Module Directory

The advanced legal research project or 'dissertation' is an independent and research-led piece of work under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Students are to undertake an individual research programme and apply appropriate methodologies on a topic within the scope of the MLaw course.

The topic will be approved by the academic supervisor and the postgraduate taught director and provides an opportunity to develop and display an extensive knowledge of the law and, drawing on applicable legislation, case law and scholarly works, to engage in critical evaluation and analysis of relevant legal issues.

The aims of this module are:

• To encourage the development of independent research, presentation and communication skills, the ability to set own goals and keep to working schedules and to facilitate in-depth and critical engagement of the legal issues in an extended formal piece of legal writing within the MLaw course.


• To develop the ability to present legal arguments and opinions in relation to the chosen topic through library research, fieldwork or other relevant study.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the legal rules, concepts, models, principles and institutions in a chosen topic and be able to systematically discuss the legal, practical and, where relevant, business context in which they operate, including their benefits, limitations and challenges.


2. Demonstrate capacity to undertake independent legal research and selecting appropriate methodologies for investigating and critically evaluating relevant legal rules, principles, models and issues using research skills and theoretical perspectives.


3. Demonstrate the ability to identify and evaluate critically large and complex amounts of legal data from more than one source, or jurisdiction, and to apply legal data to specific facts and deduce likely outcomes where the law is indeterminate.


4. Demonstrate the ability to identify, select and organise materials and produce coherent and convincing arguments and to engage in critical thinking and academic debates using persuasive, effective and appropriate written communication skills.


5. Demonstrate independent legal research and study skills, including multi-disciplinary research and use of library-based resources.

There is a common workshop provision on research methods. Students are then guided to choose a topic for their research project and so the syllabus will be determined on an individual basis for each student. The dissertation topic will be subject to approval by both the academic supervisor and the postgraduate taught director.

This module will be delivered via:

• Four weeks of the module will entail a 1-hour workshop covering advanced research skills, including advanced referencing, research design and writing skills.
• Students will be required to choose a research question by the end of week 7 and will be assigned an individual Academic Supervisor.
• Students will have supervision meetings with their Academic Supervisors throughout the autumn and spring terms and note them in the Supervision Record Form.