Queen Mary University of London Undergraduate Law

Queen Mary, University of LondonSchool of LawUndergraduate Studies Entry 2012

www.law.qmul.ac.uk

The east LondonadvantageBarts and The London serves ahuge population of unrivalleddiversity in the east of London,but is also next door to the City ofLondon, one of the UK’s richestneighbourhoods. This means thatour medical and dental studentsencounter a huge range ofmedical conditions while buildingthe patient contact hours theyneed to become confident andcompetent professionals.

“East London and the widerThames Gateway offer ourmedical students the opportunityto observe a wide range ofdiseases – from diabetes,hypertension, heart disease,cancer, obesity, TB and evenmalnutrition. This is a uniquelearning environment for theirmedical training.”Cathy Baker, Head of GraduateEntry Programme in Medicine

2012 Olympics onour doorstepThe 2012 Olympics are takingplace very close to Queen Mary’sMile End campus, and ourWhitechapel and West Smithfieldcampuses are also not far away.Barts Hospital, the new RoyalLondon Hospital and ourassociated Trusts will providehealthcare for the Olympicathletes and the general publicduring the summer games. Thiswill be an exciting time to be inLondon.

Campus-basedBarts and The London is part ofQueen Mary, the only College ofthe University of London to offerextensive campus-based facilities.This promotes a sense ofcommunity and encourages anactive student life. All our firstyear medical and dental studentswho live a certain distance fromthe School are allocated places inresidences at the Whitechapel,Charterhouse Square and MileEnd campuses. East London alsooffers affordable privately-ownedaccommodation at a walkingdistance from our campuses. Seepage XX for more details aboutaccommodation.

State-of-the-artclinical facilitiesWe have modern state-of-the artbuildings alongside moretraditional teaching facilities suchas our fantastic library. The DentalSchool now contains a clinicalskills laboratory which closelysimulates the real clinical

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The information given in this prospectus is correct at the time of going to press. The College reserves the right to modify or cancel any statement in it and accepts no responsibility for the consequences of any such changes. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the website www.qmul.ac.uk

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Contents

Introduction 2

Our Legal Advice Centre 8

Degree programmes 10

Modules descriptions 18

Career opportunities 30Student life, Students’ Union, student support and health services 34

Accommodation 36School of Lawentry requirements 38

Living in London 40

Next steps 44

Introduction

The Knowledge Statue, Library Square, Mile End campus

The School of Law 3

The School of Law at Queen Mary, University of London

Welcome to theSchool of Law at Queen Mary,University of LondonWith over 690 undergraduatestudents, from as many as 57different countries, QueenMary's School of Law is one ofthe largest within the Universityof London. We have anestablished reputation forproviding high-quality teachingby staff who have both practicaland academic expertise inalmost all areas of law.

We are one of the UK’s leadinglaw schools. In The GuardianUniversity Guide 2012 we areranked second in London andfourth in the UK. Similarly, theTimes Good University Guide2012 ranks the School seventhin the UK and third in London.

The School has a long traditionof a supportive and nurturingteaching environment, reflectedin our excellent results in theNational Student Survey (NSS)2011, in which we scored 96per cent for student satisfaction.

At Queen Mary, you will havethe opportunity to visit courts,chambers and prisons and totake part in mooting – the oralpresentation of a legal issue orproblem, designed to replicatethe experience of presenting a

case in court. Many studentstake part in pro bono work (legalwork without payment), includingadvising members of the publicthrough our Legal Advice Centre,gaining practical experiencewhich is highly sought after byemployers. The Centre hasreceived many accolades for itswork in the community; it wasthe 2011 runner-up for theAttorney General's Best LawSchool and was shortlisted forThe Lawyer Awards 2011 ProBono Team of the Year.

The School also offers a fullyfunded scholarship to read foran LLM at the College of Williamand Mary, one of the leadingand oldest law schools in theUnited States. Recent winnersof the scholarship have movedsuccessfully into the legalprofession and hold positions inCity law firms and chambers.

Over the years, we have built upclose ties with law firms, advisersto government, commerce andindustry, NGOs and charities.Many of our first generations ofstudents are now judges, seniorbarristers, partners in law firmsand members of the judiciary,as well as staff in senior non-legal roles in industry and thepublic and private sectors.

Whether or not you choose topursue a legal career, theknowledge and analytical skillsthat our qualifying law degreeswill provide you with, will proveto be a lifelong asset.

You will gain a qualification fromthe University of London, whichhas an excellent reputation bothnationally and internationallywith academics and employersin all sectors. All ourundergraduate courses arehighly regarded within the legalprofession, which will proveinvaluable when seekingtraining contracts with solicitors'firms or pupillages at the Bar.

We look forward to meeting youand hope you enjoy your timewith us at the School of Law.

Professor Peter AlldridgeHead of Department, School of Law

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What is law? Pick up any newspaper and it isalmost certain that every pagewill have a story that is directlyor indirectly related to the law.Contrary to the impression youmight have, law is not just aboutpeople suing their local council.Nor is it all high-profile libelcases involving well-knownpoliticians, wigs, judges and thedrama of the courtroom. It is asubject that covers manyaspects of human activity.

At Queen Mary you will learnabout the law of contract,criminal law, land law, tort,constitutional law, property law,EU law and jurisprudence. Thenthere’s human rights law,international law, medical lawand ethics, competition law,commercial law and all sorts ofother specialist areas.

A law degree is about analysis,attention to detail, argument andcommunication. It’s also aboutlearning the skills to read legaldocuments – Acts of Parliament,EU legislation, case reports etc.Law is fascinating, relevant anddemanding, and gives you anexcellent foundation for a legalcareer – amongst others.

Why study law?A law degree is very highlyregarded by employers generally– not just by those in the legalprofession – because it providesa very different approach toproblem solving and analysis.Studying law also involvesconsidering the social, politicaland economic significance ofissues, which means you willdevelop the ability to see the‘bigger picture’ and makeconnections between theseemingly unrelated.

Law is a rigorous academicsubject that will help youdevelop a range of skills valuedby employers, including:• communication skills – legalargument involves getting apoint of view across fluentlyand persuasively both orallyand in writing

• good analytical and criticalreasoning skills

• the ability to place an argumentin its context and explaincomplex information clearly

• research skills using a rangeof sources

• lateral thinking and problem-solving skills

• attention to detail

• independent thinking.

Why study law at Queen Mary?

• In The Guardian UniversityGuide 2012 we are rankedfourth overall in the UK. TheTimes Good University Guide2012 ranks us seventh overallin the UK and third in London.

• We are consistently ranked as one of the top UK LawSchools for research. The2008 Research AssessmentExercise placed the School ofLaw seventh in the UK, basedon the percentage of ourresearch activity rated 4*(world-leading) and 3*(internationally excellent). The results demonstrate thatthe School’s research profileand research environment isamongst the best in thecountry, and third best inLondon.

• In the most recent NationalStudent Survey (NSS 2011),the School of Law scored 96 per cent for studentsatisfaction, reaffirming itslong tradition of providing asupportive and nurturingteaching environment.

• All our undergraduateprogrammes are qualifying lawdegrees and are recognisedby the legal professionalbodies in England and Wales.Students are awarded the

The School of Law 5

highly regarded University ofLondon LLB or BA, which isvery attractive to employers.

• Students can benefit from theextensive expertise of our staff,many of whom have advisedhigh-profile organisations,such as the United Nations,European Commission, WorldBank, International Court ofJustice in The Hague, nationaland international governmentsand NGOs, as well ascontributing to and editingleading law journals.

Continuous supportthroughout yourstudiesSettling into College life whilestarting a demanding lawdegree, which for manyundergraduates is their firstexperience of studying law, canbe challenging. To help you, wehave devised a series of activitiesand support networks to guideyou through the process, whileoffering pastoral supportthroughout your studies.

You will be appointed anacademic adviser, who monitorsyour academic progress and isthe first point of contact if youhave any academic or personalproblems. In addition, you canalso get help and advice fromour Graduate Student Advisers,current Queen Marypostgraduate law students. They

can offer support and adviceeither on a one-to-one basis orin groups, on matters including:

• Adapting to university studies(including study skills, timemanagement, transition issuesand building independence)

• Essay writing skills (legalproblems vs essays, how toprepare and structure anessay, how to reference, howto find articles and cases)

• Revision technique (aimed at first years revising for mid-sessionals, includingtimetabling revision, makingrevision notes, memorytechniques, advice onpractising questions)

• Exam technique (timing,comprehensive coverage oftopics, importance of practice,structure and clarity, producingan impressive exam script).

Find out more at:www.law.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/studentlife

Excellent locationThe undergraduate School ofLaw is conveniently located in a fully refurbished, light andspacious building on the mainMile End campus. See: www.law.qmul.ac.uk/contact

The Mile End campus providesa completely integrated,residential campusenvironment. Situated next toRegent’s canal and the opengreen spaces of Mile End Park,the campus offers a peacefulenvironment in which to liveand study. As well as the library,lecture halls, cafes and villageshop, there is a 2,000-bedaward-winning Student Village.Find out more aboutaccommodation on page 36.

