module specification

Constitutional Law provides a contextual introduction to some of the central areas of UK public law. It provides a detailed examination of the principles of constitutional law with particular emphasis on constitutional principles; the rule of law; the sovereignty of Parliament and the UK state post-Brexit.

The aims of this module are to provide students with a working knowledge and
understanding of constitutional law, and to develop several key transferable skills in this
context, including:

1. An understanding of the UK constitution, its unwritten nature, key UK constitutional concepts, parliamentary sovereignty and the position post-BREXIT;

2. An ability to apply legal principles to theoretical examples in order to draw
conclusions and give advice to the citizen;

3. To engage in independent research, basic analysis and academic writing, using both primary and secondary sources of law.

The different learning styles of students would be accommodated by the incorporation of a variety of assessment methods in seminars. This is in accordance with the inclusive assessment aims of the ESJ framework.

This module supports graduate opportunity and employability by giving you key knowledge of a subject by giving you a host of transferable skills, including research, critical thinking and communication.

N/A

1. Nature of Constitutions
What is a constitution?
Types, written, unwritten, others.
Why does the UK not have a codified constitution?
Sources of the UK constitution
What do constitutions seek to achieve?
Who can vote in the UK general elections?

2. THE UK State
Parliament – composition, function
Executive – composition, function, distinguished from Government, the Civil Service, the office of the Prime Minister, responsible government
Judiciary – composition, function, judicial interpretation of statutes

3. Constitutional principles in the UK constitution
The idea of the separation of powers
The rule of law
The role of constitutional Conventions
The Royal Prerogative including Miller No1 and Miller No2

4) Sovereignty of Parliament in the UK – classic ‘Dicey’; theories, acts of ‘constitutional’ significance

5) The impact of EU law and the Human Rights Act 1998 on UK Parliamentary Sovereignty (pre and post Brexit). UK Sovereignty regained post 31/1/20?

6). Presentational skills for the lawyer

All these subjects pervade each of the Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

Learning & 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;
• Oral presentation;
• Oral communication;
• Teamwork.

Blended Learning
All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on blackboard 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 Plus, 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.

Employability
Employability strategy will aim to acquaint students with a range of employment avenues both in the legal profession and in those professions into which legal qualifications and skills are transferable.

Student’s 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 basic knowledge of the key elements of, and issues relating to, constitutional law.

2. Review and discuss primary and secondary source legal materials relating to constitutional law with a view to solving practical problems.

3. Make a cogent presentation relating to aspects of constitutional law.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/A07AD4DF-32D6-4A94-C7A3-8965370AA595.html
Constitutional and Administrative Law 
by Hilaire Barnett 
16th edition, 2025

Constitutional and Administrative Law
by Neil Parpworth  
12th edition, 2025 

Public Law and the UK Supreme Court: Key Cases and Decisions
by Lewis Graham and Jenny Russell
4th edition, 2025

DATABASES
Westlaw Edge UK
Lexis+ UK