Student Handbook
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Truman Bodden Law School Student Handbook STUDENT HANDBOOK ACADEMIC YEAR 2015/16 1 Truman Bodden Law School Student Handbook CONTENTS Page Welcome from the Director of the Law School 5-6 Truman Bodden Law School: Mission Statement 7 1 Introduction to the Law School 8-9 1.1 Regulations governing legal education 9 1.2 Affiliation with The University of Liverpool 9-10 1.3 Law School Staff and Contact Details 10 1.4 Support Staff Contacts and General Office Opening Times 10-11 1.5 TBLS Student Society & Committee 11 1.6 TBLS Entry Requirements 11-12 1.7 TBLS Academic Prizes 12 2 Law School and University Fees 13-14 2.1 TBLS Tuition Fees 13 2.2 University of Liverpool Registration Fees 13 2.3 Book Fees 13 2.4 Examination Fees 13 2.5 Photocopying Fees 13 2.6 Outstanding Fees 13-14 3 Important Information for Students 15-21 3.1 Penalties for late submission of assessed written submissions 15 3.2 Plagiarism and collusion 15-16 3.3 TBLS web page & University academic resources 16 3.4 University email addresses 16 3.5 Health & safety 16-17 3.6 C.I. Government policy on smoking 17 3.7 The Law Library 17-18 3.8 Student ID cards 18-19 3.9 Attendance rule 19 3.10 Suspension of studies 19-20 3.11 Return from suspension 20 3.12 Transfer between programmes 20 3.13 Withdrawal 20 3.14 Illness 20 3.15 Personal difficulties/mitigating circumstances 20-21 4 Support Services for Students: The Personal Tutor Scheme 22-23 4.1 Strategy for student support and guidance 22 4.2 Formal support and guidance structure 22 4.3 Role of the Director of Legal Studies 22 4.4 Role of the personal tutor 22-23 2 Truman Bodden Law School Student Handbook 4.5 Responsibilities of tutees 23 5 Student Matters 24-25 5.1 Getting to The Law School 24 5.2 Car parking 24 5.3 Staff-student meetings 24 5.4 Post 24 5.5 Official transcripts 24 5.6 Letters of reference/unofficial transcripts 24-25 6 The Law School Code of Practice 26-27 7 Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy 28-32 7.1 Summary teaching strategy 28 7.2 Summary assessment strategy 28-29 7.3 Summary learning strategy 29 7.4 Method of assessment 30 7.5 Written submissions and the need for originality of content 30 7.6 Written submission deadlines 30-31 7.7 Assessment appeals: all programmes 31 7.8 Examinations and progression 31-32 7.9 Weighting of results 32 8 Foundation modules, curricula and module specifications 33-40 8.1 Curriculum – Full Time Degree 33-35 8.2 Curriculum – Part Time Degree 35-39 8.3 Module specifications 39-40 9 Methods of instruction: learning and teaching 41-44 9.1 Tutorial rota 41-42 9.2 Understanding the teaching timetable 42-43 9.3 Online learning resources 43 9.4 Examinations and written submission assessments 43 9.5 Summative exam papers 43 9.6 Written assessments submission dates 44 9.7 Past exam papers 44 9.8 Dissertation option 44 10 TBLS Complaints Procedure 45-48 10.1 General principles 45-46 10.2 Informal resolution of complaints 46-47 10.3 Formal complaints process 47-48 11 TBLS Student Disciplinary Code (Non Academic) 49-57 3 Truman Bodden Law School Student Handbook Appendices 58-62 Appendix A – Staff contact details 58 Appendix B – Academic prizes 2015/2016 59 Appendix C – Teaching and Assessment Pattern 2015/2016 60-61 Appendix D – Tuition and Registration Fees 2015/2016 62 4 Truman Bodden Law School Student Handbook WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE LAW SCHOOL I would like to take this opportunity to welcome both new and returning students to the Law School for the beginning of the 2015-16 academic year. The TBLS story started in 1982 with a cast of some seven pioneering law students and a lone director. That cast has now expanded to a total enrolment of in excess of 110 students on all programmes. 2012 witnessed a milestone in the history of the Law School, with September marking the 30th anniversary of its founding. August 2012 also saw the launch of the Law School / University Alumni Association. Any graduates interested in joining the alumni association should contact the University Alumni Relations Manager, Caroline Mitchell on: [email protected] In April 2014, the law school underwent a five yearly institutional review /re-validation visit conducted by a senior team of University academics and administrators. The outcome of that visit was extremely positive, with the University agreeing to renew the affiliation between the two institutions for a further period of five years. It has also been confirmed, following this visit, that the LL.B offered by the Law School will continue to have Qualifying Law Degree status, meaning that it is a recognised degree for professional practice purposes in the UK, as it has been since 2002. A major outcome