Criminal law is one of the most popular areas of practice for solicitors and barristers. A legal practitioner is involved from the very start of a case, interviewing the client, analysing the facts, researching legal issues, advising the client, preparing a case, , right through to its hearing in the court(s), and to a final sentence or acquittal.
A thorough knowledge of the principles of criminal litigation, evidence and sentencing are essential for legal practice while skills such as case analysis, legal research, drafting and criminal advocacy are used in varying degrees by solicitors and barristers alike. The City Law School specialises in the criminal litigation field with an Advanced Criminal Litigation option, a forthcoming Fraud option and an LLM in Crimininal Litigation. All have a highly practical focus on litigation, evidence and sentencing, designed for those intending to practice in criminal law but who need an awareness of the most recent developments within a fast-changing area of law. An intimate knowledge of the structures of the English judicial system and the several stages of the lawyer’s involvement in the complicated criminal law process is essential to his or her success..