The Module has no prescribed syllabus, as the primary topic of the dissertation will vary from student to student. The topic must relate to an area of Law or Legal Practice.

The Module will cover:

- Formulating research questions
- Formulating a research proposal
- Researching and analysing primary and secondary sources.
- Methodologies for legal research.
- OSCOLA referencing
- The elements of a dissertation in Law
- Writing skills for a dissertation
- Advanced features of Word for managing a long document effectively
- Working with a supervisor

1- The proposal document is the first element of the assessment. The proposal document incorporates the initial research question, an introduction to your topic selection and dissertation aims, a literature review, an outline of your methodology, a brief discussion of the possible implications of the research and a bibliography.

The proposal requires you to articulate research questions that enable a critical response to a contemporary issue in law or legal practice, while also demonstrating sustained, self-directed professional growth. Combining your legal interests and research and reflecting on these insights, you will identify a topic aligned with your aspirations, you will begin to take responsibility for your own lifelong learning and the continued development of your legal, professional and academic practice.

2- The dissertation is a substantial piece of independent legal research on a topic of your choice relating to Law or legal practice.

At the start of the module, students attend whole group classes designed to support them in developing research strategies, research methodologies, choosing a topic and formulating research questions, the requirements of a research proposal, format and structure of a dissertation, and guidance on working with a supervisor. The assessed proposal is submitted early in the semester, and supervisors allocated by the module leader.

The taught classes will be supplemented by individual supervisions with a supervisor in the field of the dissertation subject area. Supervisions will focus on both content and form of the dissertation.

The balance of learning hours will be spent in independent study. The module will require a high degree of self-organised learning to plan, research, structure, write and edit the final dissertation.

Students will be able to submit plans and drafts of their final dissertation for feedback to their supervisor.

1. Articulate research questions which facilitate a critical response to an identified contemporary issue in law or legal practice.

Knowledge and understanding
Personal development and entrepreneurship

2. Deploy a range of digital research tools appropriate to the study of law (and where relevant, related fields), evaluate their uses and limitations and extract relevant data.

Digital literacy
Reflection

3. Conduct research using a methodology appropriate to both the discipline and the research question(s), and interpret, evaluate and synthesise a range of primary and secondary sources drawn from Law and, where relevant, related fields of study.

Research skills

4. Construct a sustained and coherent argument in response to a complex legal problem, communicated clearly in writing which accurately and persuasively deploys the features of legal academic texts.

Application and problem solving
Communication

Legal databases with access to statute, case law and journal articles.

Mike McConville & Wing Hong Chui, Research Methods for Law (2024, Edinburgh University Press)

Emily Finch and Stefan Fafinski, Legal Skills (Chapter 17, 9th edn, OUP 2023)

Laura Lammasniemi Law Dissertations A Step-by-Step Guide (Routledge 2018)*

* Although over 5 years old this remains appropriate as a core text due to its structured, research‑informed approach to dissertation writing within a specifically legal context.

This module allows you to undertake a piece of independent legal research and critical writing, in an area of Law or Legal Practice of your choosing, under the supervision of a member of staff. The module is structured so that you are required to present an assessed legal research proposal, which then provides the foundation for your Dissertation. During the early weeks of the Semester, you will attend classes on how to research and write a dissertation after which, you will spend time researching and writing your proposal and dissertation. You are expected to engage with regular supervision throughout the process, and you will be responsible for arranging and scheduling this at intervals that support your progress.