Criminal Procedure (Advanced) module (LW42026)

Learn aspects of Scottish criminal procedure. You will learn to critically analyse the development and reform of the criminal process.

You will learn some of central aspects of criminal procedure including:

• adversarial and inquisitorial procedures
• theories of the criminal process
• evidential aspects
• the accused’s ‘right’ of silence
• the jury

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• understand the role of the jury in the criminal trial
• give consideration of the accused person’s right to remain silent during questioning by the police and at the trial itself
• discuss how the courts in Scotland and elsewhere deal with cases in which the accused claims to have been ‘entrapped’ by the police into committing the crime

By the end of the module you will be able to:

• show your understanding of key aspects of the criminal process
• engage in discussion of current issues and debates relating to reform of some of these aspects
• describe the underlying role of human rights law in the criminal trial

Assignments / assessment

• Written assignment (25%)
• Exam, open book (75%)

Teaching methods / timetable

This module uses student-led seminars and independent study.

In the seminars, you will give oral presentations to the rest of your group. These presentations use questions give to you in advance of the class. They allow you to engage in discussing, analysing, and critically assessing this area of law.