The defining feature of this module involves being allocated to an Open Justice project where you will work collaboratively with other students under the supervision of a tutor. The Open Justice projects involve taking part in activities where you apply your academic knowledge to practical legal issues to provide members of the public with legal advice, assistance and guidance.
Due to the nature of the module’s Open Justice activities, the October 2027 presentation will be limited to 224 places, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
What you will study
During this module, you'll work in a small group on a practical activity designed to contribute to the public good. You'll also explore important themes relating to access to justice, professional identity and legal values and ethics and develop key legal, employability and personal skills.
Your Open Justice activity will involve undertaking a project to promote legal awareness and access to justice. Participation in a group project is a compulsory part of the module and forms an important part of your assessment. All the projects require collaboration in a small group and demand significant commitment and initiative. As you may be working for members of the public, you will be representing both the OU Law School and the wider University. You will be required to approach your allocated project in a professional manner, which includes giving due priority to your participation.
After you register for the module, you will be contacted by the Open Justice Centre and invited to express your preferences for particular projects. The list of projects for October 2027 will be made available ahead of registration opening in March. The Open Justice Centre will take these preferences into account, but you may not be allocated your preferred choice.
The module is divided into three blocks of work:
Block 1: Exploring pro bono
In this block, you'll consider social justice and its relationship with the rule of law, explore access to justice and pro bono, and examine why lawyers and law firms engage in pro bono. It will explore how this relates to professionalism and professional identity within the legal profession and look at how legal values and ethics can and should influence legal work. It also explores the relationship between technology and law, and considers the increasing digitisation of the courts. During this block, you will begin to think about how these issues will affect your own work during the module. You'll also undertake your own skills audit to enable you to assess both the skills you already have and those you need to develop for personal and professional growth.
Block 2: Open Justice projects
This is the longest section of the module, where you will undertake a practical project working collaboratively as part of a small group. During this block, you will develop key legal skills relevant to your project. These may include skills relating to undertaking practical legal research, legal writing, report writing, negotiation and presenting legal information. During this section of the module, you will need to be flexible and prioritise the demands of your Open Justice Project and work effectively as part of a group. You will continue to think about your skills development and the themes that were introduced in Block 1.
Block 3: Drawing it all together
In the final, shorter block of the module, you'll complete your project and relate it back to the themes you studied in Block 1. You'll complete your review of the skills you have developed throughout the module.
The main part of your assessment is at the end of the module, and it is based on a 3,000-word critical reflection of your participation in your Open Justice Project. Therefore, your full and active participation in your allocated project is essential to succeed.
You should only register on W360 if you:
are sure that you are willing to work as part of a group with your fellow students
will have the time to prioritise your participation in your allocated project
are aware that the main method of assessment is a critical reflection on your participation in your allocated Open Justice Project
are aware that although we will do our best to allocate you to your preferred project, we can’t guarantee that this will happen.
Considering studying this module as part of a law degree?
If you’re considering studying this as part of your law degree at the OU, you can find out more from the module team chairs and previous students from the recording of an online event, ‘Choosing your OU level 3 optional law module’. This is available in the Student Experience room on the Law Study home page. You’ll also be able to find out about the other optional law modules.
Entry requirements
This module is only available if you are studying a law degree (LLB).
If you are studying this module towards the Academic degree or Foundations of Legal Knowledge route as part of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB) (R81) or Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (graduate entry) (LLB) (R82), then you will need to have studied or be studying on a presentation of Trusts law (W311) before enrolling on W360.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
answer any questions you have about the Open Justice Project you are undertaking
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available. You are expected to attend these to enable you to interact with other students and effectively carry out your Open Justice activity. The Open Justice Centre will help oversee your participation in your allocated project.
Assessment
Course work includes:
3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
End-of-module assessment
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
access to all the digital textbooks on Law Trove
a week-by-week study planner
module-specific study materials
launchpad
audio and video content
assignment details and submission section
online tutorials and forums, and tutor support
various online resources.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying W360 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Justice in action starts once a year – in October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2030.