The Mile End campus is lessthen 10 minutes by tube to thecommercial district of LiverpoolStreet and lively social areas ofShoreditch and Bethnal Green,which offer fantastic restaurants,bars, clubs, shops and diversestreet markets. It is 20 minutesby bus to Canary Wharf, theimpressive UK headquarters formany banks and businesses, aswell as a large shopping centre.To find out more, see page 41.

Queen MaryStudent Law Society

The Student Law Society consistsof a committee made up of lawstudents from all years, which iselected annually.

The Society helps students withinthe Department with all aspectsof their study – everything fromhelping first-year students to feelcomfortable and confident intheir new environment toadvising others on how to find alaw firm placement.

The Society organises bothacademic and social events,including our annual boat partyand networking events withmajor law firms.

The Mooting SocietyMooting is the verbalpresentation of a legal issue orproblem. The Queen MaryStudent Mooting Society playsan active role in undergraduatelife at Queen Mary and has astrong and successful mootingbody. Our George HindeMooting Competition has beenestablished for about forty years,with academic staff judging andcoaching students. This yearsaw over 160 students enter theinternal moot with later roundsbeing judged by prominentpractitioners and judges. Thefinal was judged by Lord JusticeStanley Burnton, Mr JusticeMaddison, and HHJ Paget QC.

The main external moot, theESU-Essex Court ChambersNational Mooting Competitionhas been won four times byQueen Mary (most recently in2006) and we are the jointhighest winner of this nationaltournament. In 2011, theexternal team finished runnersup in the London UniversitiesMooting Shield, ahead offormidable competition fromother law schools such as Kingsand UCL. Queen Mary also wonthe first English Law StudentAssociation (ELSA) mootingcompetition, beating teams fromacross the country, includingOxford University in the final.

You will also have the opportunityto enter international mootingcompetitions. In March 2011,two second-year LLB students(pictured), were victorious in theThomas A Finlay Moot CourtCompetition which took place inDublin.

Queen Mary StudentBar Society

The Bar Society is a student-rungroup with over 100 members.Although primarily targeted atstudents who wish to becomebarristers, much of what theSociety does is relevant to allQueen Mary law students.

The Society seeks to informstudents about the profession,and develop people's advocacyskills. Weekly events include:workshops, talks, court visits,networking opportunities andsocial events. There is an activecommittee which students areencouraged to join.

Forthcoming events in2011/2012 include:• A large panel and networkingevent with prestigious speakersand practitioners with whomstudents can discuss life atthe Bar

• An advocacy workshop

• A tour of the new SupremeCourt

• A legal CV workshop.

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HHJ Paget QC with Lucy Limbrey, winnerof this year's internal moot final'

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Queen Mary StudentPro Bono GroupYou have the chance of joiningour Pro Bono Group at one ofthe most exciting times in ourhistory. Less than 10 years oldand with over 300 peoplealready involved, the Group isone of the most active studentpro bono groups in the country.Our activities are at the heart ofQueen Mary’s commitment todiversifying opportunity anddeveloping closer bonds withour local community.

In the future, the Group plans towork with the Commonwealth ofNations and to build on QueenMary’s strong international linkselsewhere. For more details onall the Group’s projects, visit:www.law.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/probono

Queen Mary runs a StreetlawProgramme which is based on aUS model and provides anoutreach volunteer programmeto local schools andcommunities. Students visitprimary and secondary schools toteach pupils relevant parts of law.

The Group also offers youexciting opportunities ininternational law. In the paststudents have worked withorganisations such as A4ID andLawyers Without Boardersproviding pro bono advice incountries such as Ghana,Malawi and Zambia.

PlacementprogrammesThe Pro Bono Group also haswell-developed links with theLondon legal community.Students have the opportunity tovolunteer at organisationsproviding pro bono legal adviceand to ‘shadow’ solicitors. Ourplacement programmes operatethrough partnerships withrespected leading law firmsBerwin Leighton Paisner LLP,SNR Denton, Clifford Chance,Reed Smith LLP as well as thecivil rights organisation Liberty.

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The Queen MaryLegal Advice CentreThe School’s Legal Advice Centre(LAC) is an award-winning servicein which Queen Mary lawstudents and solicitors from Citylaw firms combine their skills andknowledge to provide free legaladvice to the local community.

What we doThe LAC provides free legal adviceto the public, students and staff.We act as a first-tier adviceagency, providing preliminaryadvice on the strength of a client’scase, the processes that need tobe followed and an explanation ofthe legal issues. Clients come to usfrom a wide variety of backgroundsand present a breadth of legalissues. This provides studentswith the opportunity to experiencelaw in a practical context and todevelop many of the skillsrequired for successful entry intothe profession.

The LAC runs five primary adviceprojects throughout the academicyear. These are:• General Advice – coveringemployment law, consumerissues, landlord and tenantdisputes, private contracts,leasehold and freehold issues,business partnerships,immigration, personal injury,wills and probate, and torts

• Pink Law – coveringcohabitation, civil partnerships,immigration and employmentdiscrimination

• Pink Business – coveringcompany law for the gaycommunity

• Law for the Arts – covering allintellectual property issues forthe creative industries

• LGBT Criminal Justice –covering homophobic attack,hate crime, discrimination,police complaints, cruising, CRB checks and offences.

What Student Advisers doAdvice sessions run on Tuesdayand Thursday evenings. StudentAdvisers interview clients underthe supervision of a volunteersolicitor from one of our partnerlaw firms. After the client interview,the Student Advisers research theclient’s legal issues and draft aletter of advice. • We provide full written advice onclients’ legal issues withinfourteen days of theirappointment.

• We have one of the largestreferrals databases in thecountry, so that if we are unableto help a client we can provide arange of alternative options.

Advisers are selected fromsecond- and final-year studentsand undergo an extensive trainingprogramme provided by legalprofessionals, academics and stafffrom the Queen Mary CareersTeam.

Our Student Advisers demonstratethat they can act professionally,abide by ethical codes of conductand respect confidentiality.

Our Student Advisers’developmentWe work closely with our StudentAdvisers from the moment theyjoin us to help them develop bothprofessionally and personally.Everything we do, from the ruleswe put in place, to the procedureswe follow, is geared to a student’sprofessional development. Duringa student’s time with the LAC,they are able to compete for oneof the many work placements weoffer in City firms or for one of thementoring opportunities we offerwith legal professionals.

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Our networkThe LAC works with an extensivenetwork of firms and organisationswithin the profession, who supportour client work and our StudentAdvisers’ development. We workclosely with City law firms Allen &Overy, Field Fisher Waterhouse,Mishcon de Reya, Nabas Legaland Reed Smith as well ascriminal law specialists 15 NewBridge Street Chambers. We alsohave links with a wide range oforganisations such as BridgesAcross Borders Southeast Asia(BABSEA), Lawyers withoutBorders, the Bar Lesbian and GayGroup (BLAGG), the Lesbian andGay Lawyers Association (LAGLA),Stonewall, Age Concern, ThamesMagistrates Court and SnaresbrookCourt.

Our recent awards2011• Finalist for the LawWorks ProBono Partnership of the Yearwith Reed Smith

• Finalist for the Times HigherEducation Award forTransference of Knowledge

• Finalist for The Lawyer Awards2011 Pro Bono Team of theYear

• Runner-up for the Best LawSchool Award at the AttorneyGeneral's Pro Bono Awards

• Highly commended for the BestTeam of Students Award at theAttorney General’s Pro BonoAwards

2010• Winner of the Best Team ofStudents Award at the AttorneyGeneral's Pro Bono Awards

• Runner-up for Best New Projectat the Attorney General's ProBono Awards

What people say about us“The students were verycompetent and reassuring. I had full confidence that they understood my issue.” Client 2011

“I would like to take thisopportunity to thank you for thekindness and courtesy which Iwas shown and, of course, foryour advice.” Client 2011

“Society has a duty to look afterthe vulnerable and thedisadvantaged. No society isimmune from poverty, and I feltthe least I could do was to offerlegal advice to those in need.”Student Adviser 2011

“Thank you for giving me theopportunity to participate in theLAC – I really feel like I havelearned a lot from the experienceand am proud to have been a part of it!” Student Adviser 2011

“It has been a great experienceand also a pleasure working withthe students and the LAC staff.”Supervising solicitor 2011

Degree programmes

The Mile End campus, next to Regents Canal

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Degree programmes

LawM100 LLB/Law(three years)Programme descriptionThe traditional LLB is a three-year programme. It includescompulsory subjects in the first and second year: property,trusts, contract, criminal law,tort, constitutional andadministrative law and EU law.These satisfy Bar Council andLaw Society professionalrequirements relating tofoundations of legal knowledgeand skills. From these strongfoundations, you are in a goodposition to choose from a widerange of modules for yoursecond and third years.

