Law is an essential tool for ensuring relative stability, peace and order in society, for regulating interpersonal behaviour and expectations and for defining public and private rights.  The study of law not only assists students who wish to embark on further study and training for entry into the legal profession, but also address the needs of other persons engaged in occupations which require some knowledge of the law, such as law clerks, paralegals, administrators, managers, the police and other public officers.  It also serves to inform persons of their rights and obligations, and to inculcate in students positive values, which are necessary in any civilised society.

This course in law at the Advanced Proficiency level, provides the bases and scope for promoting a sound knowledge and understanding of legal principles and the role of law in the society, particularly in the evolving and developing Caribbean states.  It also facilitates movement by students into professional and other law related programmes.  Moreover, in order to motivate students, emphasis is placed on providing an exciting, challenging and intellectually stimulating framework for them to engage in the study of law as a discrete discipline and an important tool of social engineering.

This syllabus seeks to develop knowledge and understanding of critical legal concepts, as well as, analytical, functional and problem-solving skills, and the ability to synthesise and evaluate legal materials.  It also seeks to promote an awareness and appreciation of the role and mechanisms of law, in the resolution of disputes whether by:

• The courts (civil or criminal);
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) such as arbitration, mediation, conciliation; or
• Tribunals.

The syllabus aims to:

• promote knowledge and understanding of legal principles;
• develop knowledge and understanding of selected areas of law in the Commonwealth Caribbean;
• develop techniques of legal reasoning and the ability to analyse and solve legal problems, with reference to the recognised sources of law;
• develop an appreciation of the role of law in society;
• promote respect for the Rule of Law and legal institutions in society;
• promote a critical awareness of the process of developing Caribbean jurisprudence;
• encourage an awareness of the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined I the constitutions of Common wealth Caribbean states and the methods of their enforcement;
• provide an awareness of the individual’s right to proper state administration.

The syllabus is arranged into two Units.  Each Unit consists of three Modules, each Module requiring 50 contact hours.

Unit 1: Public Law

• Module 1: Caribbean Legal Systems
• Module 2: Principles of Public Law
• Module 3: Criminal Law

Unit 2: Private Law

• Module 1: Tort
• Module 2: Law of Contract
• Module 3: Real Property