Public Law
MODULE CODE
CREDIT VALUE
Module Aims
Aim 1
This module introduces students to the concept of a constitution, the legal structure as well as processes of government, the roles, powers and limitations on the powers of state institutions. To these ends, the module considers the methods by which power is exercised and controlled within the UK (as a former member state of the European Union, which remains associated with the European Union). The module also explores the constitutional roles played by administrative law and human rights law.
Module Content
• The definition and function of a constitution, coupled with the issue of whether the UK should adopt a codified constitution.
• The constitutional structure of the UK as a sovereign state subject to devolution
• The sources of the UK constitutional system, including constitutional conventions.
• The supremacy of Parliament, including the various challenges to the traditional view of supremacy.
• The separation of powers and the rule of law.
• The pre-2020 impact of EU Law upon the Public Law of the UK and the post-2020 impact of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and related Acts of the UK Parliament, including the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018
• Judicial review, including ouster clauses, the procedure for bringing a claim and the grounds for review.
• The protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights, including the operation of the Human Rights Act 1998.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
Campus delivery will be organised around lectures and workshops. Lectures will introduce new legal ideas and concepts and build an outline of the structure of legal rules and principles. Further reading of cases and statutes in secondary and primary legal sources will consolidate and expand the breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding. Small group workshops will allow students to test their level and range of understanding and reflect formatively on areas of strength and weakness. Workshops will also develop and support general legal techniques and skills in support of legal reading, analysis, writing, drafting and note taking, legal problem solving through IRAC type techniques, as well as test formative knowledge and understanding. Summative assessment will focus on the accuracy of synoptic knowledge across the whole syllabus and evaluate legal problem solving skills and the ability to create structured legal arguments that draw reasoned conclusions through factual scenarios that raise key legal issues from the syllabus. Module support materials (lecture outlines lecture recordings, Office Mix presentations, Power-points slides, workshop questions, cases, case materials, technique and skills materials, exemplar assessments) will be located on a dedicated module virtual learning environment, which will also be used as the repository for assessment submission, student communication, and e-discussion boards.
Assessment Methods
This module is assessed through one Essay and one Written Examination.
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Compulsory
Optional
