DISCLAIMER
These reviews are strictly my opinion and are only influenced by how I have found the modules. The purpose of this isn’t to sway your views in favour of a certain module but to give my views and experience of the modules.
At Leicester Law School, as of 2021-22, the first-year modules consist of:
Analysing Law – Semester 1
Law Justice and Society – Semester 2
Contract Law – Semester 1 and 2
Law of Tort – Semester 1 and 2
Constitutional and Administrative Law – Semester 1 and 2
Analysing Law
The module in 3 words – Broad. Essential. Epiphany.
Background
Analysing Law is one of those modules that broadens your perspective on the wider ideas and issues of law. We touched upon topics such as decolonisation, human rights and concepts such as Feminist judgments.
View
For me, this module expanded upon ideas such as modern slavery and intersectionality which I had only a basic knowledge of. This module is one of those where you’re allowed to challenge the law, its past and everything happening in our local community and society.
This module for me has been sort of a breather where I don’t feel the constant pressure as it is building upon ideas that we are all aware of.
Advice
With Analysing Law, you’re allowed to mould and shape your views on ideas, and I used this module to challenge the views I previously held. One crucial piece of advice I would give to those who may take this module is to do the set readings but also, if you wish, to conduct further research and reading into the ideas that interest you.
Law, Justice and Society
The module in a quote – ‘this is a court of law, young man, not a court of justice’ – Oliver Wendell Holmes
Background
Law, Justice and Society is all about the relationship between law, justice and crime. Like Analysing Law, it builds a base for understanding the law.
View
This module expands upon some of the topics introduced in Analysing Law and can be interpreted in the same way. The aim isn’t to take in the views of those teaching you but to take the concepts and approach them and expand upon them and build your views and understanding.
Advice
Similarly, to Analysing Law – Reading. It is crucial. There are only so many ideas and views the lecturers and PowerPoints can introduce to you.
Contract Law
The module in 3 emojis – 🧠 🗝👍
Background
In contract law, we’re taken through the life of a contract. From the initial offer and acceptance to mistake, misrepresentation, terms, breach and remedies.
View
Contract Law is possibly my favourite module. I find it very straightforward and logical as essentially, you’re making a contract in every aspect of life. Whether it's buying sweets at the local Tesco or signing an agreement with your landlord, it’s all the work of a contract.
Advice
Personally, for Contract Law and a few other modules, I prefer to do the readings first and then move on to the lectures. This approach allows me to have the basic knowledge of the topic as it’s been formatted by the readings.
Law of Tort
What is Tort? A civil wrong.
Background
The law of tort is the mechanism by which victims of harm can obtain remedies or prevent that harm from arising in the first place. This module looks at the legal rules that govern whether individuals may have a valid claim.
View
Tort is really quite interesting. Before starting the module, I held the view that tort is all about just suing those that had harmed or wronged you, but it isn’t exclusively just that. There are a lot of tests and elements that a claimant has to pass to prove that the defendant is negligent before dreaming about monetary compensation.
Advice
I found that with Tort, the key is to understand the principles first and then learn the case names as likely by learning the law, you will remember the case names too.
Constitutional and Administrative Law
A sentence about the module – it’s a LOT (personally)
Background
Constitutional and Administrative Law is about the law and practice relating to how the United Kingdom is governed. This means it covers the fundamental rules of the country about who has the political power to make decisions, what the limits of that power are and what rights individuals have.
View
With Constitutional and Administrative Law, I think it’s either you love it or hate it. I personally skew towards the hate end of the spectrum. The content can be engaging, and the lecturers are amazing but for me, there’s something about the module that fails to have me hooked.
Advice
Keep on top of the lectures. I found this module to be the most content-heavy and I think it’s really important to keep up with the lectures or they can pile up.
General Advice
1. Creating case law tables.
For example.
Case Law Tables made it really easy for me to revise key facts of a case for tutorials or for formatives/ summatives.
2. Readings before lectures
This approach has really helped me grasp key ideas so that when doing my lectures, I have somewhat of a clue as to what is being taught and it stopped me from having to pause every 2 seconds.
Some prefer it the other way, lectures then readings but it’s worth trying an alternative.
3. Time Management
I think it can be really easy to neglect lectures and just say ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ but then it does tend to start piling up. I create to-do lists every week for each module and then set out a day to do work for each of the modules.
4. Not to neglect a certain module just because it’s your least favourite
I am guilty of doing this but like previously mentioned it does pile up, so I think being in the habit of devoting near similar hours for each module helps to ensure consistency in each module. I think to also mention that some modules are qualifying law modules so it’s essential to pass them all.
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