module specification

Law of the European Union I is a core LL.B. module which provides a detailed understanding of the underlying concepts of European Union Law and its topical relationship to domestic law of Member States.

It considers the law-making powers of the EU institutions; the constitutional principles of the EU; the direct effect of EU law; indirect effect and the principle of State Liability; and the key role of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in relation to preliminary references from domestic courts, enforcement actions against Member States, judicial review of EU law and its development of human rights.

The module provides a sound understanding of the key features of the EU legal order, its main institutions, the law-making processes and the legal control of administrative powers in the EU and within EU Member States.

It will provide a sound understanding of the relationship between history, politics, law and economics in the development of the EU.

The aims of the module are as follows:

1. Students will acquire knowledge of the institutions of the European Union; the constitutional principles of the EU; the direct and indirect effect of EU law; principle of State Liability; and the key role of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

2. Students will develop several key transferable skills, including independent research, critical analysis and cogent academic writing in the context of EU law, emphasising the use of primary and secondary sources.

3. Students will enhance their employability by the development both of these skills, and by the practice of written communication activities (including summative) and oral communication activities (formative only).

1. EU institutions  LO1, LO2 and LO3

2. The constitutional principles of the EU  LO1, LO2 and LO3

3. Direct effect of EU Law  LO1, LO2 and LO3

4. Indirect effect and the principle of State Liability  LO1, LO2 and LO3

5. The role of the Court of Justice of the European Union  LO1, LO2 and LO3
• The preliminary reference procedure
• Enforcement actions against defaulting Member States
• Judicial review of EU law
• The CJEU’s approach to human rights

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour seminar. 

The lecture will be used for:

• Dissemination of knowledge through an overview of each topic with detailed guidance on appropriate aspects;
• An introduction to relevant academic literature;
• Guidance on learning strategies;
• Use of WebLearn and IT resources;
• Whole group questions and discussion.

The seminar will be used for the development of skills necessary to attain the module learning outcomes through:

• Written and oral questions/answers designed to reinforce fundamental rules, principles and cases;
• A range of step-by-step analytical exercises;
• Problem solving;
• IT tasks, such as research of cases and statutes;
• Legal writing.

Blended Learning

All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on WebLearn for use in directed private study.

Student engagement will be encouraged in both lectures and seminars through weekly use of WebLearn for access to all of the above materials.

There will be required use of the professional legal databases, especially Westlaw and Lexis Library, for legal research.

Opportunities for reflective learning/pdp

Each weekly seminar will contain space for students to reflect on what they have learnt in relation to the overall syllabus. There will be frequent feedback opportunities structured into the timetable and a range of sample answers posted onto WebLearn.

Students’ Study Responsibilities

The need for attendance, punctuality, preparation and engagement will be emphasised with particular reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, team-work, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject.

On successful completion of this module, the students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the institutions of the European Union; the constitutional principles of the EU; the direct and indirect effect of EU law; principle of State Liability; and the key role of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

2. Demonstrate the ability critically to discuss case study problems relating to the topics covered in the syllabus.

3. Demonstrate the ability to write critical, discursive essays relating to the topics covered in the syllabus.

Coursework (2,000 words maximum)

This will assess the ability cogently to discuss and critically analyse legal case studies and/or contemporary legal issues within the context of the law of the European Union.

The link to the Talis reading list will be provided when the module is due to start running.