This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
Legal Process will introduce the institutions and procedures of the English legal system, and the principles and doctrines on which it is based. Through consideration of the constitutional framework underpinning the legal system, there will be critical discussion concerning the development and operation of the English legal system in its social, economic and political context. A careful consideration of the sources of law will provide the basis for a sound understanding of the common law, legislation, European law, civil procedure and criminal procedure. The nature, extent and effectiveness of access to legal remedies in this country will be considered and students will be given the opportunity to develop certain general and legal skills, particularly legal research skills.
Total Study Hours: 150
Total Contact Hours: 20
Private Study Hours: 130
BA (Hons) Criminal Justice and Criminology (UKM)
BA (Hons) Criminal Justice and Criminology with a Year in Professional Practice (UKM)
Main assessment methods
This module will be assessed by 100% coursework consisting of:
Court report, individual, 1500 words (40%)
Group presentation, approx. 5 minutes per group member, plus handout (20%)
Criminal procedure case, individual, 1,500 words (40%)
Reassessment methods
Reassessment instrument: 100% coursework
Steve Wilson and others, English Legal System (3rd edn, OUP 2018) is the required course text. In addition relevant materials will be made available throughout the course of the module via Moodle and students are expected to read the broadsheet newspapers
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of the structure and workings, within the English legal system, of the common law,
legislation, European law, civil process and criminal process;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the courts, tribunals and other legal institutions, including those of the European Convention on Human
Rights;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the systems of legal help and public legal services, including the Community Legal Service; and of
judicial review, juries, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the legal profession and the judiciary; with particular emphasis upon
criminal process
4. Analyse and evaluate critically aspects of the operation of the English legal system in its social, economic and political contexts; and
develop the ability to deploy and elucidate relevant information and abstract concepts in reasoned arguments about issues arising from
the operation of the English legal system;
5. Demonstrate competence in legal analysis: the identification and interpretation of relevant facts and the application of law to those facts;
legal research skills: library skills (including full use of information technology); using primary and subordinate statutory and case law
material eg Acts, Treaties, Statutory Instruments, Law Reports etc; citation and referencing of legal sources.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will have:
1. Learning skills: the ability to reflect upon and learn from the conduct of exercises as undertaken on the module
2. Problem solving skills: the ability to identify and diagnose set problems, to generate solutions, to evaluate alternative solutions
3. Written skills: the ability to write precise, reports, analytical and evaluative assessments and present research
4. Reasoning skills: the ability to argue, reason and present legal submissions
5. Self-management skills: management of time, to evaluate competing priorities, to forward plan
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