Module manager: Dr Chloe Wallace
Email: C.J.Wallace@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
A-level or equivalent in French, German or Spanish
| LAW1255 | European Constitutional Systems |
LAW2650 French Private Law
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module introduces students to the private law systems of three major European countries: France, Germany and Spain. It is suitable for students who have an interest in one or more of those countries and who have A level standard in one of the languages concerned.
The objective of this module is to introduce the private law systems of three major European countries: France, Germany and Spain. It will consider the sources of law (codes, cases and doctrine) in these systems, the court systems, including different process of appeal and quashing, and an introduction to an element of the law of obligations in comparative focus.
As well as introducing the systems separately, a comparative dimension will be included to enable students to understand the diversity of legal systems and their relationships with cultural and historical context.
The module is compulsory for students on the LLBs in Law with French Law, Law with German Law and Law with Hispanic Law. In the context of those programmes, it will provide an introduction to those legal systems and continue their exposure to the idea and practice of legal diversity.
At the end of this module, students will:
- understand the main sources of law in France, Germany and Spain;
- understand the organisation of court structures and processes in France Germany and Spain;
- consider some underlying principles of the law of obligations in France, Germany and Spain;
- demonstrate an ability to with primary legal materials from France, Germany and Spain;
- develop their legal vocabulary in French, German or Spanish.
Sources of law: codes, cases and doctrine
Court systems, including discussion of appeals and quashing
A comparative introduction to the law of obligations
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar | 10 | 1.5 | 15 |
| Private study hours | 85 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 15 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Through classes.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1,000-word legal system briefing | 50 |
| Case Study | 700 word case commentary | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Students must attempt both components of assessment and gain a mark of over 40% in each element. Where a student receives a mark of 39% or less for either assessment they will not be awarded the credits for the module and must resit the failed assessment(s) to achieve these credits.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team