LLM Programme

Module summary

The European Union is currently the most advanced example of international regional integration in the world. EU law is a fast-moving, multifaceted area, combining economic analysis and political influences. It has developed its own jurisprudential foundations and is an important legal force worldwide.

This module will explore the rapid evolution of EU Treaty reform in order to provide a sound knowledge and understanding of the institutional and constitutional law of the European Union and possible future developments in this field. The seminars will focus on the founding concepts of the EU constitutional order as revised by the Lisbon Treaty, the EU institutional setting, the system of judicial review and the complex relationship between the EU and national legal orders.
Please note that the module is not intended to be an 'apology' for the European agenda – students are strongly encouraged to adopt a critically informed approach to studying EU law.

This module is suitable both for students who are new to this field as well as those who are intent on acquiring a more in-depth critical understanding of the complex context of this subject area.

By the end of the module, you should be in a position to:

• comment and substantiate your views on the content of EU law and the institutional framework of the European Union;

• explain and critical comment upon the main features of the ‘new legal order' of the EU and its relationship to the legal systems of member states;

• critically evaluate the processes of political and administrative decision-making, legislation and adjudication within the European Union;

• predict future directions of EU law and have developed an individual reform perspective

Module syllabus

WEEK 1
The European Legal Order: Treaty reform and the development of the European project

WEEKS 2-3
The EU institutional balance: architecture, decision-making and theoretical approaches to EU integration

WEEKS 5-6-7
The EU legal order: complementary or contrasting approaches to systemic vigilance? Preliminary rulings, direct effect and centralised enforcement

WEEK 8
Managing complex legal pluralism: the relationship between the EU and Member States

WEEK 9
Judicial protection against EU Institutions

WEEK 10
Fundamental Rights in the EU - Treaty evolution and the future

Recommended materials

Damien Chalmers et al., European Union Law. Cases and Materials (Cambridge University Press, 2nd edition, 2010)

Preliminary reading

For those who have no previous knowledge of this field:
Ian Ward, A Critical Introduction to European Law (3rd ed) (CUP, 2009) - highly readable and concise account of the EU from a critical lawyer's perspective

For more advanced students:
Paul Craig, The Lisbon Treaty: Law, Politics, and Treaty Reform (OUP, 2010) – especially chapters 1-3

Other information

The module will consist of a weekly two-hour seminar. Detailed hand-outs containing each week’s topic, questions for discussion and the relevant reading list will be placed on moodle (virtual learning environment). Students are expected to familiarise themselves with the topic in advance and contribute to discussions in the seminars.

The application process for the 2013-14 academic session is open.
The deadline for applications to be received has been extended to Monday 1 July 2013

Please refer to the How to apply section for information on the application process.