Course description
COURSE INFORMATION
The LLM in Mental Health Law aims to combine in-depth study of Mental Health Law with the flexibility of distance learning study. The programme enables participants to gain specialist knowledge within a practical context whilst enhancing research skills and developing expertise in a chosen field.
Participants benefit from:
Optional Saturday study days where they attend lectures and workshops, comprehensive learning materials written by experts in the field and options which allow participants to adapt the course to suit their professional needs.
This programme commences in February each year. It offers students an opportunity to gain a Masters Degree in Mental Health Law after two years of study, or to exit the programme earlier with a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma. Participants obtain a Postgrdaute Certifiacte upon satisfactory completion of 2 core modules amounting to 60 credits. Those who successful complete 4 core modules and an option will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. The Postgraduate Diploma will take a minimum of 18 months (2 semseters) to complete.Students wishing to obtain a Masters Degree have a further six months in which to complete a researched project of between 16,000-20,000 words on a related area allowing the exploration of a particular topic to a greater degree.
What you will study
Year 1
Semester One
* Legal Research and Methodology (core module) introduces the legal system to non-law students and examines the methodology of legal study, the sources of legal knowledge and principles of legal research.
* Compulsory Civil Admission to Hospital and Guardianship (core module) examines compulsory civil admission and discharge under part II of the Mental Health Act 1983 and the process by which a patient becomes subject to guardianship and after care supervision. The module also introduces the roles and duties of key personnel in the mental health field and looks at the proposed reforms of the Mental Health Act.
Semester Two
* Mental Health Review Tribunals (core module) critically examines the Tribunal's history, constitution, duties and powers and considers all stages of the tribunal procedure from application/ reference through to final decision. It also considers the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 and how the proposed reforms of the Mental Health Act 1983 will affect this area.
* Consent to Treatment (core module) critically evaluates the rights which patients have a give or withhold consent to medical treatment at common law, under the Mental Health Act 1983 and under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the legal rights and duties of those who care for them.
Year 2
Semester One
* Consent to Treatment (continued)
* Option Upon completion of the four core modules, you will study one option, chosen from four available, enabling you to concentrate on an area of particular interest and practical relevance to you in your chosen field. You are asked to choose one optional module from the following four:
o Mental Health Law and the Elderly
o Community Care and the Law
o Mental Health Law - Children and Young Persons
o Mentally Disordered Offenders
Options may not always be available. For further information on which options are running and when they run please contact la.information@northumbria.ac.uk Semester Two
* Dissertation
The programme will be taught on a distance learning basis, with the provision of materials in the form of study packs, and lectures and workshops provided in six non-compulsory study days.
MODULE INFORMATION
Year 1 Modules
LA0174 Foundations of Law and Legal Methodology (CORE, 10 Credits)
LA0176 Compulsory Civil Admission to Hospital and Guardianship (CORE, 30 Credits)
LA0236 Hospitals and Consent to Treatment (CORE, 30 Credits)
LA0321 Mental Health Review Tribunals (CORE, 30 Credits)
Year 2 Modules
LA0181 Mental Health Law - Children and Young Persons (OPTION, 20 Credits)
LA0182 Community Care (OPTION, 20 Credits)
LA0184 Mental Health Law and the Elderly (OPTION, 20 Credits)
LA0235 Mentally Disordered Offenders (OPTION, 20 Credits)
LA0195 Project (CORE, 60 Credits)
COURSEWORK AND ASSESSMENT
Each option is assessed by way of a written researched assignment, with a maximum word limit of 4,000 words. Students wishing to gain an LLM must successfully complete a project of between 16,000-20,000 words. The preparation of the project will be supervised by tutors at the Law School.
CAREERS
The programme will be of interest to practising lawyers, psychiatrists, social workers, hospital administration and those with a general interest in Mental Health Law. It explores and develops key areas of Mental Health Law and Practice, including community care, rights and duties under the Mental Health Act and related legislation, the rights of the mentally incapacitated child and elderly client.
