Law Intro

Introduction to Law

Week 1

Great Expectations...

 I expect that you:

 Will attend class;  Will come to class prepared;  Will ask if you are unsure.

 Your expectations of me:

 Will have lecture slides available in advance of the class

wherever possible;  Be available for appointments;  Give feedback;  Endeavour to make classes enjoyable and interesting...

Leaning outcomes

 By the end of this lecture you should:  Be able to provide an overview of the key functions/purposes of

the law;  Have a clear knowledge and understanding as to the classification of the law;  Be able to name the various sources of law and elucidate each of these sources in greater detail;

 In relation to the latter you should in particular:

  

Be able to distinguish between primary and secondary legislation; Understand the distinction between ‘transferred,’‘reserved’ and ‘excepted’ matters in relation to the powers of the NI Assembly Have an understanding of and be able to recount the rules of statutory interpretation;

Learning outcomes (cont)

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Be able to explain what is meant by the term precedent (stare decisis); Have an understanding of the hierarchy of the courts in Northern Ireland; Have a fair grasp of EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights and its impact on the domestic legal system.

 NOTE: This lecture will also introduce you the anatomy of

legislation as well as a legal case.

Law....

 Permeates everything....  It regulates our lives from the cradle to the grave...  ‘It governs the air we breathe, the food and drink that we

consume, our travel, sexuality, family relationships, our property, the world of sport, science, employment, business, education, health, everything from neighbour disputes to war.’



G Slapper & D Kelly, The English Legal System: 12th Edition 2011-2012 (Routledge, 2011), IX

Functions/purposes of the law

 Maintenance of public order and safety  Protection of individual rights and freedoms  Preservation of the...