MLaw (Solicitors' Practice) - four year Integrated Master's

Semester 1

Compulsory modules include:

Common Law Method and Ethics

This module introduces you to the English legal system and looks at how to interpret statutes and the doctrine of precedent. Also, how law is created and the structure of the English court system. These enable you to understand how laws are created and interpreted. Within Ethics, you will consider different approaches to ethical issues, including the social and ethical context of the legal profession.

Academic and Digital Skills

This module underpins all of the other modules on the LLB & MLaw. It develops the academic and digital skills which you will need for both your studies and the workplace, including using the University’s VLE and other relevant platforms and software, legal research and referencing, academic integrity, communication skills, and how to analyse and answer legal problems. 

Contract Law

In this module you will consider the elements of a contract, different types of contractual terms, remedies for breach of contract and the circumstances when remedies can be excluded.  You will also look at connected areas such as misrepresentation, duress, and undue influence.

Semester 2

Compulsory modules include:

The Law of Tort

Tort is a key area of law and considers acts and omissions that give rise to injury or harm to another and amount to a civil wrong. You will consider topics such as trespass to the person, negligence, product liability, employer liability, occupiers’ liability, trespass to land and private nuisance. You will also look at the remedies available when an action in Tort succeeds.

Public Law

This module looks at sources of the UK constitution and principles such as the rule of law, separation of powers and parliamentary supremacy. Also, how the lawfulness of decisions and actions made by public bodies are challenged through exploring the grounds for judicial review and the remedies available. You will learn about the place EU Law has within the UK constitution and consider the key rights and freedoms incorporated into UK law through the Human Rights Act.

Criminal Law

This module gives an overview of the criminal justice system and helps to develop an understanding of the principles of criminal liability. You will look at different criminal offences, including homicide, criminal damage, assaults, sexual offences, theft and robbery, and drugs offences. You will consider what defences may be available and the law in relation to secondary participation and attempts to commit certain offences.

Semester 1

Compulsory modules include:

Critical Approaches in Current Legal Issues

Designed to further develop the academic skills which you developed during your Level 4. Equipping you with the skills which you need to succeed as you progress through the programme. Through topical areas of law, you will develop your critical thinking and evaluation skills, ability to solve legal problems, and research skills.  You will be challenged through debating controversial areas of law and presenting arguments, in order to develop your ability to reflect and understand the views of others.

Business Law 1

This module introduces you to different forms of business organisation such as partnerships and companies and how to choose the most appropriate format to run a business. You will explore company law in more detail, exploring the separate legal personality of a company and its limited liability status and company constitutions. You will look at the different parties involved in a company such as the directors and shareholders. 

Land Law

We look at the nature of land, how the ownership of estates and interests in land operate and the formalities for creating and disposing of those estates and interests. It looks at important topics such as: the protection and enforcement of third party interests in land, the distinction between registered and unregistered land, trusts of land and co-ownership, leases, easements, covenants, and mortgages. 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules include:

Access to Justice and Legal Services

In this module you will look at the history of access to justice and the impact of the legal aid cuts. You will also look at the role of legal technology, legal education and pro bono work in supporting access to justice. The module includes an introduction to the legal profession including looking at some of the rules and regulations that govern how a law firm runs and the equality and diversity of the legal industry.

Real Estate

This module builds on the academic legal knowledge gained in the Property Law module, and applies this knowledge in a practical context.  The module is split into two parts.  The first part explores the legal processes for buying and selling property and the second part looks at different types of transactions concerning leasehold property.

*Choose one:

• Family Law
• Employment Law
• Human Rights
• Extended Essay
• Practising Law in a Digital World

*All options are indicative and available subject to numbers.

Semester 1

Compulsory modules include:

Equity and Trusts

In this module you will study the core principles of equity and trusts law which arise in a range of personal, social and commercial contexts. You will look at the distinction between a gift and a trust and how trusts are created. You will explore the management of the trust through the powers and duties of trustees and the rights of the beneficiaries before considering what remedies are available if there is a breach of trust. 

Business Law 2

Building on the content of Business Law 1, this module focuses on the financial aspects of running a business. You will cover the different ways in which a business can raise money as well as how to interpret business accounts. The module covers the principles of Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Corporation Tax and also looks at both corporate and individual insolvency.  

Civil Dispute Resolution

This module has a very practical focus and is designed to give you an insight into the work of a dispute resolution lawyer. You will follow a civil dispute case through from start to finish and will look at alternative dispute resolution, starting a claim, court directions, disclosure and preparing for trial. The module also covers the civil trial process and possible outcomes.  

Semester 2

Compulsory modules include:

SQE 1 & 2 Preparation

This module will enable you to start to prepare for the SQE 1 and 2 assessments. It includes the core concepts of legal services as well as ethics and professional conduct. It also includes an introduction to some of the key skills you will cover in your integrated masters – legal research, client interviewing, advocacy, case and matter analysis, legal writing and legal drafting. 

Choose two*:

• Family Law
• Employment Law
• Wills & Succession
• Human Rights
• Criminal Litigation and Evidence
• Graduate and Employability Skills
• International Commercial Law
• Legal Technology
• Mental Health and Mental Capacity Law
• Research Project (double module)

*All options are indicative and subject to availability.

Semester 1

• SQE1 Preparation (60 credits)

Semester 2

• SQE 2 Preparation (20 credits)
• Practice Area Research Report (40 credits)

*All modules are at Level 7.