Legal Methods Ii

1. Explain various sources of law
2. Differentiate between statutory and judicial materials
3. Use source materials effectively
4. Report and cite cases accurately
5. Write legal letters
6. Explain different styles of essay writing

13 weeks, about 52 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1:

   • Unit 1: Sources of Law · 4 hours

     Study the definition of 'source of law' and its various interpretations.. Identify and differentiate between primary and secondary sources of law.. Understand the roles of legislation and statutes as primary sources..

2. Week 2Module 1:

   • Unit 2: Secondary Sources of Law · 4 hours

     Explore legal textbooks, monographs, and commentaries as secondary sources.. Examine legal journals and periodicals, differentiating between foreign and local titles.. Analyze interviews, speeches, and newspaper articles as secondary sources..

3. Week 3Module 1:

   • Unit 3: Use of Source Materials · 4 hours

     Learn how to use law libraries and their resources effectively.. Understand the library catalog system and its functions.. Familiarize yourself with the organization of a law library, including acquisition and reference services..

4. Week 4Module 2:

   • Unit 1: Legal Research · 4 hours

     Understand the principles of legal research, including analyzing facts and identifying legal issues.. Learn various methods of legal research, such as using author, title, and subject approaches.. Identify and use tools of legal research, including primary and secondary source materials..

5. Week 5Module 2:

   • Unit 2: Indexing and Identification of Library Materials · 4 hours

     Learn about periodical indexes and subject indexes.. Identify different types of indexes, such as education index and science citation index.. Understand the types of library materials, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and directories..

6. Week 6Module 2:

   • Unit 3: Cases, Citation of Cases and Reports · 4 hours

     Understand the essential elements of a case report, including title, court, and judges.. Learn how to cite cases correctly.. Explore Nigerian law reports and their significance..

7. Week 7Module 2:

   • Unit 4: Methods and Approaches in Essay Writing · 4 hours

     Explore methods and approaches in essay writing, including blocked and semi-blocked styles.. Understand open and close punctuation styles.. Learn about the checklist on the form of a letter, including letter references and salutations..

8. Week 8Module 3:

   • Unit 1: Analysis and Note Taking in Legal Matters · 4 hours

     Understand the importance of analysis and note-taking in legal matters.. Learn how to analyze legal instructions and classify notes.. Explore the use of authorities in legal argument and writing..

9. Week 9Module 3:

   • Unit 2: Authoritative Elements in Books and Judicial Opinion · 4 hours

     Identify authoritative elements in legal textbooks.. Understand judicial opinions and how courts express judgments.. Explore judicial reasoning and how judges use logical reasoning in reaching decisions..

10. Week 10Module 3:

    • Unit 3: Application of Legal Rules in Social Matters · 4 hours

      Understand how legal rules are applied to social matters.. Explore Roscoe Pound's social engineering doctrine.. Learn about the division of topics into chapters, sections, and subsections..

11. Week 11Module 3:

    • Unit 4: The Structure of Courts in the Contemporary English Legal System · 4 hours

      Explore the structure of courts in the contemporary English legal system.. Understand the jurisdiction of magistrates' courts and county courts.. Familiarize yourself with the High Court and its divisions..

12. Week 12Module 3:

    • Unit 5: The Hierarchy of the Judiciary in the English Legal System · 4 hours

      Understand the hierarchy of the judiciary in the English legal system.. Explore the different ranks of judges, including Supreme Court judges and Lords Justice of Appeal.. Learn about judges' functions, including dispute settlement and case management..

13. Week 13Revision

    • Final Revision · 4 hours

      Review all modules and units.. Practice essay writing and case citation.. Prepare for final examination..