LAW2301 : Introduction to Public Law (Graduate)
- Inactive for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Professor Colin Murray
- Owning School: Newcastle Law School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module introduces students to the underlying principles and structures of the UK Constitution. The central aims are:
1. To acquire knowledge and understanding of the general principles of Constitutional Law set within a wider context of politics, and political theory.
2. To develop critical and legal analytical skills in relation to the UK Constitution.
The module also introduces students to the law relating to the accountability of government and the rights of the citizen against the state. Topics include government accountability to parliament; human rights; and judicial review of government.
The central aims are:
(1) To understand and evaluate the protection of human rights and civil liberties in the UK, being able to situate it within the context of administrative law, politics, and constitutional theory.
(2) To explain and evaluate the nature of judicial reasoning under the HRA, as well as the parties to a HRA challenge and the possible remedies.
(3) To interpret, explain and evaluate the process of applying for judicial review, the parties to a judicial review, the grounds for judicial review, and remedies.
Outline Of Syllabus
1.Sources and characteristics of the UK constitution
2. Rule of law
3. Parliamentary supremacy
4. Separation of powers
5. Human Rights Act and European Convention on Human Rights
6. Judicial review
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Pre-recorded lectures to help provide essential background and context for topics studied |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 26 | 1:00 | 26:00 | Includes assessment feedforward, feedback and guidance |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 165:00 | 165:00 | Includes reading, seminar preparation and assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures aim to provide an overview of the background and main principles, examples of reasoning methods, and an introduction to the main controversial issues.
Seminars (small group teaching) provide the opportunity to develop oral, analytical and critical skills. Discussion is structured to consider questions which focus on key principles and problem areas. Some questions will use problem style questions, providing opportunities for group-based in-depth skills and knowledge development in relation to the application of the law to complex factual scenarios. Other questions will focus discussion around debate propositions or essay style statements. Students will also develop skills in reading and summarising key constitutional law cases. These components will provide formative practice opportunities ahead of the summative assessments. There will be five one-hour small group sessions during the semester. All seminars will be synchronous events.
Independent Study is to be divided between preparing for lectures and seminars, consolidation and revision.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 135 | 2 | A | 67 | Digital inspera - answer 2 questions from 4 |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 33 | Essay |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The summative assessment is comprised of a take-home examination (67%) and a written exercise (33%). The written exercise will be an essay requiring students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding, research skills and an ability to write with care and precision and develop an argument. The exam provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of a broad range of topics within the syllabus. They will be required to answer both a problem question and an essay question.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- LAW2301's Timetable