Programme outlineYear 1 Public Law • Elements ofContract Law • Law of Property I• Criminal Law

Year 2 Law of the EuropeanUnion (half-module) •Administrative Law (half-module) • Tort Law • Law ofProperty II • Plus one full or twohalf-modules from the list below

Year 3 Jurisprudence and LegalTheory • Plus three modules ora combination of full/halfmodules totalling three.Modules include: • CommercialLaw (final year only) • CompanyLaw (final year only) •Comparative European Law •Competition Law • Criminology(also available as a half-module)• Dissertation • Cyberspace Law• EU Justice and Home Affairs• European Comparative Law(also available as a half module)• Family Law • IntellectualProperty • InternationalCommercial Transactions •International Environmental Law• International Human Rights •Labour Law • Law andGlobalisation • Law and MedicalEthics (final year only) • Law of

Student profileAsiya Patel,LLB, UK “One of thefirst features of Queen Marythat attractedme was thelocation. I knewit would behighlybeneficial to be

near to the world’s largest law firmsand financial institutions. It also meansthat the campus is a short train journeyfrom some of London’s biggestattractions.

“Queen Mary’s excellent reputation as alaw school is also a huge asset. It isconsistently ranked among the top lawschools in the country and this isreflected in the standard of teaching.Law is a difficult subject to study andthe quality of lecturers and tutorsdefinitely helps.

“When I visited the campus for an openday, the main thing that struck me wasthe vast range of extra-curricularopportunities available to law students.I was particularly impressed with theLegal Advice Centre, as there are fewuniversities that offer students theinvaluable experience of advising realclients. Having worked in the LAC in mysecond year I learnt the key skillsrequired of a solicitor and theexperience was also a valuable additionto my CV. The Queen Mary Pro BonoSociety also provides an opportunity tomake contacts at City law firmsthrough a variety of volunteeringactivities. These opportunities makeQueen Mary stand out as an excellentinstitution for law and are crucial foranyone wanting to pursue a legalcareer.”

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Degree programmes

Evidence • Law, Modernity andthe Holocaust • Media Law(final year only) • Modern LegalHistory • Public InternationalLaw • Revenue Law • UnitedKingdom Human Rights • Half-modules include: Democracyand Justice EU Justice andHome Affairs • European LegalSystems • Comparative Law andEuropean Integration • Law andLiterature: The Foundations ofLaw • Law and Literature:Justice in Crisis • Law, Justiceand Ethics

Please note: Not all of themodules listed may run eachacademic year

AssessmentThe LLB is mainly assessed byunseen examination, but someoptional modules have anelement of course work.Students in the final year of all law courses may choose to research and write adissertation.

Further informationTel: +44 (0)20 7882 3936email: [email protected]

Law M101 LLB/Law2Senior Status (two years)Programme descriptionThis is a two-year LLBprogramme for advancedstudents (those with a degree inanother discipline). It isprimarily designed for graduateswho wish to obtain a qualifyinglaw degree but will also be ofinterest to those non-lawgraduates who have an interestin reading law as a secondacademic degree.

Programme outlineYear 1 Public Law • Elements ofContract Law • Law of Property I• Criminal Law • Law of theEuropean Union (half-module)

Year 2 Administrative Law (half-module) • Tort Law • Law ofProperty III • Plus two modulesor a combination of full/halfmodules totalling two. Modulesinclude: • Commercial Law •Company Law • ComparativeEuropean Law • CompetitionLaw • Criminology (alsoavailable as a half-module) •Dissertation • Cyberspace Law •EU Justice and Home Affairs •European Comparative Law(also available as a half-module)• Family Law • InternationalHuman Rights • IntellectualProperty • InternationalCommercial Transactions •Jusrisprudence • Labour Law •

Law and Globalisation • Lawand Medical Ethics (final yearonly) • Law of Evidence • MediaLaw • Origins of Western LegalTradition • Law, Modernity andthe Holocaust • PublicInternational Law • RevenueLaw • United Kingdom HumanRights • Half-modules include:Democracy and Justice EUJustice and Home Affairs •European Legal Systems •Comparative Law and EuropeanIntegration • Law and Literature:The Foundations of Law • Lawand Literature: Justice in Crisis• Law, Justice and Ethics


AssessmentThe LLB is mainly assessed byunseen examination, but someoptional modules have anelement of course work.Students in the final year of all law courses may choose to research and write adissertation.

Further informationTel: +44 (0)20 7882 3936 email: [email protected]


English andEuropean LawM120 LLBLawEu (four years)

Programme descriptionThe course follows the samepattern as the traditional LLB(M100). However, the third yearis spent studying at a Europeanuniversity.

This will provide you withknowledge and understandingof civil law systems generallyand the law of at least one EUcountry. We have long-standinglinks with universities in Paris,Berlin, Sienna, Copenhagen,Leuven, Utrecht and Leiden.Students wishing to study at auniversity that does not teach inEnglish need to be fluent in thatlanguage and be prepared totake language classes providedby the College during their firstand second years.

For 2011-12, the School of Lawhas exchange programmes withthe following institutions:• University of Copenhagen,Denmark (tuition is in English)www.ku.dk/English

• Universiteit Leiden,Netherlands (tuition is inEnglish) www.leidenuniv.nl/en

• Universiteit Utrecht,Netherlands (tuition is inEnglish) www.uu.nl/EN

• Katholieke UniversiteitLeuven, Belgium (tuition is in English)www.kuleuven.be/english

• Université Panthéon-AssasParis II, France (tuition is inFrench) www.u-paris2.fr

• Universite Paris 1 Pantheon –Sorbonne, France (tuition is inFrench) www.univ-paris1.fr

• Università degli Studi di Siena(UNISI), Italy (tuition is inItalian) www.unisi.it/ammin/uri/mondo/English%20version/HomePage-Inglese.htm

• Universita Di Bologna, Italy(tuition in English)www.eng.unibo.it/PortaleEn/default.htm

• Humboldt-Universität ZuBerlin, Germany (tuition is inGerman) www.hu-berlin.de/standardseite/?set_language=en

• Complutense University ofMadrid, Spain (tuition is inSpanish) www.ucm.es/centros/webs/en

You will benefit considerablyfrom your year overseas. Moststudents return with excellentassessment results, and theextra understanding and insightgained is of considerable benefitto your final year of study.

Programme outlineYear 1 Public Law • Elements ofContract Law • Law of Property I• Criminal Law

Student profile

Terese Saplys, LLB, Canada“Despite coming to Queen Mary as aforeign student with no connections inthe legal field, I will be entering mysecond year in the LLB programme withconfidence, a good CV, great friendsand a clear view of my goals for thefuture. The stellar education I receivedin my first year was buttressed byprofessional development from extra-curricular events, such as the QueenMary Law Society's negotiationcompetition and the mini-assessmentdays organised by the Legal AdviceCentre. And it was exciting to see mynetworking skills at the Queen Mary BarSociety's barrister’s panel event pay offwith a work placement! I'm very muchlooking forward to grasping theopportunities the next two years atQueen Mary will bring.”

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Degree programmes

Year 2 Law of the EuropeanUnion (half-module) •Administrative Law (half-module)• Tort Law • Law of Property II •Plus one full or two half-modulesfrom Year 3 LLB list

Year 3 Year spent overseas

Year 4 Jurisprudence and LegalTheory • Plus three modules ora combination of full/halfmodules totalling three from theYear 3 LLB list.


AssessmentThe LLB in English and EuropeanLaw is mainly assessed byunseen examination, but someoptional modules have anelement of course work. Studentsin the final year of all law coursesmay choose to research and writea dissertation.

Further informationTel: +44 (0)20 7882 3936email: [email protected]

Student profileRuben Peralta, Spain LLB English and European Law “As a student in the School of Law at QueenMary you quickly learn why it is one of the toplaw schools in the country. The wide variety ofmodules available and the quality of thelectures and tutorials create an ideal settingfor a great learning experience. The law

faculty ensures that its students are prepared to commence work in a law firm orbarristers chambers by the time they have completed their degree course.

“The year I spent abroad has probably been the most amazing experience of my life.Leaving the comfort of your home university for a European university, being forced tocommunicate in a foreign language and meeting new people from different countriesand cultures on a daily basis, helps develop and strengthen your character. During myyear abroad I have benefited greatly both academically and socially. You get the chanceto be immersed in a different education system, with different teaching approaches,forcing you to learn how to adapt quickly and to be resourceful; skills that are valuedhighly in the professional world. Socially, it is a once in a lifetime experience to meet awide variety of personalities and make new friends - it is a friendly, welcoming andmulticultural environment which I highly recommend to all future students.”


Law and PoliticsML12 BA/LawPol (three years)Programme descriptionThis joint honours degree, the firstof its kind in the University of London, offers you theopportunity to study the closelyrelated disciplines of law andpolitics side-by-side in a three-yearprogramme. In the first year, youstudy constitutional law and thelaw of contract, together withintroduction to politics and a fullmodule or two half-modules withinthe School of Politics andInternational Relations. Theprogramme is designed to permit acandidate, by choosing theappropriate law modules, to obtainthe usual exemptions from legalprofessional examinations, or,alternatively, to focus on subjectsin the School of Politics andInternational Relations. The degreeis aimed at those who wish topursue a career in whichknowledge of both the legal andgovernmental systems is of majorimportance, and should appealespecially to those wishing to studypublic policy in its legal context.

