What Is Qualifying Law Degree?
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A Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) is essential for anyone aspiring to become a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales. To meet the requirements set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Bar Standards Board (BSB), your LLB must cover seven foundational modules. These modules provide a comprehensive understanding of the legal system and equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary for legal practice.
Contract Law
Contract Law is a fundamental module that introduces the principles of contracts in both common law and equity. This module helps you understand how these principles are applied to agreements, ensuring you can navigate the complexities of contractual obligations, rights, and remedies. Topics covered typically include the formation of contracts, terms, performance, breach, and remedies for breach. Studying Contract Law equips you with the ability to analyse and draft agreements, a crucial skill for any legal professional.
Criminal Law
Criminal Law examines the general principles of criminal liability, focusing on various offences against persons and property. This module covers key topics such as fatal and non-fatal offences (e.g. murder, manslaughter, assault), property crimes (e.g. theft, burglary), attempts, secondary liability, and defences. Understanding Criminal Law is essential for those interested in criminal litigation or public prosecution, as it provides the foundation for prosecuting and defending criminal cases.
Equity and Trusts
The Equity and Trusts module deals with the rules and principles governing the creation and operation of trusts. Trusts are a unique method of holding and managing property, often used in estate planning, charitable organisations, and investment. This module covers topics such as the creation of trusts, the duties and powers of trustees, beneficiaries' rights, and remedies for breach of trust. Knowledge of Equity and Trusts is vital for those planning to specialise in private client work, estate planning, or fiduciary management.
EU Law
EU Law is particularly appealing to students interested in public law, international relations, and the legal framework governing the European Union. This module explores the institutions of the EU, the legislative process, and the impact of EU law on member states. Key areas of study include the four freedoms (goods, services, capital, and persons), competition law, and human rights within the EU context. Despite Brexit, understanding EU Law remains important due to ongoing legal, political, and economic interactions between the UK and the EU.
Property Law (Land Law)
Property Law, often referred to as Land Law, centres on the various interests that can exist in land and the principles governing their creation, transfer, and extinction. This module covers key topics such as freehold and leasehold estates, easements, covenants, mortgages, and adverse possession. Studying Property Law is crucial for those interested in real estate, conveyancing, and property development, as it provides the legal framework for land transactions and property rights.
Public Law
Public Law trains students to analyse key issues governing the relationship between citizens and the state, including sovereignty, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. This module covers constitutional law, administrative law, and human rights law. Topics include the structure and powers of government institutions, judicial review, and the protection of individual rights. Understanding Public Law is essential for those pursuing careers in public service, human rights advocacy, or governmental affairs.
Tort Law
Tort Law introduces students to the principles of tort liability, including damage, fault, and vicarious liability. This module covers various torts such as negligence, nuisance, defamation, and trespass. Key concepts include duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Studying Tort Law is fundamental for understanding how the law provides remedies for civil wrongs and is crucial for those interested in personal injury, medical malpractice, or general civil litigation.
A Qualifying Law Degree is structured to provide a thorough grounding in the core areas of law, ensuring that graduates have the knowledge and skills required for legal practice. The seven foundational modules—Contract Law, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts, EU Law, Property Law, Public Law, and Tort Law—cover the essential legal principles and prepare students for the complexities of legal practice. By successfully completing these modules, law students are well-equipped to pursue their careers as solicitors or barristers, or to explore other legal and related professions.
Contract Law
Contract Law is a fundamental module that introduces the principles of contracts in both common law and equity. This module helps you understand how these principles are applied to agreements, ensuring you can navigate the complexities of contractual obligations, rights, and remedies. Topics covered typically include the formation of contracts, terms, performance, breach, and remedies for breach. Studying Contract Law equips you with the ability to analyse and draft agreements, a crucial skill for any legal professional.
Criminal Law
Criminal Law examines the general principles of criminal liability, focusing on various offences against persons and property. This module covers key topics such as fatal and non-fatal offences (e.g. murder, manslaughter, assault), property crimes (e.g. theft, burglary), attempts, secondary liability, and defences. Understanding Criminal Law is essential for those interested in criminal litigation or public prosecution, as it provides the foundation for prosecuting and defending criminal cases.
Equity and Trusts
The Equity and Trusts module deals with the rules and principles governing the creation and operation of trusts. Trusts are a unique method of holding and managing property, often used in estate planning, charitable organisations, and investment. This module covers topics such as the creation of trusts, the duties and powers of trustees, beneficiaries' rights, and remedies for breach of trust. Knowledge of Equity and Trusts is vital for those planning to specialise in private client work, estate planning, or fiduciary management.
EU Law
EU Law is particularly appealing to students interested in public law, international relations, and the legal framework governing the European Union. This module explores the institutions of the EU, the legislative process, and the impact of EU law on member states. Key areas of study include the four freedoms (goods, services, capital, and persons), competition law, and human rights within the EU context. Despite Brexit, understanding EU Law remains important due to ongoing legal, political, and economic interactions between the UK and the EU.
Property Law (Land Law)
Property Law, often referred to as Land Law, centres on the various interests that can exist in land and the principles governing their creation, transfer, and extinction. This module covers key topics such as freehold and leasehold estates, easements, covenants, mortgages, and adverse possession. Studying Property Law is crucial for those interested in real estate, conveyancing, and property development, as it provides the legal framework for land transactions and property rights.
Public Law
Public Law trains students to analyse key issues governing the relationship between citizens and the state, including sovereignty, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. This module covers constitutional law, administrative law, and human rights law. Topics include the structure and powers of government institutions, judicial review, and the protection of individual rights. Understanding Public Law is essential for those pursuing careers in public service, human rights advocacy, or governmental affairs.
Tort Law
Tort Law introduces students to the principles of tort liability, including damage, fault, and vicarious liability. This module covers various torts such as negligence, nuisance, defamation, and trespass. Key concepts include duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Studying Tort Law is fundamental for understanding how the law provides remedies for civil wrongs and is crucial for those interested in personal injury, medical malpractice, or general civil litigation.
A Qualifying Law Degree is structured to provide a thorough grounding in the core areas of law, ensuring that graduates have the knowledge and skills required for legal practice. The seven foundational modules—Contract Law, Criminal Law, Equity and Trusts, EU Law, Property Law, Public Law, and Tort Law—cover the essential legal principles and prepare students for the complexities of legal practice. By successfully completing these modules, law students are well-equipped to pursue their careers as solicitors or barristers, or to explore other legal and related professions.
