Study for a law degree in Jersey

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1 Study for a law degree in Jersey LLB degree awarded by the University of London Tuition provided by experienced UK academics and Jersey-based lawyers at the Institute of Law in Jersey Small, friendly supportive environment where everyone is treated as an individual Study full-time or parttime over 3 to 4 years Graduate entry route over 2 to 3 years Qualifying Law Degree recognised by the legal professions in England and Wales and in the Channel Islands Tuition for the academic year starts in mid- September 2015 We recommend applying as early as possible; we recommend applying to the Institute no later than the end of August For more information: (01534) manager@lawinstitute.ac.je Prospectus Jersey edition University of London LLB The Institute of Law in Jersey offers tuition to students enrolled for the University of London LLB law degree through the University of London International Programmes. Formerly known as the External System, these programmes have been available to students since 1858 and make the internationally renowned awards of the University of London accessible to students studying across the globe - including in Jersey. Full details of the LLB degree are in the University s prospectus (available from the Institute) and online at: uate/panel/law/ The University is responsible for designing the syllabus, providing study materials (in print and online), setting and marking the examinations, and awarding the degree. The Institute of Law Founded in 2008, the Institute is a boutique law school providing teaching for students studying for a law degree, qualifying as advocates and solicitors of the Royal Court of Jersey, and continuing professional development training. It is a not-for-profit body. The Institute is based at Law House, 1 Seale Street in smart, newly refurbished premises opposite the Town Hall in St Helier. As well as teaching rooms equipped with smart boards, a student common room and wi-fi, Law House is home to the Jersey Law Library. Why study for a law degree? Many people study for a law degree as a stepping-stone towards qualifying as a lawyer. The legal profession in Jersey offers a wide range of interesting work everything from helping people cope with family breakdown and enabling local firms to do business, to providing legal advice in relation to complex international financial transactions. As well as roles with law firms, lawyers are employed by the Law Officers Department dealing with criminal prosecutions and a variety of work for the States of Jersey. For further information about how to become a lawyer in Jersey, see our Routes to Qualification as a Jersey Advocate or Jersey Solicitor guide on the Institute website under the Law degree tab. A law degree is not, however, just for lawyers. Law as a way of regulating society is an interesting subject in its own right. This is studied from a variety of perspectives: historical, political and philosophical. Above all, a law degree teaches clear and precise thinking and communication skills that are needed in any walk of life. You learn how to construct and criticise arguments, and how to deal with complex and contradictory evidence.

2 Tuition arrangements The Institute s role for students studying for the LLB degree is to provide: face-to-face tuition facilities, including access to the law library, study space and a student common room feedback on written assignments opportunities for students to work together in a supportive environment personnel development planning a mentoring scheme with Jersey-based lawyers. LLB teaching is provided by highly experienced UK academics the flying faculty who are in the Island for Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning classes. Teaching for each subject takes place during two of these sessions the teaching timetable will be confirmed at the start of each academic year. There are 7-8 hours of tuition during these study weekends. There will be some lectures but the focus is on discussion-led teaching and active learning. During the week there are small group tutorials led by Jersey-based tutors, most of whom are legal practitioners. These will focus on discussing past examination questions and developing further legal thinking and writing skills. Like any law degree, independent study is a key aspect of learning. Full-time students should expect to spend at least hours a week reading cases, legislation and academic texts in preparation for the teaching sessions and working on written assignments; for part-time students, the workload is less. The Institute is open 7 days a week for students who want to study in Law House. There are two 12-week semesters: late September to Christmas; and after a month s break, January to the Easter. Revision sessions take place after Easter in the run-up to the May-June examinations (held at Highlands College in Jersey). Subjects studied The University s programme of study covers all the subjects required in a qualifying law degree recognised by the legal professions in England and Wales and Jersey. For full-time students on the standard degree, the programme structure is as follows: Year 1 Common Law Reasoning and Institutions an