NPA Legal Studies

Course description

This course is delivered by Billie Smith, a solicitor and Partner at MacPhee & Partners, Solicitors and Estate Agents in Oban who won ‘Rising Star of the Year' at the 2021 Scottish Legal Awards, and by an experienced Social Sciences lecturer. This course is suitable for anyone considering entering the legal profession or wanting to study Law, Social Sciences or Business when they leave school. Emphasis is given to the value of your opinion and the expression of ideas and principles.  You will develop a substantiated position with reasoned and qualified argument by developing your critical thinking skills.Crime in Society - The purpose of this Unit is to enable candidates to explain what constitutes a crime in Scotland and the main principles involved in prosecution of crime and to explore the nature of crime and its effects on the individual and the community.  Scots Law: An Introduction - The purpose of this Unit is to provide candidates with a broad knowledge and understanding of Scots Law including the sources of law and how new law is made. They will learn about the differences between the criminal law and the civil law and about the structure, jurisdiction and appeals of both the civil and the criminal courts. They will develop knowledge and understanding of the system of criminal prosecution in Scotland, about the tribunal system, and about the roles, appointments and responsibilities of the legal profession. 

Learning outcome

Successful completion of a National Progression Award may assist candidates to access full time National Certificates in a range of related areas such as Legal Services, Business Management and Human Resource Management.