Introductory description

This module seeks to give a considered overview and coherent picture of the rules and principles governing the operation of government and administration in the UK

All of us are involved in one way or another with government and administration in this country, whether as students receiving education, students seeking entry into the country for purposes of study, university teachers, whose salaries come via the University Funding Council (a quango) from government, or as citizens or aliens - in themselves words of constitutional import - seeking to exercise certain rights (another constitutional word).

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 introduction of the Human Rights Act 1998, devolution for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and a Freedom of Information Act has a major significance on the United Kingdom's Constitution.
Reform of the House of Lords and the creation of a Ministry of Justice, reform of the Office of Lord Chancellor are also considered.
We also examine the impact of the European Union on UK domestic law.
The module is not and cannot be taught in a political and public affairs vacuum - the intermingling of law, politics and
society will occur throughout.
The module is not, however, a module in politics; you will be assumed to know the essentials about government and politics in the UK.
Special attention is given to judicial review and the role of the Administrative Law Court.

Learning outcomes

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

• Formulate an understanding of the main characteristics of the UK's constitution including administrative law
• Consider the role of Parliament and accountability
• Describe and assess the role of the UK's Parliament, courts and the doctrine of the separation of powers.
• Explain the main elements of public law, EU law, police powers, central and local government,
• Evaluate the role of UK sovereignty and the rule of law
• Explain the role of conventions;
• Explain and analyse administrative law including good administration
• Assess reform of the UK Constitution.

Indicative reading list

A. W. Bradley, K. D. Ewing, Christopher Knight, Constitutional and Administrative Law 16th edition, Harlow: Pearson
Publishing, 2015
Mark Elliott, Robert Thomas, Public Law, 2nd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

No subject specific skills defined for this module.

Transferable skills

No transferable skills defined for this module.