How does the law relate to land and property? And is the current law still fit for the 21st Century?

Our Land Law module immerses you in real life scenarios to promote an understanding of how the law actually works. You are given the opportunity to work through legal problems as though you are advising a client, and we discuss some of the documentation and protocols that are used by property lawyers.

We encourage lively debate and discussion, and aim to develop your skills in thinking and reasoning logically and creatively, challenging convention and understanding how land law has shaped our environment and society. You should also have an appreciation of the ways in which land law has developed and changed.

Topics typically covered include:

• co-ownership of family homes and division of property between cohabitees
• mortgage law, including undue influence and the rights of lenders and borrowers
• landlord and tenant law, including the law on tenants’ rights and ‘sham licences’
• adverse possession and squatters’ rights
• rights of airspace and the three dimensions of land ownership
• the law of easements and restrictive covenants

Your lecturers will be specialists in their field and active researchers. Current research within the teaching team addresses the system of land registration for the protection of title or ownership of land, and the history of property law and how well it works.

This core module introduces you to torts. You will critically explore the key torts and tort principles typically including such topics as trespass to the person, negligence, torts of strict liability and vicarious liability. You will also consider defences to torts and remedies for aggrieved parties.

This module introduces students to a range of contemporary crime ‘problems’ through a study of academic debates and perspectives. The historical, socio-economic and cultural contexts will be explored whereby students will be encouraged to critically analyse the process of criminalisation, criminal justice responses, and how these criminal or ‘deviant’ activities have come to be considered problematic. Specialist areas of criminological debate will be addressed, such as cultural criminology, the criminology of everyday life and the relationship between crime, pleasure and transgression.

What role do police forces play within the criminal justice system? What are some of the contemporary issues in policing? Where do the police fit into a broader framework of security, governance and regulation?

This module tackles fundamental questions such as these and helps you to think and write critically about key concepts connected to the nature, culture and structure of police forces in the UK.

The module is led by research-active staff and its content is informed by their latest research. You will explore a range of issues that shape UK policing, including:

• police use of force
• policing ethnic minorities
• policing protest
• victims and the police
• women in policing

We have excellent links to Lancashire Police, which inform this module. A combination of lectures and seminars is used to enhance your critical thinking skills and your verbal and written communication. Assessment through a group presentation will give you experience of public speaking and team-working.

This module aims to provide you with knowledge and understanding of:

• The range, extent and nature of cybercrime in the 21st Century.
• The role of the Internet and other ICT in criminal networking, planning and communication for both cyber (online) and 'traditional' (offline) crime.
• The challenges inherent in responding to cybercrime and online aspects of traditional crime and criminality.
• Criminal justice and other (e.g. personal and private security) responses to cybercrime and criminality.
• The application of established criminological theories to cybercrime and online criminality.

The employment law course aims to give an understanding of how the law regulates employment relationships within the context of the British industrial relations system. Examples of potential topics of exploration in this module include, the development of Employment Law, incorporating sources and institutions of such. The relationship between employment law and other legal concepts will be discussed, notably in the discussion of the linkage between employment Law and human rights and the role of the ‘contract of employment’. Further substantive, practical areas of employment law will also be introduced, notably the law in respect of discipline and termination of employment, as well as redundancy and unfair dismissal.

How does the law define familial relationships? And how do the law and family justice systems regulate those relationships – between adults, and between parents and children?

Our Family Law module focuses on such questions, and more. We will delve into family life and intimate relationships, exploring issues such as marriage, divorce and custody. You will critically evaluate legal issues relating to family, and develop a sound legal understanding of how the law affects family relationships and resolves familial conflicts.

Topics covered in this module may include:

• Forming Legal Relationships
• Cohabitation
• Ending Legal Relationships
• Parents and Children
• Responsibility
• Child Arrangements Orders (Residence)
• Child Arrangements Orders (Contact)
• Abuse within the Family (Adults)
• Abuse within the Family (Children)

In this module students will explore the intricate and evolving world of financial misconduct, its impacts, and relevant laws and regulations. The module covers a spectrum of financial crimes, including fraud, corruption, money laundering, financing terrorism, and cartels from criminological and legal perspectives. Students will be introduced to global and domestic regulatory frameworks governing the financial system, gain valuable insights into the challenges and strategies in financial crime prevention, and analyse common financial crime modes of operating through real-world case analyses. Ethical considerations in the technological and financial industry as well as the evidence-based approach towards laws and regulation will also be emphasized. Additionally, the module aims to enhance employability by providing knowledge and skills sought after in finance, law enforcement, compliance, and risk management.

