Module Content

1. Introduction to Civil Procedure – Jurisdiction.
2. Form and commencement of a civil action.
3. Writ of summons, time limitations, renewal of the writ of summons, service of the writ of summons.
4. Parties, joinder of parties, third party procedure.
5. Joinder of causes of action, consolidation of actions, discontinuance of action.
6. Appearance, default of appearance.
7. Pleadings: statement of claim, defence, counter claim, defence to counter claim and reply.
8. Default to pleading, amendment of pleadings, summons for directions.
9. Summary judgment.
10. Admissions, discovery and inspection, payment into court.
11. Applications, interim orders, orders without notice, proceedings at trial and appeals.
12. The criminal justice system, introduction to criminal procedure.
13. Investigation of an offence, arrest, search and seizure.
14. Summons and warrants, remand in custody, bail.
15. Jurisdiction of criminal courts.
16. The institution of criminal proceedings.
17. Charge: amendment, substitution and addition of charges.
18. Trial, Judgment, Sentencing & Appeals.

Teaching Methods

The module will be delivered on campus. Delivery will be organised around lectures and seminars.
The primary object of the lectures is to provide an outline of the subject matter and a framework for its understanding which students can use as a base for their independent study directed to the requirements of the seminars. This session will also include within it, in addition to traditional lecture delivery, small group discussions feeding into reporting back to whole groups, live quiz sessions and other interactive exercises, guest lecturers, relevant video or other pre-recorded material plus discussion and other learning activities as appropriate.
Seminars will take place weekly. Seminars will allow students to test their level and range of understanding and reflect formatively on areas of strength and weakness. Seminars will also develop and support general legal techniques and skills in support of legal reading, analysis, writing, drafting and note taking, legal problem-solving techniques, as well as test formative knowledge and understanding.
Summative assessment will focus on the accuracy of synoptic knowledge across the whole syllabus and evaluate legal problem-solving skills and the ability to create structured legal arguments (oral and written) that draw reasoned conclusions through factual scenarios that raise key legal issues from the syllabus. Module support materials (lecture outlines, lecture recordings, Office Mix presentations, Power-point slides, seminars questions, cases, case materials, technique and skills materials, exemplar assessments) will be located on a dedicated module virtual learning environment, which will also be used as the repository for assessment submission, student communication, and e-discussion boards.

Assessment Methods

This module is assessed through one Coursework and one Legal Brief.