LW2PL2-Public Law 2

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Restricted to LLB students
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Leonid Sirota
Email: l.sirota@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Ruvi Ziegler
Email: r.ziegler@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
The module further explores the relationship between the individual and the state, and the relationship between different branches of government. It considers, firstly, the law relating to the control of governmental decision-making, known as ‘administrative’ law, and, secondly, the law relating to civil liberties and human rights, with an emphasis on the substantive law of the European Convention on Human Rights. Each of these areas of law is concerned with the ways in which individual legal rights (of different types) constrain governmental action.

Aims:
The module aims to introduce students to the essential principles of administrative law and civil liberties, and will develop a critical appreciation of these issues. It will introduce and overview the basic legal form, frameworks, and limitations, on the protection of civil liberties in the legal and constitutional system of the UK. It aims to build on the knowledge acquired in Constitutional law of UK and legal and political institutions of the Council of Europe.

Assessable learning outcomes:
On completion of the module, students will be expected to be able to:
• Appraise the extent to which administrative law underpins the working of the legal system and its importance for the enactment, enforcement, and application of laws
• Demonstrate an ability to set the administrative law content of the module in a political and theoretical context
• Discuss the underlying principles and doctrines governing judicial review
• Demonstrate a solid understanding of scope and importance of the different forms of protection of civil liberties in the UK
• Critically analyse the legal topics examined.

Additional outcomes:
These outcomes are in addition to those listed in the School's ‘core skills statement’.

Outline content:
The topics will include the following:
• Grounds, theories, constitutional foundations and remedies of judicial review
• Locus standi
• The public/private divide
• Proportionality analysis
• Structure of the ECHR
• Substantive law of the ECHR
• ‘Common law’ freedoms, e.g. public order legislation and PACE

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
There will be 30 lectures over two terms; detailed handouts and/or power point slides with an indication of required and additional reading will be provided for every lecture topic. There will be six tutorials across the Autumn and Spring terms.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	15	15
Tutorials	3	3
Guided independent study:	82	82
Total hours by term	100	100
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

8-hour online exam

A written assignment comprised of answers to 3 questions from a choice (including at least 1 question on Administrative Law, and at least 1 question on Civil Liberties), up to 1250 words each.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:
Students will write one non-assessed essay (up to 3 pages) on a question provided to them in the Autumn term; the essay will be submitted in the first tutorial in the Spring term, marked and returned to the students by their tutors.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:
See School Guide (Programme Assessment)

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 26 October 2023