How does society respond to environmental harms? What is the legal response to such issues? Which social and/or economic factors cause environmental risk? What influence or impact does media coverage have on ‘green’ issues?

This fascinating and highly relevant module considers the above questions and journeys through the following topics:

• Anthropocentric environmental harms (human beings’ ethical relationship with the natural environment)
• Environmental victimisation (those harmed by changes in their environment)
• Socio-economic factors
• Socio-legal responses
• Media coverage of ‘green ‘issues
• Protest, movements and environmental activism
• Animal rights
• Zemiology (social harms)

The academics who lead this module are researching the Illegal Wildlife Trade overseas. They will introduce you to this research and will encourage you to consider the overlap between environmental harm and other areas of criminology.

What are human rights? How are they implemented or contravened? What is the relationship between complex human rights issues and society today?

This module uses the context of the European human rights regime to investigate civil liberties and human rights protection. You will adopt a critical and comparative approach as you gain a comprehensive grounding in the law of human rights.

We will tackle some of the most complex and relevant issues such as the right to life, freedom from torture, freedom of expression, and capital punishment. Specific case studies allow you to engage with issues and questions regarding whistle-blowing and enforced disappearances.

Our teaching is research-led and combines seminars, tutorials and lectures. You will be encouraged to read as widely as possible on the subject and we will help you to develop your skills in critical analysis, discourse and debate.

The aims of this module are to give an introduction to the central elements of public international law. The topics should give students a basic knowledge of how international law works, its foundations, principles, as well as an understanding of its shortcomings and challenges. The areas introduced will cover different aspects of international law and should enable the students to identify legal issues in current international affairs. Specific areas covered are: the nature of the international legal system; the sources and subjects of international law; international law’s interaction with domestic law; jurisdiction; state responsibility; different territorial regimes; the environment; use of force; the laws of armed conflict; international crimes and other relevant aspects of international law.

Students will be introduced to legal tech and will examine the legal and social implications of key innovations. Students will also explore how design thinking can be applied to innovate creative solutions to legal problems and to deploy technology in ways that enhance the experiences of practising law and of receiving legal services.

Example topics may include blockchain, smart contracts and cryptocurrencies. Throughout the module, we will consider many issues from a practical perspective. For example, in preparation for workshops, students may be asked to complete practical tasks such as advising a simulated client, preparing client briefings, or conducting legal research using practitioner databases. Discussion of the social implications of these technological developments will run alongside the practical focus.

The module aims to teach you about the theory and principles relating to negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution. You will learn how to conduct a negotiation and a mediation, and you will have the opportunity to consider both commercial and non-commercial simulated cases.

By engaging in this module, you will develop your teamwork, communication, legal research and conflict resolution skills. The module will provide a valuable insight into how law, and specifically mediation and conflict resolution, operates in practice.

Many commentators claim that organised crime is one of the greatest problems facing contemporary societies. Law enforcement officials around the world have reported a significant increase in the range and scope of international criminal activity since the early 1990s. Worldwide shifts in social, political and economic arrangements- often described as ‘globalisation’ - have opened up opportunities for organised crime groups. The extent of groups involved in transnational organised crime (TOC) and the profits made means TOC has become a priority area for governments around the world.

Principles of Commercial Law offers an excellent grounding in the rules and regulations governing trade and commerce.

Business is a dynamic and ever-evolving sphere so commercial law has to adapt to ensure that it is responding to the needs of the business community. Our teaching accurately reflects this by focusing on contemporary areas of commercial activity.

We cover both domestic and international transactions and provide you with a holistic picture of the lifespan of commercial transactions. Topics include:

• the evolution of commercial law

• business organisations

• law of agency

• sale and bailment of goods

• carriage of goods by sea

• methods of payment

• insolvency

• commercial dispute resolution

You will be taught by research-active lecturers who will expertly bridge the gap between law in books and law in practice. They will use evidence from their own research and their practice-driven experience to deepen your perspective and understanding.

Our Youth Justice module is an opportunity to consider the tension between perceptions of children as ‘troubled’ and ‘troublesome’. We will also explore the criminal justice response to children who are in conflict with the law.

The competing themes of welfare and justice are closely examined, along with the recent history of youth justice policy. Following these thematic explorations, we take a more in-depth look into specific topics, including:

• female offenders
• youth imprisonment
• comparative youth justice
• children in care

This module is led by a research-active lecturer with an interest in children in the care and criminal justice systems; the lecture on children in care draws specifically on their cutting-edge research. The combination of lectures and small group teaching helps you to develop your understanding, deepen your criminological knowledge, and develop your critical evaluation skills.

