Artificial Intelligence and the Law (951M3)
Artificial Intelligence and the Law
Module 951M3
Module details for 2025/26.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)
Module Outline
The legal sector is undergoing a structural shift as AI moves from pilot tools to integration in platforms across courts, law firms and legal advice providers. Online courts and legal services are reframing justice around user needs and digital channels, creating new opportunities for lawyers and non-lawyers with skills in design, project implementation and governance - not just black-letter legal analysis. This module, suitable for both law and non-law students, will equip students to: (i) design credible, user-centred workflows that lower the barriers to justice services; (ii) evaluate AI use-cases against ethics, bias, confidentiality and accountability; and (iii) communicate evidence-based recommendations to courts, firms and legal advice centres. No prior understanding of law or AI is required as teaching blends theory with hands-on labs (practising prompt engineering and prototyping) alongside product demos from industry partners and live case studies, offering a close look at emerging legal-tech solutions and the range of new careers in the legal sector.
Module learning outcomes
Application and Opportunity: Explain and critically evaluate how contemporary AI systems are applied across key legal tasks (review, prediction, drafting, decision-support), identifying credible opportunity areas for value creation and improved access to justice.
Risk, Regulation and Responsibility: Analyse and apply ethical, legal, and governance frameworks to assess risks and safeguards (bias, confidentiality, accountability), reflecting on how AI reshapes professional responsibility and the standards of legal practice
Innovation, Prototyping and Communication: Design and test a responsible AI-enabled legal workflow using prompt engineering and rapid prototyping, and communicate persuasive, evidence-based recommendations on AI’s impact on legal processes, organisations, and future legal careers.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 50.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Group Presentation | T2 Week 10 (20 minutes) | 100.00% |
| Portfolio (1000 words) | Semester 2 Assessment Week 1 Mon 16:00 | 50.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Workshop | 3 hours | 00000000010 |
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 2 hours | 11111111001 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Sarah Stephens
Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/519530
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