Rhedir gan School of Law

20.000 Credyd neu 10.000 Credyd ECTS

Semester 1 a 2

Trefnydd: Dr John Olsson

The aim of this module is to teach the student the theory and practice of Canadian constitutional law, through the country's evolution from colony to dominion to sovereign status. Of necessity, the module will include understanding the historical development of the constitution from the period prior to the Treaties of Utrecht (1713) and Paris (1763), through to the British North America Acts of 1840 and 1867, the latter beginning the process of patriation of the constitution to Canada from Britain which occurred in 1982 when the Canada Act was passed by the UK Parliament. Case law is particularly important in this module, and students will study cases relating not only to individual rights as provided for in both the Canadian Bill of Rights and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but also to the division of powers between the federal government and the provinces. As a result of the above, the student will gain a theoretical and practical understanding of the scope of the Canadian Constitution and its unique legal position. In addition, comparisons will be made with other constitutions, notably the UK and US constitutions for the purpose of highighting issues such as the separation of powers and parliamentary sovereignty. As a result of studying this module, the student will have an appreciation of the interaction between statute law and constitutional matters, interpretation by the courts of constitutional provisions, and their supremacy in law.

Governance in the period prior to colonisation by Europeans, i.e. up to approximately 1600. Governance under French rule - 1600 to 1763. Provisions under the Royal Proclamation, 1763, especially land rights of indigenous peoples. The new constitutional arrangements of 1791, and the power of the Legislative Councils of Upper and Lower Canada. The British North America Act, 1840, re-unification of the provinces, discriminatory measures. The British North America Act 1867; a new constitutional dispensation, federal structure, provincial powers; limitations on foreign policy. Later British North America Acts; rights to expansion, minerals, land usage. The pre-patriation period - 1867-1982, and its effect on constitutional arrangements. Key cases relating to the Bill of Rights and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Post-patriation constitutional issues, including resource allocation and indigenous people's rights. Key Canadian doctrines, e.g. pith and substance, subsidiarity, double aspect, paramountcy.

ardderchog

A- to A* Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and detailed understanding of the area of law, including familiarity with relevant case law, legislation, academic debates and any recent or anticipated developments. Be able to identify all legal issues and apply relevant law. Demonstrate extensive background study as appropriate to the assessment method, using appropriate sources, including case law, legislation and academic commentary such as journal articles, law books and authoritative reports. Be well structured, including the coherent development of arguments and the use of an introduction and conclusion, and highly focused on the question asked, including the ability to determine what is relevant and the omission of superfluous information/material. Contain logically presented and defended arguments, which are based on appropriate research and legal analysis. Be completely free from substantive legal errors. Include significant elements of original interpretation, including depth of analysis and the ability to present arguments based on sound legal reasoning. Be presented to very high standards with very accurate communication, including the use of language and grammar, layout of the text, footnote referencing, bibliography and adherence to the stipulated word limit.

trothwy

D- to D+: Demonstrate a very basic knowledge and understanding of some of the key case law/legislation and principles in the area of law. Be able to identify some legal issues and apply relevant law. Demonstrate some, if only limited, evidence of background study, using appropriate case law and legislation. Attempt to present an answer on the question asked, with only some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure. Attempt to present relevant and coherent arguments, which are based on appropriate legal analysis. Not contain a large number of substantive legal errors. Demonstrate an attempt to avoid major weaknesses in presentation and accuracy, albeit with some errors in referencing, spelling and grammar, or bibliography present.

C- i C+

C-to C+: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key areas/principles in the area of law, including familiarity with the essential case law, legislation and academic debates in the area. Be able to identify the key legal issues and apply relevant law. Demonstrate some, if only limited, evidence of background study, using appropriate sources, including some relevant case law, legislation and academic commentary such as journal articles, law books and authoritative reports. Be focused on the question asked, with only some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure. Attempt to present some relevant and logical arguments. Not contain a large number of substantive legal errors. Be free of major weaknesses in presentation and accuracy, including the use of language and grammar, layout of the text, footnote referencing, bibliography and adherence to the stipulated word limit.