Spending your third year of four with one of our highly-regarded partner universities in the US, Europe, or Canada, you will study Law or Law-related subjects, providing you with insight into the way law impacts on societies around the world.

You will need to pass your first and second year studies at the first attempt (without resits) in order to progress to the year abroad.

Lancaster University will make reasonable endeavours to place students at an approved overseas partner university that offers appropriate modules which contribute credit to your Lancaster degree. Occasionally places overseas may not be available for all students who want to study abroad or the place at the partner university may be withdrawn if core modules are unavailable. If you are not offered a place to study overseas, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent standard degree scheme and would complete your studies at Lancaster.

Lancaster University cannot accept responsibility for any financial aspects of the year or term abroad.

This module covers the major types of trust and the key elements required for their validity and operation as well as relevant aspects of equitable remedies. The overarching imposition of Equity will be interwoven with the discussion of the substantive types of trust. As well as an in-depth exploration of the workings of each mode of trust, the emergence of each will also be examined before modern uses and policies are considered. Key current developments in relation to the law of trusts will also be drawn upon.

The company law module covers the key areas of company law from incorporation to insolvency including corporate personality and piercing the corporate veil, the company’s constitution, contracts and companies, directors’ duties and minority shareholder protection. These practical, substantive areas of company law are discussed in accordance with relevant theories relating to the corporation and its role in society generally.

The Competition Law module is designed to give students a good grounding in contemporary competition law and the economics and policy which underlie it. The main focus will be on EU and UK competition law, but reference will also be made to US and Australian law where it provides a useful counterpoint. The module will examine the way in which antitrust and behavioural economics interact and inform the development of competition law and policy. Substantive areas such as the main EU antitrust provisions, their UK counterparts, and the merger control regimes in the EU and UK will be covered. The module will cover the basic provisions but special focus will be given to areas of controversy or recent reform. The enforcement of the law will also be given special consideration.

Informed by the latest research, this module critically examines the complex interactions between the media and crime.

Included in this fascinating area of study are:

• theories of deviancy, moral panics and newsworthiness
• representations of youth and female offenders
• sex and hate crimes
• revenge pornography and cybercrime
• critical explorations of the use of media in the context of crime and criminal justice

We take a multi-disciplinary approach to the module so you will study key media concepts and then discuss how these relate to crime, deviancy and criminal justice issues.

The module assessment is both novel and creative. You will produce a media portfolio - completing a literature review on a topic of your choice - before engaging in a critical analysis using sources such as newspapers, documentaries or social media content. This approach helps to ensure that you develop a practical understanding of media analysis and of the representation of crime in the media.

Our academic staff research extensively in the areas of crime and media. They will use their research to guide lecture content and, where appropriate, will provide you with data from their projects to analyse and discuss.

The dissertation is an independent, in-depth inquiry into a research topic of your choosing, subject to there being a suitable expert in the department to supervise your project. The topic will relate to a key legal question or issue and may also directly relate to your professional/career interests.

This is your opportunity to make a contribution to the legal and academic community with new and original research and writing on a legal issue.

An engaging and highly relevant module, Drugs, Crime and Society examines the nature and extent of drug taking in the UK and beyond.

We will:

• explore the difficulties of researching hidden populations, like drug users
• engage with theories of drug use from a sociological, psychological and cultural perspective
• consider global and national drug markets
• investigate the links between drugs and crime
• evaluate policing responses to drugs

You will be taught by research-active lecturers who will introduce you to the latest research in this field and contemporary debate. For example, you might study current research and publications concerning cannabis cultivation, world markets, and drug distribution among friends (also known as ‘social supply’).

This module introduces you to the principles of the law of evidence in criminal cases. It also introduces you to the nature and theory of proof. These general issues are developed through the study of particular topics such as the burden and standard of proof; confessions and illegally obtained evidence; disputed identification evidence and other warnings to the jury; hearsay; the credibility of witnesses and bad character evidence.

This module will focus on hate crime, but will draw on notions from a range of international sources and jurisdictions.

Issues covered will focus on the question of what is ‘hate crime’, before ensuring that you gain an understanding of the harms of ‘hate crime’. There will be a discussion of the perpetrators of ‘hate crime’ as well as the policing of such. The international perspective to this module will be gained from a discussion of ‘hate crime’ as a human rights problem, with a particular focus on freedom of speech. Substantive issues will also be explored, notably, the notion of criminalising collective memory, with a focus on outlawing Holocaust denial and other crimes against humanity.

Here we aim to provide you with a robust understanding of the theories and principles that underpin health care ethics and health care law. We will engage with theories from both an individual and a societal perspective, helping you to develop your critical evaluation skills and establish your own ethical viewpoint.

