| Unit name | International Child Law |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWD30124 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Masson |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
International child law covers aspects of both public and private international law, examining the way that children’s rights have been protected and furthered using different forms of international law. The initial focus is on the recognition of children’s rights and the development, purpose, contents and mechanisms of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Specific areas of International Child Law and the legal instruments applying to them are explored:- Abduction (Hague Conventions 1980 and 1996, Brussels IIb), Inter country Adoption (Hague Convention 1993), Child Labour , and Trafficking / sex tourism. These latter topics lead to consideration of the children’s rights work of the International Labour Organisation, of the Council of Europe and of NGOs. Questions of controls of trade for social reasons, and extra-territoriality of the criminal law will be considered.
Subject knowledge: students will be introduced to key international instruments relating to child rights and welfare and to the processes through which they are implemented. In relation to private international law they will develop knowledge of key concepts as applied to child abduction and adoption. Contextual skills: students will develop an understanding of the operation of international law in relation to children by studying examples of problems and the laws brought to bear on them. Application: problem solving skills will be developed Sources and research: students’ skills in finding and assessing international legal materials and web sources will be developed and assessed. Analysis/ synthesis, critical judgment and evaluation will be emphasised throughout.
Lectures, tutorials + enhancement events
Two summative pieces of coursework of 2,000 words, each contributing 50% to the final mark. Formative: students will have the opportunity to produce a case note in the autumn term and a presentation handout in spring term and receive feedback
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child CRAE, The state of Children’s rights in England (2013) Country Reports to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child T. Buck, International Child Law (2014) R. Schuz, The Hague Child Abduction Convention (2013) P. Selman (ed) Intercountry Adoption BAAF (2000)
