LAW41780 Whistleblowing Law & Practice

Academic Year 2019/2020

This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of whistleblowing law and related matters. Students will be introduced to the concept of whistleblowing and protected disclosures from both a legal and practical perspective. This module focusses on the key legislative provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and on the sectoral whistleblowing provision, as well as addressing both EU and international whistleblowing law perspectives.
Topics covered include: the essential elements of a protected disclosure; the stepped disclosure regime; law enforcement, security, defence, international relations and intelligence disclosures; protections for whistleblowers; procedure for redress; whistleblowing policies and procedures; whistleblowing in the public sector; the role of prescribed persons; sectoral voluntary and mandatory reporting; and EU and international whistleblowing law perspectives.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module, students will have developed an understanding and knowledge of the concept of whistleblowing and the legal requirements that must be satisfied in order for a disclosure to attract statutory protections. Students will develop the ability to identify a whistleblowing situation and to apply their legislative and practical knowledge to that situation. Students will also be able to critically evaluate existing and emerging whistleblowing law principles at national, EU and international level. This module will provide students with the practical tools to develop and implement best practice procedures for dealing with disclosures of wrongdoing in the workplace, as well as dealing with the whistleblower.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Autonomous Student Learning

226

Total

250

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Teaching will include lectures and seminars based on prior reading. Particular use will be made of detailed case studies on aspects of the law. There will also be guest lectures from practitioners and others with direct experience of the use of whistleblowing law. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

This module is suitable for level 4 students with backgrounds in law or any of the social sciences.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Essay 5000 words. Submission is in Week 13 of Semester 2. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

100


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will include group feedback on the assignment and on the examination.

Name Role
Ms Lauren Kierans Lecturer / Co-Lecturer