introduction to legal skills and the legal system in England and Wales Criminal Law looking at the key concepts of English criminal law and a range of offences and defences Public Law dealing with the British constitution from a legal perspective, including human rights and an introduction to the European Union Elements of the Law of Contract how contracts are formed and what happens when they are breached Year 2 Land Law study of the general principles of land ownership in England and Wales, landlord and tenant relationships, licences to use land, easements, covenants, mortgages and adverse possession. Law of Trusts this subject looks at the concept of a trust in English law, how they may be created, the role of trustees and their powers, how trusts may be varied, and remedies for breach of trust. Law of Tort including negligence, occupiers liability, intentional torts such as assault, nuisance, defamation, and defences. 2

3 EU Law the UK has been a member of the European Union (or its forerunners) since This subject looks at the operation of the EU institutions, the constitutional and administrative law of the EU, the impact of the EU on businesses and individuals. Year 3 Jurisprudence and Legal Theory this looks at law from a variety of philosophical and sociological perspectives. One major book on legal theory is studied in depth. A 10,000-word dissertation on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the University. Teaching will start with general direction on identifying a suitable subject and how to set about researching for the project. Thereafter, there will be regular supervisions at which an academic will read drafts and provide guidance. Two optional subjects the Institute currently teaches Commercial Law, International Protection of Human Rights and Company Law, but other subjects may be available if there is sufficient demand. In addition, students work on a law skills portfolio in their final year. Full-time or part-time study For students studying at degree-level for the first time, 12 subjects must be studied. If you study full time, you take 4 subjects a year and complete the course in 3 years; part-study consists of 2 or 3 subjects a year, which will take 4 or more years, depending on how intensively you want to study. Graduate entry route If you have already graduated with a degree in another subject it is possible to obtain the LLB by taking 9 subjects rather than the full 12. This will take two or three years, depending on how intensively you want to study. The Graduate Entry LLB is a good alternative to a graduate diploma in law (GDL) as you end up with a full qualifying law degree recognised in a wider range of jurisdictions than the GDL and you have a broader and deeper education in law. The LLB programme does, however, take longer to complete than a GDL. Pros and cons of studying with the Institute Studying at the Institute in Jersey will not be right for everyone. The Institute cannot offer the full university experience associated with attending a large law school; what we offer is different and will suit some students who are looking for an alternative. The University of London International Programmes. A LLB degree from the University of London can be used as a stepping-stone to qualifying as a barrister or solicitor in England and Wales and is recognised in many other jurisdictions around the world. The same high academic standards are expected of students on the International Programme as those studying at the law schools in the University of London s colleges (UCL, King s, LSE, Queen Mary, SOAS and Birkbeck). Study in a small group. Almost all UK law schools have grown in recent years, often to the detriment of the close contact between experienced academics and students that was once common. At the Institute there are no more than about 25 students in the first year and experienced law teachers run study weekends. 3

4 Law degree tuition in Jersey Study alongside people from a mix of backgrounds. We have people from all age groups in our classes; some are studying part-time while pursuing careers. We believe that 18-year olds benefit from working alongside mid-career professionals and retired people, and vice versa. A slower, quieter pace of student life. If your main reason for going to university is to party with hundreds of 18-year olds, then clearly the Institute is not for you. If however you enjoy working in smaller groups and enjoy life in Jersey, then the Institute may be the right place for you. Sensible entry requirements. UK law schools have increased their entry grades year after year, so that it is now difficult or impossible to get into a well-regarded university to study law without straight A grades. Some of our students will have these grades but we recognise that aptitude to study law is not directly related to getting or being predicted A grades at school. Our standard requirement for school levers is therefore a minimum of BCC at A2-level, 25 IB points (or the equivalent in comparable qualifications). Smart premises in a thriving town. The Institute is based in a new building in the heart of St Helier. This also houses the Jersey law library. Mentoring and personal development. University-level study is more than just gaining