Provide an understanding of the key concepts determining the effectiveness of the European Convention on Human Rights such as legitimacy, sovereignty, authority and responsibility.

Provide a detailed outline of substantive rights, such as freedom of expression and association, right to private property, right to free elections and prohibition of discrimination.

Provide an opportunity to critically analyse the reform of the European Court of Human Rights.

Foster the students' engagement with relevant literature on the topic.

(LO1) At the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the Law of the European Convention on Human Rights by identifying, defining and critically analysing various doctrinal concepts of the European Court of Human Rights including legitimacy and universality) building on knowledge acquired in LAW362

(LO2) At the end of the module students will be able to articulate and critically analyse themes and trends from the case law of the Court.

(LO3) At the end of the module students will be able to apply complex rules and standards of ECHR law to real life situations.

(LO4) At the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of approaches to interpretation of the Convention, building on understanding of key concepts gained in LAW362, such as the margin of appreciation and autonomous interpretation.

(LO5) At the end of the module students will be able to critically analyse the reform of the European Court of Human Rights

(S1) Problem Solving Skills

(S2) Adaptability

(S3) Communication Skills

(S4) Critical Thinking

General introduction

Freedom of expression

Freedom of association

Prohibition of discrimination Right to private property

Territorial jurisdiction of the Court and derogations in time of emergency

Right to free elections

Legitimacy of the European Court of Human Rights

Relations between the Court and the Contracting Parties

Reform of the Court: Protocols 15 and 16

The module consists of lectures (1 hour long), seminars (1.5 hour long) and drop-in sessions (2 hour long). The lectures are one hour long as the serve starting points for the students’ independent learning. Normally one lecture looks at one Article of the European Convention on Human Rights and provide with the core case law which the students are expected to use as foundation for further research on these articles.

Module Delivery
Lectures are delivered interactively and allow ample time for questions. So, there will be 9 substantive lectures and 2 revision lectures.

There will be 4 seminars. Each of them will be 1.5 hours long. All seminars will look at a substantive issue of the Law of the European Convention on Human Rights.

There will be 2 drop-in sessions where the students can ask any questions on the material that was discussed during semester. These drop-ins are the combination between small group and individual consolations.