1. Show a systematic understanding of legal rights and duties arising from the use of information technology.

2. Critically evaluate and review the extent to which the relevant legal framework achieves a satisfactory balance between competing interests.

3. Use written communication at an advanced level to debate and present highly complex legal arguments, proposals and ideas.

4. Enquire into relevant professional literature to solve problems arising from the use of information technology assets and electronic data within a global context.

The students will be provided with a case study, based on which the students shall be required to prepare the evaluative report. (assessing Learning Outcomes 1 to 4).

The case study will require the students to critically analyse existing legal regimes, find evidence and link them to practical issues. Finally, the students are expected make appropriate recommendations. The evaluative report should draw appropriately on a range of materials, synthesized effectively across national and international policy and legal contexts.

Information Technology is characterised by the ease and speed with which data can be processed and communicated. Whilst generally beneficial, these characteristics have created new legal problems e.g. computer hacking, abuse of personal data and infringement of IP rights. There will be consideration of the way law has responded to these difficulties. This will involve a study of:
- The Internet
- Data protection
- Computer crime
- Intellectual property and IT
- Civil liability
- Artificial Intelligence
- Digital Signature and Authentication Regime
- Digital Security

Information Technology is one of the most practical subjects. IT law is characterised by the ease and speed with which data can be processed and communicated. This subject has become one of the trending and updated subjects since it explores Cyber security, Cyber crimes as well as artificial intelligence. This module aims at providing students with an in-depth understanding of the main issues relating to Information Technology Law. Hence, the students will gain a critical understanding of the fundamental legal principles which apply to information technology in a business context at the completion of the course. This is revolving mainly around the issues and legal principles of IT and will assist the students in the furtherance of their knowledge and critical thinking abilities of the subject matter in a business context.

The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 200 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 39 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 161 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for the assessment. Students are encouraged to spend 6-8 hours per week on reading, preparation for workshops, and consolidation of learning. This 20-credit module will be delivered through 9 interactive lectures and 3 seminars, each of 3 hours duration. Three 3-hour seminars will be held on the 4th, 8th and 12th week for a total of 9 seminar hours.

Lectures will focus on the Cyber security, Cyber crimes as well as artificial intelligence and Intellectual property rights and IT. In the seminars, students will have an opportunity to explore different areas of IT Laws with application to real life scenarios.

The emphasis of the module will be to have relevance to the legal practitioner and enable carefully considered decisions to be made for their clients.

Students will be required to participate in a range of learning opportunities which promote construction of knowledge through problem-based learning. Examples of activities include group discussions, oral and written submissions relating to the application of relevant legal provisions. By challenging students to engage in legal analysis on Information Technology related matters, students will be prepared to expand their ability to critically analyse the existing laws. The assessment strategy will reinforce this by reflecting the multiple possible outcomes when addressing existing issues in Information Technology Law.

The module handbook and the Learning Management System will specify the materials to be read prior to attending classes.

- Lloyd, I J. Information Technology Law (9th edn, OUP 2020)
- Murray, A. Information Technology Law: The Law and Society¿(4th edn, OUP 2019)
- Reed, C (Ed) Computer Law (7th edn, OUP 2011)
- Katsh, E¿and¿Rabinovich-Einy, O. Digital Justice (OUP 2017)

Legal databases:
Westlaw and Staffordshire University online library
Digital Law – law firm specialising in cyber law https://www.digitallawuk.com/
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers www.ICANN.org
Nominet - The Official Registry for UK Domain Names www.nominet.uk

Journal Articles:
University of Richmond Journal of Law and Technology, and blog https://jolt.richmond.edu/

International Instruments:
The UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Commerce (1996).

Convention on Cybercrime Budapest, 23.XI.2001