Programme Specification for Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies/Common Professional Exam 2008/2009

Teaching Institution: London South Bank University

Accredited by: London South Bank University and The Joint Academic Stage Board

Faculty of origin: AHS Highest Award within the Programme: Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies/Common Professional Exam Other Awards within the Programme:

Reference Points: Internal: LSBU Mission Statement and Strategic Plan LSBU Core Skills Policy LSBU Academic Regulations External: The Joint Academic Stage Board, Common Professional Examination/Graduate Diploma in Law, Information Pack 2008 Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (QAA, 2001) Law Benchmarks (QAA, 2007)

Rationale & Aims: The Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies course aims to provide non-law graduates with an academically coherent and rigorous education developing a sound foundation for further study toward the acquisition of the legal knowledge and competencies required for a career in law and which satisfies the requirements of, i) the academic stage of legal education as jointly prescribed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar, and ii) the QAA benchmark for law.
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Programme Outcomes The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills and other attributes in the following areas: A Knowledge and understanding of: A1 English Legal System A2 Obligations I (Contract) A3 Obligations II (Tort) A4 Foundations of Public Law A5 Foundations of Property Law A6 Foundations of Equity and the Law of Trusts A7 Foundations of Criminal Law A8 The Foundations of the Law of the EU A9 A legal topic of the students choosing not otherwise covered in the above list. B Intellectual/Legal skills able to: B1 Solve legal problems by analysing complex and unpredictable fact selecting and applying the law from primary and other sources, situations and identifying, locating,

B2 Analyse and evaluate critically conflicting interpretations of primary sources of law, applying reasoning, principles of interpretation and the doctrine of precedent, B3 Analyse and evaluate critically the law and proposals for reform in a variety of contexts including social, economic, political & moral, B4 Argue cogently about legal issues, acknowledging alternative perspectives and proffering reasoned opinions supported by authority or evidence. C Transferable skills able to: C1 Identify research questions and formulate an appropriate research strategy for the retrieval of complete, accurate and up-to-date results using both paper and electronic media, C2 Plan and undertake extended study with minimal guidance,

C3 Manage their work, including preparing for and attending classes, making and keeping appointments with tutors and meeting submission deadlines, C4 To reflect and act upon their study needs.

D Practical Skills - able to:(Communication Skills) D1 Conduct effective legal research,

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D2 D3 D4

Communicate ideas by appropriate language both written and oral, Extract meaning from technical legal materials, Present written work clearly, using appropriate layout, language and references

(IT Skills) D5 D6 D7 Produce word-processed documents, Communicate by e-mail, Conduct on-line research

Entry Requirements A student must be possess an undergraduate degree (not to include a foundation degree) from a UK or Irish institution or have been granted a Certificate of Academic Standing or a Partial Exemption Certificate from either the Law Society and /or the Bar Council for England and Wales before they can be admitted onto the course.A student must have a good command of the English language before being admitted to the course.

Programme Structure Units studied are, English Legal System (this unit is a prerequisite for progress to the remainder of the courseand is taught intensively in the introductory weeks of the course and assessed upon completion). EU Law Obligations 1 (Law of Contract) Obligations 2 (Law of Tort) Public Law Land Law Equity & Trusts Criminal Law Project (undertaken by self-directed research under supervision)

a) Full-time mode Study and assessment of all units takes place within a single academic session of 36 weeks including exams including a two week introductory period. b) Part-time mode Year 1 Study and assessment of English Legal System, EU Law, Obligations 1 & 2,

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 Public Law

Year 2 Study and assessment of Land Law, Equity & Trusts Criminal Law Project

Delivery of the part-time course is by twice weekly evening classes in term time.

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