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LA-M002
Independent Research Project
This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent, in-depth research project on a topic relevant to their programme. It is designed to develop advanced research, analytical, and critical evaluation skills essential for legal scholarship and professional practice.
Students will identify a research question of significant relevance to the discipline and produce a substantial dissertation that demonstrates mastery of the subject matter. The module emphasises rigorous engagement with primary and secondary sources, enabling students to critically assess current research and advanced scholarship in the field.
Through sustained analysis, students will synthesise doctrinal principles and policy considerations, presenting a coherent and well-structured argument that reflects originality and intellectual independence. The dissertation process also fosters the ability to advance knowledge and understanding beyond existing literature, equipping students with transferable skills for future academic or professional development.
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LAA391
Intellectual Property Law
Intellectual property law aims to protect ingenuity and creativity to foster cultural, technological and commercial innovation. Through specific rights, which include patents (for inventions), copyright (for, inter alia, literary, musical, dramatic and artistic works) and trade marks, intellectual property provides the tools needed to ascertain the protectability of incorporeal assets, determine their appropriability and address acts of infringement. This module provides an overview of the key areas of intellectual property law (patents, copyright and trade marks), exploring their effects on innovation and competition through real-life scenarios that analyse cutting-edge issues in the field (from IP for artificial intelligence to fan fiction, food copyright, BitTorrent and streaming platforms, use of photographs on social media, etc.).
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LACM003
International Intellectual Property Law
This module concentrates on the international law aspects of Intellectual Property (IP). With the growing global market and continuing disparity between developed and developing countries, IP has assumed a significant role in international discourse. The module discusses the set of laws that govern the creation, protection, sharing, and use of intellectual property in the global context. Topics such as copyright, trademark, geographical indication systems, traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, patents, plant varieties and industrial designs will be explored.
IP protection is traditionally jurisdictional, yet, it has become common for IP issues to arise across jurisdictions because IP laws can vary significantly from one country to another. International IP law is the subject of treaties between nations throughout the world, therefore, the module further examines the various existing and proposed international instruments relating to intellectual property, such as the TRIPS agreement; Paris, Berne, and Madrid Conventions; etc, as well as organisations that seek to provide global IP protection by establishing international IP laws, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in the field of international IP framework.
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LACM14
International Intellectual Property Law
This module concentrates on the international law aspects of Intellectual Property (IP). With the growing global market and continuing disparity between developed and developing countries, IP has assumed a significant role in international discourse. The module discusses the set of laws that govern the creation, protection, sharing, and use of intellectual property in the global context. Topics such as copyright, trademark, geographical indication systems, traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, patents, plant varieties and industrial designs will be explored. IP protection is traditionally jurisdictional, yet, it has become common for IP issues to arise across jurisdictions because IP laws can vary significantly from one country to another. International IP law is the subject of treaties between nations throughout the world, therefore, the module further examines the various existing and proposed international instruments relating to Intellectual Property, such as the TRIPS agreement; Paris, Berne, Rome and Madrid Conventions; Marrakesh Treaty etc. There are organizations that seek to provide global IP protection by establishing international IP laws, hence, the module reviews the efforts of the World Trade Organization (WTO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in the field of international IP framework.
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LACM19
IP Law in the Context of Creative Industries
This module¿studies the impact of the fourth industrial revolution, precisely modern innovative technologies on law and regulation of intellectual property rights in the digital age.¿It¿focuses on the relationship between law, innovation and technological developments, and explores legal protection of intellectual assets created in the process of digitalisation.
In the digital age, technology has become an integral part of our daily lives and classic human-to-human interactions have transformed into human-to-machine communications. Apart from the inevitable boost in e-commerce and automatisation powered by AI, big data and computation, our dependence on digital technologies and services has increased over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst these enormous changes brought by the fourth industrial revolution, digitalisation and intellectual property become hand in hand. Indeed, creative assets and intellectual property rights might become more vulnerable to thefts or infringement risks. Hence, governments and legal authorities strive to ensure appropriate regulation and protection which in turn facilitate digitalisation and provide more opportunities for innovative activities.
The module is designed to give students a knowledge base of the legal doctrines and provisions that are applied to intangible outputs and intellectual property rights and their implications in the digitalised world. It gives an overview of the emerging technological developments and digitalisation trends and scrutinises their relationship with intellectual property rights created through transactions taking place in cyberspace.¿Upon critical evaluation of the nature and significance of intellectual property rights including¿copyrights, patents, trademarks, designs and similar rights¿in terms of technology, commercial interests and the law, the module underpins the increased importance of intangibles, such as brands, know-how and data in the digital economy. In this vein, the course sheds light on the private and public interests of businesses, enterprises, governments as well as the international community to ensure legal protection of intellectual property rights and explores national, regional (EU) and international aspects of the regulatory frameworks. The module further delves into the fundamentals of blockchain¿technology and smart contracts and their implications for the intellectual property ecosystem. Moreover, having regard to technological innovations experienced in the maritime industry and the government¿s Marine 2050 strategy, the course also looks at the intellectual property aspects of the AI-powered ships operating independently of human interaction. Finally, the module addresses intellectual property and technology disputes and their resolution.
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LALD09
Advanced Legal Drafting
This dynamic and professionally focused module enables students to explore in depth a core legal practice area of their choice. Through independent research, students will explore an untaught aspect of legal practice and produce two pieces of legal drafting:
1. A practice or guidance note tailored for legal professionals, the judiciary or other professional body that would benefit from legal guidance.
2. A guidance document for clients or laypersons that clearly explains the application of law in the chosen area.
Supervised by a nominated academic within the School of Law, students will receive structured support including feedback on their project proposal and two drafts of their work. The module is designed to refine legal drafting skills for diverse audiences, enhance research capabilities, and build transferable skills that boost legal career prospects. The module provides the opportunity for students to advance their legal writing, to deepen their understanding of a specialised practice area, and to gain valuable experience in producing impactful, authentic legal documents.
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LAND00
Legal Research and Writing
As part of the LLM Law & Legal Practice programme, students will step into the role of a legal advisor, receiving instructions from a fictional client who needs guidance on a topic not directly covered in the syllabus. Students will undertake independent legal research in the context of one of the taught areas of law, apply relevant legal principles, and draft a practical solution that helps their client achieve their goals. Students will document their research and advice in two formats: 1. An internal file note setting out the details of the research undertaken and the basis of their advice. 2. A formal letter of advice addressed to the client. The project will be supervised by a nominated supervisor within the School of Law and convened by the Module Coordinator.
