This module covers core issues arising in the field of European Union Law. In any one year the topics set out below may be covered.
The historical origins of the European Union and its economic and political objectives; the principal substantive provisions of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (in outline); the institutional framework of the European Union and its decision-making processes; the legal status of the law deriving from the Treaties on which the European Union is based and its relationship with the national laws of the Member States. The composition, organisation and general approach of the European Court of Justice; the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and the General Court. The following heads of jurisdiction are examined in detail: the action against Member States for infringement of their Treaty obligations; the action for annulment and the preliminary rulings procedure; general principle of EU law and human rights in the EU. The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union(This syllabus may cover some or more / less of these topics)
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of EU institutions and the substantive legal rules of EU law and the significance of social, political, economic or commercial contexts which influence them;
Critically analyse and creatively solve complex legal problems by differentiating between potential alternative conclusions, employing standard arguments in EU law, and providing supporting reasons for them.
Thoughtfully synthesise and critically evaluate a diverse range of legal source material and argument, including judicial techniques of precedent, statutory interpretation, and academic commentary and summarise the current state of doctrinal and policy debate on the matters of EU law;
Evaluate both the doctrinal coherence of EU law and the extent to which it achieves its policy objectives.
