Criminal Law Reflection: Development in Legal Research and Writing

This document presents a student's reflection on their learning journey in a Criminal Law module. It highlights the development of academic writing skills, legal research abilities, and the application of legal principles. The reflection covers the use of primary and secondary sources, including case law, statutes, books, and journal articles. The student discusses their improved ability to frame argumentative answers, analyze legal precedents, and interpret statutes. They also emphasize the importance of library resources, legal websites like Westlaw and HeinOnline, and the guidance received from tutors and lecturers. The reflection concludes with an acknowledgement of areas for future improvement in legal research and academic writing. Desklib is a platform where you can find similar solved assignments.

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Criminal Law

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Reflection
I have gained immense knowledge pertaining to writing in terms of academics during my
journey since second semester. I have also developed skills regarding legal research
accordingly such as the usage and referencing of various primary sources with reference to
cases and statutes pertaining to the subject matter of the course work. I have also gained an
insight of the module related to criminal law as per the coursework1. Additionally, the use
secondary articles for legal research and subsequent academic writing have also been learnt
by me. Such kinds of secondary sources include books, journal articles, eBooks, online
journals and newspapers with regard to the updates taking place in terms of the laws relevant
for the research. The sessions regarding the access of library has also played an important
role with reference to the usage of books and other relevant materials for the purpose of
conducting and undertaking legal research pertaining to the respective academic assignment.
I have also learnt to frame argumentative answers with regard to problem solving questions in
assignments as far as the addressing of the legal issues are concerned taking account of the
scenario provided. In such aspects, I have also learnt to analyze legal principles in terms of
precedents set by courts in their judgments and apply them in the concerned academic
assignment accordingly2. During my second semester, skills pertinent to legal research in an
incredible manner have been developed by me. I have also had hands on experience during
this time with reference to the usage of legal websites such as Westlaw and Hein online for
the purpose of the research over relevant materials pertinent to my assignments. I have also
learnt to identify the respective courts of competent jurisdiction with regard to the application
of the decision into the assignment concerned. My tutors, lecturers and professors have
provided adequate help and assistance with reference to the usage of the relevant sources in
the coursework which has played an extremely vital role in the conducting of in-depth
analysis prior to the making of a conclusion3. The various kinds of methodologies and
1 Mike McConville, ed. Research methods for law. (Edinburgh University Press 2017).
2 Christopher McCrudden, "Legal research and the social sciences." Legal Theory and the Social
Sciences. (Routledge 2017). 149-167.
3 Amy E. Sloan, Basic legal research: Tools and strategies. (Wolters Kluwer Law & Business 2018).

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approaches to be followed in terms of legal research have also been learnt by me. The
methods and rules related to the interpretation of statutes have also been learnt by me during
the second semester along with the related decisions made by the court in terms of statutory
interpretation of the concerned legislations taking account of the merits of the case in order to
provide a comprehensive solution. The analysis of the relevant provisions of the enactment or
legislation has also been learnt by me during the workshops relating to the training in terms
of legal research4. As a result, it is o served that they have played an important role with
regard to legal research and academic writing. I have also learnt about the grey areas and
loopholes pertaining to my coursework and the areas of improvement in future with regard to
writing of such kinds of assignments.
4 Stephen Elias, Legal research: How to find & understand the law. (Nolo 2015).

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Bibliography
Elias S, Legal research: How to find & understand the law. (Nolo 2015).
McConville M, ed. Research methods for law. (Edinburgh University Press 2017).
McCrudden C, "Legal research and the social sciences." Legal Theory and the Social
Sciences. (Routledge 2017). 149-167.
Sloan, A. E, Basic legal research: Tools and strategies. (Wolters Kluwer Law & Business
2018).