Andrew

Criminal law raises some fascinating questions about individual responsibility, justice and social policy. Understanding why the law has developed as it has, and the sometimes competing principles behind it, is just as important as knowing the relevant cases and legislation.

My aim is to help LLB and Law conversion students explore these issues, think critically about the law and develop convincing arguments in essays and problem questions.

I have eight years' experience teaching Law, an LLB (Hons) and an LLM by research, specialising in criminal law defences. I have also published legal research in a peer-reviewed academic journal.

I would begin by discussing what you are studying, the areas you find difficult and what you want to achieve. Lessons would then be based around your university's module content, using relevant cases and practical examples to explore how legal principles work and how they should be applied.

For problem questions, we can work through the facts, identify the relevant legal issues and consider how to construct a reasoned answer. For essays, the emphasis would be on developing an argument, using legal authorities effectively and writing critically rather than simply describing the law.

My approach is to encourage discussion and questioning, rather than deliver a lecture. I want students to understand not only what the law says, but why a particular legal argument succeeds or fails.

I can also help students prepare for examinations by working through past questions and discussing how to organise answers under time constraints. Lessons would be one-to-one and adapted to the student's level, course requirements and particular difficulties.