Law - GDL

The English Legal System

In this module, you’ll gain a sound knowledge of the English legal system. You’ll also be introduced to legal theory, which will underpin your learning on the GDL course. 

You’ll learn about the importance of human rights. And you’ll explore the fundamentals of the English legal system, like civil and criminal justice. You’ll also get acquainted with key legal study skills, including:

• reading cases
• legal reasoning
• writing legal essays 
• answering legal problem questions.

Contract Law

Covering the fundamental principles of contract law and providing a framework for tackling case studies and legal problem solving.

You will examine the principles of formation, operation and termination of contract together with a consideration of the conceptual background to contract law. The module will extend the processes of legal reasoning and techniques of legal analysis that have been introduced in the induction modules.

Module assessment by exam in January (100% of the marks).

European Union Law

An introduction to the constitutional and institutional foundations of the European Union. Including key areas of substantive law, due to their centrality in the EU system.

You'll explore the historical development of the EU as a legal order and the operation of its institutions. You'll focus on the nature of EU law, its relationship with national law, and the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Exploring substantive law you'll take in an overview of:

• the internal market of the EU
• free movement of people and citizenship.

You'll take this module in the second semester of the academic year. Module assessment by examination in May (100% of the marks).

Tort Law

You'll consider the rights and interests protected by the law of tort and the forms this protection takes. With regard to both the applicable legal principles and the remedies available.

You'll examine the tort of negligence, as well as:

• employers’ liability
• vicarious liability
• trespass to land
• occupiers’ liability
• public nuisance
• private nuisance
• Rylands-v-Fletcher
• trespass to the person
• defamation and privacy.

You'll consider the growing influence of human rights law throughout the course.

Module assessment is by exam in May (100% of the marks).

Land Law

You'll consider the law affecting land and other forms of property. With the interests and obligations to which they give rise. You’ll look at:

• land registration
• mortgages
• leases
• easements and profits
• law of equity and trusts.

You'll explore adverse possession and co-ownership, and look in outline at the law of leases. You'll go on to examine interests in land law, such as:

• easements
• mortgages
• freehold covenants.

You'll conclude with an examination of the impact of the Human Rights Act on property law.

Module assessment by exam in March or April (100% of the marks).

Equity and Trusts

You'll examine the development and deployment of equity as a logic of law. Looking at the details with various deployments of the trust-form. You'll begin with the development of equity and equitable remedies, before starting the engagement with trusts.

You'll analyse private trusts in both their express and implied forms. Looking at how trusts are set up, how they arise by implication and how other equitable interests may arise. You'll move on to consider public trusts, in both their purpose trust and charitable form.

You'll finish with an overview of all trusts, looking at the:

• powers and duties of trustees
• breach of trust
• the process of tracing.

Module assessment is by one piece of coursework (30% of the marks) in March and an examination in May (70% of the marks).

Criminal Law

You'll examine the general principles - both practical and theoretical - underlying criminal liability. Along with a study of individual offences and defences.

You'll look at offences against the person and offences against property. You'll focus on the general principles of criminal law, such as actus reus and mens rea, and various legal defences. You'll explore these principles through consideration of particular offences:

• homicide - murder and manslaughter (both ‘voluntary’ and involuntary’)
• offences against the person,
• offences under the Theft Act 1968 and Fraud Act 2006,
• inchoate offences.

You'll take this module between September and Easter.

Module assessment is by one piece of coursework (15% of the marks) in November and an examination in March or April (85% of the marks).

Public Law

Public Law encompasses constitutional and administrative law, including civil liberties and human rights.

Constitutional law is the law that relates to the structure/framework of the state. Including the political and judicial institutions of the state, such as:

• Crown
• Parliament
• the Government
• Supreme Court.

Administrative law is the body of law that deals with the:

• workings of the state
• statutory and common law powers
• duties of public bodies such as government departments and local authorities.

Civil liberties and human rights deals with the protection offered by legal, political and administrative means to the liberties of the individual. This is before and within the context of the Human Rights Act 1998. With a focus on:

• freedom of expression
• police powers
• freedom of assembly
• public order.

You'll explore and gain understanding of all these areas of law and their application.

The module assessment is by exam in January (100% of the marks).

Legal Research Project

You’ll strengthen your legal research skills through this independent research project. You’ll choose your own project from a relevant area, and work independently to carry out your research and write your essay. You’ll develop skills in areas like analysing and applying case law, evaluating relevant material and reaching reasoned conclusions. You’ll gain knowledge of your specific topic area while also improving your project management abilities.