Programme outlineYear 1 Public Law • Elements ofContract Law • Introduction toPolitics • And eitherComparative Government and Politics or InternationalRelations since 1914

Year 2 (for students wishing tograduate with a qualifying law

degree) Law of the EuropeanUnion (half-module) •Administrative Law (half-module) • Law of Property I •Criminal Law • One modulefrom Politics

Year 2 (non qualifying) • Law of the European Union (halfmodule) • Administrative Law(half-module) • Three modulesfrom Law or Politics of which onefull module must be from Politics

Year 3 (for students wishing tograduate with a qualifying lawdegree) Tort Law • Law ofProperty III • One module fromLaw and one module fromPolitics

Year 3 (non qualifying) • Fouroption modules from either Lawor Politics • Students must do atleast one module from Law and one module from Politics

Please note: Not all of themodules listed may run each academic year

AssessmentLaw modules are mainlyassessed through unseenexamination, but some optionmodules have an element ofcourse work. Students in thefinal year of all the lawprogrammes may choose to research and write adissertation. Politics modulesare predominantly assessedthrough a combination of exams and coursework.

Further informationTel: +44 (0)20 7882 3936 email: [email protected]

For more information on theSchool of Politics andInternational Relations, seewww.politics.qmul.ac.uk

Student profileLucy Shaddock, BA Law and Politics, UK“Once I knew I wanted to study law and politics, Queen Mary was the obvious choice. Both departments have an excellentacademic reputation, with internationally recognised lecturersworking at the forefront of their fields. Despite holding significantroles as barristers, government advisers and researchers,professors are always pleased to answer your questions andnever make you feel anything less than their top priority.

“I have been particularly impressed by the way the law department recognises students’different career aspirations, accommodating those who aspire to be barristers, whileoffering an impressive range of opportunities for those who are still discovering theirinterests. You can volunteer, gain work experience and meet professionals, all thanks to the department’s invaluable industry links.

“Most exciting for me is the way that Queen Mary’s reputation attracts visitors of thehighest caliber. We’ve had speeches from leading Silk Rabinder Singh QC and Director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti. Events like this are invaluable and never fail to inspire.”

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Degree programmes

Student profileAdriana Boscariol, SeniorStatus LLB, Canada “I decided to study law in Londonas it is the professional,industrial, financial and businessheart of the country, and arguablythe world.

“Studying at Queen Mary broughtme the fast-paced andinternational environment I waslooking for, while at the same timeproviding me with support and asense of community. Theprofessors and tutors are all veryapproachable and helped meadjust to the intensity of studyingthe law, especially on the seniorstatus programme.

“I am very impressed with howquickly and thoroughly anyquestions I have are answered.The high calibre of lecturescombined with the small tutorialsat Queen Mary provided me withthe tools and confidence to

succeed in my studies. Queen Mary not only provides excellent classes for studying thelaw, it also offers opportunities to participate in clubs, network with City law firms anddo Pro Bono work – all of which are necessary to build up your CV and impress lawfirms. The mooting programme at Queen Mary gives students many opportunities topractise and develop as young lawyers. Previously a person afraid to speak out in class,the mooting coaches and judges helped me overcome my shyness and confidentlypresent arguments whether it be in a moot, in the classroom or at an interview.Lectures, events, and fairs are frequently held in the law department giving you accessto solicitors, barristers and graduate recruiters throughout your degree. Volunteering atpro bono legal advice centres was a good experience as the solicitors offered us ampleadvice and allowed us to sit in and observe them give legal advice to clients.

“Studying law at Queen Mary has without doubt equipped me to succeed in my dreamof becoming a solicitor. Leaving Canada and family and friends behind to pursue mydream was difficult. However, at Queen Mary I quickly made friends in tutorials andthrough extra-curricular activities. I am proud to attend a law school that performs wellin national rankings and I am happy to have been part of the law community here.”

Moduledescriptions

The Royal Courts of Justice, Holborn – 30 minutes from Mile End


Module descriptions

Alphabetical list of core modules Administrative Law (half module)This module in AdministrativeLaw focuses on the principles ofjudicial review, the process bywhich the courts are asked todetermine the validity orinvalidity of the decisions,actions and inaction ofgovernment departments, local councils and other public bodies.

It builds upon foundationsestablished in the first yearPublic Law module andconsiders the constitutionaljustifications for empowering the courts to interfere with thedecisions of other (often electedor democratically accountable)bodies. The subject matter isextremely wide. For example, inrecent decisions the courts haveconsidered the following:whether prison rules couldrequire prisoners to vacate theircells while they were beingsearched by the authorities;whether a health authority couldclose a home in which a smallnumber of severely disabled

patients had expected to beable to live indefinitely; whetherthe government could detainwithout trial suspected terroristswho could not be deported toother countries; whetherfunding could be refused forparticular types of medicaltreatment.

Criminal LawCriminal law is one of the moreformal sources of social controland in its administration isprobably how most people seeand think of justice at work. In the study of the theoreticalframework of the substantivelaw the objective is primarily tolocate and account for the limitsof the various kinds of conductwhich society at any one timedecides that it can or cannottolerate. It is a constantlychanging subject, reflectingdevelopments in society andchanging social attitudes. Thismodule will, therefore, seek toreflect this aspect of theapplication of the law. Themodule aims to provideknowledge, understanding andthe ability to evaluate thegeneral principles governing

criminal liability. These includethe act and fault requirement,causation and defences, andthe rules governing individualoffences, including thoseconcerned with violence andoffences against property; theprinciples governing liability for the inchoate offences ofattempt, incitement andconspiracy; and the principlesgoverning liability as anaccomplice.

Elements of Contract LawThis module begins with aconsideration of the elementsnecessary to form a bindingcontract, including offer andacceptance, intention, certaintyof terms and consideration.The major elements capable ofvitiating a contract areexamined, namely duress,mistake and misrepresentation(in relation to theMisrepresentation Act 1967).The incorporation of contractualterms, and their generalregulation through the UnfairContract Terms Act 1977 andthe Unfair Terms in ConsumerContracts Regulations 1999, isconsidered. The module

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Module descriptions

concludes with theconsideration of theperformance of contracts, themethods by which contracts canbe discharged, the reliefavailable for a contractdischarged through frustrationand the remedies available for abreach of contract.

Jurisprudence and Legal TheoryThe political scientist HaroldLaski wrote that jurisprudence"is the eye of the law. It givesthe law its insight into theenvironment of which it is theexpression. It relates the law to the spirit of the time."Jurisprudence explores theorigins, nature and functions of law through the perspectivesof philosophy and the socialsciences. It ranges widely for its subject-matter and offersstudents the opportunity to think through their fundamentalassumptions about legalphenomena and about theplace of law in modern society.The module aims to introducestudents to the most importantcurrent and recent approachesin legal theory. On completionstudents should be able todescribe a range of major,contrasting approaches tocontemporary legal theory. Theyshould be able to evaluate theseapproaches and relate them toeach other and to practicalissues of legal regulation.

Law of EU (half module)The study of the institutions andlaw-making processes of theEuropean Union is introduced inthe first year in Public Law. Thismodule builds on that, exploringthe enforcement of EU law witha particular emphasis on theuse of EU law in the nationalcourts of the Member States.This module introduces one ofthe central preoccupations ofEU economic law, namely theremoval of barriers to tradewithin the EU. It also examinesthe extent to which the Unioncan claim to be based on therule of law and to protectfundamental rights.

Law of Property IThis module offers anassessment of what it means in law to own land, contrastingfreehold and leaseholdownership, and considering co-ownership and the creationand operation of mortgages. Inaddition, it looks at some of the most important rights and

obligations associated with land (such as easements andrestrictive covenants). Inexamining all these matters themodule is concerned with themanner in which these legalprinciples affect people in theireveryday lives, how they are tobe reconciled with the need forease of conveyance of land, andhow property law adapts tosocial conditions.

Law of Property IIProperty Law II concerns the lawdealing with equity and the lawof trusts. You will focus on theprinciples of equity and trustslaw, specifically: the nature ofequity; the three certainties inthe creation of express trusts;the beneficiary principle; theconstitution of express trusts;the duties of trustees; breach oftrust; resulting trusts;constructive trusts; trusts of thehome; liability for dishonestassistance and knowing receipt;tracing actions and proprietaryremedies.


Students are required tounderstand, and critically assess the application of these principles to factualcircumstances. This includesthe manner in which theseprinciples affect people in theireveryday lives, how they can bereconciled with the principlesgoverning the creation ofexpress trusts, the imposition of trusts by law, and how equityand trusts law adapts tochanging social conditions.

Public LawThis module introduces studentsto the core features of the UKconstitution. It explores the roleof the main institutional actors(the legislature, executive andjudiciary) within the UKconstitution and the processesof constitutional change. Theimpact of both EU membershipand Council of Europemembership for the UKconstitution, along with theimpact of the Human RightsAct, are central themes of themodule.

