module specification

Legal Method introduces you to methods of legal research, analysis and logic; to a practical knowledge of the legal profession and careers; and to issues of judicial ethics.

You will learn about legal method, in particular about legal practice, legal scholarship and legal research methods. They also explore issues around legal reasoning and analysis. These skills are be applied in the context of primary legal materials used in their other modules.

In its use of experiential workshops, the module will place you at the heart of their learning experience, allowing them to develop both personally and professionally within their chosen employment sector. This is in accordance with the Identity, Personalisation and Reflection aims of the ESJ Framework.

The aims of the module are as follows:

1. To introduce you to reflective thinking in the context of contemporary issues of legal method.
2. To enable you to continue to acquire the fundamental academic and professional skills necessary for the undergraduate study of law;
3. To provide a solid support both for the other Level 4 modules, and also for the remainder of the degree course and beyond into professional practice;
4. To begin to develop employability skills specific to work within the legal sector and related professions.
5. To begin to develop commercial awareness within the context of the legal sector

This module supports graduate opportunity and employability by giving you key knowledge of how to make successful applications within the legal sector; and by giving you a host of transferable skills, including research, critical thinking and communication.

All these subjects pervade each of the Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

PART ONE: THE ENGLISH LEGAL PROFESSION

01  Solicitors     
02 Barristers
03 The Judiciary       
04 Magistrates  
05 Other Legal Practitioners

PART TWO: EMPLOYABILITY WITHIN THE LEGAL SECTOR

06 Writing a legal CV     
07 Writing a covering letter
08 Interview techniques

PART THREE:  LEGAL REASONING

09 Methods of Reasoning   
10 Views on Legal Reasoning   
11 Syllogistic Logic      
12  Fact and Law

PART FOUR: LEGAL WRITING

13 Preparing Written Legal Work  
14 Dissertations and Coursework
15 Legal Research
16  Legal Referencing (OSCOLA)
17 Legal Drafting

PART FIVE: COMMERCIAL AWARENESS

18 Current issues within the legal sector
19 AI within the legal sector
20 Sustainability

Learning & 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;
• Oral presentation;
• Oral communication;
• Teamwork.

Blended Learning
All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on blackboard 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 Plus, 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.

Employability
Employability strategy will aim to acquaint students with a range of employment avenues both in the legal profession and in those professions into which legal qualifications and skills are transferable.

Student’s 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 basic knowledge of the different branches of the legal profession, including their function and training.
2. Demonstrate the ability to make a cogent application for employment within the legal sector.
3. Demonstrate the ability to engage in the fundamentals of legal writing, including an understanding of the basics of legal research, legal reasoning and legal drafting.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/42640FAE-C68C-3FD7-0884-0A2465BEC49D.html

Slapper and Kelly's The English legal system

by David Kelly

2024, 20th edition

Elliott and Quinn's English legal system

by Emily Allbon; Sanmeet Kaur Dua; Emily Allbon; Catherine Elliott

2024, 22nd editio

English legal system

by Helen Rutherford; Birju Kotecha; Angela Macfarlane

2024, 6th edition

Legal skills

by Emily Finch; Stefan Fafinski

2023, 9th edition

How to write law essays & exams

by S. I. Strong

2022, 6th edition

DATABASES
Westlaw Edge UK
Lexis+ UK