Constitutional Perspective
- Law
- 700 level
- 3 credit units
- 150 pages
- 8 units
This course explores the constitutional perspectives relevant to legislative drafting in Nigeria. It examines rules of interpretation, interpretation legislation, and the Constitution's role in shaping legislation. Students will learn to draft legislation that aligns with constitutional requirements, fundamental human rights, and international treaties. The course emphasizes practical application, enabling drafters to create legally sound and effective laws within the Nigerian context.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 150 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study, problem solving
- Practical work
- Yes
- Basic Legal Knowledge
- Understanding of Nigerian Legal System
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of LED605, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
LED605 · UNIT 1 WORKING WITH THE RULES OF INTERPRETATION
All these Units are demanding. They also deal with basic principles and values, which merit your attention and thought. Tackle them in separate study periods. You may require several for each.
What you should be able to do
- Apply rules of statutory interpretation
- Draft legislation compliant with the Constitution
- Incorporate fundamental human rights
- Analyze international standards
- Identify constitutional inconsistencies
What it prepares you for
- Legislative Counsel
- Legal Advisor
- Policy Analyst
- Government Lawyer
- Government
- Law
- Policy Making
- Public Sector
- Legal Databases
- Online Legal Resources
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1:
Unit 2: Judicial Assumptions and Aids to Interpretation
Requires understanding of judicial precedents and their impact on interpreting statutes.
- Module 2:
Unit 2: Particular Constitutional Constraints
Involves detailed knowledge of constitutional provisions and their practical application in drafting.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 72 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Working with the Rules of Interpretation · 4 hours
Read Unit 1: Define rules of interpretation.. Understand judicial expectations.. Study examples of judicial approaches..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 2: Judicial Assumptions and Aids to Interpretation · 4 hours
Study canons of legislative construction.. Understand canons on meaning of expressions.. Review canons on legislative syntax..
- Week 3Module 1:
Unit 3: The Importance of and application of the Interpretation Act · 4 hours
Examine the importance of the Interpretation Act.. Compare the Act with the model statute.. Complete Self Assessment Exercise 1..
- Week 4Module 1:
Unit 4: The effects of the Act on drafting practice · 4 hours
Study how the Act influences drafting.. Examine the form and application of legislation.. Review standardized definitions..
- Week 5Module 2:
Unit 1: The Constitution and the drafter · 4 hours
Understand the drafter's responsibility.. Study policy matters.. Review formal issues..
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 2: Particular Constitutional Constraints · 4 hours
Examine legislative functions and procedures.. Study judicial functions and procedures.. Review executive functions and procedures..
- Week 7Module 2:
Unit 3: Drafting under a Bill of Rights · 4 hours
Study the rights and freedoms protected by the Constitution.. Understand qualifications.. Review derogations..
- Week 8Module 2:
Unit 4: Interpretation Standards · 4 hours
Study where to find international standards.. Understand how international standards affect domestic law.. Review implications for law-making..
- Week 9Module 1:
Unit 1: Working with the Rules of Interpretation · 4 hours
Review Module 1 Units 1-2. Complete TMA 1 and TMA 2.
Unit 3: The Importance of and application of the Interpretation Act · 4 hours
Review Module 1 Units 3-4. Complete TMA 3 and TMA 4.
- Week 10Module 2:
Unit 1: The Constitution and the drafter · 4 hours
Review Module 2 Units 1-2. Complete TMA 5 and TMA 6.
Unit 3: Drafting under a Bill of Rights · 4 hours
Review Module 2 Units 3-4. Complete TMA 7 and TMA 8.
- Week 11Module 1:
Unit 1: Working with the Rules of Interpretation · 8 hours
Revise all course materials. Practice self-assessment exercises.
- Week 12Module 2:
Unit 1: The Constitution and the drafter · 8 hours
Revise all course materials. Review Tutor Marked Assignments.
- Week 13Module 1:
Unit 1: Working with the Rules of Interpretation · 8 hours
Final revision and exam preparation. Focus on key concepts and principles.
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 interpretation concepts
- Practice applying Interpretation Act sections to sample clauses weekly
- Review case studies from Units 7-9 identifying constitutional issues
- Summarize key principles from each unit weekly for quick recall
- Focus on understanding permitted qualifications to fundamental rights
Questions students ask about this course
What is LED605 about?
This course explores the constitutional perspectives relevant to legislative drafting in Nigeria. It examines rules of interpretation, interpretation legislation, and the Constitution's role in shaping legislation. Students will learn to draft legislation that aligns with constitutional requirements, fundamental human rights, and international treaties. The course emphasizes practical application, enabling drafters to create legally sound and effective laws within the Nigerian context.
How many units does LED605 have?
LED605, Constitutional Perspective, has 8 units across 2 modules, over 150 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is LED605?
LED605 carries 3 credit units, at 700 level in Law.
Is LED605 hard?
LED605 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, case study and problem solving work, and it has a practical component.
How long does LED605 take to study?
About 150 hours of study, spread across its 8 units.
How is LED605 assessed?
LED605 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What do I need before starting LED605?
Basic Legal Knowledge Understanding of Nigerian Legal System
What can I do with LED605?
Legislative Counsel, Legal Advisor, Policy Analyst and Government Lawyer.