Law

European Union Law

The module aims to give students an introduction to the constitutional and institutional foundations of the EU and a number of key areas of substantive law, chosen because of their centrality in the European Union system. The philosophy underlying the EU module is the importance of studying EU law in its wider political and socio-economic context. The course will begin with an examination of the historical development of the European Union as a legal order and the operation of its Institutions. Discussion will then focus on the nature of Union Law, its relationship with national law and the role of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Exploration of substantive law will take in an overview of the internal market of the European Union, including free movement of people and citizenship.

Land Law

Land law, at heart, is a distinctive and fascinating attempt to solve a set of co-ordination problems arising from the different, potentially conflicting, interests which can exist in relation to land. The module begins by introducing key structural elements of the scheme of English land law, and identifies the central concerns of the law, before seeking to integrate each of the more specific topics on the curriculum into this framework. The module will thus cover the nature of law, property and land, the division of estates and interests into legal and equitable, and the overall structure of land registration, before moving on to consider the more specific elements of the curriculum: freehold and leasehold estates, co-ownership and trusts of land leases, licences, mortgages, freehold covenants and easements. The increasing importance of the Human Rights Act 1998 to Land Law will also be covered.

Tort Law

Advanced Legal Skills

Company Law/ Business Associations

This module focuses on the principles of company law. It traces the birth of a company to its death; from its creation, its agents, its growth, its maintenance and to its dissolution. This module aims to show the significance of the principles of company law, how these principles relate to the current socio-economic climate and how they influence other business models such as partnerships, firms, and Community Interest Organisations. A critical analysis of these principles encourages innovative thinking to recommend solutions to the current issues faced by companies and their business partners. A critical analysis of the current regulatory mechanisms in the UK, EU and the US on corporate behaviour tests the efficacy of those kinds of governance.

Criminal Evidence

An examination of some important rules of evidence, including corroboration, identification evidence, hearsay, confessions, the right to silence, improperly obtained evidence, similar fact evidence, evidence of character, expert opinion evidence and the rules relating to the examination and cross-examination of witnesses. Students will be encouraged to evaluate the ideas behind these rules and examine any compromise between competing ideas which may be implicit in them. The module will place particular emphasis on the significance of the rules of evidence in criminal trial, in the context of the need to avoid miscarriages of justice.

Employment Law

The aim of the module is to equip students with an understanding of the nature of employment law. We will begin by examining the distinction between the self-employed person and the employee. We will then study the nature and formation of the contract of employment, terms of employment and the 'flexibility' of the relationship before moving on to consider the wide range of employment rights which flow from statute, such as protection against unfair dismissal; redundancy rights and the discrimination protections.

Environmental Law

International Law and Institutions

This module focuses on the law and legal framework governing the international community. Examined in depth are the underpinnings of international law including the nature, origins and basis of international law and the sources of international law, including treaties and customary norms. A special focus is given to the nexus between international and municipal law, subjects of international law and the concept of territory/jurisdiction. The core principles governing the use of force and the conduct of armed conflict are also explored. Finally, the law of state responsibility and individual accountability are taught in the context of violations of international rules.

Marriage, Cohabitation and the Law

Understanding Criminal Justice

This module will examine some of the main issues in Criminal Justice. It will provide an overview of the Criminal Justice system, and will consider in detail topics such as punishment, sentencing, crime prevention and community safety, policing, youth crime, prisons and the criminal court system. As part of this module, students will be required to observe at first hand an aspect of the criminal justice system in order to locate some of the current theoretical concerns into a practical context.

Equity and Trusts

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum

Children, Parents and the State

Commercial Law

Computer Law and Intellectual Property

Crime and Society

Dissertation

Equality Law

International Human Rights

International Trade Law

Medical Law

Work placements

You may have the opportunity to undertake a work placement through our Law in Action module. This involves participating in a placement equivalent of approximately 28 days’ work experience. This may operate as a block of six consecutive weeks, or as one day per week depending upon the requirements of the placement organisation. This placement module is designed to enhance your practical legal knowledge and wider transferable skills. The work placements are facilitated by the university; however students are responsible for their own travel and associated costs. Most travel costs are minimal as placements are organised to be within easy reach of the campus or in local Oxford. Placements in the surrounding area, such as Witney or Abingdon, will require bus travel which can amount to between £3-8 for a return ticket. Acceptance onto the Law in Action module is competitive and only a limited number of places are available, all subject to the availability of external placements.