Constitutional Law

RATIONALE
This module examines the main components of the constitutional and human rights dimensions of public law in England and Wales. Students will engage critically with the nature of the British constitution and the function of constitutional principles in balancing the relationship between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. Students will be able assess the significance of human rights in constitutional law, with due reference to the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998. Public law is multi-faceted and students will engage with a range of issues to include the relationship between the individual and the state, devolution within the United Kingdom and the role of the courts. Students will be equipped to interpret and understand key constitutional statutes and cases and engage critically with a significant body of academic legal discourse. 

AIMS
Through the completion of this module students will:
●    Understand the nature and basis of the unwritten constitution.
●    Understand key constitutional concepts including parliamentary sovereignty and the separation of powers.
●    Outline the sources and key concepts of the UK’s constitutional system, including the role of human rights.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
1.    Define and discuss the purpose of a constitution and its relevance in the UK.
2.    Discuss the concepts and principles of constitutional law in the United Kingdom. 
3.    Analyse theoretical perspectives on central issues in public law. 
4.    Critically examine the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on the relationship between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.