1. Identify, explain and evaluate key concepts and principles of Constitutional Law

Knowledge and understanding, communication

2. Use a range of established techniques to initiate and undertake analysis of information.

Analysis

3. Communicate effectively through the construction of coherent and structured arguments.

Knowledge and understanding, communication

The assessment will cover all the Learning Outcomes. It is an essay on the separation of powers, an important doctrine in Constitutional Law. The essay will involve evaluation of certain aspects of this doctrine, with analysis of relevant legislative and case law provisions. Use of academic opinion will be an important feature of the coherent and structured arguments set out in the essay.

Introduction to Constitutional Law, Nature of UK constitution, Separation of Powers, Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, Sovereignty of Parliament, Rule of Law, Royal Prerogative, Devolution.

Are you curious about how the UK is governed and the key legal principles which form the heart of our democratic system? You will be introduced to the important Public Law principle called the separation of powers. You will explore the key developments of recent decades which have shaped the 21st century UK constitution. This means that you will examine practical scenarios regarding the role of the Supreme Court, the future of the devolution settlement in three nations of the UK, and the independence of the judiciary. This module will be of interest to students who aspire to a career as a lawyer taking public law challenges against public authorities such as government departments, courts and tribunals, coroners, the police, housing authorities, schools and prisons. This career route involves advocacy on a wide range of issues which include prisoners’ rights, protest rights and climate justice. The module is also valuable in the context of student aspirations to conduct such activity with a third sector organisation. Constitutional Law is also an invaluable module for students who have their eyes set on a political career either in the UK or overseas.

Contact will include a mixture of small and larger group activities, much of it based on the principles of practice and problem-based learning. Learning will be organised into a series of sessions where students will be required to participate. Each session will be based around a problem or issue, and students will work towards a range of solutions by specifying objectives, identifying constraints, obtaining background information, applying related theory and knowledge based around the subject matter.

Large group sessions seek to establish an overview framework within which selected theories and rules of the subject matter can be more effectively developed. They will verify and consolidate knowledge and understanding and will engage in more detailed exposition of selected theories, rules and constraints.

The guided learning will incorporate a mixture of activities, some of which will require group work and electronic interaction. The learning will be facilitated by use of the VLE platform and discussions/interactions between students and the module leader.

Students will be expected to be familiar with contemporary discussions in this area of law, and to bring a range of ideas to bear on the discussions. Thus, although there will be a framework of knowledge and understanding, students will be actively, rather than passively, engaged in the process of both learning about, and increasing understanding of, the subject matter.

The module will use a blend of teaching methods to enable different styles of learning to be facilitated. The differing methods will also be a platform for the development of essential skills such as intellectual skills, communication skills and problem solving, as well as research, teamwork, negotiation, presentation, referencing, argument, judgement and appropriate use of IT.

Large Group Sessions

In this module the basic principles of Constitutional Law will be outlined in a series of whole group sessions.

Smaller Group Activities

The large group sessions will be supplemented by smaller group sessions to examine particular aspects of Constitutional Law by means of group problem solving activities. A variety of teaching and learning methods will be used to encourage and develop both individual and collaborative learning. Students will be encouraged to present argument and carry out research using electronic resources.

DIRECTED STUDY AND INDEPENDENT LEARNING:

This will consist of preparation for the work to be undertaken in the workshops and also assessment. Students will be provided with guidance in their lecture materials and via Blackboard. A significant amount of on-line guided support will be provided via Blackboard and this will include further reading, research exercises, and on-line collaboration to support workshop preparation. The independent learning activities encourage students to develop a critical understanding of the principles of Constitutional Law and provide practice in preparation for assessment.

Neil Parpworth, Constitutional and Administrative Law (12th edn, OUP 2022)

Ian Loveland, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Human Rights: A Critical Introduction (9th edn, OUP2021)

Alex Carroll, Constitutional and Administrative Law (10th edn, Pearson 2021)

The books by Neil Parpworth and Ian Loveland are available electronically on Law Trove.

Books:

John Stanton and Craig Prescott, Public Law ( 3rd edn, OUP 2022)

Hilaire Barnett, Constitutional and Administrative Law (15th edn, Routledge 2024)

Journals:

Journal articles, from journals including Public Law, will be available on one of the databases (below)

Databases:
Law Trove
Westlaw
Lexis+