Course overview
This course focuses on judge-made law. Together with Legal Policy, Lawmaking and Justice, it provides students with a solid foundational understanding of legal sources and legal reasoning and introduces them to key ideas regarding the nature of law. This course introduces law and the common law, including: Philosophy and Law; The sources of law; The hierarchy of courts and the doctrine of precedent; The role of judges in developing the common law; Factors that may influence the development of common law. In addition to this content, students will also learn skills in how to find, read, and analyse cases.
Course learning outcomes
- Explain aspects of the nature and development of the common law
- Locate cases and other authoritative legal resources using online databases
- Synthesise information from legal cases to explain aspects of legal decision-making
- Discuss contemporary issues affecting how common law is made
- Present ideas though written and oral communication