First, we will discuss the syllabus, the general content of the course and the teaching methodology. Then, we will address the following questions: What is the law, what is custom? How do legal systems protect society’s fundamental interests and the rights of individuals? Readings: Honoré, About Law, Law and History, p. 1-21.

This topic focuses on the role of constitutions, the authority of the constitutional and supreme courts, and the role of the European Court of Human Rights of the Council of Europe in interpreting the European Convention on Human Rights. Readings: - Honore, Law, p. 23-34

This session will address questions such as - What counts as property from the legal point of view? How and why do laws protect property? Etc. Readings: - Honore, Law, p. 35-43

This session will address questions such as - What we consider as agreements and which of them are legally binding? What is the difference between contracts and treaties? How are contracts and treaties enforced? Etc. Readings: - Honoré, About Law, Torts, p. 45 - 52.

This topic aims to provide answers for the following questions: What are the aims of tort law? When is it fair to make someone who harms another pay them compensation? What interests does tort law protect? Last, the focus shifts to the problem of intentional, negligence and strict liability. Readings: - Honoré, About Law, Torts, p. 65-75

This topic focuses on the need for criminal law in society (cause), the aims of criminal law (goal), the type of behavior the state criminalises, etc. Readings: - Honoré, About Law, Crimes, p. 53-64; - Case Study Regina v Bentham (2005)

This topic focuses on the various aspects of crime and tort law – comparative study. Readings: - Honoré, Law, p. 53-75 Please note that in order to prepare for this session, you need to review the required readings for sessions 5 and 6.

This session discusses the reasons for having forms and procedures in general; the reasons for having forms e.g., the birth certificate, driver license, marriage, the will; the function of the right of defence in procedures; the question of fairness in a dispute of the citizen vs. the state, etc. Readings: - Honore, Law, p. 77-86.

This topic discusses the key historical moments of Civil Law tradition, the typical characteristics of the legal systems in European Continental law and the influence of Jewish and Christian values on European law. Readings: Apple, James G., A Primer on the Civil-Law System, Washington, D.C., FJC, 1994. Note: When reading the required material, please pay special attention to pg. 23 - 39.

This session focuses on key historical moments of Common Law tradition, the typical characteristics of the Anglo-American legal system, etc. Readings: -Honoré, About Law, History, p. 9-21, and material distributed by the lecturer in class.

This topic gives a general overview of different international human rights systems, including UN system, European system and Inter-American system. Readings: Materials marked as “Required” on the NEO platform.

Oral individual presentations of students on a topic of their choice. The students who do not present on this date, will fill in peer evaluation forms. Once the presentations are concluded, we will work in class with exam sample questions. Readings: No new materials.

Oral individual presentations of students on a topic of their choice. The students who do not present on this date, will fill in peer evaluation forms. Once the presentations are concluded, we will work in class with exam sample questions. Readings: No new materials.

Open book exam, in written form. Students will receive a hypothetical case and will answer a set of questions in relation to it. Reading: All materials studied during this course.