LLB Law

Level One

Contract Law

The aim of this module is to introduce students to general principles of contract law. The module will develop an understanding of enforceable civil law obligations based on agreements and, in doing so, will complement civil law obligations in respect of tortious wrongs covered by the Tort Law module. A sound grounding in the general principles of contract law will equip students to deal with those legal subjects which are based on contract and which are subsequently encountered in their legal studies. 

Constitutional Law

The module examines the principles and operation of the UK constitution and system of government. In particular, it is concerned with "the law about government", and the relationship between the institutions of government and between government and the citizen. The module is designed to introduce key legal and political concepts and to foster critical appraisal of legal rules and of the institutions and processes of government.

Tort Law

This module aims to introduce students to the general principles of civil liability for tortious wrongs and complements the Contract Law module. The module examines the different forms of liability attaching to the main torts and the principles upon which liability is based in such areas as negligence, nuisance, liability for escapes, trespass and defamation by adopting a contemporary approach to the study of this subject. The relationship between common law, legislation and judicial policy will be highlighted during examination of this subject. This module will contribute to the development of the student’s skills in legal analysis and problem solving as well as their research and reasoning skills. Students will be introduced to the ‘compensation culture’ and how compensation claims are dealt; CFAs and problems associated with bringing personal injury claims.

Legal Skills

The overall aim of this module is to introduce the student to basic legal skills and how to use those skills effectively. Specifically, the objectives of this module are to teach the sources of law - how to find the law and to use legal materials to present reasoned arguments orally or in writing and to instil an ability to communicate effectively in a variety of forms.

Citizen and the State

The aim of the module is to provide a critical understanding of the extent of judicial control on governmental bodies through an examination of the law of judicial review and the protection of human rights. The module will use case studies and the application of problem-solving techniques to enable a practical application of the subject matter. The central themes of public law including accountability, the rule of law and the separation of powers will be critically developed.

Level Two

Criminal Law

This module will introduce students to the general principles of English Criminal Law, with particular emphasis on the essential elements of a crime, namely 'actus reus' and 'mens rea', strict, vicarious and corporate liability and the defences. But also to the nature of liability in relation to offences against the person, for example, murder, manslaughter, assault and battery, sexual offences and offences in relation to property, for example, theft, fraud and criminal damage will be analysed. This module will enable students to understand the relationship between criminal and civil law and introduce them to the criminal justice system.

EU Law

The aim is to develop students’ understanding of the Constitution and Institutions of the European Union and, in particular, the constitutional principles, the administrative and procedural law, and substantive policies of the European Union. Students will be expected to understand the relationship between European Union law and national law, and to appraise the principles of supremacy and direct effect, and the principles of interpretation and Member State liability. The role and jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice will be examined, while students will also acquire an understanding of substantive European Union law.

Land Law

The aim of this module is to develop an in-depth knowledge of the complex subject of land law. Students will explore the property rights which can exist with respect to land law and the relationships that individuals and organisations have with each other and with the state. There will be consideration of freehold and leasehold estates, and registration of land. The nature of legal and equitable rights will be identified with the concept of a trust.

Employment Law (Elective A, Choose One)

Employment law is a complicated yet dynamic area of study subject to rapid and constant change. The aim of this module is to examine critically the sources and institutions of employment law which attempt to regulate and support relations between employers and employees. The study of this module will also give the student a chance to appreciate the impact of European Law and Human Rights on UK national law in this area. The module will concentrate on the employment relationship, issues of discrimination in the workplace, equal pay, equality in the workplace and termination of employment. Further, this module provides students with an opportunity to develop not only knowledge and understanding of the technical law relating to aspects of employment, but also to examine ethical, contemporary and perhaps controversial issues in this field. Policy issues and key legal provisions are fundamental to the overall understanding of this area known as employment law. However, it is also important to consider the political and economic context of the impositions of employment laws on UK employers and the balance between that and the rights of workers to protection in the workplace.

Freedom of Expression (Elective A, Choose One)

This module builds on the study of human rights at Level One, looking in depth at the particular issue of freedom of expression, and the way in which it is controlled in English law. The philosophical and political arguments surrounding the topic will be touched on at the start of the module, but the main focus will be on the legal controls of particular areas. A critical analysis of the justification for and appropriateness of the limitations will be encouraged.

Sale of Goods (Elective A, Choose One)

The aim of this module is to explore the law relating to the sale of goods in its commercial context. Study of the legal principles will involve gaining an appreciation of the ways in which the rules provide an extension to the basic general rules of contract. Students will analyse the legislation and relevant case law concerning contracts for the sale of goods and apply the relevant principles to factual situations.

Police Powers (Elective B, Choose One)

This module explores the powers of the police in England and Wales. It looks at the ways in which the police forces are organised and the different national agencies that operate in the area (such as the Serious Fraud Office, and the Serious Organised Crime Agency). The human rights context is examined. Students are then taken through the various stages of policing from stop and search to charge.  The module concludes with an consideration of the ways in which police powers can be challenged.

Jurisprudence (Elective B, Choose One)

This examines the underpinning philosophy and theories of law. Students are introduced to the nature of jurisprudence and its terminology. Major theories of jurisprudential thought, for example natural law, utilitarianism and positivism are explored. The nature and role of law within society will also be examined along with the concepts of justice and morality, the social contract, as well as the philosophical foundations of various common law principles.

Intelligence and Security Law (Elective A, Choose One)

This module is designed to develop and expand on law and principles encountered in the Constitutional Law and The Citizen and the State modules, and to apply them in the specific context of state security in the UK. It complements Human Rights and Police Powers modules by examining a number of similar themes but from the less-explored point of view of the State and the exercise of its powers to protect itself. The module also considers the law relating to the intelligence services and surveillance, and introduces students to certain International Law principles and issues and their impact in the UK. The examination of topical case studies will enable students to analyse and apply relevant law and constitutional principles to contemporary issues of UK security, and to develop awareness of their practical and everyday function.   

Introduction to Company Law (Elective B, Choose One)

This module is designed to give students an introductory insight into the structure and management of companies and the financial aspects of company management.  An aim of the module is to examine the theoretical and practical basis of company regulation within the perspective of ownership and control of companies and the legal relationship between directors, shareholders, creditors and employees. Some financial aspects of company law will also be introduced.

Level Three

Equity and Trusts

The aim of this Level Three module is, in part, to build on skills already acquired in the previous two years through other subjects such as legal reasoning and problem solving. Initially, students will be introduced to the doctrine, maxims and remedies of Equity but the main emphasis will be upon the nature of a trust which has always been the principal concern of Equity. The classification, nature and creation of various types of express and implied trusts will be considered together with the appointment, powers and duties of trustees.

Employment Law

Employment law is a complicated yet dynamic area of study subject to rapid and constant change. The aim of this module is to examine critically the sources and institutions of employment law which attempt to regulate and support relations between employers and employees. The study of this module will also give the student a chance to appreciate the impact of European Law and Human Rights Law on UK national law in this area. The module will concentrate on the employment relationship, issues of discrimination in the workplace, equal pay, equality in the workplace and termination of employment. Further, this module provides students with an opportunity to develop not only knowledge and understanding of the technical law relating to aspects of employment but also to examine ethical, contemporary and perhaps controversial issues in this field. Policy issues and the key legal provisions are fundamental to the overall understanding of this area of employment law.  However, it is also important to consider the political and economic context of the imposition of employment laws on UK employers and the balance between that and the rights of workers to protection in the workplace.

Consumer Law (Elective, Choose Three)

The aim of this module is to allow students to explore what has been described as a dynamic area of law. The module deals with specific areas of consumer law, much of which has been influenced by the rapid expansion of consumer law legislation emanating from the European Union. The module allows students to explore the intricacies, any inconsistencies, and issues of policy involved in particular areas of consumer protection law.

Dissertation (Elective, Choose Three)

The Law Dissertation module provides the student with an opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of investigative academic work on a chosen area of law or a law-related topic. The dissertation may develop ideas encountered in other modules or it may be concerned with matters outside such modules. The dissertation (approximately 12,500 words in length) should demonstrate understanding, critical analysis and original thinking as well as general academic and communication skills. 

Environmental Law (Elective, Choose Three)

A primary aim of the module is to introduce students to the sources environmental law, and in particular to the provisions and principles of European Union law which, respectively, govern and guide European Union environmental regulation. The enforcement of European Union environmental law before the European Court of Justice and in the national courts will receive critical appraisal. The resort to national private law in order to protect the environment will be examined, as will the administration and scrutiny of environmental law and policy, the regulatory agencies set up and also environmental crime. Students will develop an understanding of substantive environmental law.

