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LAW-20132 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 06 April 2026

LAW-20132 - Public Law (Level 5)
Coordinator: Yossi Nehushtan Tel: +44 1782 7 33862
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733218

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

Public Law is the study of power. It is the study of the apportionment of power and of its control. In this core module we will critically consider the relationship between the citizen and the state, and between different parts of the State. We will ask some fundamental constitutional questions; who exercises what power, in what circumstances and to what ends? We also ask, and critically discuss, legal questions around review of the use of state power and the role of human rights in policing those relationships.

Aims
This module introduces key principles of UK public law: constitutional, administrative, and human rights law. It explores foundational concepts of
the UK’s constitution such as parliamentary sovereignty, the separation of powers, and the rule of law. It analyses the relationship between the
state and the individual, human rights, and the role of administrative law in controlling governmental power. This module enables you to assess
the UK’s constitution in its comparative, historical, and social context, and to use legal research and writing in approaching issues of public law to
solve public law problems.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe the principles underpinning the constitutional, administrative, and human rights law of the United Kingdom.: 1
Explain the constitutional, administrative, and human rights law of the United Kingdom in their comparative, historical, and social
contexts.: 2,3
Use legal research and writing in approaching issues of public law.: 2,3
Solve public law problems.: 3
Critically analyse current public law legislation and case law.: 2,3

Study hours

Active learning hours (total 64):
44 hours of lectures
20 hours of seminars
Independent study hours (total 236):
150 hours of preparation and consolidation for lectures and seminars.
86 hours assessment preparation: 16 for MCQ and 70 for assessments 2 & 3.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Flexible Class Test weighted 10%
Multiple choice test
A 1-hour MCQ test assessing the students' ability to describe basic constitutional principles early in the course.

2: Essay weighted 40%
Constitutional law essay
This assessment will give the students an essay title inviting them to critically explore important aspects of the UK's constitutional arrangements. It will assess content delivered in Semester 1 of the module. Word limit - 2000

3: Assignment weighted 50%
Administrative law problem
In this assignment students will be set a problem which focuses on United Kingdom Administrative Law. They will be expected to demonstrate their ability to critically apply the rules they have learnt, in order to provide advice to one or more clients as to their likely success if they were to seek legal redress. Word limit: 2500

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 06 April 2026