Bar Vocational Studies (Full-time and Part-time) LLM/PGDip/PGDip with Specialism

Advocacy: Cross Examination (10 credits)

This module aims to prepare you for the practice of advocacy as a barrister. You will gain the skills necessary to present evidence given by witnesses in a court or other tribunal. The module culminates in a full criminal trial.

Advocacy: Examination in Chief (10 credits)

This module will prepare you for the practice of advocacy as a barrister. You will gain comprehensive knowledge of the techniques used by advocates when conducting examination-in-chief of witnesses in courts or other tribunals. The module culminates in a full criminal trial.

Advocacy: Submissions (10 credits)

This module will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of techniques used by advocates in courts and tribunals when making submissions supported by skeleton arguments. You will develop a conceptual understanding of the role and techniques of an advocate.

Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution (20 credits)

In this module, you will learn the principles of Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution and develop your ability to apply them in practice. You will also develop a conceptual understanding of the overall framework for the conduct of civil cases.

Conference Skills (10 credits)

The module provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the role of a conference in a case and of the techniques which are commonly used in conducting a conference. Issues surrounding sensitivity towards client care and professional ethics will be explored

Criminal Litigation, Evidence & Sentencing (15 credits)

In this module you will learn the principles of Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing and develop your ability to apply them. You will also develop an understanding of the overall framework for the conduct of criminal cases.

Drafting Skills (15 credits)

This module will provide you with an understanding of the nature, function and value of statements of case, and the skills to draft a full range of statements of case and other documents in civil proceedings.

Professional Ethics (10 credits)

In this module you will learn the regulatory requirements prescribed by the BSB, including the Code of Conduct for the Bar of England and Wales. You will develop an understanding of the importance of ethical conduct in every aspect of your work.

Opinion Writing (15 credits)

This module will provide you with the skills needed to write concise and well- structured opinions in a variety of practice areas. You will receive guidance on how to adopt a professional practical approach to the needs and objectives of your clients.

Legal Research (5 credits)

This module will provide you with key legal research skills, which underpin everything that a lawyer does, from preparing an oral submission, examination or cross-examination of a witness, advising orally or in writing, or drafting a statement of case.

Advanced Criminal Advocacy (15 credits)

This module aims to further the advocacy skills you developed in the core modules in the Vocational Component in the context of advanced criminal practice. The module will also further your knowledge of substantive law and criminal procedure.

Advanced Civil Advocacy (15 credits)

This module aims to further the advocacy skills you developed in the core modules in the Compulsory Component in the content of advanced civil practice. The module will also further your knowledge of substantive law and civil procedure.

Family Law (15 credits)

This module focuses on the implications of the breakdown of family relationships, especially the effect on spouses and children, and including the role of local authorities in relation to the care of children.

Free Representation Unit: Employment* (15 credits)

This module provides an opportunity for you to undertake work with real clients, including full representation where appropriate, bringing together all the different skills you have developed on the compulsory modules on the Vocational Component of this programme.

*Only available to full-time students.

Free Representation Unit: Social Security* (15 credits)

This module provides the opportunity for you to put your written and oral advocacy skills into practice by conducting a minimum of two cases before the First-Tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber). For the purposes of this module, you will be assessed against your performance in social security appeal hearings.

*Only available to full-time students.

Crown Court Practice (15 credits)

This module builds on what you will have learned earlier when studying Criminal Litigation, Sentencing and Evidence, and Advocacy. You will undertake realistic exercises of Instructions and Briefs to Counsel, which are those likely to be encountered in the early years of practice.

Fraud & Economic Crime (15 credits)

This module will deal with both criminal and civil law as regards fraud and economic crimes. You will learn about the Fraud Act 2006 and other fraud-based offences, money laundering, bribery and corruption, and white collar criminal investigations.

Company & Insolvency (15 credits)

This module focuses on areas commonly encountered by junior practitioners in commercial, corporate and chancery practice. This will include the nature, type and structure of private and public companies, incorporation, limited liability, share allotments, and management of companies.

Employment Law & Practice (15 credits)

This module will explore individual employment rights, contracts of employment, unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination and equal pay. The module will be helpful to anyone who wants to join common law or commercial law chambers.

Employment Tribunal Advocacy & Practice (15 credits)

This module puts employment law into a practical and skills based context where you will learn how rules of procedure and evidence apply in tribunals. You will examine employment contracts and learn how to conduct a negotiation in an employment case.

International Commercial Arbitration (15 credits)

This module will give you thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and concepts in international commercial arbitration. The module will cover arbitration from a broad comparative international perspective as well as focussing on the arbitration in England and Wales.

International ADR (15 credits)

This module will give you thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles in the use of ADR options to deal with disputes where parties are based in multiple jurisdictions. You will focus on the processes of mediation and negotiation in an international context.

International Commercial Trade (15 credits)

This module focuses on the law relating to commercial sales of goods and the international carriage of goods by sea. You will learn about different types of international sales contracts and rights and obligations of parties under these contracts.

Clinical & Professional Negligence (15 credits)

This module focuses on two areas of practice: clinical negligence and solicitors’ negligence. You will explore areas of quantification of damages as relates to contracts, tort, and damages for personal injury. You will also learn about funding options in professional negligence claims.

Mental Capacity & the Court of Protection (15 credits)

In this module you will learn about the law surrounding mental capacity and the work of the Court of Protection. You will examine the process of assessment of mental capacity, as well as the effect of such a decision on the parties involved.

Judicial Review (15 credits)

This module, spanning civil, commercial and criminal law, will give you the skills needed to advise and act in the sort of Judicial Review proceedings you will encounter in the early years of practice.