Introductory description

Brexit has profound legal and political consequences over a wide area – constitutional/institutional, trade, environment, migration, employment and social policy, banking and financial services regulation.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The syllabus will initially introduce key constitutional and institutional themes.

The past – how did Brexit come about? A critical look at the political background, what motivated the Government to call the referendum, and why did the result turn out as it did?
The present – how is Brexit being negotiated? What are the options open to the UK in the process of negotiating exit, and how are the talks with the EU managed? A key point will be a critical examination of the Miller case – who is to be responsible for ‘triggering’ Article 50, Parliament or the Executive, and how have the courts handled the litigation. Is Article 50 irreversible?
The future – what future possible arrangements might emerge? What arrangements will be put in place? What are the possibilities and what might be the implications of each of them? Implications for the future of the UK Constitution (for example on devolution/Scottish independence and parliamentary/executive powers following the Miller case) as well as the future of the EU itself will be addressed.

Then module leaders and other colleagues from the department will then be invited speak on specialist substantive themes – this selection of ‘invited’ speakers to give a range of perspectives is a deliberate and pedagogically essential part of the module design. It is anticipated that the exact selection of topics may vary from year to year depending on colleagues availability and indeed on how the Brexit negotiations proceed over the next few years, highlighting particular issues as the emerge.

Examples might include impact on areas such as -
Financial Services Regulation
Environment
Social policy and employment law
Free Movement
Refugee law and policy
Internal trade/single market
External trade
Human Rights protection

This will then form the basis for the students, in weeks 7 to 10, to participate actively in designing and delivering the learning in the module in that each student will be asked to present their chosen essay topic to the class for discussion.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Students will understand and critically evaluate the political and legal context in which the decision for the UK to leave the EU came about.
• Students will understand and critically evaluate the possible future impact on the UK and the EU, both general constitutional and institutional issues, and in selected sectors.
• Students will develop research skills enabling them to understand and respond to the uncertain future legal and political developments that will be involved in Brexit as it unfolds.
• Students will develop discussion and communication skills enabling them to present succinctly and engage in informed discussion of topics related to Brexit and its legal consequences.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Subject specific skills

No subject specific skills defined for this module.

Transferable skills

No transferable skills defined for this module.