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Land Law

Module description

Land Law covers matters of fundamental importance to our society: the ownership of land and property, property rights and related obligations. In this module you will study in depth the fundamental principles of land law, focussing in particular on key rights which exist in relation to land. You will develop an understanding of the principles underlining land law and scrutinise how these principles have changed over time and how they have been shaped by society. In addition, you will study the formal and informal methods of acquiring rights over land, and the circumstances in which the burden of such rights will impact a third-party purchaser.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to provide you with an in depth understanding of the definition, acquisition and transfer of rights over land. In this module you will be required to study primary legal sources and will be encouraged to think critically about the law with reference to legal commentators. The module aims to encourage you to think differently about land including how it is valued, exchanged, and regulated.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. identify and define the various property rights that exist in relation to land, and compare and classify estates and interests existing in registered land systems, their priorities, and dealings with third parties;
• 2. evaluate the principles of land law within England and Wales, be aware of areas where reform is needed and take account of the Law Commission's recommendations in discussing such reforms;
• 3. demonstrate knowledge of the detailed provisions of property law statutes, case judgments and academic commentary, and use them to support your application and analysis of land law.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of complex and technical legal concepts and principles;
• 5. identify key elements of legal problems, identify their relative significance and select appropriate methods for investigating and evaluating them;
• 6. 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...

• 7. demonstrate effective and accurate communication skills in a manner appropriate to the discipline/different contexts;
• 8. identify, retrieve and use efficiently a range of resources with some guidance;
• 9. interact effectively within a team/learning group and to share information and ideas;
• 10. work independently to complete a specified task.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Rights over land
• Overriding interests
• Leases
• Covenants
• Trusts of land
• Easements
• Mortgages
• Proprietary estoppel
• Adverse possession

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

•  Bevan Land Law (2020, OUP)
• George & Layard Thompson’s Modern Land Law 7^th edition (2019, OUP)
• Blackstone's Statutes on Property Law

Key words search

Land law, property law, leases, mortgages, easement, tenure