Faculty of Law

FIRST YEAR

Abbreviations:
T = Weekly theoretical hours -- A =Weekly application hours -- C = Course credits

SECOND YEAR

THIRD YEAR

FOURTH YEAR

Course Descriptions in the Degree Programme

English Legal System and Method I

The concept of law, classification of the law, sources of law; including Parliament, the courts and the European Community; the structure of the court system, jurisdiction of the courts both civil and criminal, appeals in civil and criminal cases; statutory interpretation: - canons of construction and aids to interpretation; the operation of the doctrine of precedent: - theoretical foundations, and the doctrine as applied in individual courts; civil procedure.

English Legal System and Method II

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW103; LAW105; LAW107; LAW109

Introduction to the jury system; legal personnel; the judiciary, appeals; unmet legal need and funding legal advice and assistance; Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Constitutional & Administrative Law I

The nature of constitutions; the nature and sources of British Constitutional law; conventions; the sovereignty of Parliament;; European Community law and domestic law. The House of Commons; the House of Lords; Parliamentary privilege; the Royal Prerogative; The Executive; Delegated legislation; local government; the protection of fundamental human rights; civil rights and freedoms - freedom of the person; freedom of expression; freedom of assembly and association.

Constitutional & Administrative Law II

Nature, scope and sources of administrative agencies and procedure, relationship between administrative law, the rule of law, separation of powers and delegation of powers; Delegated legislation: its nature, forms, making and control thereof. Judicial review of administrative action – principles, remedies, tribunals and inquiries; parliamentary commissioner for administration and others, the legal liability of the Crown and local authorities.

Legal Philosophy I

Morality and the law; theories of punishment - discuss the advantages of each of the following theories (a) deterrence (b)incapacitation (c)rehabilitation (d)just dessert; war crimes; types of punishment; (1)community service orders (2) probation

Legal Philosophy II

Prerequisites: LAW105

Introduction to legal theory; jurisprudence; what constitutes a valid legal system; legal positivism - is there a moral justification for law; legal principles; natural law.

Legal Research and Writing I

Provides students with knowledge and skills in researching legal materials as well as undertaking legal writing on the basis of such material, in particular, students will undertake practical exercises, be shown methods of citation and manual search and electronic retrieval methods for collections of written laws and law reports, and law textbooks, journals and encyclopaedias.

Legal Research and Writing II

Prerequisites: LAW107

Students will receive instruction and practical experience in reading judicial decisions; both reported and unreported, on written constitutions, legislation and subsidiary legislation. The emphasis in this course is very much on the active participation of the student.

Communication & Study Skills I

This course takes all first year students through a review of English grammar. Students will be assisted to review some of the common problem areas of their writing such as verb/tense system, concord, sentence construction and paragraph organisation. The course will also study basic grammatical structures that shall involve teaching students to write formally correct sentences, avoiding sentence errors and using punctuation effectively.

Communication & Study Skills II

Prerequisites: LAW109

This course provides the student with a stronger grasp of the English language and helps develop and improve their legal communication. It is intended to enhance the understanding of the language. The syllabus commences with an introduction to the English language, which provides insights into development of legal English, the difficulties of the language and the key differences between British and American usage. Legal English is divided into three sections, writing, speaking and contractual English to give the student an understanding of the meaning of words and phrases, constructing letters, interviews and even events.

Criminal Law & Procedure I

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW102; LAW103; LAW106; LAW107

Crime and the criminal law; fundamental principles of criminal liability; general defences; participation in a crime; inchoate(incomplete) offences; offences against the person: unlawful homicide; non-fatal offences against the person, including sexual offences; property offences; offences against public order.

Criminal Law & Procedure II

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW102; LAW103; LAW106; LAW107; LAW201

Objects of procedure; detection of crime and arrest; the criminal courts; a prosecution; summary trial; cases proceeding to the crown court for trial; adjournments; bail and sentencing; the crown court; the youth court; appeal procedure.

Law of Contract I

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW102; LAW103; LAW106; LAW107; LAW201

Introduction; offer and acceptance; termination of offer; certainty of terms; consideration -basic principles; part payment of debts and promissory estoppel; intention to create legal relations; contractual terms; exclusion and limitation clauses; unfair contract terms act and unfair terms regulations.

Law of Contract II

Prerequisites: LAW203

Misrepresentation; Misrepresentation Act 1967; Mistake - common mistake; mutual mistake; unilateral mistake non est factum; duress; undue influence, illegality; contract in restraint of trade; discharge by frustration; discharge by agreement; performance; breach; remedies: damages, injunction restitution.

Family Law I

Prerequisites: LAW201

This course will examine marriage, dissolution of marriage, nullity of marriage, separation, legitimacy and legitimating of children, custody, guardianship, maintenance and adoption of children as provided under legislation, common law and equity and custom.

Family Law II

Prerequisites: LAW201; LAW209

The course will consider distribution of income and property between family members, and the recognition of overseas orders and decrees relating to family.

