Comparative law

In a nutshell, the course (1) analyzes the concept, functions and methods of comparative law, (2) examines some of the main legal systems in the world (most notably, the Romano-civilist system with the case of France, and the common law system with the cases of the UK and the US), (3) conducts comparative analysis with regard to a certain number of selected questions, and (4) covers some transversal issues at the center of ongoing debates in comparative law (legal transplants, globalization and the law, and the use of the comparative method in the European context).

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Assess the uses, purposes and challenges of comparative law, with an inter-disciplinary approach;
• Understand and use, in a critical manner, the main concepts of comparative law;
• Develop an argumentation based on comparative law tools;
• Describe and contrast the main features of the legal systems examined in the framework of the course;
• Analyze judicial decisions, and discuss academic papers, from different legal systems;
• Master, both in an active (writing) and passive (rading and listening) way, the basics of legal English.

Connaissances et compétences pré-requises ou co-requises

English Independent User (B1 level - Intermediate)
French Independent User (B1 level - Intermediate)

Cours pré-requis

Lectures in the framework of which interaction and student participation is encouraged, stimulated and actively sought. Preparation for the lectures is expected.

Six compulsory tutorial sessions are taught next to the lectures. These sessions help the students read, analyze and contextualize legal texts (in English) from different legal systems, and express a stance, in a substantiated and logical manner, on issues of comparative law.

Contribution au profil d'enseignement

The course of ‘Comparative Law’ contributes to competences 1 and 3 of the teaching profile of the bachelor in law (« Manage the concepts, techniques and terminology to express a rigorous legal analysis » and « Mobilize knowledge to open up a critical and constructive reflection about positive law »).

Références, bibliographie et lectures recommandées

M. Siems, Comparative law, 2ème édition, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2018.

Additional materials will be made available on the Université Virtuelle.

Support(s) de cours

• Université virtuelle

Contacts

Paul.Dermine@ulb.be

Student email communications should be limited to special requests

Campus

Solbosch

Méthode(s) d'évaluation

• Examen écrit

Examen écrit

Construction de la note (en ce compris, la pondération des notes partielles)

La note de l'unité d'enseignement est, pour 3/4, celle obtenue à l'examen écrit et, pour 1/4, celle résultant de l'évaluation liée aux travaux pratiques.

L'évaluation liée aux travaux pratiques n'aura lieu qu'une fois, en première session.

Langue(s) d'évaluation

• anglais
• (éventuellement français )