The aim of the constitutional law course is to enable students to acquire an understanding of the Belgian institutional landscape and the organisation of the State at all levels of power, as well as the problems that this organisation through law may entail. It includes a general introduction, an analysis of constitutional law, an in-depth look at the regime of the various political authorities (State, federated entities and decentralised entities), a presentation of the hierarchy of norms and the remedies available against norms.
Introduction
1. The State and the general constitutional framework ;
2. The birth of the Belgian State and the Constitution ;
3. Belgium, a federal State ;
4. Constituent power ;
5. Distribution of powers ;
6. Legislative power ;
7. Executive power ;
8. The Constitutional Court ;
9. The courts and other constitutionality reviews ;
10. The hierarchy of norms ;
11. Public liberties under Title II of the Constitution.
Assessment takes the form of a written examination for each session. The aim is to test students' mastery of the fundamental concepts studied and the practical exercises, on the one hand, and their ability to research the Code, on the other.
The exam requires students to memorise and manipulate legal texts, and to reason, think, write and apply the material.
Students must be able to:
Restate the theory.
Put theory into practice, particularly in the context of solving a case.
Master important dates.
Find information in legal instruments.
Summarise, using precise and appropriate vocabulary, the case law covered in the course.
Use legal vocabulary appropriately.
Write a clear, precise and complete answer (correct from the point of view of the French language).
Fill in the relevant legal basis whenever it exists.
The syllabus
Slides available on Webcampus.
Practical work documents available on Webcampus.
Videos available on Webcampus and Youtube.
Additional documents, related to current events or offering useful and effective tools for students, posted on Webcampus.