Law* LLM

The content covered in this module will provide students with the knowledge required to design and manage an independent research topic. The module will examine the role of research in law and the social sciences, covering main research paradigms and core philosophical debates. The principal methodologies used in social science research will be examined, together with contemporary applications. Teaching hours will cover all aspects of the research process required to design and manage a successful research project in contemporary legal studies, including:

• Research Methodologies, particularly doctrinal and socio legal 
• Research methods and design
• Research ethics
• Writing an effective research proposal
• Presenting research findings

The module content will enable a student to produce a research proposal which will be the basis of their LA7009 Dissertation.

The over-arching aim of this module is to provide students with an opportunity develop the core skills required to conduct independent research relating to legal issues, both those arising in theory and practice.

The module aims to supply students with the skills that will be required to undertake an extended piece of research and writing at Masters study. the module will enable a student to produce a research proposal on their chosen area of law which will be the basis of their dissertation.

This module introduces students to the complex issues that arise when a legal case with a foreign element comes before the courts of England and Wales.  The module considers the three questions: jurisdiction, choice of law and recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments.  These questions are explored through primary and secondary sources.

Content:

Fundamental concepts and issues

Domicile and residence

Jurisdiction

Stay and Restraint of Proceedings

Foreign judgments

Topical application selected from:

• Contracts
• Torts
• Restitution
• Property
• Successions and trusts

To introduce students to the complex issues that arise when a legal case with a foreign element comes before the courts of England and Wales. 

To explore the three questions of a conflicts of law case:  jurisdiction, choice of law and recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments.

To critically analyse case scenarios, identify conflicts of law issues, select and apply appropriate rules, and construct a viable argument proposing a solution and predicting its likely success.

The module will provide a consideration of Common Law from a domestic and international perspective.

The module will assess common law, considering its history and development as well as it functions in a modern legal system.

The module will provide a solid foundation for students studying common law jurisdictions and enabling them to navigate the complexities of such a system.

The module will consider the common law in action and support students in developing a framework to utilising common law within complex legal scenarios.

Topics to be covered will be:

-          Origins of the Common Law

-          Evolution of the Common Law

-          The Common Law in a modern context, challenges and developments

-          Application of common law in particular fields of law

This module is principally an independent study module and, accordingly, much of the specific content will be chosen by students, with direction from their supervisor, dependent on which particular area(s) they have chosen to focus on over the course of their Masters programme.

Designated supervisors will provide further individual advice and support on specific modes of analyses as relevant. The dissertations may require ethical approval and this will be considered by the School of Law research ethics committee as required. 

The over-arching aim of this module is to provide students with an opportunity to undertake an extended piece of research and writing in an area relevant to their Masters study, and support students in further developing the necessary skills to do this well. Accordingly, the module aims to allow students to undertake largely self-directed study of key issues at the forefront of contemporary legal studies

Indicative Module Topics for International Dispute Resolution:

• Understanding Arbitration: Nature and Scope
• Legal Frameworks in International Dispute Resolution
• Formation and Validity of Arbitration Agreements
• Roles and Authorities of Arbitral Tribunals and Mediators
• Procedural Aspects: Arbitration Processes and Mediation Techniques
• Court Jurisdiction and its Interplay with Arbitration
• Award Enforcement and Settlement Agreement Considerations
• Contemporary Challenges and Developments in International Dispute Resolution

1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the key concepts and principles in international commercial dispute resolution.
2. Equip students with advanced research skills to effectively locate and evaluate suitable legal resources both locally and internationally.
3. Enhance analytical capabilities to identify legal and factual issues in hypothetical scenarios of international commercial disputes, and apply relevant principles to formulate solutions.
4. Foster awareness of key current developments in the field of international arbitration.
5. Cultivate the ability to construct coherent and persuasive legal arguments in the context of international commercial dispute resolution.

Indicative Module Topics for Foundations of International Commercial Law:

• What is International Commercial Law?
• Challenges for commercial law;
• Harmonisation and uniform law agendas;
• Using Contracts in International Commercial Law
• Standard Trade Terms (e.g., INCOTERMS);
• Secured Interests in Mobile Equipment;
• UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts; and
• International commercial arbitration under the UNCITRAL Model Law and the New York Convention.

1. Analyse, evaluate, and synthesise complex challenges associated with cross-border transactions, incorporating legal, social, and economic dimensions.
2. Assess and synthesise complex aspects of key areas within International Commercial Law.
3. Utilise internationally relevant legal and non-legal materials effectively for the study of commercial law.
4. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of contextual challenges within International Commercial Law through structured written analysis.

The module will focus on Human Rights Law from an international perspective, it will cover the following core areas:

• Institutions of International Human Rights
• Sources of International Human Rights Law
• Fundamentals of Human Rights law at an International and regional level
• Enforcement of Human Rights
• Substantive Human Rights

(Including indictive examples of substantive rights)

• Rights to privacy
• Rights of workers
• Rights of a Child
• Right to Education

• To outline fundamental elements of Human Rights Law  as relevant internationally and to different jurisdictions
• To enable students to appreciate the approaches and complexities of enforcing Human Rights internationally
• To equip students to utilise their understanding of legal principles and independent research methods to determine applicable laws internationally and within different jurisdictions on Human Rights.