Family Law (Elective, Choose Three)

This module examines the law in England and Wales relating to the family and in particular the law on marriage, divorce, cohabiting couples, financial and property rights, rights and duties relating to children. This module seeks to provide students with an interest in this area the opportunity to develop a detailed understanding of the practical law relating to the family and to examine ethical issues and the wider policy considerations that lie behind it.

Human Rights (Elective, Choose Three)

This explores human rights through a detailed examination of the nature and development of them as a concept, and their protection at international, regional and national level. It considers the concept of "rights", and human rights in particular, drawing on political and philosophical analyses. It then moves to consideration of the framework of international laws and procedures that operate at global and regional level to protect human rights.

International Law (Elective, Choose Three)

The aim of this module is to introduce students to a dynamic, constantly evolving area of  international law. Students will study legal rules which operate in a much broader theatre than national law, and this will help them develop a greater understanding of a changing world order. The module will examine both theoretical and practical applications of International Law and will provide students with ample scope for research and independent study.

Law of Evidence (Elective, Choose Three)

This module complements the substantive modules of the law degree course, and the litigation processes covered in the common law subjects. Although in the main it concentrates on criminal evidence, the rules relating to civil evidence will be examined where appropriate. The rules on admissibility of evidence and judicial discretion will supplement the Criminal Law module and contrast will be made between exclusionary rules in criminal and civil law.

Law of Succession (Elective, Choose Three)

Students are introduced to the law in England and Wales relating to wills, intestacies, the administration of estates and tax planning. Throughout the module there will be a strong emphasis on the practical application of relevant law to factual situations and on the effect of such application upon the interests of the parties involved.

The Law School’s primary mission for teaching and learning is for the teaching staff to support and facilitate independent learning by students.

This perhaps supports the view that law is learnt more than it is taught.

The Law School recognises that the most important part of the study of law is the effort and work the law student makes themselves and so a large part of the study of law is the student studying on their own. The role of the tutor is to assist students to be independent learners and the main way this role is fulfilled is by the delivery of the lecture/seminar course.

Students are provided with module documents (available on Blackboard) that give details of the lecture programme and seminar activities for the module along with information on required reading.

The Law School, as part of its learning and teaching strategy, aims to ensure that research within the programme team actively informs the teaching and curriculum development of the various modules.

Lectures

Lectures provide a guide to a topic, highlighting important areas and providing information on matters that may not be readily available from other sources. The lecturer will also point out areas of difficulty where the law may be in some way problematic, contentious, unsettled or unclear.

Seminars

Seminars are normally held once a week for each module. The seminars are an opportunity for students to consolidate their learning. Seminars are a forum for discussion and debate and are usually based on the preparation of an answer to a problem or a discussion topic. This approach encourages students not only to acquire legal knowledge but also to develop their understanding of problem solving, analysis and evaluation. The importance of careful preparation for seminars and, in particular, the reviewing and analysis of primary and secondary sources of information is stressed to students throughout. From the outset of the course, students start to develop their research skills, particularly in the Legal Skills module and through use of the Study Skills Handbook.

E-seminars

The course approach to teaching and learning will be enhanced through the use of E-seminars. E-seminars are currently used in the Contract Law level one module. The E-seminars take place in an IT lab. Students work in small groups and they are given the task to construct and present a legal argument based on the topic discussed the previous week in the lecture. The students must construct their arguments using a variety of materials, both primary and secondary sources, to be found electronically under a time constraint. One of the aims of E-seminars is to make the learning process more 'alive' and to allow group members to share thoughts and ideas through the process of researching and constructing a legal argument together. Because of the time constraint, students are encouraged to work efficiently, quickly and effectively and to become proficient researchers.

Workshops

The use of workshops as a teaching and learning strategy are used in all Level One modules. The workshops are scheduled into the student’s timetable and so they will know in advance when the various workshops will take place. There will be around three workshops per semester for each module, whereby students come together in groups of around 50 students to undertake a variety of activities with emphasis on the student developing their problem solving skills, their reasoning and research skills as well as detailed knowledge and understanding of the topic or area of law in question.

A variety of assessment methods are used to test subject knowledge and understanding.

Overall, about 60% of the course is assessed by examination of one form or another and the rationale for the percentage of examinations is driven by the professional bodies' requirements. Examinations include traditional unseen papers, pre-released problem questions and examinations where lecture hand-outs may be used by students.

