Introduction to Criminological Theory explores the key theoretical perspectives relevant to the study of crime and social justice. Using contemporary case studies in crime, deviance and conflict, the module evaluates the main theoretical traditions and recent critiques within criminology, providing a foundation in critical analysis.

Introduction to the Criminal Justice Process provides an overview of the key aspects of the criminal justice system. The module critically analyses official responses to ‘crime’ and deviance through an examination of fundamental criminal justice agencies, including the police, criminal courts and prisons, as well as probation and youth justice services.

Law of Contract introduces principles that regulate legally binding agreements. The module examines when the law recognises agreements as binding and how such agreements are formed. You will look at the means and pretexts by which contracting parties may seek to escape from the obligations they have undertaken and different remedies that the law makes available when such obligations are breached.

Law of Torts introduces you to the law of civil liabilities, examining the objectives of the system as well as the main areas such as negligence, trespass, occupiers’ and employers’ liability, vicarious liability, defamation and privacy. The subject is largely based on case law.

Lawyers’ Skills lays the foundations for the development of a number of skills and competences related to working in the legal professions. The module introduces you to a number of aspects of the practical curriculum delivered on a Legal Practice Course and a Bar Professional Training Course.

Legal Methods and Systems examines the sources of English law, and explains the processes and the role and functions of the institutions and personnel involved in the English legal system. The module provides a foundation of legal knowledge, and introduces you to legal reasoning, legal analysis and legal study skills which you can apply in your subsequent legal study.

TLC1010 Language 1 is ideal if you want to learn a new language, or further develop your current language skills, as an integrated element of your degree. You can study French, German, Arabic, Italian, Mandarin or Spanish (subject to minimum numbers for your preferred language). Delivered at the Edge Hill Language Centre, the module will be taught in an interactive, communicative manner, using authentic materials in the target language. Emphasis will be placed on all four areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will play an active role in the weekly two-hour classes, engaging in role-plays, short conversations, videos, authentic texts and listening materials. You will also be encouraged to reflect on your own learning needs. On enrolment to the module, you will complete a language induction form and be placed into a language level group appropriate for your prior knowledge of your chosen language. Please note, while we will endeavour to accommodate varying language levels per module, this is not always possible. While you can join the module with some prior experience of your target language, you will not be able to study a language you are already fluent or proficient in.

Criminal Law explores the substantive criminal law in England and Wales. The module combines the basic notions and framework of criminal liability with a detailed consideration of a range of specific criminal offences.

Critical Criminological Theory provides a grounding in critical criminological theory, and its application to contemporary debates and issues concerning harm and criminal justice. The module considers the development of criminological theory in its historical context and encourages you to apply theory to ‘concrete’ current issues around harm and crime and to social and state responses.

Land Law will provide you with an understanding of the key principles of property law which underpin the day-to-day management and control of land ownership, use and transaction, and enable you to place those dealings within the social context.

Public Law 1 introduces you to the fundamental constitutional principles of public law and demonstrates how these principles are realised in the UK and how an evaluation may be made of the UK’s adherence to these principles. The module also examines some of the unique or unusual characteristics of the UK constitution.

Violence and Society explores the concept of violence and the various forms it can take, ranging from intrapersonal violence (e.g. self harm) to interpersonal violence, institutional and state violence, and violence on a global scale.

Public Law 2 introduces you to administrative law as it operates in the UK. It examines the operation of judicial review and the ways in which judicial review attempts to realise and comply with the principles of the rule of law and separation of powers. The module also examines the rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights and how these rights are given effect in the UK via the Human Rights Act 1998.

Public Law in Practice equips you with a good understanding of the process involved in bringing a claim for judicial review. Judicial review is a way of challenging how an organisation carries out a public function. It is a specialised type of legal proceeding. Unlike private law which involves a dispute over a person’s rights and obligations, judicial review has a wider public importance because it is about ensuring the state does not exceed the powers given to it by law. This difference means that special rules apply to judicial review. The court’s role is to look at whether a decision was lawfully available to the body which made it.  Exploring the three stages of judicial review, from pre-action protocol to the permission and substantive stages, this module will enable you to develop the skills of locating learning resources and engaging in case and statute analysis, legal reasoning, criticism, and oral presentation and argument.

Equity and Trusts examines the fundamental principles of the law relating to trusts and equitable ownership of property. It also considers the role and responsibilities of trustees and other fiduciaries.

European Union Constitutional Law examines the Constitutional Law of the European Union and the nature of the relationship with national legal orders. The module explores the nature and effects of the legal relationship and examines in particular the doctrines, principles, legal instruments, competences, institutions and rights recognised and conferred by EU Law and the law making process in the European Union.

European Union Substantive Law examines some of the core areas of the substantive law of the European Union. The module focuses on the law relating to the four freedoms and competition law in the context of the regulatory development of the EU Internal Market.

The Politics of Imprisonment provides you with a critical knowledge and understanding of the nature, functions and justifications for the use of punishment, specifically incarceration, in modern society. The module will consider the philosophical theories that are used to legitimise the state’s use of imprisonment and the sociological theories that explain historical developments in the purpose of state punishment. The various divisions and functions of the prison estate will be examined within their historical, structural, political, social and geographical contexts. Related methods of state punishment, such as the death penalty, will also be considered. You will adopt an international perspective and explore penal theory and practice in a range of countries. The relationships between power, legitimacy and justice will be central themes throughout the module.

The Politics of Policing equips you with a critical knowledge and understanding of the concept of policing, both in its philosophical sense and as a function of the modern liberal democratic state. The module will consider the role and function of the police service, and explore related issues including police powers, political accountability, protection of civil liberties and the concept of equality before the law. Contemporary strategies and approaches to policing will be located within their structural, political, social and geographical contexts. The module is underpinned by theories of authority, power and legitimacy.

Alternative Dispute Resolution recognises the importance of an understanding of the legal principles, processes and procedures of alternative dispute resolution. This module will consider arbitration, mediation and negotiation as alternative methods of dispute resolution. It will provide an understanding of the law and practice of arbitration in England and Wales generally. It will also explain the fundamental principles of arbitration, mediation and negotiation, consider the Arbitration Act 1996 and contemplate the role of the courts in the arbitral process  A case study of an arbitration process will be included.

Company Law concentrates on the key features of the company as a legal institution and covers a selection of topics addressing some of the main policy issues relating to companies and business activity.

Counter Terrorism examines key legislation, terminology and concepts around counter terrorism, from radicalisation and extremism to home grown terrorism, interventions, and the Government’s Prevent and CONTEST strategies. The module will assess the organisational structures and inter relationships that exist within counter terrorism policing such as the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and Special Branch. You will also consider the links between counter terrorism and other forms of criminality and the importance of information and intelligence within this evolving area of policing.

Criminal Law in Practice equips you with a good understanding of the vital service provided by duty solicitors. The Criminal Justice system in the UK controls the behaviour of citizens and helps citizens understand the effects of their actions through punishment and rehabilitation of those who violate the laws. This area of law is regulated by the Criminal Procedure Rules and legislation including the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984. PACE regulates the power of police and sets out rules regarding the detention and interrogation of suspects. The role of a criminal defence duty solicitor is to help suspects when detained at the police station. The duty solicitor is an advocate who ensures that the offender’s legal rights are observed and that proper legal advice is given. The duty solicitor explains what is likely to happen in the case, discuss the evidence that the police have, the strengths of the evidence and whether the evidence is strong enough for the suspect to be charged. The duty solicitor advises the suspect at the police interview and provides the suspect with legal advice. This module will guide you in how to conduct interviews and to request disclosure from police. You will also learn PACE rules that regulate police interviews and applications for bail, as well as about criminal procedure rules.

Digital Policing and Cybercrime equips you with an understanding of the complexities of digital policing and digitally facilitated crimes. You will be introduced to key terminology associated with digital technology and gain an insight into how technology can be used in everyday policing and criminal investigations. Legislation and regulations relevant to the use of technology within digital policing and digitally facilitated crimes will be examined and applied to offences such as hate crime, sexting, revenge porn, bullying, harassment, child grooming and fraud. The module also explores how digitally facilitated crimes are reported to the police and assesses the impact that these crimes have on individuals and their families. You will investigate how criminals engage in complex digital crimes such as hacking, malware attacks, denial of service and data manipulation and consider the impact this can have on individuals and businesses.

Dissertation is designed to allow you to carry out a substantial piece of self-directed legal research. The topic of your research may draw on the practical experience of the law gained in an appropriate work placement.

Employment Law deals with an important business resource, namely its employees and one of the most important forms of exchange between business and clients, namely contracts for the sale and exchange of goods.

Family Law examines the main areas of substantive law and social policy pertaining to the family. The focus is on the ‘family’ and the rights and obligations of the adults within it.

Human Rights introduces you to the assessment of the nature of human rights claims and their translation into law and legal institutions. It charts the emergence of human rights arguments through legal, social and political theory, and examines how these discourses have informed the creation of national and international law.

