A Portfolio consisting of 3500 words based on a contemporary issue of substantive criminal law or criminal justice which will assess learning outcomes 1-6. Weighted at 100%.

The module deals with the doctrine of criminal liability and the processes within the criminal justice system and introduces aspects of theory. Selected areas of contemporary interest from the criminal justice process are subject to evaluation and critical analysis in making judgements about the effectiveness of these legal principles and practices in seeking to achieve the stated aims of the criminal justice system.

Criminal Law
- general defences
- inchoate offences
- homicide and non-fatal offences against the person
- theft, fraud and related property offences

Criminal Justice System
Police Powers
Bail
Commencement of proceedings and ways in which criminal cases can be dealt with
Allocation hearings
Format of a Crown Court trials
Youth Court
Sentencing: types of sentence and their purposes
Appeals

Whole group sessions - these sessions will seek to establish a framework within which selected theories and rules of criminal liability and criminal process can be more effectively understood and developed, will verify and consolidate knowledge and understanding previously developed, will engage in more detailed exposition of selected theories and rules, and will develop approaches to problem-answering skills.

Small group sessions - working both independently and collaboratively, students will prepare selected topics for discussion as notified in materials accompanying whole group sessions. These sessions will encourage participation in a variety of ways, for example, as part of the general group, as an individual presenting a paper and as part of teams of varying sizes. The sessions will develop skills in recognition and selection of appropriate description, explanation and application of rules and principles, including recognition and selection of appropriate solutions to factual scenarios, skills in problem-answering, and will seek to encourage limited critical evaluation in selected areas.

Directed study and independent learning - this will consist of study to consolidate and develop understanding of aspects of doctrine and theory (introduced in whole group sessions) by reference to self-assessment materials, study and preparation for participation in discussion in small group sessions, simple directed research and preparation for the examinations.

Appropriate texts, journals, legislation and case law.
Module Study Guide.
Preparatory lecture materials.
Computing facilities to access material available on the web and specialist on-line databases.

Criminal Law; D de Than and R Heaton OUP (2013)
Criminal Litigation Handbook OUP (2013) M Hannibal and L Mountford
Unlocking Criminal Law; J Martin and T Storey Routledge (2013)
Criminal Justice; Ed A Hucklesby and A Whatidiu OUP (2013)