Tort LawA considerable part of thismodule is devoted to the most-commonly pleaded cause ofaction in the common lawworld, the tort of negligence.The module deals with the keyprinciples underpinningnegligence actions, and alsoexamines particularmanifestations of negligence,

such as negligence giving rise to pure economic loss, purepsychiatric injury and arising outof a public authority's acts oromissions. The module alsocovers other principal torts suchas those of private and publicnuisance, defamation andRylands v Fletcher. In addition,students are challengedthroughout the course toconsider whether the aims andpurposes of a compensation-redress system are adequatelymet by a fault-based regime,the extent (if any) to whichbehaviour modification shouldbe a legitimate aim of tort law,and the extent (if any) to whichsome torts may tend towardstrict liability.

Alphabetical list ofoptional modules Commercial LawThe objectives of the moduleare firstly, to give students agood grounding in the mainprinciples of two of the keycomponents of commercial law,the law of sale and the law ofagency; and secondly, tointroduce students to a topic ofgrowing importance, the law ofconsumer credit.

The module aims to build onskills which will already havebeen acquired during the studyof other subjects, in particular,contract and property law. Itaims to refine and develop

students’ analytical skills,including the techniques ofstatutory interpretation andconstruction. In many wayscommercial and consumer lawis an adaptation and applicationof the traditional core subjects.

Company LawThe company (identifiable inEngland by the lettering ‘Ltd.’ or ‘PLC’ after its name) is theprincipal actor in commerceand industry. It is the subject of national and internationalbusiness law. The law relating to the company and its variousforms is the primary focus ofthis module.

The company is an artificialperson whose creation, control,management and, ultimately,death are governed by law. Thechallenge to the law is to ensurethat it reflects commercialdemands and realities at allthese stages, eg by allowinginitiative (via investment),protecting investment, allowingmanagement its proper role,and securing the legitimateexpectations of creditors andothers dealing with thecompany. The interest for thestudent is to see whether andhow the law responds, andwhether it can strike anappropriate balance between so many different and oftenconflicting interests –shareholders, managers,creditors, trading partners,employees. It is with these

Module descriptions

questions in mind that themodule examines the natureand formation of companies;their dealings with third parties;the rights and duties of theshareholders; the obligations ofmanagement; the importanceattached to the capitalrepresented by the company'sshares; the alternative form ofcapital raised by borrowings andspecial issues raised by securedborrowings, and some of themain aspects of corporateinsolvency.

Comparative Law and EuropeanIntegration (half module) This 15-credit module focuseson the relation betweencomparative law and EuropeanUnion law. It covers comparativelaw before the national courts;use of comparative law by theEuropean Court of Justice and the European legislator;common European principles in constitutional and civil law;impact of the implementation of EU law on national legalsystems; civil process and the role of comparative law in EUprotection of fundamental rights.

Competition LawThe aim of this module is toteach the basic provisions of EU and UK Competition Law; to examine the law in itseconomic and market context;and to consider particularbusiness phenomena –monopoly, distributionagreements, cartels and

mergers between firms.

This module will help youacquire knowledge and anunderstanding of the way inwhich the law is (and can be)used to regulate the operation of markets, including unilateraland collective behaviour offirms. Students will also havethe opportunity to study basicand important economicconcepts (vital to anyone whoaims to enter commercialpractice in general andcompetition law practice inparticular), and to develop skills on how to handle theapplication of these concepts.

CriminologyCriminology is aninterdisciplinary study whichdraws on law, the socialsciences and history in anexploration of crime and relatedpublic policy. Some Britishinstitutions prefer to call thesestudies ‘criminal justice’ to indicate theircomprehensiveness, and todistinguish them from a largelysocial science-basedcriminology; this is also acommon practice in the UnitedStates. But as a matter ofcustom and convenience weuse the term criminology in itsbroad and inclusive sense.

In introducing the subject wedeal with a range of sampletopics, designed to provide anoverview of the subject, and to

help those who wish to chooseissues for more detailedindividual study later on. In thefirst half of the module, you willexamine various elements ofcriminal justice, from thedefinition of crime, the problemof anti-social behaviour and thecollection of criminal statistics,through policing, prosecutionand punishment. In the secondhalf, you will build on thisknowledge and consider varioustheoretical approaches to crimeand punishment. Topics include the nature of theories; the‘underclass’; young offenders; and female offenders. We alsoconsider the role of the victim in the criminal justice system.

Cyberspace LawThis module aims to addressthe key policy, regulatory andtransactional issues raised bythe internet, eCommerce andother services and applicationsenabled by the internet. Theborderless nature of the internetand the possibility to transmitinformation quickly on a globalbasis has raised difficultquestions of state jurisdiction,regulation and structuringcommercial activities online,which this module will explorein depth. The subject matter of this module affects manydifferent areas of law (contract,intellectual property protection,privacy, content regulation,criminal law, competition law,administrative law) and istherefore a pervasive theme,

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which lawyers cannot ignore.The module is divided into twoparts: the first half focusing onpolicy and regulatory issues; the second on the legal andpractical aspects ofeCommerce. The module istherefore aimed both atstudents wishing to specialise intechnology/intellectual propertylaw and at students withinterests in other subjects (suchas human rights, media law,administrative law orcommercial law).

Democracy and JusticeDemocratic government iscommonly assumed to beessential to a just legal system.But is that assumption alwayscorrect? Do our traditions ofactive and vigorous legislation,zealous litigation, andprofessional lawyering guaranteejustice? Are there ways in whichthey wholly undermine justice?What about public discourse,arts or the media? Do theyalways promote the kind ofopen, free society in which lawand justice thrive? Thesequestions receive sharp scrutinyin the writings of Plato. In thismodule, we examine howclassical ideas about justice anddemocracy, have shaped lawand society for centuries.

European Comparative LawThis module will describe thekey features of modernEuropean legal systems anddemonstrate the similarities and differences between the

European legal systems. You will be encouraged to criticallyassess where harmonisationneeds to be stimulated, andwhere differences can or shouldremain. The module will alsodemonstrate the relationshipbetween the European legalsystems and their generalprinciples with the developmentof the law of the EuropeanUnion. You will have theopportunity to reflect on yourown solutions and the mannerin which they are reached.

EU Justice and Home AffairsThis module will look at EU lawand policy in the area of justiceand home affairs (JHA). Itexamines immigration andasylum law, as well as criminallaw and procedure, police co-operation and judicial co-operation in criminal matters. Itplaces developments in JHA ina socio-economic and politicalcontext and examines theirimpact on the protection offundamental rights and on thetransformation of the EU froman economic to a political Union.

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Module descriptions

Family LawFamily law is constantlychanging as different demandsare made of it, both byindividual members of familiesand by society as a whole. The law sometimes reflects and sometimes lags behindchanging social conditions andscientific developments. Thismodule traces these changesand deals with the problemsthat they pose for the law.Following the incorporation ofthe European Convention onHuman Rights into English lawin 2000, family law cannot lookat English law in isolation and afull consideration of thesedevelopments will be included.

Intellectual Property LawThis module is concerned withthe legal protection offered toinventions and creative works –from new forms of medicineand computer software to filmsand sculptures. Recently,intellectual property law hasdeveloped rapidly and hasassumed increased cultural andcommercial significance. Asnew forms of creativity arise,intellectual property law mustadjust to accommodate them.Among other things, forexample, we examinecontroversies concerning thescope of protection available forbiotechnological inventions andinternet works.

The law in this field is based onstatutes and the module isintended to give students

confidence in interpretinglegislation. There is also a largebody of fascinating case law. Itsfascination resides not only inour familiarity with the peopleand subject matter involved, butalso in the tensions revealedbetween creators, competitorsand the general public.

Intellectual property law touchesupon a number of other areas of law – personal property law,equity, contract law, Europeanlaw, criminal law, torts andhuman rights, for example. This module is therefore

recommended for third-yearstudents, who will be able toapply their existing knowledge of these subjects. Students will need to be able to workindependently and to consultspecialist journals and reportsduring their studies.

International CommercialTransactions This will be a core module forall students with an interest ininternational commercial lawand international legal practice.The objective of the module isto make participants familiar


with the key contracts ininternational commerce. Toachieve this, the module coversthe fundamental characteristicsof international contracts for thesale of goods and to a lesserextent the key ancillary contractsfor the financing of tradingactivities, transportation ofgoods to their destination andinsurance of the cargo.

When traders sell or buy goodsor commodities on theinternational markets, thattransaction is composed ofseveral contracts: the goods aresold under a contract of sale,transported under a contract ofcarriage, insured under a policyof insurance and frequentlyfinanced through a letter ofcredit. The purpose of thismodule is to examine theregulation of each of thesecontracts under internationallaw and standards. The moduleplaces an emphasis on thepractical problems which arisein the international commercialarena.

Internet Regulation This course aims to address the major policy and regulatoryissues raised by the majorservices and applicationsutilised over the internet. Theborderless nature of the internetand the possibility to transmitinformation quickly on a globalbasis has raised difficultquestions of state jurisdictionand regulation which this coursewill explore. The topic of this

course affects many differentareas of law (IP protection,privacy, content regulation,criminal law, competition law)and is therefore a pervasivetheme, which lawyers cannotignore. The course is thereforeaimed both at students with aninterest in technology/IP law, aswell as those studying otherregulatory subjects who areinterested in considering theinternet-related aspects. Thesubject of internet regulation will be taught from a policyperspective (rather than atransactional perspective).