In addition to examinations, students are assessed by coursework which takes the form of assignments, mooting, individual and group presentations and workbooks. Written assignments may be in the form of an in-depth case study, an essay or writing a review. Coursework provides students with an important opportunity to gauge how they are coping with various subject areas and levels of study before having to sit an examination.

These methods of assessment allow students to show how they have acquired both legal knowledge and the ability to think critically about the subject. But also, they allow the student to reflect on the feedback given for an assessed piece of work and to think of ways to improve the quality of their work before they sit an examination at the end of the academic year or attempt another piece of coursework.

The assessment regime also allows students to demonstrate the acquisition of key skills. Written assignments allow students to demonstrate their ability to select, interpret and summarise legal sources. In addition, students' written assignments, as well as examinations, allow them to show that they have developed their literacy and proficiency in the use of technical legal language as well as having developed their ability to produce a sound argument based on coherence and logic. The development of oral skills and the ability to be persuasive are assessed through presentations and mooting.

Lincoln Law School is based in the David Chiddick building alongside Lincoln Business School.

The building was completely refurbished in 2010 and provides students with teaching and learning space including lecture theatres, workshop rooms, an IT/language lab and a mooting chamber, along with places to meet and eat with friends and staff.

The building provides high quality spaces for teaching and group learning and is the perfect setting for successful Law School students to learn and develop.

The aim of all courses in the Law School is produce independent, enquiring and knowledgeable graduates. They should enjoy learning, be enterprising, employable, self-aware, be able to take career and other opportunities in life and to make a positive contribution to society.

All students on the course will be given the opportunity to develop their legal skills through activities in seminars such as presentations and mooting (a mock appeal where points of law are argued in an appeal court).

There will be opportunities outside of seminars to participate in mooting and negotiation competitions either in the University or nationally through the student Law Society. There is also a Legal Clinic when students have the opportunity to give advice to fellow-students on legal problems under supervision.

The LLB (Hons) in Law degree course is a three year qualifying degree accredited by the Joint Academic Standards Board (JASB) on behalf of the Solicitor’s Regulatory Authority and the Bar Standards Board.

A qualifying degree means that on successful completion of the course students will have professional exemption from the Academic Stage of Legal Education and gain direct entry to the Vocational Stages.

This course is suitable for students of all ages provided that they have a definite interest in studying law and that they are fully committed towards devoting three years towards the attainment of this degree.

It may provide them with opportunities for further development of a legal career as a qualifying law degree or in other areas depending on their choice of career path. An important focus of the course is to enable the personal development of each individual student.

Students will gain a sound grasp of the principles of law through the study of subjects such as Law of Contract, Law of Tort, Constitutional Law, European Union Law, Criminal Law, Land Law and Equity and Trusts and Legal Skills.

Students will also be able to study 'elective' modules from a wide range of legal specialist areas including Police Powers, Sale of Goods, Jurisprudence, Employment Law, Law of Evidence, Law of Succession, International Law, Human Rights and Consumer Law to develop areas of interest and a career path for the future.

This course is recognised as a qualifying law degree by the professional bodies. This means that graduates can proceed directly to the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) or the Legal Practice Course (LPC).

Graduates go into legal practice and legally related careers. Others use their degrees as the basis for starting management careers or securing commissions in the services.

Curiosity, energy, interest and enthusiasm for the subject of law and commitment to successful completion of the three year course. The study of law at A Level is useful but not essential.

No specific skills are required but an interest and curiosity about the subject of law is important.

The course is contemporary and practical in the sense it does require a great deal of participation in seminars and workshops and problem-based learning.

Excellent communication skills will be vital for the successful student.

Students need 300 UCAS points to gain entry onto this course (2012 entry). These should be from at least two full A Levels, preferably three (or equivalent). Students will also need at least five GCSE’s Grade A-C which must include English Language and Maths.

We encourage applications from mature students and we will give special individual consideration to those who are in this category and do not have the standard entry requirements.

Students whose first language is not English will also need British Council IELTS band 6.0 or above or equivalent.

2012 Entry	UK/EU	International
Full-time	£9000	£10499
Part-time	£75 per credit point	£88 per credit point
Placement (optional)	Exempt	Exempt
Assessment Only	£38 per credit point	£44 per credit point

 

2013 Entry	UK/EU	International
Full-time	£9000	£11130
Part-time	£75 per credit point	£93 per credit point
Placement (optional)	Exempt	Exempt
Assessment Only	£38 per credit point	£47 per credit point

For further information and funding your study please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding