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Level 4 Diploma in Law

The doctrine of judicial precedent: ratio decidendi, obiter dictum, distinguishing and persuasive precedent

LAW401 · An Introduction to the English Legal System — Week 3 of 16

CourseLAW401
Week3 of 16
SemesterI
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This week’s topics

The doctrine of judicial precedent: ratio decidendi, obiter dictum, distinguishing and persuasive precedent

  1. How case law is created and developed

What you will be able to do

  • 1.3 Describe how case law is created and developed.

Activity

Seminar, guided reading and a short written task: describe how case law is created and developed.

Study materials

The teaching notes, exercises and videos of this week are in the student portal. Your portal is set up as soon as you receive final acceptance, so you can open them before the semester starts.
Week 2Week 4
Course chat

Admitted students ask questions on this week’s page in the student portal: an AI assistant trained on the course answers first, and during the course’s timetabled classes Connect to your tutor brings your tutor into the chat, who may start a call if needed.

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Course plan
  • Week 1: Criminal and civil law compared
  • Week 2: Powers and aims of the criminal and civil courts
  • Week 3: The doctrine of judicial precedent: ratio decidendi, obiter…
  • Week 4: Creating legislation: green and white papers, parliamentary…
  • Week 5: Delegated legislation and its limits
  • Week 6: Judicial appointments across the court hierarchy, including…
  • Week 7: Solicitors and barristers: education and training, skills, …
  • Midterm: Midterm evaluation
  • Week 9: The jury system: selection, perceived benefits and detrimen…
  • Week 10: Access to justice: legal fees, legal aid, public and privat…
  • Week 11: Mediation, arbitration and tribunals and their limitations
  • Week 12: Applying An Introduction to the English Legal System in pra…
  • Week 13: Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing
  • Week 14: Assignment workshop: drafting, feedback and improvement
  • Week 15: Review and coursework completion
  • Final: Final assessment and submission
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