This module aims at enabling the trainees to get general knowledge and basic skills in the functioning of common law and civil law legal systems; in International judicial proceedings; in principles of the East African community (EAC) and  judicial procedures before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ); and in legal research methods.

It intends to achieve the following learning outcomes:

1) Knowledge of common law and civil law features and ability to differentiate both  legal families;

2) Ability to distinguish aspects of common law and civil law in judicial proceedings at national and International level;

3) Understanding of constitutional principles in East African Community (EAC) and judicial procedures before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ);

4) Knowledge of different sources of legal information and different processes of doing legal research;

5) Awareness  of what materials are available online, where to find them, and what materials are only available in print form and how  to find them.







1. Advanced Legal Research Methods

This Unit introduces trainees to different sources of legal information, different processes of doing legal research. It allows them to understand the differences between the main types of online research tools; and the differences between those tools developed specifically for law, and those for general use. It exposes trainees to what materials are available online, and where to find them, as well as materials available in print form, and how  to find them. It also helps trainees to identify and exploit relevant legal information.

2. General Principles of Civil Law

This Unit introduces trainees to general features of the Civil Law legal tradition and compare them with related notions in Common law. Those features include Sources of Law, Codification, Case law/Jurisprudence, Legal reasoning, features in substantive law (contract law), and features in procedural law (civil procedure).

3.General Principles of Common Law

This unit introduces trainees to different features of the common law legal tradition. These include the procedural language of the court process; legislation and judicial precedents as sources of law in Common law; the use of judicial precedents; the role of the Common Law Judge; burden, standard of proof and presumptions; and evidence and its production.

 

4. International Judicial Proceedings

This unit introduces trainees to different types of International courts, their rules of procedure, and their relationship with national jurisdictions. It also distinguishes aspects of common law and civil law in International criminal proceedings and highlights aspects of contention between common law and civil law within Proceedings at the International Court of Justice.

 

5. Constitutional Principles and Judicial Procedures in EAC

This unit introduces trainees to constitutional principles in East African Community (EAC) and judicial procedures before the East African Court of Justice (EACJ). Aspects covered include Organs and Institutions of the EAC, Operational Principles of the EAC, adjudication of claims for violation of EAC Law and rules and procedures before the East African Court of Justice.