a qualification; it is also about growing in confidence and acquiring a wide range of personal skills. The Institute s relatively small student body means everyone can be treated as an individual. First year LLB students are paired up with students taking the Jersey Law Course (the professional qualification to become a Jersey lawyer). Careers advice is available. Financial considerations. It may be more affordable for you to study with the Institute as you save on accommodation and travel costs. Entry requirements You can find out about the entry requirements from University of London International Programmes website ( will note that the entry requirements are lower than the major law schools in the UK because the Institute does not need artificially high entrance requirements to filter-out large numbers of applications. All applicants are interviewed and we are able to assess everybody in the round rather than just on actual or predicted school leaving exam results. Rest assured that once on the degree programme, academic standards are high. For mature students, the University has various entry requirements, which include A-level passes or comparable achievements in professional qualifications. For mature students without A-levels, the Institute will consider entry to the University of London Diploma in Law. This is the first four subjects packaged as a free-standing qualification. On successful of the Diploma, it may be possible to transfer directly into the second year of the LLB programme. Fees The fees have two elements. Some are charged by the University; these have not yet been announced for There are also tuition fees payable to the Institute: for , these will be 1,500 per subject, which can be paid in two instalments in September and January. As a rough guide, you should budget for the total fees (University + Institute) for the first year of approximately 7,500 for a full-time student taking 4 subjects. For a part-time student taking 3 subjects, the figure will be about 6,500. In addition, you should allow for other expenses such as textbooks and fees to sit the examinations at Highlands. The Institute has just launched its bursary scheme, further details can be found at There are several possible sources of financial support If you are a Jersey resident, you may apply to the Department of Education, Sport and Culture for means-tested grants and loans on the same basis as if you are studying at a UK university. There is also funding available for part-time students. Details of the eligibility criteria and amount of support are available at 4

5 If you are in work, you may want to explore with their employer what support by way of contribution to fees and periods of study leave may be available. Professional development loans may be available from some lenders. Even full-time students can combine studying with employment. If you are well-organised and can study efficiently, you should be able to do up to 20 hours of paid work a week. Application process 1. Research the degree by reading this prospectus and visiting to the University of London International Programmes website. If you have questions, would like to have a look around Law House, or want an informal discussion with Institute of Law staff please visit us in person, or telephone. This is not part of the selection process. 2. Make a formal application for a place at Institute by completing the Institute s application form (available on our website You will be asked to attend for a 30-minute written test followed by an interview with the Director of Studies, designed to test your verbal reasoning skills and your motivation for studying law. You may be asked about current law-related new stories, so you should read a good quality newspaper for several days before the interview. If you are outside Jersey, we may interview you by phone or Skype. Expect the interview to last about 30 minutes. We also ask for a handwritten personal supporting statement and the name of a referee. If we think that you have the ability to succeed on the law degree programme, we will make you an offer subject to the University of London s decision to admit you to the University. We will usually be able to make a decision within a few days of the interview. We strongly recommend that you complete this stage of the application process as early as possible and no later than the end of June. 3. The next step is to apply for admission to the University of London International Programmes. This is done online and a fee of about 70 is payable. You will need to send educational certificates to London. Most applicants can expect to hear the outcome of their application to the University within six weeks. We strongly recommend that you complete this stage of the application process as early as possible and no later than mid-august. Enrolment and starting the course Once you have an offer of a place at the Institute and of admission to the University, you will be ready to complete the enrolment process. 1. Once you are admitted to the University, complete the University s registration process online. A fee of approximately 800 is payable at this point. You will be sent study guides, textbooks and access to the University s online library and other resources. 