Labour Law This module addresses one ofthe most important legalrelationships: the relationshipbetween the employer andemployee. Topics coveredinclude the contract ofemployment and the employmentrelationship, including terms andconditions; discrimination andequality – philosophically andlegally; human rights,particularly since the HumanRights Act 1998; work-lifebalance and the nature andimportance of work in people’slives; termination and unfairdismissal; freedom of associationand union representation. Thelegal material will be studied inits social and political context.The module involves analysis ofcase law, national legislation, EU developments andtheoretical work on equality anddiscrimination.

Law and Globalisation:Companies, International Trade and Human Rights Debate about globalisation isoften polarized with both sidesmaking strong claims toknowing the truth. This moduleseeks to examine why this hashappened and to investigate therealities underlying the claims.The system is based on law atvarious levels: domestic, regionaland international as well as theactivities of internationalorganisations (such as WTO,World Bank and IMF) establishedunder international law.

Law and Literature: Justice in Crisis (half module)Few artists match WilliamShakespeare in exhibiting thetransition of European civilisationfrom pre-modern to modernforms of law, politics, economicsand social relations.Fundamental questions abouthow law and justice arepromoted, or destroyed, emergethrough seemingly irreconcilableconflicts that have scarcely beenresolved in our own day. In this15-credit module, we spend oneterm examining plays pervasivelystructured by legal arrangements– master-servant, husband-wife,native-alien, parent-child,monarch-parliament, buyer-seller. All confront fraughttransitions from pre-modern toearly modern forms. Thosefundamentally legal relationshipsfuel character and action, evenwhere no conventionally legalnorm or procedure is at issue.

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Module descriptions

Law and Literature: The Foundations of Law (half module)One hallmark of Westernmodernity is perpetual crisesabout the legitimacy with whichpower is exerted over law. WithWilliam Shakespeare, a literarytradition emerges not tosystematise, but to problematisethe discourses used to assertthe legitimacy with which controlover law and government isexercised. Basic notions of‘right’, ‘duty’, ‘justice’ and‘power’ combine in discrete, butalways encumbered ways, togenerate a variety of legitimatingdiscourses. While legal scholars’interest in Shakespeare hasoften focused on conventionallegal rules and procedures,Shakespeare also explores theconditions for the very possibilityof a legal system. What is the‘rule of law’? What is requiredfor law or justice to prevail?What undermines them? Thismodule examines, throughliterature, the claims by whichlaw is declared to be legitimatelyor illegitimately founded.

Law of Evidence This module examines the rulesthat govern the proof of facts incourts of criminal law. TheAnglo-American mode of trial isadversarial and the English lawof evidence reflects this. You willnot simply be looking at Englishlaw in isolation. Article 6 of theConvention provides the right toa fair trial and Article 6.3 states

minimum proceduralrequirements in a criminal trial.The module must thereforequestion whether the currentrules of evidence are‘convention compliant’ andhighlight possible challengesunder the Human Rights Act1998. This is a consistenttheme throughout the module.

Law and Medical EthicsThis module introduces you tothe ethical and legal principlesof the regulation of healthcare,the doctor-patient relationship,and the control of new medicaltechnologies. Issues discussedinclude consent to medicaltreatment, confidentiality andthe doctor-patient relationship,the regulation of assistedconception services, abortion,euthanasia and healthcarerationing. The module aims todeepen your ability to analysemedical law; to enable you toapply ethical reasoning to legaland medical dilemmas; and toenable you to make practicalproposals for legal reform of thefield of medicine and medicaltechnology.

Law Modernity and the HolocaustThis module explores theHolocaust and the related Naziracial-biological world view withparticular reference to the roleof law. Students will examineissues such as the occurrenceof genocide in modernity; therole law played in reinforcingEuropean anti-Semitism; the

lessons for law and legalphilosophy arising from Hitler’srise to power and the use ofconstitutional means to ruleusing emergency powers; thedivergent views in legal theorylinking law with democracy ordictatorship; the legalisation ofthe Nazi racial-biological world-view through eugenics and anti-Jewish legislation; thecoordination of legal andadministrative officialsthroughout occupied Europe;and the difficulties posed tonotions of legal and moralaccountability by ‘state crime’and ‘state-sanctionedmassacre’. The ambivalent roleof law post-WWII in respondingto the holocaust will beexamined along with the rise of'genocide' as a concept ofinternational criminal law and asubject of research.

Media lawThis module examines theregulation of the media intraditional print form, broadcastmedia and in the online arena.Increasingly, media regulationsmust be adapted to takeaccount of new technologicaldevelopments as the dividingline between online media andtraditional forms becomes lesspronounced. Although themodule uses English law as ourstarting point (with cross-jurisdictional comparisons beingdiscussed where appropriate)the module is essentiallythematic in nature. We will use


English law as a source of casestudies to explore how certainthemes may arise and be dealtwith in practice.

We will examine how and whythe media may be restricted inthe information it can distributeunder legislation including theData Protection Act 1998 or theContempt of Court Act 1981.We will also considerinformation privacy and themedia’s right to withhold theidentity of sources, as well aslaws regulating media output onthe basis of content, includingissues surrounding defamation,blasphemy, hate speech andobscenity. In addition to

considering how the general lawapplies to the media, we willalso consider sector-specificregulation (televisualbroadcasting, advertising), aswell as extra-legal measuressuch as the voluntary codes ofconduct for print contentadministered by the PressComplaints Commission and theAdvertising Standards Authority.

Modern Legal HistoryThis module will examinedevelopments in British legalhistory between 1750–1914.Drawing on printed andelectronic primary sources, aswell as secondary literature, itwill give you an overview of the

nature of the legal system in1750, and will show how thatsystem was reformed to createthe modern structure of lawcourts. You will then focus on anumber of topics which illustrateboth the nature of legal change,and the interaction of legalchange with wider socialdevelopments. These includethe transformation of criminallaw from the system of the'Bloody Code' to one based onapprehending and imprisoningoffenders; the changing natureof family law, with reforms in thelaw of divorce, child custodyand domestic violence; and therole of law in the growth of anindustrial and commercialsociety.

Public International Law The aim of this module is tointroduce students to thefundamental principles of PublicInternational Law as well as itscore structures. The moduleconsiders a number of key inter-related questions, in particular:What is international law andwhy does it matter? To who areinternational obligationsaddressed? What are thesources, techniques, andmethods of law creation andenforcement in the internationallegal order? The module isdesigned to help you thinkcritically about the structure ofthe international legal order andits relevance to contemporaryproblems, such as protection ofthe environment, responsibility

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Module descriptions

for war crimes, the legalframework regulating theexploitation of sea resources,state succession and relatedissues. The module emphasisesthe inter-play between law andpolitics, and is designed toappeal to law students as wellas those taking modules inpolitics and internationalrelations.

Revenue Law In general terms, it is hopedthat by studying this moduleyou will feel more confidentabout handling complex legalmaterial and will be able to write more clearly andpersuasively. More specifically,

the module should give you animproved ability to read andinterpret statutory material. Youshould become unafraid ofdetail and better equipped tounderstand and interpret thestructure of language andperceive varieties of meaningand nuance. This is a vital skillfor any lawyer – regardless ofyour area of intended practice.

You will develop your ability toapply the law as you glean itfrom the cases, statutes andother sources to a set of givenfacts, which are similar but not identical to thoseencountered in the cases. Themodule should also improve

your ability to read anddistinguish between cases.

United Kingdom Human Rights LawIn the first half of this module,the emphasis will be onprocedural aspects of protectionincluding a detailed study of theimplementation and operation ofthe Human Rights Act 1998. Inthe second half, the focus willshift to substantive humanrights law. We will explore indetail the protection offundamental human rights suchas the right to life, the right tofreedom of expression and theright to respect for private life.

Career opportunities

The Lloyd’s Building, City of London – 20 minutes from Mile End



The School of Law’s success isfounded on attracting the beststudents and nurturing theirtalent. We aim to enable you tobecome the best you can be,both professionally andpersonally. We are committed todelivering the highest qualityacademic experience and tofacilitating a breadth ofextracurricular activity thatsupports your professional andpersonal needs. We offer careerdevelopment opportunities tostudents via our student societiesand Legal Advice Centre inpartnership with law firms suchas Reed Smith, Field FisherWaterhouse, Mishcon de Reyaand Nabas Legal.

Shortly after you start with us,you will meet the School’sdedicated careers adviser, part ofthe Queen Mary Careers Team,who is regularly available in thedepartment for one-to-onesupport. The adviser alsomanages Careers Brief, theSchool’s careers website(www.law.qmul.ac.uk/careers),and arranges employerworkshops in areas such ascommercial awareness,applications, interview skills andchoosing the right LPC andBPTC provider.

