module specification

Criminal Litigation provides students with an understanding of criminal litigation in a legal practice context. The course introduces students to the criminal litigation process, including the role and powers of the police in relation to stop and search and arrest, the role of the CPS in charging and prosecuting an offender and the structure and jurisdiction of the criminal courts. The module also introduces students to professional conduct rules in a legal practice context.

The module aims to develop several key transferable skills including independent research, critical analysis and written and oral presentation skills in the context of a practical legal subject. It also aims to give students an insight into the practical aspects of law which is particularly valuable if they are contemplating a career in legal practice.

Student employability will be enhanced by the development both of these skills and also by gaining expertise in answering situational judgment, multiple-choice questions, such as are typical in professional legal assessments such as the Solicitors Qualifying Examination and some Bar Practice courses.

1. Introduction to Criminal Litigation

2. Police Powers
• Stop, Search and Arrest
• Detention and Interrogation
• Obtaining ID evidence
• The decision to prosecute

3. Public Funding

4. Bail Applications

5. Prosecutions
• Either-Way Offence
• Summary Offence
• Indictable Offence

6. Trial Procedure
• Rules of Criminal Evidence
• Corroboration, the ‘Turnbull Guidelines’, Hearsay and Character Evidence
• Sentencing
• Plea in Mitigation

Learning Outcomes LO1 - LO3

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour seminar. 

The lecture will be used for:

• Dissemination of knowledge through an overview of each topic with detailed guidance on appropriate aspects;
• An introduction to relevant academic literature;
• Guidance on learning strategies;
• Use of WebLearn and IT resources;
• Whole group questions and discussion.

The seminar will be used for the development of skills necessary to attain the module learning outcomes through:

• Written and oral questions/answers designed to reinforce fundamental rules, principles and cases;
• A range of step-by-step analytical exercises;
• Problem solving;
• IT tasks, such as research of cases and statutes;
• Taking multiple choice tests

Blended Learning

All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on WebLearn for use in directed private study.

Student engagement will be encouraged in both lectures and seminars through weekly use of WebLearn for access to all of the above materials.

There will be required use of the professional legal databases, especially Westlaw and Lexis Library, for legal research.

Opportunities for reflective learning/pdp

Each weekly seminar will contain space for students to reflect on what they have learnt in relation to the overall syllabus. There will be frequent feedback opportunities structured into the timetable and a range of sample answers posted onto WebLearn.

Students’ Study Responsibilities

The need for attendance, punctuality, preparation and engagement will be emphasised with particular reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, team-work, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject.

On successful completion of this module, the students will be able to:

1. Apply the principles of the criminal litigation in realistic case-studies scenarios.

2. Demonstrate the ability to analyse legal and factual information relating to criminal litigation procedure in a range of hypothetical scenarios.

3. Demonstrate an expertise in answering complex multiple-choice questions about criminal litigation which test situational judgment in a highly nuanced manner

Multiple Choice Questions Test (2 hours)

The link to the Talis reading list will be provided when the module is due to start running.