LLB Law and Finance

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. Although there is general academic agreement on what constitutes the substantive content of the law of contract, in any year of operation due emphasis will be given to issues of current concern. Students will also be introduced in this module to the civil process and they will be given an overview of the various stages in bringing an action for breach of contract up to and including the courts and the benefits of settling a contractual dispute through some form of alternative dispute resolution such as arbitration. As with the study of any legal subject, students will be encouraged to engage in intellectual development and to develop transferable skills.

Constitutional Law

The aim of this module is to examine 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 (some of which will be developed further in The Citizen and the State module) and to foster critical appraisal of legal rules and of the institutions and processes of government. The module examines the general principles and structure of the United Kingdom's constitution and system of government, paying attention to the location of political power and the constraints placed upon the exercise of governmental power. The objective of the section in the module on European Governance is to enable students to examine and analyse the development of the EU’s legal and constitutional framework. They will then be able to understand and analyse the impact of membership of the European Union on the development of the legal system at national level.

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. The skills learnt in this module will be fundamental to all the modules studied on the degree programme. Further this module will assist with one of the ultimate goals of developing students as independent learners.

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.

Introduction to Accountancy and Finance

Students are introduced to the nature and mechanics of financial information. This is done in a manner which encourages a critical reflection upon the construction and uses of such information. Both management and financial accounting are considered. In particular, students are introduced to the detail of double entry bookkeeping and the associated financial reports of sole traders, partnerships, limited companies (including those in a manufacturing environment) and simple not for profit organisations. The module will examine the role of financial information for the variety of possible users and explore the different, often conflicting needs of these groups. Subjectivity is discussed through stock valuation and depreciation methods and the development of accounting theory and concepts from a social perspective is then introduced. Finally the conclusions that may be drawn from an interpretation of the contents of annual reports will be considered. Throughout the unit students are sensitised to issues of codes of professional conduct and ethical behaviour.

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 and to property 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 of the European Union Law module 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 concerning enforcement, preliminary rulings and judicial review. Students will acquire an understanding of substantive European Union law through the study of the free movement of goods and workers; the freedom to move and reside of citizens of the Union; social policy and equality of treatment and pay in employment; and, in an area of freedom, justice and security, the European arrest warrant and migration and asylum issues.

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. Students will study how property rights can be acquired, how they may need protection, and how they may be alientated. Third party interests in land, such as easements, covenants and mortgages, will be examined. There will also be consideration of the obligations existing as between landlord and tenant in leases.

Financial Management

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the role of the financial manager. The module focuses on the key issues surrounding investment, financing and distribution decisions, specifically:

• The identification and evaluation of investment opportunities in the context of shareholder wealth maximization
• Appraisal techniques used in the evaluation of investment opportunities
• Issues of risk evaluation and determination in the identification, selection, and evaluation of investment opportunities
• The principal financial products available to Government, companies and individuals
• The markets in which these financial products are traded.

The main focus is on the UK, but comparison is made with other EU and international markets where appropriate.

Level Three

Equity and Trusts

The aim 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. The law relating to charitable trusts will be examined and the module will conclude with an investigation of the implications of a breach of trust.

Law of Tort

The module aims to introduce students to the general principles of civil liability for tortious wrongs. It complements the Contract Law module which is taught at Level One. The Law of Tort is predominantly a common law subject although there are certain statute based torts which are covered by the module. The study of this module necessitates a holistic approach to study, given that a true picture of a tort, i.e. the tort of negligence can only be captured after a study period of at least four weeks. The study of later torts, i.e. psychiatric harm builds upon the foundations laid down in the tort of negligence. It is also necessary to appreciate the social context in which tortious principles and their applications have been developed. The case law often examples the important role that judicial policy plays in determining the extent of tortious liability.

Advanced Financial Management

This module introduces the more complex areas of financial management. It is designed to familiarise students with the major theoretical developments and practices in the areas of corporate finance and risk management. It aims to encourage students to develop critical thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of diverse practices in the areas of corporate finance and risk management.

Personal Financial Planning

Personal financial planning is the process whereby individuals can determine whether or not they can meet their financial objectives through proper management of their financial resources. This module demonstrates and explores the application of a range of techniques used to help achieve this aim. It questions the benefits of schemes proposed by independent experts and critically appraises the plethora of financial products available in the financial services arena. The module focuses on both the process of financial planning and the logic and fundamental principles which drive it. It will provide a forum where students can identify trends and develop an understanding of the changing financial needs of the individual within modern society. It recognises that the secure world of private retirement pensions and state provision of health and social benefits is no longer the norm and suggests that individuals should see financial planning as a social discipline necessary for financial survival in future years. Consideration will be given to the law, and ethics and regulatory influences relating to the financial services industry will feature. The module will also examine in detail the practicalities of the UK Tax system on income and capital and examine ways in which exemptions and reliefs can be used to defer or minimise tax liabilities.

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.

The assessment regimes for finance include both examinations and coursework. Examinations are included to test student’s ability to work under time constraint conditions and to test knowledge of basic principles. Students are familiarised with exam technique in seminars and learn through progression from the less complex answer format at Level One to the more complex format at final level.

Assignments are used to allow students to manage their own time, develop their research and analytical skills and explore subjects in greater depth. They take a range of forms including essays, reports and oral presentations prepared individually and in groups. All modules include the opportunity for formative feedback to aid learning and prepare students for submission of summative assessment. It can thus be seen that the assessment regimes for law and finance have commonality.

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

A qualifying degree means that on successful completion of the programme 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 politics and that they are fully committed towards devoting three years towards the attainment of this degree.

It may provide 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 core 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.

They will also be able to study key Finance modules such as Introduction to Accountancy and Finance, Financial Management, Advanced Financial Management and Personal Financial Planning.

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 and financially related careers, such as trading standards and financial services. Others have used 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.

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

Fees and Funding