Criminal Justice Process LAW4169

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Law
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course will provide a critical examination of particular stages of the criminal justice process from the initial investigation process through to appeals against conviction. It will do so with particular reference United Kingdom jurisdictions (especially Scotland) but will also draw upon the experiences of other jurisdictions and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.

Timetable

10 x 2-hour seminars

Requirements of Entry

This course is only available to LLB students.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

A 1500 word essay (20%). This essay, early in the semester, will have both a formative and summative function.

A 4000 word essay (80%)

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

This course will:

 

1. Introduce students to the key stages of the criminal justice process in the UK, with particular reference to Scotland.

2. Help students to develop and apply conceptual, critical and analytical skills to the institutional and procedural issues associated with contemporary criminal justice in the UK, with particular reference to Scotland.

3. Assess the role of material from other jurisdictions as a source of understanding and critical analysis of the Scottish experience.

4. Provide opportunities to carry out independent research on topics of contemporary relevance.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

1. Understand and critically analyse issues arising at all stages of the criminal justice process, from investigation to appeals against conviction.

2. Undertake independent research using a variety of legal and non-legal sources.

3. Exhibit a wide knowledge of both primary and secondary sources in relation to the topics covered.

4. Demonstrate oral communication skills, with a particular focus on presenting knowledge and information to support oral argument.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.