Consumer Law

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW102; LAW107; LAW108; LAW109; LAW110

Case study; Sale of Goods Act 1979 s.13 - correspondence with description; relationship between s.13 and express terms/representation; Sale of Goods Act s.14(2)as amended by the Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994; Merchantable/Satisfactory Quality, Sale of Goods Act s.14(3) – fitness for purpose; consumer remedies; acceptance of goods; damages; exclusion clauses; privity; collateral contracts; manufacturer’s guarantees; negligence; Consumer Protection Act; consumers, consumerism and consumer law; evolution and theories of consumer law - modern and post modernism; advertising control - criminal law: trade description; civil liability; advertising standards authority; nature of advertising – law and discourse.

Legal Accounting

Introduction to basic book-keeping; introduction to solicitors’ accounts; basic receipts and payments; trust money; regulatory compliance.

Introduction to European Law I

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW102; LAW107; LAW108

Part I: Evolution of the European Union - Historical Background; forms of economic integration; the European Community - foundations and principles;
Part 2: Institutional Structure and Law Making - The institutions of the communities; the law-making process;
Part 3: The Community Legal System - Community legal method; sources of community law; the supremacy of community law; using community law before national courts; Infringement actions before the European Court of Justice; actions for annulment before the European Court of Justice; references to the European Court of Justice under Art 234 EC; other proceedings before the European Court of Justice

Introduction European Law II

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW102; LAW107; LAW108; LAW205

Part 4: The Law of the Common Market: The Four Freedoms: Common Market; Free Movement of Goods - customs duties and internal taxation; quantitative restrictions; Free movement of Persons: freedom of establishment and services; free movement of capital.
Part 5: the nature of the common policies; social policy; competition policy.

Law of Torts I

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW105; LAW106; LAW201; LAW202

Historical background and general principles of liability; negligence – duty of care, standard of care; causation and remoteness of damage; nervous shock; occupiers liability; contributory negligence, damages.

Law of Torts II

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW102; LAW107; LAW108; LAW203; LAW301

Trespass to the person and Wilkinson v Downton; Trespass to land; nuisance; Rylands v Fletcher and fire; Defamation; malicious falsehood.

Land Law I

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW102; LAW107; LAW108

Introduction to the types of property rights in land; proving title and tenures and estates; legal and equitable rights in land and the 1925 legislation; the creation of equitable interests; the equitable doctrine of notice; registration of land charges (unregistered land); registration of title (registered land); requirements for a lease; obligation in leases; overview / revision.

Land Law II

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW105; LAW106; LAW301

Old - style and new - style trusts of land; the operation of new - style trusts of land; co -ownership; adverse possession and easements; restrictive covenants; mortgages

Equity and Trusts I

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW105; LAW106; LAW301

Introduction: classification of trusts and the requirements for validity of an express private trust; Express Private Trusts: the requirement of certainty; the formal requirements; the requirement for the trust to be validly constituted; the requirement for the trust to take effect within the relevant perpetuity period; the requirement for the trust to satisfy the beneficiary principle; Implied Trusts: resulting trusts; constructive trusts Express Public Trusts: charitable trusts.

Equity and Trusts II

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW105; LAW106; LAW301; LAW305

Introduction: Duties and powers of trustees/ rights of beneficiaries; duty of investment and powers to invest; power to maintain and to advance; other duties and powers. Rights of Beneficiaries: right to seek variation of the trust; right to sue trustees for breach of trust - the personal claim; right to sue accessories to breach of trust – the personal claim; right to trace trust property - the propriety claim; Trust administration: outline of relevant tax law rules.

Law of Evidence & Civil Procedure I

Prerequisites: LAW201; LAW202

General principles; pre-action, conduct of litigation; debt recovery actions; limitation; issue and service proceedings; defendant’s response; default and summary judgments; statements of case; parties; interim applications; case management;

Law of Evidence & Civil Procedure II

Prerequisites: LAW201; LAW202; LAW307 Small claims track; fast track; multi – track; disclosure; witness and expert evidence; offers and payments; trial and appeal; costs; matters arising after judgment.

Company Law I

Prerequisites:LAW101;LAW102;LAW203;LAW204;LAW207;LAW208;LAW301;LAW302

Classification of companies; registration of companies; memorandum of association; articles of association; contractual capacity; share capital; shares; loan capital.

Company Law II

Prerequisites: LAW402

Floating charges – Insolvency aspects; floating charges and transaction avoidance in insolvency; shareholders’ rights and duties; directors; directors’ duties; directors fiduciary duties; care and skill / statutory duties; minority protection; the company in liquidation.

Jurisprudence

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW102; LAW106; LAW106; 109; LAW110

Examines fundamental questions about the nature of law and the relationship of law and morality, politics, culture, tradition and custom. Analysis of law and legal system is provided around questions such as what makes law a law? Are laws rules? What is a legal right or legal obligation? The institutional concept of law and the judicial and legislative process and the law are also critically analysed; reasoning in the law with special reference to statutory interpretation, judicial administration.

