LW5121 - Introduction to Criminal Procedure

You will learn via a combination of large group (lecture) sessions, small group (workshop) sessions, tutor guided independent learning and independent learning.

The large group lecture sessions will develop your knowledge and understanding of key concepts and stages of criminal procedure in England and Wales.

The workshop sessions will develop your ability to explain and analyse principles of criminal procedure and to problem solve and present solutions by applying those principles in the context of given factual scenarios. This will include developing your ability to comprehend, explain and apply subject specific resources that you have located.

You will be expected to engage in tutor guided independent learning both to consolidate the learning from the large group sessions and to prepare for the small group sessions. This will include developing your ability to recognise, locate and comprehend relevant cases, statutes, rules of court etc. You will be made aware of the tutor guided independent learning in which you are required to engage via the large group sessions, an on-line reading list that will be accessible via the eLP (Blackboard) and the instructions that you are given in order to enable you to prepare for each small group session.

You will be expected to engage in some independent learning in order to consolidate the learning from taught sessions and from the tutor-led independent learning (including preparation for taught sessions and for formative and summative assessments). This will again include developing your ability to recognise, locate and comprehend relevant subject specific resources.

The University supports you in learning and research with an excellent library and teaching facilities, access to on-line legal databases and resources and appropriate software.



This module is designed and will be managed by the module tutors who will be responsible for guiding you in your engagement and learning. Relevant materials and instructions will be accessible through the module eLP site, maintained by the Module Tutors.



Extensive use is made of the eLP to facilitate discussions between you and the module tutors, to provide materials, make announcements and to highlight recent developments and relevant research materials.



You may communicate with the module tutors and you are encouraged to make contact if you encounter any difficulties.



Academic support is available through formative feedback from tutors and on summative assignments.



At programme level you will be supported by the Programme Leader who will provide pastoral support throughout the module and the programme.



The Programme Administration and Student Liaison teams are responsible for the non-academic administration of the module. They will contact you throughout the duration of your module with details about the assignment and other issues.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of key principles of criminal procedure and be able to apply those principles in the context of given factual scenarios.

Demonstrate your ability to identify, explain, evaluate and interpret relevant subject specific resources (including case law, statutory provisions, rules of court and practice directions).



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

Communicate your knowledge and understanding of key principles of criminal procedure accurately, using appropriate legal terminology and forming structured and coherent arguments (both written and oral).

Use your knowledge and understanding of key principles of criminal procedure to suggest solutions to practical legal problems.



Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

Enhance your knowledge and understanding of key principles of criminal procedure via both tutor directed independent learning and independent learning.

Summative assessment:



This module will be assessed by way of recorded presentation (max. 10 mins) and the submission of a short (max. 750 words) written plan.



The presentation will take the form of a submission to a court on a practical legal issue (for example a contested bail application or sentencing submission) based on a factual scenario. Students will submit an outline plan of their presentation (max. 750 words) and a recording of their submission (max. 10 mins).



Re assessment will be by resubmission of the recording and written plan.



Formative assessment:



Small group sessions will provide students with the opportunity to practice preparing and delivering submissions similar to those required for the assessment.



At least one small group session (workshop) will take the form of a practice (mock) assessment during which students will be able to access feedback on their written plans and presentations.

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The Introduction to Criminal Procedure module is aimed at students with an interest in criminal professional practice or the criminal justice system more broadly. The module will consider the key stages and procedures for progressing a criminal case and develop your understanding of the roles of criminal justice personnel (solicitors, barristers, judges etc) and institutions. Areas that may be covered on the module will include, the arrest and detention of suspects in the police station, the decision to charge a suspect, the first hearing at court (including whether a defendant is granted bail pending trial), criminal trial procedure and sentencing following conviction.



On this module you will develop the ability to explain principles of criminal procedure by forming structured and coherent arguments and submissions, using correct legal terminology, and to problem solve by applying your knowledge of criminal procedure to given factual scenarios.