Law & Policing

The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is ten, far lower than many other countries. We examine child defendants and ask whether they should be held criminally liable and discuss the reasons why we should or should not hold children criminally responsible. We’ll also consider the criminal defence of duress and decide if it needs extending.

What, why and how? Policing has changed significantly in the last few decades. Police agencies now seek to continually improve, refine and review their guidelines, policies, practices and interventions with the public, based on the best evidence from available research. We look at how and why evidence-based policing works. Linked modules • Pearson-Research Skills in the Uniformed Protective Services

Students discover how footmarks and fingerprints contribute to the identification of a suspect Linked modules • Pearson-Criminal Investigation Procedures and Practice

Guided by staff and students working in our Law Clinic, you learn about essential interviewing skills and have the opportunity to practice them in mock interviews. We can deliver this activity in our Law Clinic.

What's wrong with judicial precedent? A deeper look into the pitfalls of judicial decision-making Linked modules • AQA-The nature of law and the English legal system • Cambridgeint-Principles and sources of English law • Pearson-Research Skills in the Uniformed Protective Services

Take a tour of mental condition defences to see how criminal law deals with offenders who are mentally ill. Linked modules • Cambridgeint-General defences and remedies • OCR-The legal system and criminal Law • Pearson-Police Powers and the Law

We explore some controversial cases of negligence in law. Linked modules • AQA-Tort • Cambridge Int-The tort of negligence • Cambridgeint-Torts affecting the person • OCR-Law making and the law of tort • WJEC-The Law of Tort

Why can't we consent to certain types of harm? This interactive debate allows students to explore what we can and cannot consent to. Linked modules • AQA-Criminal law • Pearson-Police Powers and the Law

Students examine a selection of key provisions within the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. Linked modules • Pearson-Police Powers and the Law

Students are introduced to the PEACE model of police interviewing Linked modules • Pearson-Criminal Investigation Procedures and Practice

What are police powers, and how crucial is it that are exercised correctly? Linked modules • Pearson-Police Powers and the Law

You are shipwrecked sailors with no prospect of rescue. The cabin boy, who is extremely weak, is the lowest ranking among you, and you are all starving. What will you do?  Building on the landmark decision in Dudley and Stephens, we take you on a guided tour of legal moralism, autonomy and approaches to the sanctity of life within the law. WARNING: this session might become gruesome! 

Witnesses are a vital part of the investigative process, but can their evidence be relied on? We explore how perception can affect recall, the impact it can have on an investigation and how we can attempt to deal with it to achieve the best evidence. Linked modules • Pearson-Criminal Investigation Procedures and Practice

Students examine the golden hour - the period immediately following a crime when there are the most opportunities for protecting, preserving and gathering evidence.  Linked modules • Pearson-Criminal Investigation Procedures and Practice

How does psychology influence the investigation and prosecution of domestic abuse cases? And how can we apply the learning of psychologists to understand the decision making of the jury in a courtroom?

Students are asked to examine why we have the rule of law, and whether it is necessary to have a written constitution Linked modules • AQA-Human Rights • OCR-The nature of law and Human rights