligence, abortion, end-of-life decision-making and organ transplantation, with a focus on the legal principles governing these areas and the ethical and policy considerations that underpin them. You’ll explore the interaction between legal rules, ethical reasoning and professional judgement: emphasis is placed on the development of critical analysis, the ability to construct and defend reasoned arguments, and the application of legal and ethical principles to realistic scenarios. 

Social Justice

This module examines legal and theoretical approaches to social justice from both international and domestic perspectives. In the first part of the module, you will explore the concept of social justice in international law, with particular focus on economic, social and cultural rights and the extent to which these rights can be enforced. Topics will include the protection of rights relating to education, health, food, religion and culture, together with the legal and political debates surrounding the justiciability of socio-economic rights. In the second part of the module, social justice will be considered in a UK context through a detailed examination of housing and homelessness law. You’ll examine the legal framework governing housing rights, including security of tenure, housing allocation, disrepair, anti-social behaviour and homelessness. Throughout this module, you will be required to analyse the relationship between law, policy and social justice, and to consider the role of legal regulation in addressing inequality and disadvantage. 

Miscarriages of Justice

This module examines the causes, investigation and legal consequences of miscarriages of justice within the criminal justice system. It considers the procedural and evidential rules governing criminal trials and appeals, and the role of the Criminal Cases Review Commission in reviewing alleged wrongful convictions. In this module, you’ll explore the legal framework governing criminal appeals, disclosure of evidence, expert testimony and the review of unsafe convictions, and evaluate the effectiveness of existing safeguards designed to prevent and correct miscarriages of justice. You will analyse selected case studies in order to consider the legal, procedural and policy issues that arise when wrongful convictions occur. 

Police Powers and Public Order

This module focuses on some of the more important powers available to the police for dealing with suspected crime, including the powers of stop and search, arrest, and entry, search and seizure. These powers authorise actions which would otherwise interfere with individual rights and freedoms, and the module examines the legal framework governing their use and the limits placed upon them. In this module, you’ll also consider the powers available to the police for dealing with public order problems, including the regulation of public processions and assemblies and the law relating to breach of the peace. Throughout, attention is given to the legitimacy of police powers, the role of the courts, and the importance of human rights and the rule of law in controlling the exercise of those powers. 

Intellectual Property Law

This module examines the main forms of intellectual property protection, including copyright, trademarks, patents and designs, together with the legal principles governing the enforcement and commercial exploitation of intellectual property rights. The module considers the statutory framework regulating intellectual property and the remedies available for infringement. It also explores the economic and commercial significance of intellectual property in modern society. Particular attention is given to the fast-changing nature of this area of law, including the challenges created by new technologies and the digital environment. 

Employment Law

This module examines the legal principles governing the employment relationship, with a particular focus on individual employment law and the practical application of legal rules in workplace situations. The module begins by exploring how the law determines whether a person is an employee, worker or independent contractor, and why this distinction is important. It then considers the formation, content and variation of the contract of employment, including the sources of contractual terms and the obligations arising from the employment relationship. The module also examines the legal framework governing discrimination and equal pay, and the protection provided by the law in relation to dismissal. Throughout the module you’ll analyse employment law problems in their legal and policy context and consider the operation of the law in practice, including the role of courts and employment tribunals.

Law, Technology and Legal Practice

This module examines the relationship between law, technology and modern legal practice, with particular focus on the skills, knowledge and professional awareness required of graduates entering contemporary legal and regulatory environments. It considers the increasing use of digital technologies within legal work, including artificial intelligence, document automation and data-driven decision-making, and explores the legal, ethical and professional issues that arise from their use. You’ll analyse the regulatory frameworks governing technology in legal contexts, including data protection, professional responsibility and emerging approaches to the governance of artificial intelligence. The module places these developments within the practical realities of legal practice, including litigation support, compliance, in-house legal work, and court and tribunal processes, and requires you to evaluate both the opportunities and risks created by technological change in the legal profession. 

In the third block of your final year, you will choose to study either Immigration and Refugee Law OR two of the other modules.

Immigration and Refugee Law

This module examines the legal framework governing immigration control and refugee protection, and considers the extent to which border controls can operate consistently with human rights obligations. It explores the powers and responsibilities of the state in regulating entry, residence and removal, and the legal position of those seeking asylum, refugee status or other forms of protection. The module looks at how principles of immigration and refugee law developed in the twentieth century apply to contemporary issues, including detention, family migration, human rights protection and the treatment of vulnerable groups. You will be required to evaluate the law in its practical and policy context and to consider the legal and ethical challenges arising from the regulation of migration. 

