Module LAW3571: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

Department: Law

LAW3571: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW

Prerequisites

• Law of Torts (LAW1051) and Law of Contract (LAW1071) and The Individual and the State (LAW1081) and UK Constitutional Law (LAW1091).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• Building on LAW1081 in particular, this module aims to develop an advanced understanding of administrative law and the administrative state in the United Kingdom. It will focus on key issues of contemporary academic debate and/or practical significance, as well as seeking to give students a solid grounding in administrative law theory.

Content

• The module will consist of six topics in administrative law theory and practice, encompassing administrative institutions and administrative decision-making; judicial review and administrative justice; and other regimes of administrative control.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will have:
• A thorough knowledge of the major strands of administrative law theory in the United Kingdom;
• An in-depth knowledge of key topics in administrative law, including relevant theoretical, doctrinal, empirical and contextual perspectives;
• A familiarity with the relevant primary and secondary legal materials, and the dimensions of relevant academic and practical debates surrounding key issues.

• Students should be able to:
• Understand the relevance of theories about the historical and potential future development of administrative law in the United Kingdom;
• Analyse and evaluate aspects of contemporary administrative law in the light of the legal, social and political questions raised;
• Engage in informed debate concerning shortcomings in the existing law and options for reform.

• Students should be able to:
• Demonstrate an ability to understand and critically analyse primary and secondary legal sources;
• Develop expertise in conducting research into legal issues, drawing upon a variety of primary and secondary materials;
• Demonstrate an ability to explore complex issues in writing in a clear, well-structured and scholarly manner.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module will be taught through a series of twelve two-hour seminars (in groups of up to 30 students). The seminar format is intended to encourage pre-session reading and preparation followed by in depth discussion. Two seminars will be devoted to each of the six topics, with the first topic normally being devoted to administrative law theory. This is intended to allow students to develop an in-depth understanding of a range of topics in administrative law, but also to understand the connections between them;
• The module will be assessed by two, 2,500 word summative essays, plus an optional 1,500 word formative essay. This mode of assessment is intended to ensure that students meet the knowledge, analysis, research and communication skills outcomes.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One optional 1,500 word essay.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University