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Taught in French, this module covers the French legal system and French public law.
MODULE SUMMARY:
The module starts with an introduction to the French Legal System followed by a French Public Law course.
AIMS OF THE MODULE:
The module is designed to introduce students to the basic principles of the French legal system before examining core issues and key developments of French Constitutional Law.
It presents the courts’ structure, the main sources of legal norms and a “French way” of approaching legal problems.
In term 2, the module moves on to more substantive issues of public law. You will study the various modes of constitutional review, the review of compatibility of national norms with international Treaties, the role of the Constitutional Council, the balance of powers between Parliament, Government and the French President.
Pedagogically, the module also aims to train you in the two main types of exercises on which you will be assessed in your main subjects in France: the case-note (commentaire d’arrêt) and the dissertation.
While the fully pledged case-note (commentaire d’arrêt) will only be explained in year 2, you will from year one, learn how to compose case summaries (“fiches d’arrêt”) which will help you understand French cases and allow you to build up your written legal skills.
MODULE STRUCTURE:
The module will entail two-hour weekly tutorials, complemented by a few methodological sessions in term one and weekly lectures in term two. Advance reading of documents (available on Moodle) will be expected.
A list of books for further reading will be made available at the top of the Moodle page but the seminar will follow the structure displayed on the relevant handout.
Teaching, oral and written participation (including assessment) will be in French.
Full module information is available in the UCL Module Catalogue.
Eligibility: This module is compulsory for Year 1 UCL Law with French Law students. This module is taught and assessed in the target language. Students from other UCL departments or UoL institutions must first successfully pass a language interview for entry onto this module.
Students outside of the UCL Faculty of Laws should consult the registration instructions on our website.