Intellectual Property Law critically examines the key principles of intellectual property (IP) law, the nature and scope of IP rights, procedures, national, regional and international, for the granting and recognition of the rights, mechanisms for enforcement, as well as defences against the enforcement.

International Business Law examines some of the legal aspects governing the organisation and regulation of private international business, especially multi-national corporations.

International Criminal Law analyses the key principles of international criminal law. It examines legislation and prosecution of international crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression.

International Peace and Security examines the international legal aspects of the international community’s efforts to maintain international peace and security. The module explores the ‘law before war’ known as jus ad bellum, including the prohibition of force, the principle of non-intervention, and the powers and role of the relevant United Nations organs in settling or responding to international disputes and situations. It will also give you an insight into rights of states in self-defence, and the international community’s roles and responsibilities in responding to mass atrocity crimes under the ‘Responsibility to Protect’.

International Sports Law examines the complex pattern of international regulatory frameworks affecting sport. It explores the role of sport in society and assesses the claims that sport should be self-regulating.

Law Clinic Experience Module provides you with the opportunity to further develop and apply a number of the practical aspects of being employed in the legal professions.

Law of Evidence examines the procedural framework which regulates the conduct of the adversarial trial. The main focus are the main rules of evidence which govern the conduct of a criminal trial and the extent to which the rules are an expression of the relationship between the interests of the state and the rights of the individual within the criminal justice system.

Media Law examines current laws governing libel, social media, privacy, malicious communications and contempt of court. It explores these rules within the context of areas such as press regulation, the regulation of the internet and the regulation of media broadcasting.

Mediation introduces you to the skills of a mediator and the principles of conflict resolution. The civil justice system in England and Wales provides a forum for resolving civil disputes, however this is adversarial, promotes a ‘winner takes all’ philosophy, and can be costly and time consuming. Increasingly, alternative dispute resolution methods, of which mediation is one, are being used to resolve disputes instead of court proceedings.  The Civil Justice Council in its report of June 2021 recommended the introduction of compulsory mediation for civil disputes before a dispute is brought to court. Legal and judicial initiatives point to an increased use of mediation as part of the civil justice process in the future. This module will introduce you to the skills of a mediator and the principles of conflict resolution. It will provide you with an understanding of the role and practice of a mediator and the service that the mediator provides to parties who are in dispute. It will guide you through the process of preparation for a mediation, introduce the communication skills required to facilitate a negotiation between the parties, guide you in how to manage a mediation process, and provide an understanding of a mediator’s ethical obligations and practice.

Property Law in Practice introduces you to conveyancing, the process of transferring ownership of property from one person to another. Conveyancing is a generic term that describes property transactions whether they are in respect of residential or commercial property. The basic rules and principles of conveyancing apply regardless of the nature of the property. This module will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge of the rules and principles required to complete a residential property transaction. You will develop this knowledge so that you will be able to provide advice and assistance to a client in relation to each of the critical stages of a property transaction.

Public International Law examines the law governing relations between states. It is concerned with questions such as the settlement of disputes, title to territory, diplomatic relations, human rights, the law of the sea, legal restraints on the use of force, and the law governing international commercial/trade agreements.

Refugee Law analyses the legal obligations nation states owe to refugees and migrants. It examines the pertinent International and European Union legislation with attention to both the legal norms and the actual practice.

Sports Law examines the claims that the volume of sports related case law and statute combined with the development of discrete legal doctrines unique to sport has contributed to the emergence of a new legal area – sports law.

Tax Law provides you with a solid grounding in the law and principles relating to taxation, including the taxation of business. It provides you with a general understanding of the operation of the tax system, to enable you to analyse accurately the tax consequences of a given set of facts, and to make critical assessments of the law covered in the module.

LAW3222 Criminal Law in Practice (20 credits), LAW3221 International Peace and Security (20 credits), LAW3057 Property Law in Practice (20 credits) and LAW3058 Mediation (20 credits) added as optional modules in Year 3.

LAW3032 Child Law (20 credits), LAW3034 Consumer Law (20 credits) and LAW3043 Jurisprudence (20 credits) removed as optional modules in Year 3.

LAW2008 Public Law 2 (20 credits) changes from compulsory to optional in Year 2. LAW2028 Public Law in Practice (20 credits) added as an optional module in Year 2.

PLN3003 Digital Policing and Cybercrime (20 credits) and PLN3006 Counter Terrorism (20 credits) added as optional modules in Year 3.