Module Identifier | LA37610 | ||
Module Title | REGIONAL LEGISLATURES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM | ||
Academic Year | 2001/2002 | ||
Co-ordinator | Ms Ann Sherlock | ||
Semester | Intended for use in future years | ||
Next year offered | N/A | ||
Next semester offered | N/A | ||
Other staff | Ms Ann Sherlock | ||
Co-Requisite | LA16220 or LA36220 | ||
Course delivery | Lecture | 14 Hours One two hour and two one hour lectures in weeks 1-3. Two one hour lectures in week 4 | |
Seminar | 3 Hours Three one hour seminars during the semester | ||
Assessment | Dissertation | Submission of dissertation - maximum of 4000 words required in week 12 | 80% |
Report | Short Plan of The Dissertation Required in week 7 | 20% | |
Resit assessment | Resit by submission of dissertation | ||
Professional Exemptions | Not Required for Professional Purposes |
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- explain general constitutional principles and practice regarding the division of power within states
- discuss the division of power between the various assemblies / parliaments within the UK
- discuss the role and powers of the National Assembly for Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Scottish Parliament
- discuss the way in which business and members are regulated in the different bodies
- carry out research on a legal topic
- discuss issues of particular significance in the individual bodies / jurisdictions
- evaluate the impact of devolution on the UK Constitution
Introduction to regional legislatures in the UK: Historical background; devolution in Northern Ireland 1922-1972; proposals in the 1970s; background to devolution in the 1990s.
An examination of the legislative bodies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in relation to the following:
- powers and functions
- structures within the body, with special reference to the executive and its relations with the rest of the body
- openness and transparency
- accountability
- sleaze, integrity and members' interests
- consultation with the people
- inclusivity
- sensitive issues eg language, religion etc
- the extent to which 'traditional' constitutional norms and practices are tested.
Particular emphasis will be placed on using relevant primary materials such as the relevant legislation, white papers on devolution, standing orders of the different bodies and their debates. Students might wish to consult the relevant websites in advance for a flavour of the kinds of issues which might arise:
Wales: English language website: http://www.wales.gov.uk/
Welsh language website: http://www.cymru.gov.uk/
Scotland: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/
Northern Ireland: http://www.ni-assembly.gov.uk
At present there is no single textbook which covers the course material. Students will be referred to articles in legal journals.