Student profileTom Evans, LLB, UK“I chose to apply to Queen Mary because I really wanted to study in London and wasimpressed by the campus and law department when I visited for an open day. For me,what set Queen Mary apart from other law schools that I visited was the range of extra-curricular activities on offer; these can be legally based (such as the Legal AdviceCentre) or completely unrelated to law. In my first year I have had the opportunity topresent moot cases to leading academics, attend meetings held by leading law firmsand also help to cook breakfast for homeless people in Whitechapel. The variety ofactivities available provide great opportunities for you to expand upon existing skills,and as a student you will get out what you put in to your studies.

“Law is renowned for being a challenging subject and requires a lot of hard work.However, it is always reassuring to know as a student that teaching staff in thedepartment, including lecturers, will answer queries by email and will also hold regularoffice hours in which you can ask for guidance if the materials or a particular subjectare proving difficult.

“Moving to London can be daunting if you’ve never lived in a large city before. QueenMary’s campus setup is ideal since it provides a secure environment where you will beliving within close proximity to your friends, with a bar, convenience shop, gym andrestaurants all within a two-minute walk. The added advantage is that central London,with all its attractions, is only a 15 minute tube ride away. As a law student, living inLondon is advantageous since the most famous courts and law firms are on yourdoorstep, many of which hold career fairs and open days, which can provide motivationfor your studies and you will be in a good position to attend.”

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Workshop highlights for 2011/12include:• Applying for Training Contractsand Vacation Schemes –a panel discussion withrepresentatives from CharlesRussell, DLA Piper and ReedSmith

• Online Testing Workshop ledby the Government LegalService

• Assessment Centre Trainingled by Clifford Chance

• Interview Skills (lead by –to be confirmed)

• Commercial AwarenessWorkshop led by Freshfields

• Barristers Networking Evening– various chambersrepresented

• Alternative Legal CareersSpeed Meet.

Every autumn, students fromthe School of Law have thechance to meet staff fromleading law firms and lawcolleges at the Queen Mary LawFair. Details of the October 2011Fair, including exhibitors, canbe found at:www.law.qmul.ac.uk/careers

Of course, not all law graduatesdecide to pursue a legal career.Some students pursuepostgraduate study, or take upsuccessful, non-legal careers inacademia, accountancy,

Current job title and company:Pre-trainee solicitor, BerwinLeighton Paisner LLP(currently studying on theLegal Practice Course at theCollege of Law, Moorgate)

Why did you choose Queen Mary?I chose Queen Mary as I waskeen to find a university withhigh standards of teachingand a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Law atQueen Mary was praised bothin terms of the teaching andresearch quality, but alsooffered excellent facilities forgetting involved outside the

classroom – the pro bono opportunities, for example, far outstrippedthose available at other universities. Also, being based in Londonallowed me to build experience in different areas of the legal sector in my free time.

How did you find out about your current job?I worked with solicitors from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) throughthe Queen Mary Student Pro Bono Group, both as an advisor and inmy various roles on the Group Committee. At the Queen Mary Law FairI spoke to graduate recruitment staff from BLP and attended opendays and a work placement before accepting a training contract offerfrom the firm.

How did your time at Queen Mary prepare you for work?As well as work experience, the careers service and the lawdepartment run a number of optional workshops and classes aimed at developing skills for legal practice and for the recruitment process,which were invaluable.

What does the LPC involve day-to-day?The LPC offers a bridge between academic legal study and practicingas a solicitor. At present, I am working on learning procedural rules,and learning techniques and approaches to applying law in practicerather than academically.

What can current students do to prepare for getting a job as a solicitor?I think the most important thing for aspiring solicitors is probably toconcentrate on broadening their experience – both in the legal sectorand elsewhere. Part-time work experience, extra-curricular activitiesand legal work experience are all valuable. Being able to express whatskills you have developed from these experiences is vital. Studyinghard and getting good academic results is also a prerequisite!

Graduate profileAndy West, LLB – graduated 2010


banking and finance,management consultancy,public administration and thecivil service. As well as itsspecialist law events, QueenMary Careers runs over 60events throughout the year, togive you an insight into othercareer options. You can book anappointment with aprofessionally trained careersadviser for advice on findinginternships, applications andinterviews – in any field. Exploreyour options in the CareersInformation Room and on theQMJobOnline vacancy sitewhich lists 700+ vacancies. Allcareers services are free ofcharge while you are a studentat Queen Mary.

Canary Wharf – 20 minutes from Mile End

Student life – Students’ Union,student support and health services


Student life – Students’ Union, student support and health services

Students’ Union All Queen Mary studentsautomatically become members ofQMSU, an active and flourishingStudents’ Union run by studentsfor students. Best known for itsclubs and societies, there areliterally hundreds to choose from,whether your interests lie infootball or philately. And if youhave a passion that isn’trepresented, you can always startyour own club. Clubs and societiesprovide a great opportunity formeeting people, especially thosewho are studying a differentsubject to you. One of the aims ofQMSU is to ensure that your timeat university is not just about work,but also includes socialising andpersonal development.

Qmotion Qmotion is Queen Mary’s recentlyrefurbished health and fitnesscentre. Equipped with a widerange of exercise machines andweights, there’s also a women-onlyarea and loads of classes includingyoga, spinning and Pilates. There’sa squash court and sports hall oncampus, and a swimming pool ashort distance away.

Sports Playing sports is a good way torelax after a day spent studying.Queen Mary teams regularlycompete against other collegeteams, and there’s a great socialscene with after-match drinks anda regular social night, Hail Mary,hosted by one of the sportsteams. There’s even a team ofcheerleaders, the Queen MaryAngels!

QM Provide: volunteering Volunteering with charities andnon-profit organisations is abrilliant way to explore whatLondon has to offer, make adifference and really get involvedin your local area.

You can volunteer on a regularbasis in a placement with a localcharity or organisation, doinganything from mentoring localschool kids, to volunteering inlocal hospitals, to becoming ahelpline volunteer and managinga local sports team. See: www.providevolunteering.org

Student support You will be assigned an academicadviser when you start at QueenMary, and the same adviser willstay with you throughout yourstudies. Your adviser will help youchoose which modules to take(some programmes offer greaterflexibility when it comes to modulechoices), sign any forms you needand help you with any academic orpersonal problems that you have.

Many students find it extremelyhelpful to have one adviser onhand throughout their time atQueen Mary.

Health services Health services are provided for all students and staff living in the London Borough of TowerHamlets. In order to access theseservices and others availableunder the NHS, you need toregister with the Globe Townsurgery at the Student HealthCentre at the beginning of term.Students living outside TowerHamlets can be treated oncampus in the event of an urgent medical situation. For more information, see:www.globetown.org/qmu

Advice and counselling Our advice service offers in-depthand specialist advice on a rangeof financial, practical and legalissues, such as student finance,housing rights, immigration lawand international student issues.Counselling is also available –from cognitive behaviouraltherapy, ongoing weekly therapygroups and support groups onspecific issues such as anxietyand academic performance. Ouradvice and counselling service isa completely free and confidentialservice. For more information,see: www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk

Accommodation

Students relaxing outside France House halls on the Mile End campus

‘‘


Accommodation

Queen Mary’s Student Villageincorporates 2,000 rooms oncampus, all provided in self-catered houses, flats andmaisonettes. All rooms in theVillage have a bathroom en-suiteand a shared kitchen.

If you are a single full-time first-year undergraduate, apply duringthe normal admissions cycle, andhave not lived in Queen Mary’shousing before, you may beeligible for accommodation oncampus. Priority is given to thoseapplying by the deadline of 30June of the year of entry, andthose who live furthest away. Thisoffer does not extend to studentswho join through the Clearingprocess or those holding insuranceoffers with Queen Mary, althoughevery attempt is made toaccommodate them, subject toavailability.

If you live close enough to theCollege to commute, you willnormally be expected to live athome until rooms becomeavailable after term begins, onceall those students who cannotcommute are housed. Once youhave firmly accepted your offer tostudy at Queen Mary, full details onhow to apply for College housingwill be sent to you by theAdmissions Office.

Queen Mary students also haveaccess to places in the fully-catered Intercollegiate Halls incentral London, which are ownedby the University of London.

Another option is a house share.There are a number of privately let houses in the area suitable forgroups of students to share. Theresidences office can put you intouch with local landlords, as wellas groups of students who arelooking for extra people to makeup numbers.

For more information, see:www.residences.qmul.ac.uk

‘‘You feel like you belong a bit more, living on campus. The place ispacked with people all doing the same thing, unloading their cars at the beginning of term. It’s really sociable.Jen Holton

‘‘

‘‘I had a beautiful canal view frommy room. I just can’t believe this is student accommodation – it’svery airy, bright, fresh and clean.Fariah Khan

School of LawEntry requirements

The Octagon, Queens’ Building, Mile End campus


School of LawEntry requirements

A/AS-levels

LLB SeniorStatus – Two-year LLB forgraduates

Vocational orapplied A-levels

Acceptability: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications.

Key Skills Acceptability: The School of Law does not accept Key Skills.

BTEC NationalCertificate (12 units)

Acceptability: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications.