da

B- to B+: Demonstrate strong knowledge and understanding of most of the area of law, including familiarity with relevant case law, legislation, academic debates and any recent or anticipated developments. Be able to identify most legal issues and apply relevant law. Demonstrate evidence of background study, using appropriate sources, including case law, legislation and academic commentary such as journal articles, law books and authoritative reports. Be well structured, including the coherent development of arguments and the use of an introduction and conclusion, and focussed on the question asked, including the ability to determine what is relevant and the omission of superfluous information/material. Contain coherently presented arguments, which are based on appropriate research and legal analysis. Be mostly free from substantive legal errors. Include some elements of original interpretation, including depth of analysis and the ability to present arguments based on sound legal reasoning. Be presented to high standards with accurate communication, including the use of language and grammar, layout of the text, footnote referencing, bibliography and adherence to the stipulated word limit.

1. Gain knowledge of how the need for the Canadian constitution to continue being a ‘living tree’ is given effect in judicial decisions and in statute law.

2. Appreciate the tensions between federal vs provincial power and the resources and mechanisms for resolving these.

3. Demonstrate a good understanding of key doctrines and concepts in relation to the constitution, especially in relation to the balance between governmental power and indigenous rights, particularly with reference to the distribution of natural resources.

4. Demonstrate a good understanding of the role of the Canadian constitution, its doctrines, procedures and mechanisms for ensuring its supremacy.

5. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the major institutions of State in the constitution.

Math	Enw	Disgrifiad	Pwysau
	Summative Essay		100.00

		Oriau
Seminar	Two 2-hour seminars every week over 11 weeks.	44
Private study		156

• Llythrennedd - Medrusrwydd mewn darllen ac ysgrifennu drwy amrywiaeth o gyfryngau
• Defnyddio cyfrifiaduron - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio ystod o feddalwedd cyfrifiadurol
• Hunanreolaeth - Gallu gweithio mewn ffordd effeithlon, prydlon a threfnus. Gallu edrych ar ganlyniadau tasgau a digwyddiadau, a barnu lefelau o ansawdd a phwysigrwydd
• Archwilio - Gallu ymchwilio ac ystyried dewisiadau eraill
• Adalw gwybodaeth - Gallu mynd at wahanol ac amrywiol ffynonellau gwybodaeth
• Sgiliau Rhyngbersonol - Gallu gofyn cwestiynau, gwrando'n astud ar atebion a'u harchwilio
• Dadansoddi Beirniadol & Datrys Problem - Gallu dadelfennu a dadansoddi problemau neu sefyllfaoedd cymhleth. Gallu canfod atebion i broblemau drwy ddadansoddiadau ac archwilio posibiliadau
• Cyflwyniad - Gallu cyflwyno gwybodaeth ac esboniadau yn glir i gynulleidfa. Trwy gyfryngau ysgrifenedig neu ar lafar yn glir a hyderus.
• Dadl - Gallu cyflwyno, trafod a chyfiawnhau barn neu lwybr gweithredu, naill ai gydag unigolyn neu mewn grwˆp ehangach
• Hunanymwybyddiaeth & Ystyried - Bod yn ymwybodol o'ch cryfderau, gwendidau, nodau ac amcanion eich hun. Gallu adolygu ,cloriannu a myfyrio'n rheolaidd ar eich perfformiad eich hun ac eraill.

• Develop the ability to interpret legal rules and employ techniques of legal reasoning competently and efficiently in order to offer a range of solutions and conclusions to actual or hypothetical complex legal problems, all supported by relevant academic literature, jurisprudence and legislative research. Such solutions will be clearly communicated and presented
• Develop the ability to analyse complex legal issues, set against the background of the political, social, economic or cultural contexts in which they may arise
• Develop those skills which are necessary for scholarship and research in legal subjects, namely the ability to identify relevant primary and secondary legal sources and to retrieve accurate legal information using paper and electronic sources

Goblygiadau o ran adnoddau ar gyfer myfyrwyr

Students only need to buy Dodek's book (above), less than £6.

Rhestr ddarllen

Dodek, Adam. 2016. The Canadian Constitution. Toronto: Dundurn Press. Hogg, Peter. 2017. Constitutional Law of Canada, Student Edition. London: Thomson Reuters. (Library only).

Opsiynol mewn cyrsiau:

• M100: LLB Law year 2 (LLB/L)
• M11B: LLB Law (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 2 (LLB/L1)