The Law of Torts
| Module title | The Law of Torts |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW2015B |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Miss Lindsey Connett (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
This module introduces you to an important area of civil law, concerned with the imposition by law upon persons of legal standards of conduct the breach of which permit an action for damages or some other personal remedy. The module examines both responsibility bases (intention, negligence and non-fault) and major forms of recognised damage.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to develop your understanding of the law of torts, including its 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. develop the ability to use relevant information to understand how the law of torts operates and to apply that 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. demonstrate the ability to apply legal knowledge to a problem / case study and to discuss it;
- 5. demonstrate the ability to select and coherently present 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. demonstrate the ability to interact effectively within a team / learning group and to share information and ideas;
- 9. demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, to complete a specified task.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
- Introduction to Tort
- Trespass to Person
- Trespass to Land
- Private Nuisance
- Rylands v Fletcher
- Public Nuisance
- Defamation
- Privacy
- Introduction to Negligence
- Duty of Care
- Psychiatric Harm
- Public Bodies
- Omissions
- Financial Loss
- Breach
- Causation of Damage
- Remoteness of Damage
- Defences
- Vicarious Liability
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | 245 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 55 | 22 x 2.5 hour seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 151 | Seminar preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 94 | Assessment preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Problem question | 500 words | 1-7, 9 | Individual written feedback (with oral feedback upon request) |
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) | 1-7, 9 | Individual written feedback (with oral feedback upon request) |
| Essay | 50 | 2000 words | 1-7, 9 | Individual written feedback (with oral feedback upon request) |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
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) | 1-7, 9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay (2,000 words) | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-7, 9 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Kirsty Horsey and Erika Rackley, Tort Law (OUP 2019)
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
www.bailii.org
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2001 |
| Last revision date | 21/07/2022 |