Subjects and grades required: Overall Double Award DD.

BTEC NationalDiploma (18 units)

Acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

Subjects and grades required: Overall DDD.

InternationalBaccalaureate


Subjects and grades required: Minimum of 36 points overall and at least 6,6,6 at Higher Level.

EuropeanBaccalaureate


Subjects and grades required: Minimum of 80-85 per cent.

Access to HEDiploma

We will hold all UCAS applications until January before drawing up a shortlist based onthe information in the UCAS form about your pre-Access experience, academic record,personal statement and academic reference. In February/March we shortlist candidatesand may request an updated academic reference. A shortlisted candidate may beinvited for interview and/or further assessment. Offers are made on the basis of theinformation supplied at the time of interview and are conditional on achieving aminimum of 60 credits with at least 45 level 3 credits at Distinction (the Departmentmay also specify level 3 subjects in which we require a Distinction).

European andinternationalqualifications

Otherqualifications

The University accepts a wide range of EU and International qualifications. For information please contact the Admissions Office, or visit:www.law.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/admissions/requirementswww.qmul.ac.uk/international/countries/index.html

The School of Law welcomes applications from those holding qualifications not listedabove. Staff in the School of Law will be happy to advise you as to the acceptabilityof your qualification. Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 3936

Grade requirement: Minimum 2.1 degree or equivalent.

Tariff/Grades Requirement: LLB, LLB English and European Law: A*AA (GCE A-Level)BA Law and Politics: AAB-AAA (GCE-A-Level).

Additional information: GCE AS-Level acceptable only when combined with otherqualifications.

Excluded subjects: General Studies, Critical Thinking.

Each year we receive many more applications than the number of available places. This means that wecannot guarantee to make you an offer even if you have, or are predicted to achieve, the specified grades.We treat every application on a case-by-case basis and do appreciate that students may have a combinationof qualifications or experience. Please contact us if you have any queries.

Living in London


A world-famouscity and thenation’s capital,London is an exciting place tolive. If you’re newto the city, you’re in for a treat; and if you’ve lived herebefore, then you’llknow there’salways more toexplore. Either way, student life inLondon promisesto be an adventure.

With eight million residents,London is up there with Tokyoand NYC in terms of sheer size.Yet rather than a single city,London is actually a patchwork ofdifferent areas – many of themformer villages in their own right.

These neighbourhoods often retaintheir own centres, with a parade ofshops, bars and restaurants thatreflect the area’s particular andhistoric character. This diversitymeans that whatever the occasion,there is always somewhere to suityour mood and budget.

Queen Mary’s main campus is atMile End, well connected to therest of the city by tube. Mile End(Central line) and Stepney Green(Hammersmith and City, andDistrict lines) are both a shortwalk away.

1 Old Street, and surrounding

Living in London

‘‘‘‘Why, Sir, you find no man, at allintellectual, who is willing to leaveLondon. No, Sir, when a man istired of London, he is tired of life;for there is in London all that lifecan afford.Samuel Johnson

Shakespeare’s Globe theatre

The School of Law42

Living in London

1 Old Street, and surrounding EAT… Yelo, on Hoxton Square(Thai food) Shish, an upmarketkebab restaurant.VISIT… White Cube2 Gallery. This area is the epicentre of theEast End’s artistic community. SHOP… The Hoxton Boutique. The Sunday Flower Market atColumbia Road is legendaryamongst Londoners.

2 Shoreditch, and Brick LaneEAT… Brick Lane is London’s‘Curry Capital’– an entire streetlined with Indian and Bangladeshirestaurants. Brick Lane Beigel Bake, open 24-hours (greatfor bagel emergencies).VISIT… The Old Truman Brewery,a converted brewery and home tonumerous fashion designers,artists and DJs.

3 Bow WharfThe complex includes: The FatCat Café Bar; The Thai Room;and Jongleurs Comedy Club,which, as well as the comedy, has a bar and restaurant pluspost-comedy disco on Friday and Saturday nights.

4 Docklands, andCanary WharfEAT… Ubon by Nobu (the sisterrestaurant to the West Endfavourite of the stars), or Carluccio’s, an Italian chainserving exceptional food.Wagamama in the Jubilee PlaceMall. Bene Bene, which offers ahuge selection of seriously cheapsandwiches, salads, bagels anddesserts.VISIT… The Museum of LondonDocklands, which explores thestory of the docks from Romansettlement through to recentregeneration.


5 Bethnal Green,and Victoria ParkEAT… E Pellici, on Bethnal GreenRoad, an Italian greasy spooncafé which has been aroundsince 1900. Nando’s, HackneyVillage for a range of otherrestaurants and cafes, includingFrocks, Mojo’s and Déjà Vu.VISIT… Modern Art and VilmaGold galleries on Vyner Street, just north of Bethnal Green.

6 Mile End, andsurrounding areaEAT… with Mile End’s big range ofeating places, our students nevergo hungry, whatever their culinaryskills. Wetherspoon's pub, offeringthe ‘cheap and cheerful’ deals.The Morgan Arms, a bit more ofan up-market pub. The GoldenBird (Chinese), The Pride of Asia(Indian), Matsu (Japanese)restaurants, if you like to eat yourway around the world. Roastarscoffee shop, for a small caffeinebuzz at the start of the day.

VISIT… Mile End Park, 90 acresof greenery in the heart of theEast End where you’ll find anecology park; an arts park; and a terraced garden and a sportspark. The Mile End Stadium,includes an eight lane athleticstrack, artificial hockey/footballpitches and grass football pitches.The Genesis Cinema, go onWednesday night for a studentdiscount. The WhitechapelGallery: famous for exhibitions by big name artists.

Tower Hill

Monument

Blackfriars

Mansion House

St Paul’s

Bank

Holborn

Chancery Lane

Temple

BarbicanLiverpool

Street

Shoreditch

Whitechapel

Aldgate

Stepney Green

Bethnal Green

London Bridge

Waterloo

Mile End

Charing Cross

Canary Wharf

Wapping

Limehouse

Tower of London

Mile EndPark

EAST LONDONTo Olympic

Stadium

TOWER HAMLETS

CITY OFLONDONHOLBORN

St James’Park

1

2

6

4

3VictoriaPark

5

SOUTHWARK

Leicester Square

Clerkenwell

IslingtonBloomsbury

ULU: Students’ Union

Kings CrossBritish Library

Euston

To O2 Arena

Next steps


Next steps

Visit us The best way to find out aboutQueen Mary is to visit us. You cantalk to academic staff who teachon the course you are interestedin, see the halls of residence, andsample a sandwich from one ofour cafés.

The College runs two annualOpen Days as well as bookableCampus Tours throughout theyear. You’ll be shown around byone of our students in a smallgroup – so you’ll have the chanceto ask as many questions as youlike. Find out more about visitingus at: www.qmul.ac.uk/visitus

Applying to Queen Mary For all full-time higher educationprogrammes at universities andcolleges in the UK, students mustapply online at: www.ucas.comYou’ll find full instructions to helpyou fill in your online application,plus help text where appropriate.UCAS also has a comprehensiveguide called Applying Online,which can be downloaded fromthe website (www.ucas.com).

There are three types of applicant:

1 Students at a school or collegeregistered with UCAS

All UK schools and colleges (andmany establishments overseas)are registered with UCAS tomanage their students’applications. Advice is availablefrom your teacher or a careersadviser at your school or college.You fill in an online applicationand submit it to a member ofstaff.

After checking your details, andhaving added the academicreference, your school or collegesubmits the completed applicationonline to UCAS. You pay onlineusing a credit card or debit card.You may also be able to paythrough your school or college.

2 Independent applicants in the UKOther UK applicants, who are notat school or college, apply onlineindependently. It is likely that youare a mature applicant, who,unlike school and collegestudents, cannot readily seekadvice from your teacher, but can instead consult with variouscareers organisations (such asConnexions).

You are responsible for paying the correct application fee, forobtaining and attaching theacademic reference and forsubmitting the completedapplication online to UCAS.

3 International applicants outsidethe UK (EU and worldwide)

Except for those whose school orcollege is registered with UCAS,individuals from the EU (excludingthe UK), and worldwide, applyonline independently. Advice isavailable from British Counciloffices and other centresoverseas, such as your school orcollege or one of our overseasrepresentatives. You will find astep-by-step guide to applying at: www.qmul.ac.uk/international/howtoapply/index.htm

Contact us School of Law (Mile End Campus) Queen Mary, University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NSTel: +44 (0)207 882 3936 Fax: +44 (0)207 882 7042email: [email protected]

For more information, see:www.law.qmul.ac.uk

‘‘

‘‘I can’t stress enough howimportant it is to go to theUniversity and have a lookaround, and talk to a student who can tell you about what it’s like to be there.”Helen Pritchard-Smith, student

The School of Law46

Notes


The School of Law48

Notes


School of Law (Mile End campus) Queen Mary, University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NSTel: +44 (0)207 882 3936 Fax: +44 (0)207 882 7042email: [email protected]

For more information, see: www.law.qmul.ac.uk

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Queen Mary University of London Undergraduate Law

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