12. Negotiation and mediation

This chapter provides guidance as to how to conduct a negotiation and a mediation, and explains the difference between the two. It explains how, why, and when a law student might require these skills, and how to further develop the skills for professional practice. Advice is given about how to prepare a negotiation plan.

2. Legal systems and sources of law

This chapter focuses on the sources of law in England & Wales, and is organised as follows. Section 2.1 describes the key jurisdictions relevant to lawyers in England and Wales. Section 2.2 deals with the issue of where the law comes from: sources of law. Section 2.3 reviews the development of the two ‘traditional’ sources of law in England and Wales: case law and statutes. Sections 2.4 and 2.5 consider the status and operation of EU and international law, including the potential effect of Brexit. Section 2.7 goes on to discuss public and private law, common law, and civil law, and other classifications used by lawyers. This is followed by a discussion of legal systems and their cultures across the world.

7. Reading cases and legislation

This chapter describes techniques for reading and understanding law, discussing the practicalities of reading in academia and in practice; sources of law; statutes; statutory instruments; case law; and EU law.

3. The court system of England & Wales

This chapter outlines the court system of England & Wales, first explaining key themes and concepts that are essential for understanding the structure and mechanics of the English courts. It then discusses the criminal courts and civil courts of England and Wales; other courts and forums that have significance in the English legal system, such as the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice, but are not part of the English court system; and alternatives to litigation (alternative dispute resolution, arbitration, Ombudsmen, and negotiation).

18. Businesses and the business environment

This chapter discusses the following: the importance of commercial awareness; the main types of business structure, their organisation, and management; the different markets, sectors, and industries in which businesses operate, and the role of consumers within these markets; supply chains from business to consumer; and the impact of competition within different markets.

16. CVs, applications, and interviews

This chapter covers the graduate careers employability process, looking at CVs, application forms, and interviews. Considering law firms and other graduate employers, it suggests ways of ensuring that applications and CVs best show a candidate’s knowledge, skills, and commercial awareness. It also provides guidance on approaching interviews and related selection activities, such as presentations, group work, and psychometric tests.

6. Legal services and the ethical lawyer

This chapter examines the development of the legal profession in the UK. It discusses lawyers as professionals; the importance of legal services and their regulation; the legal profession in England & Wales; the role of ethics in lawyers’ work and the changing face of the legal profession within society.

4. Legislation

This chapter begins by examining the issue of parliamentary sovereignty. It then discusses the types of legislation; the creation and enforcement of statutes; statutory interpretation; and the impact of the incorporation into English law of EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

1. Introduction to law

This chapter considers law as a concept and in its context. It examines key legal concepts such as law and morality, jurisprudence, the legitimacy of laws, the rule of law, and the separation of powers, looking at these in both theory and practice. It includes consideration of the virtue, duty, and consequentialist ethical theories, and legal theories including natural law, legal positivism, realism, and critical legal studies.

19. Essential economics and finance

This chapter focuses on the economic and financial environment, looking at the basics of economics, financial markets, and the major players within those markets. It examines the fundamentals of money and finance: what money is, how to organise and account for it, and what happens when things go wrong. It also discusses the potential political, social, and economic impact of Brexit.