2. Sign an enrolment contract with the Institute no later than mid-september, at which point the first semester fees are payable. If you are receiving a States of Jersey grant, we will deal directly with ESC. 3. The first study weekend is likely to be on September You will be sent the precise timetable and what you need to do to prepare a few weeks in advance. Some of the flying faculty teaching LLB subjects Scott Atkins, LLB, solicitor (non-practising) is a graduate of the University of Birmingham. He taught at The College of Law in Birmingham for several years, training future solicitors. Since 2007 he has been a senior lecturer at the University of Derby, where he teaches contract law and trusts. Scott leads the study weekends for LLB students in Contract Law and Trusts. Claire de Than, LLB, LLM (Deputy Director of Studies) is a senior lecturer in law at City Law School in London, where she is director of the undergraduate law programme. A graduate of Queen Mary, University of London, she is the author or co-author of more than 15 books, including the new student text Heaton and de Than, Criminal Law (OUP, 2010). She has advised several governments on human rights issues. Claire leads study weekends for LLB students in Criminal Law, Common Law Reasoning and Institutions, and Land Law. 5

6 Eloise Ellis, LLB is a lecturer in law at the University of East Anglia where she teaches Public Law and European Union Law. She has previously taught at King s College London and Queen Mary, University of London. After graduating from King s College London, Eloise spent several years working as a political adviser and policy/campaigns manager for a range of organisations from the Country Landowner s Association to the London Chamber of Commerce. Eloise then spent a couple of years at a Government Department, where her roles included working for a Minister, following which she returned to academia. Eloise leads some of the study weekends for LLB students in Public Law. Gavin Hoccom is a graduate of Bristol Law School, who trained at the Bar and worked in in-house private practice. Gavin has subsequently cross-qualified as a Solicitor and is working for a regional firm specialising in Commercial and Company Law. Gavin leads the study weekends for LLB students in Company Law. Colin Munro, LLB, BA is Emeritus Professor of Constitutional Law and a former dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Edinburgh. His academic career took him to posts at the universities of Birmingham, Durham, Essex and Manchester, before he returned to his native Scotland to teach and research at Edinburgh. His principal areas of interests are in constitutional and administrative law, human rights, media law, and aspects of criminal justice and legal philosophy. Colin leads study weekends for LLB students in Public Law. Daniela Nadj, LLB, LLM, PhD is a graduate of Queen Mary College, Cornell University and the University of Westminster. Currently a lecturer in law at the University of Westminster, she has lectured in the following subjects: The United Nations System for the Protection of Human Rights; UK Human Rights Law; International Criminal Law; Public Law, EU Law, Evidence and Contract Law. During the academic year , she acted as senior lecturer in law/llb programme coordinator at Middlesex University, Mauritius. Daniela s primary research interests lie in the fields of international criminal law, human rights, feminist legal theory and armed conflict. Her research focuses on international wartime sexual violence jurisprudence and its impact on women in the current political and legal moment. Daniela leads study weekends for LLB students in EU Law. Phil Palmer, LLB, MA started his career as an officer in the Royal Navy, then served as a police officer in the Hampshire Constabulary, becoming Head of Public Protection at the National Centre for Policing. He is currently director of the Institute of Criminal Justice at the University of Southampton where he teaches criminal law and researches into policing and counter-terrorism. Phil leads study weekends in Tort, Criminal Law and Common Law Reasoning and Institutions. Guillaume Tusseau was trained both in political science and law. After holding positions in the Universities of Paris II (Panthéon-Assas) and Rouen, he is currently Professor of Public Law at Sciences Po Law School, in Paris, and a member of the Institut universitaire de France. His main areas of interest are comparative constitutional law and legal theory, both fields in which he has extensively taught and published. Guillaume leads some of the study weekends for LLB students in Jurisprudence. Details of other members of staff are available on the Institute website. Disclaimer This Prospectus is for guidance only. It does not form part of any contract. Like other institutions, the Institute must reserve the right to make reasonable changes to the teaching arrangements. Expression of interest If you are interested in the law degree but not yet ready to apply, you can register your interest by sending your name, contact details and some information about yourself to us. manager@lawinstitute.ac.je By post: The Manager, Law House, 1 Seale Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3QG. Telephone