Year:11/12
Department:Law
Level:Part II (yr 2)
Learning Hours:150
Credit Points:15
Weight:0.5
Course Convenor:Dr B Mauthe
Status:Live
Assessment Rules
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- 50% Exam
- 25% Essay(s)
- 25% Presentation (Assessed)
Curriculum Design: Outline Syllabus
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The module will encompass Constitutional Law along with an introduction to Administrative Law and Human Rights/Civil Liberties in the UK.
1. Constitutions and constitutionalism
The nature of constitutions will be examined
2. The Limitation of Power
Theories, such as the rule of law and the separation of powers will be examined.
3. Parliament I – Sovereignty
The notion of legal sovereignty will be examined.
4. Parliament II - Parliamentarianism and Representation
The evolution of Parliament along with the nature and function of Parliament will be considered.
5. The Executive
The evolution of the executive along with the nature and function of executive power will be considered.
6. Accountability and Responsibility
The relationship between the executive and parliament will be examined.
7. Government Beyond the Centre
Devolved government, regional government and local government will be examined.
8. The Judiciary and Judicial Independence
The nature of judicial power along with the role of the judiciary will be examined.
9. Introduction to Administrative Law
The basics of judicial review will be examined.
10. Introduction to Human Rights/ Civil Liberties
Students will be introduced to the Human Rights Act 1998
Curriculum Design: Pre-requisites/Co-requisites/Exclusions
back to topEducational Aims: Subject Specific: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
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To achieve the aims listed below the course will draw upon historical, political, sociological and philosophical materials in addition to traditional legal materials such as statutes and case law.
The aim of this module is…
- to promote a critical awareness of Public Law.
- introduce students to the principle features of the UK constitutional order and the basic principles of judicial review of executive action.
- to identify rights under the Human Rights Act 1998.
- to provide an introduction to the substantive legal problems and theoretical issues of Public Law in the UK.
Educational Aims: General: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
back to top In this module students will be taught the following:
- Key features and principles of the UK constitution,
- The institutional structure of the UK constitution,
- The basic principles of judicial review
- The Human Rights Act 1998
- Apply information in a structured argument drawing upon the interdisciplinary material adopted - historical, political sociological and philosophical
- Demonstrate non-legal research skills
...
Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
back to top On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Recognise and identify the key features and principles of the UK constitution.
2. Recognise and identify the key institutions of the UK constitution.
3. Identify the key principles of judicial review.
4. Recognise and identify rights under the Human Rights Act 1998.
5. Adopt a critical perspective to UK Public Law and identify constructive suggestions for reform/modernisation.
6. Construct coherent legal arguments, orally and in writing.
7. Demonstrate legal research skill.
8. Demonstrate public speaking and debate skills through a group moot.
9. Demonstrate legal writing skills
10. Locate legal and non-legal materials in both electronic and hard copy form.
11. Demonstrate competence in the use of a range of Public Law sources (including, but not limited to books, journals, cases, statutes and electronic databases)
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Learning Outcomes: General: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
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On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- Demonstrate competence in referencing this material in their proper from.
- Be able to read, understand and analyse academic articles, cases, statutes and relevant books
- Demonstrate public speaking and debating skills.
Assessment: Details of Assessment
back to topExam - all students will be required to sit a two hour unseen exam
Essay - all students will be required to produce a 1,500 word essay on basic constitutional pinciples
Presentation (Assessed) - all students will be required to participate in a group moot in week 12 on Human Rights/Civil Liberties in the UK
Curriculum Design: Select Bibliography
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
PRIMARY SOURCES
Statutes and case law
SECONDARY SOURCES
Bamforth N. and Leyland P. (eds.) (2003) Public Law in a Multi-Layered Constitution. Oxford: Hart Publishing.
Barnett H. (2006, 6th ed.) Constitutional and Administrative Law. London: Cavendish Press Limited.
Bradley A.W. and Ewing K. (2006, 14th ed.) Constitutional and Administrative Law. London: Pearson Education Limited.
Craig, P.P. (2003, 5th ed.) Administrative Law. London: Sweet and Maxwell.
Feldman, D. (2002, 2nd ed.) Civil Liberties and Human Rights in England and Wales. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Fenwick, H. (2002, 3rd ed.) Civil Liberties. London: Routledge Cavendish.
Hoods Phillips O., Jackson P. and Leopold P. (2001, 8th ed.) O Hood Phillips and Jackson Constitutional and Administrative Law. London: Sweet and Maxwell.
Jowell J. and Oliver D. (2004, 5th ed.) The Changing Constitution. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Loughlin, M. (2004) The Idea of Public Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Loveland I. (2006, 4th ed.) Constitutional Law, Administrative Law and Human Rights. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lyon, A. (2003) Constitutional History of the United Kingdom. London: Cavendish Publishing Ltd.
McEldowney, J. (2002, 3rd ed.) Public Law. London: Sweet and Maxwell.
Oliver, D. (2003) Constitutional Reform in the UK Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Tomkins A. (2003) Public Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Turpin C. (2002, 4th ed.) British Government and the Constitution Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ward, I. (2004) The English Constitution: Myths and Realities. Oxford: Hart Publishing.
Wade W.H.R. and Forsyth C.F. (2004, 9th ed.) Administrative Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Curriculum Design: Single, Combined or Consortial Schemes to which the Module Contributes
back to topLLB (Hons)
LLB (Hons) International
LLB (Hons) European Legal Studies
LLB (Hons) Law and Criminology
