London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Modules

161/D161 Common law reasoning and institutions

Note
This is a new unit to be examined for the first time in 2008.

Syllabus
1. The nature of the common law tradition
2. Sources of law and principles of legal research
3. Conduct of legal research and retrieval of legal information, with particular reference
to the use of the London online library and web based resources
4. The role and operation of courts
5. Judicial reasoning in relation to (a) cases, and (b) statutes
6. The judiciary and magistracy
7. The criminal justice process (in outline) and the role of rights in the process with particular attention to the jury and the impact of the Human Rights Act.
8. The civil justice process (in outline) with particular attention to reform
9. Legal services and access to justice with particular attention to the legal profession and legal aid.
Students will be required to use the online library and complete the online legal research exercises. The assessment of this subject by an unseen written paper will consist of two parts, with the first part (Part A) being a compulsory question of legal research. Students must pay close attention to the relevant chapters in the Subject Guide and Study Pack and the learning objectives therein. The compulsory question may contain multiple choice questions based on the exercises on legal research, citation of legal information, and library use as well as questions on a research essay students are expected to have completed as directed in the subject guide.
All information in this document is subject to confirmation in the Programme Regulations for degrees and diplomas in Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences that are reviewed annually. Notice is also given in the Regulations of any units which are being phased out and students are advised to check unit availability.