of the institutional review visit is that it has been agreed that TBLS will adopt a system of semesterisation in all modules from the beginning of the 2015- 16 academic year. This is intended to produce greater student choice in terms of optional module availability and it will also facilitate two way student transfers between TBLS and the Liverpool Law School. More information about this important teaching change is contained in the Module Information Handbook available on our website: www.lawschool.gov.ky. A pioneer in the development of the Law School in 1982 was the then Minister of Education and Cayman Islands Attorney, the Honourable Truman Bodden, OBE, after whom the law school has been named since 2012. It is entirely fitting therefore that the University of Liverpool agreed to confer an Honorary LL.D on Mr Truman Bodden at the Law School’s Graduation Ceremony held in August 2014. In attendance at the Ceremony was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, Professor Sir Howard Newby and his wife, Lady Sheila Newby, who were visiting Grand Cayman for the third time, accompanied by the University’s Public Orator, Professor Kelvin Everest. The 2015-16 academic year again expects to welcome a new first year class characterised by its diversity in terms of culture, backgrounds and experience. A large international component of the enrolment is expected, with the increasing international popularity of TBLS undoubtedly being due to its affiliation with the University of Liverpool with whom the law school enjoys an enduring and close relationship. During the course of the forthcoming academic year you will be required to study a diverse range of legal topics which will equip you well in the future, whether your career ambitions be the practice of law or otherwise. The extent of your success will necessarily correspond to the extent of your commitment to the study of law and the keenness of your desire to succeed. Take full advantage of the low lecturer-student ratio, there are few institutions, which better it in the common law world of legal education. With such ‘individual’ tuition, there can be little excuse for failure, but in the final analysis your success is up to you: conduct your research assiduously, analytically, and with an inquiring mind and be ready to call upon the experience and expertise of your lecturers whenever you encounter difficulties. In addition to their teaching and research 5 Truman Bodden Law School Student Handbook responsibilities, all academic staff have a pastoral role and participate actively in the life of the Law School as personal tutors. For more information on the Personal Tutor Scheme please consult ‘Support Services for Students’ later in this handbook. This handbook has been designed with you in mind, to give you a resource which you can keep with you throughout the year, and serves as a guide to assist you in finding answers to the myriad questions which are likely to arise during the course of your studies. This handbook is not intended, however, to be of itself a comprehensive source of information. Instead, it serves to provide general guidance and directions to where more comprehensive information can be located, typically on either the Law School website (www.gov.ky/lawschool) or the corresponding website of the University (http://www.liv.ac.uk). In addition to the contents of this handbook, all students are strongly advised to acquaint themselves thoroughly with the following Laws and Regulations and Codes early in their Law School career: The Legal Practitioners Law (2012); The Legal Practitioners (Students) Regulations (2012 Revision) as amended; The TBLS Code of Discipline and the current University of Liverpool Code of Practice on Assessment. The University’s Code of Practice and Appendices can be located at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/tqsd/code-of-practice-on-assessment/ I encourage all students to become members of the Law School Students’ Society which, through the good offices of the student committee, organises a range of fund raising activities for the Society including social functions, lectures, and an annual Students’ Society dinner. Election for a number of Executive positions within the Society as well as class representative positions will be held early in semester one and I would encourage each of you to participate by registering your vote, thereby ensuring a truly democratic student society. I hope that you find this handbook helpful. If you have any suggestions for how it might be improved, please feel free to email me ([email protected]). It remains for me to wish you a successful and fulfilling year during which it is hoped that you will develop an affinity and an enduring affection for the Law.