Criminal Court Practice module (LW51101)

This module covers the legislative provisions for Scottish criminal procedures. This applies to procedures in both Sheriff and High Courts. There may be an opportunity for a visit to Dundee Sheriff Court to see these procedures in action.

The module covers topics such as procedural sequences, bail applications, pleas in mitigation, and appeals.

In this module you will:

• analyse the current legislative procedures in Scottish criminal courts
• take part in advocacy exercises in your lectures and tutorials
• learn about summary and solemn matters, including their procedural sequence
• understand the bail application process
• learn about intermediate diet representation in summary complaints

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

• understand current legislative provision for criminal procedure in both the Sheriff and High Courts in Scotland
• understand how to make a plea in mitigation
• have a deep knowledge of the appeal procedures which are open following conviction and sentence
• achieve practice in Criminal Court procedure through participation in advocacy exercises provided in class

Assignments / assessment

• Coursework (90%)
• Professional attributes (10%)

Teaching methods / timetable

• lectures
• tutorials
• independent study

In the first five weeks of teaching, lectures will be provided. They will be complemented by small group tutorials, including advocacy exercises, where you will be able to practice your advocacy skills.

After that, the module will concentrate on tutorials.