The Law of Torts
| Module title | The Law of Torts |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW2015 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Matthew Channon (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 620 |
|---|
Module description
This module introduces you to tort law, which is concerned with non-contractual civil wrongs. In this area, the law imposes duties and standards of conduct, breach of which will permit an action for damages or some other remedy. The module examines negligence, as the most widely pleaded tort, and the torts of trespass to the person, torts against land, defamation and breach of privacy.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to develop your understanding of the law of torts, including the different types of tort and their responsibility bases, the kinds of damage for which it permits a remedy and those for which it does not offer a remedy. Consideration will be given to the aims of tort law and some assessment made of its efficacy in achieving those aims.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Understand and critically reflect upon the operation of the contemporary law of torts within its social context;
- 2. Use relevant information to understand how the law of torts operates and to apply their understanding to a range of different perspectives and concepts relating to tort law;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Demonstrate knowledge of legal concepts and their contextual, social and political implications;
- 4. Apply legal knowledge to a problem / case study and to discuss it;
- 5. Select and present in a coherent way, relevant law and legal / theoretical arguments.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Demonstrate effective and accurate communication skills in a manner appropriate to the discipline / different contexts;
- 7. Identify, retrieve and use efficiently a range of resources with some guidance;
- 8. Interact effectively within a team / learning group and to share information and ideas.
- 9. Work independently to complete a specified task.
Syllabus plan
It is envisaged that the syllabus will include the following topics in the following order, although precise content and order may vary according to the availability of specialist teaching staff.
- Introduction to Tort
- Trespass to Person
- Trespass to Land
- Private Nuisance
- Rylands v Fletcher
- Public Nuisance
- Defamation
- Privacy
- Introduction to Negligence
- Duty of Care
- Breach
- Causation of Damage
- Remoteness of Damage
- Defences
- Public Bodies
- Omissions
- Psychiatric Harm
- Vicarious Liability
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | 242 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities | 30 | 20 x 1.5 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities | 20 | 10 x 2 hour seminars |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities | 8 | 8 x 1 hour Q & A sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | 149 | Individual reading, research and study |
| Guided Independent Study | 62 | Summative assessment preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 31 | Formative assessment preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 800 words | 1-9 | Individual indicative mark and individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available. General comments given to the whole cohort. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination (take-home, open book) | 50 | 2 hours intended duration (within a 24-hour submission window) | 1-9 | Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available |
| Essay | 50 | 2500 words | 1-9 | Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination (take-home, open book) | Examination (take-home, open book; same as above) | 1-9 | August/September re-assessment period |
| Essay (2,500 words) | Essay (2500 words) | 1-9 | August/September re-assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
If the module is failed and cannot be condoned you will:
i) retake the assessments and be capped at the pass mark (40%)
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
(1) J Murphy and C Witting, Street on Torts (13th ed, 2012)
(2) M Lunney and K Oliphant, Tort Law: Text and Materials (5th ed, 2013)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
www.bailii.org
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | Students are normally required to have taken at least one of the following modules LAW1003, LAW1004, LAW1022 |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2001 |
| Last revision date | 09/05/2022 |
