Solicitor Apprenticeship Degree (LLB Hons)
5-6 years part-time | September 2020 start

In this module you will develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of criminal law and knowledge of key offences and defences. You will consider the nature, scope and function of the criminal law and be introduced to fundamental concepts concerning the elements of criminal liability. You will study key criminal offences with key defences being introduced at appropriate points. Topics relevant to participation in crime and inchoate offences (assisting and encouraging crime, conspiracy and attempt) will also be covered. You will learn how to recognise and locate relevant criminal law cases and statutes using on-line and print resources and how to comprehend, explain and apply the information so obtained. You will develop the ability to explain and analyse the criminal law and will be able to apply its principles to the facts of given scenarios.
This module covers the following topics:
• Elements of criminal liability (actus reus and mens rea)
• Homicide (murder and manslaughter)
• Non-fatal offences against the person (e.g. assault and battery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, unlawful wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm and unlawful wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent)
• Sexual offences (e.g. rape and sexual assault)
• Offences under the Theft Act 1968 (e.g. theft, robbery and burglary)
• Criminal Damage
• Accomplice liability
• Inchoate offences (assisting and encouraging crime, conspiracy and attempt)
• Liability in criminal law for omission to act
• Defences (e.g. intoxication, automatism, duress and self-defence)

In this module you will be introduced to the key skills and theories required to be a successful law undergraduate. In particular the module focusses on supporting you in making a successful transition to undergraduate study and to develop an understanding of the key academic and legal skills that you will be required to develop.

The module will focus on several key skills including:
• Legal writing
• Practical legal research
• Critical thinking
• Presentation skills (including effective group work)

The module is designed not only to assist you in developing these key skills but also to understand why such skills are important in the context of your wider studies and also how your own learning style can influence the way in which your skills develop. The module is designed to encourage you to consider important concepts such as the importance and value of feedback, critical debate and personal reflection. The module will require you to engage with a range of tasks designed to highlight the importance of these skills to both your undergraduate study and your future professional career and to develop your awareness of how your own learning style can ensure more effective skills development.

In this module you will develop an understanding of the law relating to the formation, operation and termination of contracts. You will, through the study of contract, be introduced to the finding, reading and use of a primary source of law, the law report. As the law of Contract is mainly a case law based subject you will be expected to read law reports and extract rules from this source of law. Such law will then be used to analyse problem and essay questions.
This module covers the following topics:
• An overview of the law of contract, its place in the common law and the operation of the doctrine of judicial precedent, and the factors affecting the development of modern contract law.
• Formation of Contract: agreement, certainty, intention to create legal relations and consideration, including promissory estoppel.
• Contents of contract: express and implied terms; interpretation of contracts; exemption clauses and unfair terms.
• Vitiating factors: misrepresentation, mistake, duress and undue influence.
• The doctrine of privity of contract and the exceptions to the doctrine.
• Discharge of contract: performance, breach, agreement and frustration.
• An outline of the law of remedies for breach of contract.
• A brief outline of the law of restitution.

This foundational module aims to provide you with a sound practical understanding of the English and European Union legal systems, including their origins, institutions, processes and actors. All key sources of English and European Union law are explained and you will be trained in their retrieval and analysis. Particular attention is given to the techniques of interpreting statutes and legal cases – both domestic and European Sources Union and an understanding of how to use legal sources to substantiate legal arguments. You will have an opportunity to undertake independent research into elements of the English and European Legal Systems.

This module covers the following topics:
• The basic principles of English law, English Legal System and European Union law and the mutual interaction between these legal systems;
• The role of law making bodies such as Parliament and the European Union Institutions;
• The role of the judiciary (UK and Court of Justice of the European Union);
• Statutory interpretation and judicial precedent;
• The preliminary rulings procedure
• The acquisition of legal research skills such as locating legal sources, reflective practice, effective communication and presentation and legal research

This module is designed to support you in collating your work based learning (WBL) portfolio and developing and implementing a work based learning (WBL) plan for your individual continuing professional development (CPD). This will underpin your development as an independent and self-directed work-based learner and provide you with the skills, knowledge and understanding required for you to outline and negotiate a detailed WBL plan to be implemented for, through and at work. The focus of your WBL plan should be on developing your knowledge and skills required to operate effectively within your particular sector or organisation with reference to the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority, Competence Statement for Solicitors. This could include a range of components including for example: work based training, online modules, work projects, credited CPD programmes, training from your own organisation. The WBL contract will be individually negotiated between yourself and your workplace mentor and individual academic coach.

Through engaging in the workshop sessions and the associated learning activities, you will develop your confidence and self-management as a work based learner, enhancing your personal planning skills and your abilities in transferring learning into improving your professional practice and working with others.

Underpinned by theoretical concepts and models and providing opportunities for skills practice, you will develop your knowledge and skills and demonstrate this through using opportunities within your workplace to develop and evidence your sector specific enhanced professional skills. This module will support you in creating a professional WBL development plan that will extend your sector/organisation knowledge and practice that will provide a foundation to support your future development on the programme.