Entry requirements
The course is of benefit both to those coming
fresh from undergraduate degrees or
vocational training (or those who wish to
embark on vocational skills training on
completion of the LLM), as well as those who
are currently working in the criminal justice
system. Our students come from all parts of
the criminal justice system, including:
• defence solicitors
• barristers in private practice
• serving police officers
• justices of the peace
• members of the Crown Prosecution
Service
We have found that the mixture of the
practical knowledge and experience of such
individuals combines very effectively with the
rather different strengths that other students
often bring from their recent LLB or BA
studies. The course is offered in both full
time and part time modes, and our
experience indicates that professionals
working in the criminal justice system find
the part time mode particularly attractive.
More information on the part time mode can
be found on page 6. Academics who
currently teach evidence, procedure,
sentencing or advocacy (perhaps on the Bar
Vocational Course, Legal Practice Course or
on undergraduate courses) may also find that
the course helps to enrich their own teaching.
We welcome applications from those with
experience or interests in related fields, such
as criminology, psychology and sociology.
Course description
This programme is the first postgraduate degree course in the UK to be devoted exclusively to criminal litigation. It concentrates on the principles that lie behind the criminal justice system, and the need to place those principles in a critical and comparative context. Those graduating from the programme will have a substantial understanding of the fundamentals of criminal litigation, together with enhanced analytical abilities. These attributes should enable them to make a substantial contribution within our developing criminal justice system.
Our usual teaching method is the seminar. In
each class a topic is dealt with by means of
the discussion of questions, case studies and
hypothetical situations. Students participate
fully in these discussions, and frequently take
the lead in dealing with particular questions or
topics. Students are encouraged to think
practically about the topic under consideration
and to present persuasive arguments. The
tutor’s role is an active one, organising the
seminar and facilitating discussion and
involvement, as well as providing feedback for
students on their contributions. The use of a
variety of media and sources is encouraged,
with frequent reference not only to practitioner
works and law reports but also to books or
journal articles from other jurisdictions or fields
of study.
There are often opportunities to attend talks
by visiting experts on a variety of topics, for
example on current legal issues or
specialisms such as forensic science.
The modules
The five modules are:
• Criminal Procedure
• Criminal Evidence
• Sentencing
• Criminal Advocacy
• The dissertation
Criminal Procedure examines
• the key procedural decisions that are
made in the criminal justice system
• the factors that influence them
• the arguments that the lawyer can bring
to bear to influence the decision-makers
Issues which have been considered in depth
include:
• the decision to prosecute
• disclosure of information
• plea bargaining
• mode of trial
Criminal Evidence focuses on certain central
themes, for example:
• the differences between rules and
discretions
• practical differences between evidence in
the Magistrates’ Court and in the Crown
Court
• the favourable treatment of the accused
• uses and abuses of character evidence
• the utility of judicial directions
Some of the topics that have been examined
in detail include:
• hearsay, in particular exceptions to the
rule
• confessions and ill-gotten evidence
• evidence and proof
• the right to silence
Sentencing concentrates upon those factors
that affect the choice of sentence to apply to
the offender. We examine
• judicial decision-making
• the framework of statutory powers
• the application of discretionary guidelines
The course structure
Learning takes place through classes split into
four modules and by undertaking the research
for and writing a dissertation. The course has
been designed carefully to present an
integrated programme, whereby the individual
modules often explore a topic from different
perspectives, providing a thorough and
practical understanding. Students are
encouraged
• to look holistically at the criminal justice
system
• to examine what happens both inside and
outside the courtroom
• to consider why procedures or situations
work out the way they do
• to think about whether the criminal justice
system constitutes a coherent whole