Commercial Law I

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW102; LAW203; LAW204

Transfer of property; passing of risk; mistake and frustration; insolvency: the validity and effectiveness of retention of title clauses; the statutory implied terms: the right to sell; the condition of goods; duties of the parties and remedies.

Commercial Law II

Prerequisites: LAW403

Title conflicts in sale transactions; introduction to agency relationship; creation of the Agency relationship and the importance of the agent’s authority; the types of agency relationship; creation of the agency relationship; the relationship between principal and agent

Public International law I

Prerequisites: LAW101; LAW102; LAW105; LAW106

Topics will include some of the following: introduction to the nature of international law and its historical development; sources of international law; the relationship between international and municipal law; the subjects of international law.

Public International Law II

Prerequisites: LAW405

The concept of sovereignty and state recognition; state jurisdiction; the acquisition and loss of territory; state responsibility; treaties and other international legal agreements; the pacific settlement of disputes; the use of force; international institutions; human rights

Electives for Years III and IV:

Criminology

Criminology involves a study of the phenomenon of crime and will involve a consideration of the following areas: the definition and nature of crime; the justification and theories of punishment; the various schools which provide perspectives on the understanding of the aetiology of crime; the treatment of the offender and crime prevention and control.

Employment Law

The contract of employment: formation; obligation of parties, express and implied; termination and suspension of the contact and remedies for breach; restraint of trade; apprenticeship. Statute affecting employment terms in regard to formal requirements, wages, notice of termination; suspension, lay-off and redundancy; hours of work, rest days and holidays; children, young persons and women; the employment tribunal. The employer’s responsibility for the safety of employees; negligence and breach of statutory duty; health and safety at work.

Environmental Law

This course will examine in general the laws which regulate land use, water use, biodiversity, national and cultural heritage, protected areas, air and marine pollution. The course also, considers the role and effect of environmental impact reports and of environmental litigation.

Human Rights Law

Cultural, historical and judicial background; domestic protection of human rights under the common law and constitutional entrenchment; enforcement of human rights; principles of interpretation; the content of substantive rights, including the following: life, self-determination, liberty and security of the person, freedom of movement, nationality, privacy, conscience, expression, association, assembly, equality, property, employment and education, Human rights in a state of emergency

Conflict of Laws

Where a foreign element (such as nationality, place of accident) is involved in private law cases, conflicts of jurisdiction and questions as to the applicability of the foreign law may be involved. The course examines the basic principles of private international law including recognition of foreign judgments, and internal conflicts within the UK, that is, conflicts between UK law and foreign law.

Revenue Law

Studies the laws relating to direct and indirect taxation in the UK as well as Cyprus. The principal forms of direct taxation, particularly income tax, rent tax, turnover tax, property tax; value added tax and the principal forms of indirect taxation, particularly customs duty excise duty. In addition the course considers the impact of international treaties and agreements relating to taxation.

Medical Law

This course examines overlapping issues in law and medicine in medical, legal and philosophical contexts. The aim is to study a variety of problems of life, death and consent to treatment. Students are expected to argue about problems from a variety of viewpoints, including ethical argument. The issues considered will include the following: issues of life: e.g. the new reproductive technology; Medical treatment –e.g. consent to treatment; issues of death- e.g. euthanasia.

Intellectual Property Law

The introductory aspects of this course cover both industrial and intellectual property, namely: 1- patents, trade secrets, trade marks, trade names, passing off, copy rights and registered designs; 2- general survey of forms of industrial and intellectual property - need for protection; nature of protection; comparative advantages of each form of protection; 3- Copyright: International Conventions- main works protected namely unpublished works, literacy works, dramatic and musical works, sound and TV Broadcasts. Ownership of copyright: authorship, joint authorship; commission works; Assignment; Licences; Infringement of copyright –remedies for infringement & sanctions. The Press and copyright. World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) – Geneva; relevance to developing countries.

Transport Law

Provides an understanding of the laws relating to air, land and water transport in the Cyprus region. Contracts of carriage of persons and goods and statutory regulation of such contracts are examined. The course also considers the systems of licensing of carriers established in the region, and the impact of international agreements and treaties upon the transport of goods and persons.

Cyprus Law Package I

Constitution; court system; rent-lease; land law; family law; wills; work law; road traffic law

Cyprus Law Package II

Civil Law Suit- procedure law; Evidence Law; prescription law; Oaths; Explosive Material Law; Weapon Law; Media Law; Bills of Exchange Law.

Cyprus L aw Package III

Torts Law; Contract Law; Criminal Law; Criminal Court Procedure; Sale of Goods Law; Sale of Vehicles Law; Drugs Law; Antiques Law.

Cyprus L aw Package IV

Legal writing and drafting skills Cyprus L aw Package III

Research Project

Enables students to extend their research skills and their knowledge and understanding of an aspect of the law, which is of particular interest to them under the supervision of a member of staff approved by the Law Faculty Board of Studies.