The module leaders will introduce you to their own research and will adjust the topics covered to ensure that the module focuses on the most up-to-date developments in the field. Examples of potential topics include:

• theories and principles of health care ethics
• rationing and resource allocation
• consent and capacity
• informed decision-making
• refusing treatment
• withdrawing treatment and assisted dying.
• children and medical treatment
• IVF
• Surrogacy
• embryo research
• abortion
• organs
• conjoined twins

While we will facilitate the workshops, the sessions will be predominantly led by you and other students as we aim to accommodate your interests and foster a sense of autonomous learning.

This module introduces the principles of UK immigration and asylum law. Asylum is a subject seldom out of the press and it has received unprecedented political attention in the last decade. Given that immigration is now such a wide subject, with a number of major new statutes, you will only be introduced to selected highlights and the module will focus mainly on the asylum process. Consideration of the general issues is developed through the study of particular topics such as the nature of an asylum claim and the link between human rights and asylum. Immigration detention and the foreign prisoner crisis and deportation issues will also be discussed. If possible, the module will be supplemented by a visit to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal.

Focusing on new technologies and our own research in this area, this module addresses the changes in the law that are necessary to accommodate the impact of the internet, developments in 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and advancements in bio-technology.

You will examine intellectual property law and the protection of intangible property, particularly copyright and patent law. And you will explore the theories that justify the legal protection of human creativity, whilst also studying its practical application.

You will consider copyright protection and its basic tenants alongside the defences and exceptions that allow society to benefit. Following this, you will look at the impact of the Internet and the ability to infringe upon copyright at an unprecedented level.

We will also cover the basics of patent law protection, along with issues relating to the ownership of patents by employers. And you will undertake an in-depth study of the current UK and international policies relating to bio-technology patents.

This module will introduce you to the field of international human rights law. It will provide an overview of the historical and philosophical foundations of human rights, various substantive rights that are protected through universal and regional instruments, as well as giving a general introduction to the international mechanisms for human rights protection and promotion.

The module aims to provide the you with both substantive and procedural knowledge of human rights protection, as well as knowledge and understanding of some of the key contemporary challenges in international human rights law.

The indicative syllabus will cover a variety of substantive topics in terms of current human rights standards. This will partly be a study of international treaties, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and partly be the study of specific protection for vulnerable groups, such as minorities and women as well as current issues in human rights law such as poverty, non-state actors and conflict. The way in which local and global political and social structures influence the enjoyment of human rights will also be addressed.

This module will assess the legal and practical issues surrounding responses to massive violations of human rights, before the political and moral issues involved in using national and international courts will be discussed. The imposition of truth commissions as well as other techniques of ‘transitional justice’ to respond to massive human rights violations will be critically analysed in order to deduce the success of such responses.

How should we understand the role of punishment under democracy? How do the historical, cultural and ideological relationships that underpin and, to a certain extent, determine punishment inform our conceptions of Justice, Fairness, and Equality?

This module examines both the historical and philosophical dimensions of modern democratic punishment. We will probe the punitive landscape charted by theorists like Michel Foucault, Norbert Elias, and Emile Durkheim. This module will also consider the “new punitiveness” and the “old” in search of an explanation for the rise of the incapacitative approach to punishment, its permanence and its implications for the legitimacy of the democratic project.

This module covers the conditions under which an English court has jurisdiction to deal with a case having a foreign element (international jurisdiction); which particular municipal system of law is to govern the rights of the parties in such a case (choice of law); the circumstances in which a foreign judgment will be recognised as decisive of the question in dispute by the English court and the methods by which such a judgment may be enforced in England (recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments).

This module will introduce you to a range of sexual crimes and forms of sexual offending as defined by UK and international law.

The module will cover a number of key areas:

• types of sexual crimes governed by UK and international law – what constitutes a particular sexual crime, how it is sometimes committed, and the extent of such crimes;
• ways in which sex crimes and offending behaviour is explained – considering who the perpetrators are and why they commit crimes of a sexual nature, as well as the wider social context which may help explain why some sexual crimes are defined by law and how new crimes emerge as the social context changes;
• critically examine how the crimes are dealt with by the criminal justice system such as the laws and policies which surround these crimes, their implementation and how well they operate in practice in terms of treatments, support and punishments given to sexual offenders and their victims.

Streetlaw is an international network that provides presentations on the law to schools, colleges, community groups and others. It is student-led but supervised by one or more academic staff who check the content before the delivery of the module. It allows community groups to learn about a particular aspect of the law and yet at the same time, ensures students conduct appropriate research and demonstrate transferrable skills, such as public speaking.