This chapter advises on how to approach the subject of Public Law and deal with typical exam questions. Public law differs from the other compulsory law subjects in that much is not really law at all, and therefore calls for different skills in the student. To understand public law properly it helps to have some knowledge of current affairs and politics. Public Law is sometimes called constitutional and administrative law, because it looks at both the constitution of the country and the law that regulates the administration. The chapter contains advice on how to answer a problem question using Issue, Relevant Law, Application to the Facts, and Conclusion (IRAC) and how to answer an essay question using Point, Evidence, and Argument (PEA). Preparation for examinations is also covered. When writing an essay, it is best for students to do a rough plan first, listing the main points that they intend to cover. For a problem question, they might also include a list of the main cases. In this subject, it is important to remember that there is no right answer to an exam question, but there is a right way to approach it.
Chapter
1. Introduction
Book
Richard Clements
The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions. Each chapter includes typical questions, diagram problem and essay answer plans, suggested answers, notes of caution, tips on obtaining extra marks, key debates on each topic, and suggestions on further reading. Q&A Public Law covers a wide range of issues relating to Public Law. The first chapter offers an introduction to the subject, with particular emphasis on exams. The twelfth chapter contains advice on coursework. This is followed by an examination of constitutions in terms of the nature and sources of the UK constitution, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. The text moves on to look at the royal prerogative, Parliament, and parliamentary sovereignty. Next the book considers the Human Rights Act 1998, followed by chapters looking at freedom to protest, police powers, and freedom of expression. Finally, the book considers administrative law and judicial review.
