Judges & Power: English Law & the Development of A Global Legal System

About

This course aims to give students a strong understanding of the development and operation of the common law, and its continuing influence both in English Law and internationally.

Examine the emergence of the common law and its continued impact in English law and internationally on subjects such as civil liberties, criminal law and international business law. This module will also explore various themes relating to the relative strengths and weaknesses of the common law as a source of law, asking questions such as: can the common law be considered a stable system of legal rules? The common law is judge made, and this module will consider the judiciary as an institution, and discuss whether it can be seen as an appropriate law-making body.

This module is an opportunity to analyse and critically discuss key concepts relating to the common law, through examining cases and documents and visiting key legal institutions in London, such as the Royal Courts of Justice and the UK Supreme Court.

It will also encourage students critically to analyse the common law as a source of law, and to consider whether the institution of the judiciary is an appropriate law-making body.

Target group

The King's College London Undergraduate Summer School is open to students who are currently, or have been, enrolled in an undergraduate degree programme. We also welcome applications from professionals who have substantial relevant experience in their chosen subject area.

Course aim

By the end of the module students will be able to:

Understand the emergence of the common law Understand the operation of the common law (for example the system of binding precedent; the concepts of ratio decidendi and obiter dicta) Situate the common law within the English legal system
Understand the impact of the common law on global legal systems Engage with and analyse primary sources of law and other materials relevant to the issues discussed during the course
Engage with and understand the challenges facing the common law as a legal system (for example whether the common law provides a stable system of legal rules; whether the judiciary is an appropriate law-making body)

Fee info