Constitutional Law

Module title	Constitutional Law
Module code	LAW1027C
Academic year	2024/5
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Elif Ceylan Ozsoy (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	170

Module description

The constitution of the UK is extremely dynamic and developing incrementally through changes in relationships with Europe, devolution to Scotland, Wales and the regions. This module will help you to analyse and challenge some of the basic tenets of the constitution of the UK. Examining developments in judicial review will enable you to understand the relationship between judges and the government and the impact of this relationship on both the law and the state. This module will also equip you with a thorough understanding of the key features of the European Union, its legal order, how it applies domestically, and the legal impacts of Brexit. This module will further help you develop your analytical skills and your ability to understand the role of public law, which, although complex and technical, allows for exciting discussion on issues which are both current and shifting.

This module is one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge required by the Bar Standards Board and it is therefore compulsory for all who wish to progress onto the vocational stage of training to become a barrister. Students interested in becoming solicitors under the Solicitors Qualifying Examination route should also take this module. The module is available to students on interdisciplinary pathways and Flexible Combined Honours students.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to enable you to develop:

an understanding of the concepts, traditions and principles underpinning the constitution of the UK;
an understanding of the main recent reforms of the United Kingdom constitution, especially in relation to devolution, the Constitutional Reform Act 2005;
an understanding of the nature, basis and continuing development of judicial review in the United Kingdom;
an understanding of the concepts and principles of human rights law as they apply to public and European Law;
an understanding of the application of European law;
an ability to analyse the links between public and European law and the exercise of political and judicial power;
an ability to begin to use, analyse and critique materials and texts; and
an ability to articulate and discuss issues, as well as construct arguments, relating to public and European law in their social and political context.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. demonstrate sound knowledge of public and European Union law and a range of major concepts, principles and values relevant to their application;
2. identify and discuss the application of public and European Union law within their social and political context.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

3. select and present in a coherent way, relevant law and legal or theoretical concepts in the construction of an effective argument;
4. explain and apply legal concepts and their contextual, social and political implications.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. identify, retrieve and efficiently use a range of primary and secondary resources with some guidance;
6. demonstrate effective and accurate written communication skills in a manner appropriate to the discipline/different contexts;
7. demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a given time frame to construct an effective and persuasive written argument.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

The concept of constitutionalism
The history, concepts, traditions and principles of the constitution
Constitutional conventions
The Crown and government
Parliamentary supremacy
The rule of law and the separation of powers
Judicial review
Public inquiries
Devolution
Institutional structure, decision-making procedures, and legislative process of the EU
Sources of EU law
Principles of supremacy and direct effect
Enforcement of EU law against member states
References for preliminary rulings
Aspects of the single market
Legal ramifications of Brexit

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
26.5	123.5	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	15	10 x 1.5-hour synchronous lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	7.5	5 x 1.5 teacher-led seminars
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	4	Essay-writing workshops
Guided Independent Study	64.5	Preparation for scheduled learning and teaching sessions, including pre-reading and the completion of learning activities. Individual reading
Guided Independent Study	5	5 x 1-hour peer-led firm meetings
Guided Independent Study	54	Assessment preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Individual poster presentation	5 mins (600 words)	1-7	Immediate feedback from tutors and peers.

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	100	2,000 words	1-7	Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available. General comments given in a lecture or on ELE.
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Essay	Essay (2,000 words)	1-7	August/September reassessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Dennett, A (2019) Public Law Directions (Oxford University Press)

Stanton, J and Prescott, C (2018) Public Law (Oxford University Press)

Elliott, M and Thomas, R (2017) Public Law (Oxford University Press)

Le Sueur, A., Sunkin, M. and Kushal Murkens, J.E. (2019) Public Law Text, Cases and Materials (4^th Edn, Oxford University Press)

Loveland, I. (2018) Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Human Rights A Critical Introduction 8^th Edition (Oxford University Press)

Lee R.G. (2019) Blackstone's Statutes on Public Law & Human Rights 2019- 2020

Jowell, J. and O'Cinneide C. (eds.) (2019) The Changing Constitution (Oxford University Press).

Foster, N. (2019) Foster on EU Law (Oxford)

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – vle.exeter.ac.uk

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

You are expected to keep up to date with topical events. This is best done by reading newspapers such as The Times, The Guardian, The Independent or The Telegraph. You may also find recent and current editions of specialist journals, such as Public Law and Modern Law Review, which are available digitally in the Law Library, useful for this purpose.

Key words search

Public law, EU law, European law, constitutional law, administrative law

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	15
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	15
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	03/04/2018
Last revision date	18/12/2023