LAW1091: UK CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

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• To provide a general understanding of the basic institutions, concepts and principles relating to the constitution of the United Kingdom.

• (1) The nature of the UK Constitution (including introduction to constitutionalism; sources, especially constitutional conventions; structures of government including devolution; comparisons; development and reform; (2) The Rule of Law, including case study on prerogative powers; (3) Parliamentary sovereignty including the impact of EU law; (4) Separation of powers; and judicial independence.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Students should be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of constitutional law and principles of the United Kingdom.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Students should be able to ability to apply the constitutional law of the United Kingdom and analyse and understand its development.

Key Skills:

• Students should be able to demonstrate basic analytical and writing skills, including the ability to work independently and take responsibility for their own learning.

• Lectures are used primarily to impart knowledge - and also to suggest approaches to evaluation and critical analysis;
• Tutorials will be used to develop and enhance students capacity for legal-problem solving in a particular factual situation, evaluative critical analysis and their appreciation of laws' linkage with broader fields of enquiry;
• The assignment (formative) is used both to develop problem-solving skills, the ability to engage in sustained evaluation of proposed schemes of reforms, and the ability to evaluate the law in a critical and contextual way
• The summative essay is a skills-based exercise, testing students' ability to engage in statutory interpretation, as well as applying the legal principles governing parliamentary sovereignty (topic 3 under Content, above).
• The examination questions will provide the means for students to demonstrate the acquisition of subject knowledge (topics 1, 2 and 4) and test their ability to make coherent, critical arguments evaluating different aspects of the UK constitution in a contextual manner.

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