module specification

Criminal Law II is a core module for the LL.B. courses and the B.A. Law, which builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in the study of the LL4057, Criminal Law I. Students study further key principles of criminal law, which is one of the foundation subjects of English law, as identified by the professional legal bodies, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board.

The aims of the module are as follows:

1. Students will acquire knowledge of the basic principles of defences; violent offences; and property offences in criminal law.

2. Students will develop several key transferable skills, including independent research, critical analysis and cogent academic writing in the context of criminal law, emphasising the use of primary and secondary sources.

3. Students will enhance their employability by the development both of these skills, and by the practice of written communication activities (including summative) and oral communication activities (formative only).

Must have taken the LL4057 module, Criminal Law I

Defences in criminal law LO1 - LO3
• Automatism
• Insanity,
• Intoxication
• Infancy
• Duress
• Necessity
• Public and private defence
• Mistake
• Consent

Violent Offences LO1 - LO3
• Assault and battery
• Offences contrary to sections 47,18 & 20 Offences Against the Person Act 1861
• Stalking and harassment
• Racially and religiously aggravated assaults

Property Offences LO1 - LO3
• Theft
• Robbery
• Burglary
• Handling
• Blackmail
• Fraud
• Dishonest obtaining of services
• Making off without payment

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;
• Legal writing.

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. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of defences; violent offences; and
property offences in criminal law.

2. Demonstrate the ability critically to discuss case study problems relating to the topics covered in the syllabus.

3. Demonstrate the ability to write critical, discursive essays relating to the topics covered in the syllabus.

Written examination (2 hours)

This will assess the ability cogently to discuss and critically analyse legal case studies and/or contemporary legal issues within the context of criminal law, in a time-constrained examination.

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