Advanced Criminal Law

This module provides the opportunity to study aspects of criminal law and criminal justice in greater depth through the exploration of contemporary and developing issues in the field. Teaching will focus on current debates, recent case law, legislative reform and emerging areas of criminalisation, and may include guest lectures reflecting staff research interests and areas of expertise. The module emphasises independent learning, and you will be expected to take an active role in identifying a suitable topic for your coursework. You’ll then engage in research using primary and secondary sources, in order to develop that topic and produce a sustained written analysis. 

Domestic Abuse

This module examines the legal and criminal justice responses to domestic abuse. It explores the nature and prevalence of domestic abuse, the different forms it may take, and the impact on victims, families and wider society. The module considers the role of the criminal law, civil law and statutory agencies in responding to domestic abuse, including the use of safeguarding measures and risk assessment processes. You will evaluate the effectiveness of current legal and policy approaches and will consider contemporary debates concerning prevention, accountability and reform. The precise topics studied may vary from year to year to reflect current legal developments and contemporary issues. 

Financial Crimes

This module examines the criminal and regulatory framework governing financial crime and other forms of economic wrongdoing by corporations and individuals. It explores key offences and principles relevant to white-collar crime, including fraud, market manipulation, bribery, money laundering and related regulatory offences, together with the challenges of enforcement in complex financial and corporate environments. The module also considers the impact of technological developments such as artificial intelligence, crypto-assets and digital finance. 

Consumer Sales Law

This module examines the legal framework governing consumer transactions and the protection of consumers in their dealings with businesses. It focuses on the rights and remedies available to consumers, together with the legal obligations imposed on traders. The module considers both private law and regulatory approaches to consumer protection, including statutory rights, unfair terms, and the control of unfair commercial practices. 

Commercial Sales Law

This module examines the legal principles governing commercial sales transactions and business-to-business contracting relationships. It focuses on the law relating to the sale and supply of goods, the allocation of risk between commercial parties, and the remedies available where contractual obligations are not fulfilled. The module considers the statutory and common law framework governing commercial sales, including implied terms, delivery, transfer of property and remedies for breach of contract. You will evaluate how the law seeks to promote certainty in commercial dealings while ensuring fairness between contracting parties. 

EU Trade and Competition Law

This module examines the role of European Union law in regulating trade and competition within the internal market. It focuses on the legal principles governing the free movement of goods and the rules of competition law, and considers how these areas support the functioning of a market-based economic system. The module explores the legal framework governing restrictions on trade, anti-competitive agreements and abuse of market power. You’ll analyse how EU law balances market integration, economic efficiency and fairness, and will consider contemporary issues affecting trade and competition.  

In your final block, you will choose from either completing a Project or Professional Practice Preparation.

Project

This module provides an opportunity for you to develop advanced research, analytical and written communication skills through the detailed evaluation of legal principles, policy considerations and contemporary debates in a chosen area of law. Subject to approval by the module leader, you will be required to identify an appropriate research question or issue and undertake independent investigation using relevant primary and secondary legal sources. You’ll produce a sustained and critical analysis of the chosen topic and will work with an allocated supervisor, who will provide academic guidance throughout the research process. 

Professional Practice Preparation

Building on the legal and professional skills developed in earlier modules, this module focuses on the development of your professional readiness for careers in law and related fields. It examines how those skills are applied in practice and supports you in preparing for the transition to employment or further study. The module adopts a practice-based and experiential approach, incorporating activities such as client interviewing, negotiation, drafting, ethics and engagement with professional scenarios, to develop your ability to apply legal knowledge and skills in realistic settings. You’ll consider the roles of legal and commercial professionals, the skills required for different career pathways, the expectations of employers in the legal and wider professional sectors, and the use of technology and digital tools in contemporary legal practice. A reflective approach is embedded throughout the module, enabling you to evaluate your development, identify your strengths and areas for improvement, and demonstrate your readiness for professional practice. 

