Introduction

The one-year LLB (Hons) top up degree, building on the BTEC HND in Law, provides a thorough grounding in the key concepts and practical skills required by prospective law students and sets out the foundations for learners to gradually become professional lawyers in Sri Lanka.

The content of the BTEC HND and University of Wolverhampton LL.B top up degree has been suitably customized to educate and train Sri Lankan students to provide seamless entry to the legal profession in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the curriculum of the first two academic years, which leads to a BTEC HND in Law, is structured based on the legal system existent in Sri Lanka and the third year LLB top up degree curriculum is structured in accordance with the curriculum of the University of Wolverhampton. It is also noted that students will study core modules such as Constitutional Law, Law of Contract, Law of Tort, Family Law and Criminal Law.

The HND and LLB top can usually be completed in three years .   Students study in two broad stages with two academic years as Stage One leading to the BTEC HND and the entire third year as Stage Two which leads to the LLB top up of the University of Wolverhampton . In the 1st stage, students will study 16 modules over 4 semesters/ 2 academic years and on successful completion, will be awarded a BTEC HND in Law by Pearson UK . This qualifies the students to progress to the 2nd stage ( the 3rd academic year), the top up degree program successful completion of which will qualify students for the LLB Degree awarded by the University of Wolverhampton, UK. The third year builds upon the previous two years of study to provide students with knowledge of the legal system studied, familiarity with its institutions and procedures and an understanding of how law fits together and operates in comparable jurisdictions. Students will demonstrate progression through their studies and develop the ability to apply knowledge to problem situations and provide solutions to unresolved debates demonstrated over a wide number of legal issues.

The overall aim is that students will be able to act independently in planning and managing tasks with guidance in Core areas which they have studied and will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of IT and engage with Blended Learning and technology supported learning. A strong focus will be placed on the 3 key attributes of digital literacy, knowledge and enterprise and a focus on international and global issues. The aim is to foster the intellectual, professional and ethical development of students while also contributing to the competencies necessary for an effective career as a legal professional. This is achieved through several extra-curricular activities inter alia moot court practice, debate competitions and court visits.

University of Wolverhampton

The University of Wolverhampton has a long history of providing students with the opportunities presented by a first class education.

As a major player in the UK higher education sector, the University of Wolverhampton continues to excel in the areas that have contributed to their excellent reputation: award-winning teaching, state-of-the-art facilities, international partnerships, strong business links and innovative research.

Today’s modern University can be traced back to Wolverhampton’s Mechanics’ Institute and College of Art in the mid-1800s. These institutions, together with teacher training and health colleges that were later incorporated, developed their rich heritage and tradition of academic excellence in vocational higher education.

The University continues to be guided by its’ coat of arms’ motto ‘Innovation and Opportunity’ by widening participation in education and offering an outstanding portfolio of courses that challenge students to realise their potential. The quality of its teaching and learning was praised when the University received a commendation, the highest possible accolade, following  its most recent Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)  review in 2015.

The University’s contributions to knowledge transfer, economic development, wealth creation and social justice position it as an active, pioneering institution on a local, national and global scale.

Scope of Syllabus

Criminal Evidence	This module aims to develop a critical knowledge and understanding of the law of criminal evidence and, in particular, how it operates in practice.
	This will include examination of such fundamental principles as the burden of proof, the right to silence, the privilege against self-incrimination, legal professional privilege, identification evidence, the exclusion of improperly obtained evidence and opinion evidence.

 

Equity and Trusts	This module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles underpinning equity and trusts.
	There will be particular focus on the nature and creation of express private trusts, formality requirements, secret trusts and the administration of trusts, including the powers and duties of trustees. Study will be based around thorough analysis of the relevant case law.

 

International Trade and Finance Law	The module aims to give you a contextual understanding of how different contracts interlock to bring about an international trade transaction.
	The studies cover general principles and key topics relating to international sale of goods, international carriage of goods, cargo insurance, and payment and financing in international trade.
	The extent to which the law has to adapt legal principles to address some of the novel legal problems created by modern commercial practice is explored.

 

 

Contemporary Issues in European Law	The module provides the opportunity to examine the relationship between the European Union and national legal orders through the exploration of the principles of direct effect, supremacy of EU Law and the ability to claim damages for breaches of EU law through the doctrine of state liability.
	Emphasis will be placed on substantive aspects of the European Union, its internal market and the social dimension of European integration through scrutiny of the effectiveness of existing freedoms, rights and obligations under EU law and how they apply to individuals, business and governments both within and outside the European Union.
	Study of the free movement of goods, fiscal and non-fiscal barriers to cross-border trade, and free movement of workers will also be involved, addressing the legal framework underpinning economic migration between Member States, competition and equal treatment of men and women in employment.

 

 

Company Law	The module aims to convey the fundamental principles of company law in respect of the creation and constitution of the limited company.
	As such, the module seeks to convey the study of the conceptual formation and significance of the registered company in the context of the relevant companies’ legislation.

 

 

English Communication Skills for Law	English communication skills are vital for law students to prosper in the legal profession both as an academia and a practitioner.
	As such law students require a range of skills to be in par with the requirements of the profession.
	This module will therefore broadly cover writing, reading, listening and speaking skills required of a law student.

 

 

 

Extra-Curricular Activities

The students have the opportunity of taking part in Extra-curricular activities such as moot court practices where the students can practice the art of litigation and experience what it’s like in a real court. Also students can take part in debate competitions, essay competitions, quiz competitions and court visits.