Legal Research and WritingModule Details

Background and Rationale

The main objectives of the module are to:

•     Provide students with an opportunity to explore in-depth a topic of their

interest

•     Develop, explore, refine and justify student’s personal views on a research

problem;

•     Provide students with the opportunity to develop a number of transferable

skills, including independent learning; planning and organization; identification, location and 
evaluation of primary and secondary source material; critical analysis; problem analysis and 
problem solving; oral and written communication.

Learning Outcomes

After completion of the module students should be able to:

1.    Explain relevant primary and secondary legal sources for a chosen topic/field (including 
assessing the strengths and weaknesses of different types of legal research);

2.    Understand the area in question (c/f summary of the marking criteria

provided to students in the module handbook);

3.    Develop a clear and coherent framework of analysis;

4.    Sustain a clear and persuasive argument, showing understanding, critical awareness, 
independent thought and appropriate use of the concepts

and sources;

5.    Formulate original ideas (i.e. ideas not simply reliant on those already

available in the literature or from teaching staff);

6.    Communicate effectively your views in writing.

7.    Plan and carry out thorough research in your chosen area of law;

8.    Identify, locate and evaluate primary and secondary source material;

9.    Develop, explore, refine and justify your personal views on a research

problem;

10.  Utilize written communication;

11.  Self-manage (e.g. time management);

12.  Critically analyse, problem analysis and problem solving;

13.  Demonstrate capacity for independent learning.