In this module, you’ll be required to apply relevant core legal principles and rules appropriately and effectively, at the level of a competent newly qualified solicitor in practice, to realistic client based and ethical problems and situations in the following areas:  

• Starting a new business - Business and organisational characteristics (sole trader / partnership / LLP / private and unlisted public companies), Procedures and documentation required to incorporate a company / form a partnership / LLP and other steps required under companies and partnerships legislation. 
• Management of a business and decision making - Compliance with statutory and other legal requirements (corporate governance and compliance), Rights, duties and powers of directors and shareholders of companies, Company decision-making and meetings, Partnership decision-making and authority of partners.  
• Financing and taxation of business - Funding options, distribution of profits and gains and financial records
• Taxation of a business and its stakeholders - Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Corporation Tax, Value Added Tax, Inheritance Tax (business property relief). 
• Financial Services and Money laundering - The financial services regulatory framework including authorisation and how it applies to solicitors' firms, Purpose and scope of anti-money laundering legislation including the international context and circumstances encountered in the course of practice.
• The SRA Accounts Rules - Client money, client account and the requirement to keep client money separate from money belonging to the authorised body, Breach of the SRA Accounts Rules, Requirement to keep and maintain accurate records, Third-party managed accounts, Obtaining and delivery of accountants’ reports; storage and retention of accounting records. 

In this module, you’ll be required to apply relevant core legal principles and rules appropriately and effectively, at the level of a competent newly qualified solicitor in practice, to realistic client based and ethical problems and situations in the following areas:  

• Freehold property transactions - Pre-contract procedure including sources of finance, searches and enquiries and investigation of title, Standard Conditions of Sale, Form of transfer deed and formalities for execution, pre-completion searches and pre-completion steps, Methods and effect of completion and post-completion steps, Remedies for delayed completion.
• Leasehold property transactions - Structure and content of a lease, Procedural steps for the grant of a lease or underlease and the drafting of that lease, Procedural steps for the assignment of a lease title.  
• Planning - Core principles of planning law.
• Taxation in property transactions - Stamp Duty, Land Tax and Land Transaction Tax, Value Added Tax, Capital Gains Tax).
• Wills - Validity, alteration, revocation and the interpretation of wills and codicils.
• Personal Representatives and Grants of Representation - Personal Representatives (the appointment of executors, renunciation and reservation of power), Grants of representation, Administration of estates, duties of personal representatives, liabilities of personal representatives and their protection, the sale of assets to raise funds to pay funeral expenses, tax, debts and legacies, distribution of the estate), Claims against estates under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, time limit, applicants, ground.
• Intestacy - The intestacy rules and property passing outside the estate.

Dispute Resolution in Practice 
In this module, you’ll be required to apply relevant core legal principles and rules appropriately and effectively, at the level of a competent newly qualified solicitor in practice, to realistic client based and ethical problems and situations in the following areas: 

• Different options for dispute resolution - The characteristics of arbitration, mediation and litigation which make them an appropriate mechanism to resolve a dispute. 
• Resolving a dispute through a civil claim - Preliminary considerations: limitation, pre-action protocols, parties and causes of action, calculating limitation periods for claims in contract and tort, Practice Direction – pre-action conduct, principles and purpose of pre-action protocols governing particular claims and consequences for failure to follow their terms, applicable law: mechanisms to determine which country’s laws apply to a contractual or tortious claim issued in the courts of England and Wales, jurisdiction: mechanisms to determine jurisdiction over an international contractual or tortious claim.  
• Where to start proceedings - Allocation of business between the High Court and the county court, jurisdiction of the specialist courts.  
• Issuing and serving proceedings - Issuing a claim form, adding, removing or substituting parties, service of a claim form within the jurisdiction, procedure for service of a claim form outside the jurisdiction (with or without the court’s permission) and mechanisms for effecting valid service in another jurisdiction, deemed dates of service and time limits for serving proceedings, service by an alternative method.  
• Responding to a claim - Admitting the claim, acknowledging service and filing a defence and/or counterclaim, disputing the court’s jurisdiction, entering and setting aside judgment in default, discontinuance and settlement, time limits for responding to a claim.

In this module, you’ll be required to apply relevant core legal principles and rules appropriately and effectively, at the level of a competent newly qualified solicitor in practice, to realistic client based and ethical problems and situations in the following areas:  

• Advising clients, including vulnerable clients, about the procedure and processes at the police station - Rights of a suspect being detained by the police for questioning, Identification procedures, Advising a client, including vulnerable clients, whether to answer police questions, Procedure for interviewing a suspect under PACE 1984, The procedures and processes involved in criminal litigation, Bail applications, First hearings before the magistrates’ court, Plea before Venue, Allocation of business between magistrates' court and Crown Court, Case management and pre-trial hearings, Principles and procedures to admit and exclude evidence, Trial procedure in magistrates’ court and Crown Court, Sentencing, Appeals procedure, Youth court procedure, Sentencing.