Contemporary Law & Practice (LLM)

Programme Structure

Aims of the Programme

The overall aim of this programme is to combine cutting edge academic research and professional expertise across a range of legal areas in a way which will focus on the practical application of legal rules. It seeks to deliver teaching and learning in a format which is suited to the particular needs of the students, the majority of whom are also engaged in full time employment in the legal and other related professions. Specifically, the programme aims:

• To offer a fresh and stimulating approach to a range of contemporary issues which arise in the context of the practice of law
• To encourage critical analysis of the practice of law within a rigorous, academic framework
• To enable students to gain deeper understanding of current issues in practice and to develop practical approaches to dealing with them
• To attain 15 hours CPD for each 10 credit module

LLM in Contemporary Law & Practice

Students must complete 180 credits to be eligible for the award of the LLM. Credits are allocated on the basis that 1 credit represents 10 learning hours for a student. Progress and assessment are governed by the generic regulations for Masters degrees. The taught element of the programme comprises two compulsory 20 credit core courses:

• Concepts and Developments in Scots Law
• Scots Law in European Context

In addition students will be required to undertake an additional 80 credits made up of optional 10 or 20 credit courses.

There will be a range of optional courses including aspects of criminal law, human rights, employment law, family law, public law, mental health law, property law and European law.

In addition to theses taught courses all LLM students must complete a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation (60 credits) on an approved topic falling within the ambit of contemporary Scots law and practice. Before being permitted to proceed to preparation and submission of the dissertation, a student must have made satisfactory progress in taught courses and completed the Research Methods module. Satisfactory progress represents a minimum attainment of grade C, at first attempt, in both of the core courses and in courses representing sixty of the remaining eighty credits.

Diploma in Contemporary Law & Practice

The Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded to students who have attained 120 credits from taught courses, including the two compulsory core courses, but who do not complete the Masters dissertation.

Certificate in Contemporary Law & Practice

The Certificate in Contemporary Law and Practice will be awarded to students who have attained 60 credits from any of the taught courses, either core or elective.

Continuing Professional Development

Participants may enrol for individual CPD courses and simply attend for the two days of teaching (gaining 15 hours CPD). Alternatively, by registering in advance as a University of Glasgow student and completing the related assessment, students can accumulate academic credits over a period of five years towards a Certificate, Diploma or Masters in Contemporary Law and Practice whilst at the same time meeting their CPD requirements.

In essence, registered students can ‘double count’ their attendance by meeting annual CPD requirements whilst building towards a University qualification.

Method of Study

Each module is based around an intensive period of formal teaching and learning. For 10 credit courses, attendance will be compulsory on two days, either consecutive or in consecutive weeks. A 20 credit course will require attendance on four days which will normally be on four consecutive weeks but may consist of two consecutive days over two consecutive weeks. Each has an additional two hour tutorial. Assessment for each module will be completed within ten weeks of the contact days.

The programme has been designed particularly for those who wish to combine further study with full time employment in the legal or related professions. Traditional postgraduate courses, taught over a semester, are not ideally suited to those who are studying on a part-time basis: regular attendance may prove impractical and it can be difficult to remain motivated. Students will have an extended period of up to five years within which to acquire credits for the LLM, Diploma, or Certificate.

An important feature of this programme is its emphasis on active and varied approaches to learning and teaching which are deliberately used to help students link systematic academic thought and cutting edge research to professional practice and experience. Traditional postgraduate teaching, has tended to focus on the seminar format and while this will continue to be used where appropriate, the intensive, full-day attendance model will facilitate the combination of a variety of teaching and learning methods. These will include case studies, presentations, mooting, group work and practical exercises, e.g. drafting and revision of legislation or policy documents for law reform.

Emphasis is placed on student learning out with the contact hours of the teaching periods. Students may be expected, for example, to prepare presentations and conduct individual research in preparation for practical exercises and problem solving. This work will be facilitated through the School of Law’s virtual learning environment (Moodle) and the distribution in advance of detailed reading lists and required preparation.