STUDY

This module will introduce the key principles of criminal liability as a refresher for those who have previously studied criminal law and an introduction to those who have not. The module will then explore a range of contemporary offences and defences that are often the subject of much public interest and debate, such as sexual and domestic abuse offences as well as online offending and fraud which is increasingly common. As well as gaining knowledge of contemporary criminal law and applying it accurately to case studies, you will analyse and critically evaluate how the criminal law responds to different types of offending. Is the law keeping pace with technological changes? What are the weaknesses and gaps in the criminal law? How should the law be reformed and why? 

This module will build on the Contemporary Criminal Law module to enable you to develop a detailed knowledge of how the rules of evidence and procedure operate in the criminal courts.  This module also aims to give students a detailed overview of the connection between criminal evidence and psychology. 

You will explore the significance and impact of specific types of evidence including those which can be considered controversial, such as eyewitness testimony, identification and recognition evidence, confession evidence, expert evidence and the way in which vulnerable people are treated by the courts. These topics will be examined from the perspectives of both law and psychology enabling students to draw on contemporary cases and research from both disciplines.  This module will use the expertise of specialists in psychology to offer a different perspective and to challenge the assumptions related to particular types of evidence.

You will also develop your advocacy skills in our mock courtroom by participating in a range of different types of hearings (such as trials, sentencing and appeals) based on realistic case studies.

International Criminal Justice Systems will introduce you to challenging concepts in international law, particularly when dealing with individual criminal responsibility.  We spend time understanding how international law is made and, most importantly, enforced. You will learn about international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. We will look at historical tribunals including Nuremberg, Tokyo, Rwanda, and Yugoslavia, leading us to the International Criminal Court and the Rome Statute. We conclude with exploring controversies in International Criminal Law, including R2P (Responsibility to Protect), intervention, and the effectiveness of the International Criminal Court. 

Throughout the LLM, you are encouraged to distinguish between, and critically evaluate, different theoretical, technical, normative, ethical and practical approaches to the operation of criminal law and justice. Having completed your taught modules, you will continue to develop your understanding in more specialised areas. 

Building upon knowledge gained previously, you will conduct in-depth examinations of theories and research, with emphasis being placed upon critical evaluation of both theory, methods and contemporary practices.   

Your independent project will provide the opportunity to demonstrate your advanced scholarship and academic abilities in an original, creative way, to find effective solutions to real-life problems or legal issues. The dissertation brings together your work undertaken in previous modules, develops your subject matter expertise, and challenges you to develop a proposal into an actionable, practice-relevant project that can inform future developments in your field. 

Please note that the dissertation would be conducted instead of the work placement. 

This module provides an opportunity to find, arrange, and conduct a work placement in the broad field of criminal justice. The placement would be conducted in the third term, after taught modules are complete. You will, however, be responsible for making placement arrangements well in advance. Support will be available from the LLM teaching team as well as the University of Suffolk’s Careers and Enterprise Zone. 

Two pathways are anticipated: (a) University of Suffolk research assistant placements for those considering a PhD; and (b) self-initiated placements in relevant organisations in the criminal justice system. Existing professionals will be able to conduct placements with their employers if they choose.  

The module is assessed by means of a placement report, requiring scholarly and personal reflection on the placement, as well as a career development portfolio that audits the development of your professional skills, behaviours and competencies, as well as your development needs following your postgraduate study.  

Please note that the work placement would be conducted instead of the independent project.