LAW-30118 - The Practice of Criminal Litigation

Coordinator: Lisa M Mason Tel: +44 1782 7 34363

Lecture Time: See Timetable...

Level: Level 6

Credits: 15

Study Hours: 150

School Office: 01782 733218

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

This module will provide a valuable insight into the role of a lawyer working in the field of criminal litigation. Students will have an opportunity to apply their knowledge of criminal law to problems and realistic scenarios and to advise clients in a variety of settings including the police station and at court.

Aims

To provide an insight into the practice of criminal litigation, from inception at the police station through to a consideration of evidential issues at trial. To provide a practical consideration of the admissibility of various pieces of evidence and how they are obtained as well as venue for trial on either way offences.
The module will provide a basic outline of issues across the SQE syllabus.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/law-30118/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

evaluate the evidential considerations regarding admissibility of evidence and how it is obtained including police powers: 2
evaluate the tactical and legal considerations in advising at the Police Station and subsequently at trial including the availability and eligibility for public funding and professional conduct issues that may arise: 2
appraise and critique the role of the Crown Prosecution Service within the criminal justice system and how to work with them in the client's best interests: 2
distinguish between the venue for trial whether Magistrates Court or Crown Court and advising upon the most appropriate venue: 2
demonstrate effective oral advocacy skills in the context of a criminal law application for example, bail application or a plea in mitigation: 1

Study hours

Lectures 12 x 1 hour
Workshops 8 x 2 hours
Revision session 2 hours

Independent study including preparation for workshops totals 120 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Presentation weighted 30%
Oral advocacy presentation
An oral advocacy application in the context of a criminal law exercise for example a bail application or plea in mitigation exceeding no more than 15 minutes duration.

2: Open Book Examination weighted 70%
24-hour, online open book exam
A problem based open book exam with advance information which may include some MCQ type questions. The paper will be released on the KLE at 10am on the morning of the exam. Students will have 24 hours to submit their answers. Although 24 hours has been allocated as the time frame within which answers must be submitted, we expect that most students will take no more than 2-3 hours to complete their answers. Answers must be completed and submitted in accordance with the Law School approved rubric for 24-hour online assessments.

LAW-30118 - Module Specification School of Law Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

LAW-30118 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences