LW1JILSNU-Jurisprudence (NUIST-Reading Academy)

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Dr Cosmas Anyakudo
Email: c.anyakudo@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the English Legal System and the jurisprudence behind the operation of the law. It will focus on the fundamental principles and functions of the judiciary, and other international institutions relevant to UK law, such as the EU. 

Aims:

The module aims to expose students to a complete understanding to a complete understanding of the English Legal System, its sources of law, doctrines, and legal processes. It will also include an exploration of the legal personnel in the legal system and how law is practice ally used. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be expected to be able to: 

 

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structure, personnel and functions of the English legal system.


• Show evidence of the ability to apply techniques of ordered thinking and the skills necessary to analyse and solve legal problems.


• Communicate legal arguments clearly and succinctly, by means of presentations and written work, and to draw appropriate conclusions. 

Additional outcomes:

• The development of library and research skills and the ability to make use of available resources.


• An ability to understand legal academic texts, both written and spoken, more easily, and • Those skills listed in the School of Law's ‘Core Skills Statement’. 

Outline content:

The module will usually cover topics: Semester One – Autumn Term • An introduction. Distinguish private law from public law and civil law from criminal law. A brief description of the different areas of law and the differences between law and morals, law and rules, and law and justice. • Sources of Law. A general introduction of ALL the sources, the historical development of the sources from custom to EU law, where to find the law – e.g.: case reports and statutes in the library, the internet, and textbooks. Introduction to Case Precedent and Custom. • Case Precedent. Understanding the hierarchy of the courts and the pros and cons of case law. Understanding the different parts of a case decision – ratio decidendi, obiter dicta, distinguishing, binding and persuasive precedent. Understanding the ways in which the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal may not have to follow their previous decisions. • Primary and Secondary legislation – understa nding how primary legislation is made. The influences on what laws are passed. A brief look at law reform generally eg the role of the Law Commission and Pressure Groups. Understanding the three types of delegated legislation and the controls in place from both parliament and the courts to regulate any abuse of the power. • Statutory Interpretation – How judges interpret statutes, including the three main rules, the development of the Purposive approach, the rules of language and othe r aids will be examined with a critical approach. • EU Law – a brief history of the development of the EU and its institutions with regard to their lawmaking and law enforcement roles. A detailed look at the different types of EU legislation and how it affects the UK and future implications of the UK leaving the E.U. 

• European Convention on Human Rights and the Court of Human Rights – examining its role, and its new relevance today with the Human Rights A ct 1988 Semester Two – Spring Term • Police Powers – Stop and Search and power of arrest • Police Powers – detention and questioning. • Offences, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Courts • Sentencing. The role of the courts in sentencing, the aims of sentencing, types of sentence. • The role of Magistrates’ in the English Legal System. • The role of Juries in the English legal system • Judges in the Legal Process - Training, Judicial Appointment, dismissal, hierarchy. Independence of the Judiciary, the historic role of the Lord Chancellor, the concept of separation of powers. The Constitutional Reform Act 2005 and its effect. • Solicitors and barristers in the English legal system • An introduction to the civil court process and importance of use of ADR. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each type of ADR. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Topics are introduced through a combination of taught classes, seminars and individual tutorials. Independent learning is encouraged through reading based on textbooks, articles and case studies. Case and statute exercises assist in the development of skills in legal reasoning. 

The Jurisprudence module will be structured as followed for each week in both semesters: 

 

Lecture – 2 hours per week 

Seminar – 2 hours per week – to include seminar problems and presentations 

Specialized Seminar – 2 hours per week – problem solving, homework discussion and review of the lectures and understanding of the principles taught previously

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	8	8
Seminars	39	39
Tutorials	1	1
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	10	10
Wider reading (directed)	10	10
Exam revision/preparation	5	5
Advance preparation for classes	5	5
Preparation for presentations	2.5	2.5
Preparation for seminars	2.5	2.5
Completion of formative assessment tasks	7.5	7.5
Group study tasks	2.5	2.5
Essay preparation	5	5
Reflection	2	2
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	80
Written assignment including essay	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One exam in the summer term – 3 hours long which is worth 80%

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One assignment in each term which is worth 10% each

Formative assessment methods:

Mid-term test in week 7 on the previous weeks across Contract (semester 1) or Tort (Semester 2) and Jurisprudence

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

• Re-examination.

• Essay to be resubmitted, on a new question

• Report on the practical exercise to be resubmitted, as improved by feedback from first submission. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 12 August 2021