The foundation degree in Law provides an exciting and challenging curriculum which addresses major concepts, values, principles and rules within the legal sector, including: the English Legal System; Criminal Law, Contract, Constitutional and Administrative Law and Tort Law. Depending on the pathway you choose, you will also study aspects of business and management organisations or aspects of the theory behind criminal behaviour and the criminal justice system.
Before Christmas, the students spent a day at Exeter Combined Courts, where they were able to observe a number of hearings including: sentencing and part trials. Two external speakers (from a local Solicitor’s firm and Devon and Somerset Law Society) also came in to speak with the students, giving an invaluable insight in to qualification and the reality of practice. In January, the students will embark on a 4 day residential trip to London where they will visit: The Houses of Parliament; The Supreme Court and the Royal Courts of Justice as well as taking part in a guided walking tour of historic legal London. At the beginning of May the students will also be going on an optional trip Krakow, Poland to explore the wider culture available and to also make a day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. During the remainder of the academic year the students will be encouraged and have the opportunity to enter the ‘South Devon College School of Law Mooting’ competition. Mooting is a useful for developing legal skills of analysis and interpretation, but also personal skills of argument and public speaking. Most importantly of all, it is great fun. The scenarios to be argued could include criminal law, human rights and tort.
Our industry is growing
Analysis by the Law Society shows that:
• 8,000 new jobs are created and £379 million is added to the economy for every one per cent growth in the UK legal services sector.
• Each £1 of extra turnover in the sector stimulates £1.39 in the rest of the economy.
• Every 100 extra jobs in legal services supports a further 67 jobs.
• The sector grew by 8% from 2014 to 2015.
• An estimated 370,000 people are employed in legal services in the UK. 63% are solicitors or employed by solicitor firms.
• Growth in the legal services sector has averaged 3.3% every year for the last decade – outstripping UK economic growth rate of 1.2%.
• Net exports of legal services have grown by an average of 5.6% per annum over the last 10 years, to £3.6 billion. Look here for more information.