2829.20 - Basic Course of Law – special course

2829.20

Basic Course of Law – special course

10

Enrolment in the Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Faroe Islands, but already passed courses that necessitate an alternative Basic Course in Law.

The purpose is to have the student, on the basis of a concrete problem statement, to independently, critically and reflectively analyse two basic jurisprudential documents, in breadth and depth suited to substitute the Basic Course in Law.

During the course, the student will be expected to read and comprehend two texts that will form the basis for a later home assignment and examination. The first text that the student is supposed to read and comprehend is the classic Norwegian book by Ragnar Knoph, Rettslige standarder [Legal standards]. In the Nordic context this book is a central work on the distinction between two main kinds of legal norms, rules and standards. The book dates from 1939, but the topic is timeless and of the greatest both practical and theoretical importance, and thus of lasting importance for legal education. The second work and subject of Independent Study is the report from Mette Hartlev, Tim Knudsen & Per Walsøe, Justitsvæsenets fremtidige organisering,[The future arrangement of the judiciary and judicial administration] from 1996. The report contains a critical discussion of basic institutional and cultural aspects of the Danish state system pertaining to the judicial system and separation of powers. The report is written in 1996, and some changes have occurred in the Danish legal system since, but as the report mainly is a thorough discussion of foundational questions in the legal system, it is of enduring relevance and an important text in legal education.

Independent study with meetings for supervision on offer to the student on an ad hoc basis.

After completion of the course, the student shall be able to:  Demonstrate insight into basic questions of the Danish-Faroese legal system, and how the different branches interact in a separation of powers context.  Illustrate how the authoritative legal norms are arranged into different types of norms and directives.  Explain and put into perspective the fundamental importance it has for the legal position in any given area, whether the law is grounded in rules or standards.  Show insight into basic legal method.  Present and formulate knowledge and arguments correctly and succinctly in eloquent and correct language.

Oral examination, approx. 20 min., without preparation. The exam will be based upon a home assignment and other reading materials. The mandatory home assignment will constitute abstracts of max. 3 pages (7.200 characters with spaces) for each work, and an answer of max 3 pages to a question put to the student in good time prior to the exam.

Internal

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Two works: Ragnar Knoph, Rettslige standarder [Legal standards], Grøndahl & Søns Boktrykkeri, Oslo 1939, og Mette Hartlev, Tim Knudsen & Per Walsøe, Justitsvæsenets fremtidige organisering [ The future arrangement of the judiciary and judicial administration], Álit frá ”Project Offentlig sektor, vilkår og fremtid” [Report from Project Public Sector, future and conditions], København 1996. Reading list consists of approx. a total of 400 pages.

Bárður Larsen