The Law of Torts
| Module title | The Law of Torts |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW2015B |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Timon Hughes-Davies (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.
This module is one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge required by the Law Society and it is therefore compulsory for all of you who wish to progress onto the Vocational Stage of Training to become a Solicitor or Barrister.
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 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. demonstrate the ability to apply legal knowledge to a problem / case study and to discuss it;
- 5. demonstrate the ability to select and present in a coherent way, orally and in writing, 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 written communication skills in a manner appropriate to the discipline / different contexts;
- 7. demonstrate effective and accurate oral communication skills in a manner appropriate to the discipline / different contexts;
- 8. identify, retrieve and use efficiently a range of library-based and electronic resources with some guidance;
- 9. demonstrate the ability to interact effectively within a team / learning group and to share information and ideas.
- 10. demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, 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
Malicious Prosecution
Malicious Falsehood
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 Leminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 88 | Leminar preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 32 | Formative assessment preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 62 | Summative assessment preparation |
| Guided Independent study | 63 | Individual reading preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminars | 22 x 2.5 hours | 1-10 | Immediate feedback from peers and tutors |
| Formative essay | 48 hour turn-around, 2500 words | 1-8, 10 | Individual indicative mark and individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available. General comments given in a lecture or on ELE. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 60 | 48 hour turnaround, 2,500 words | 1-8, 10 | Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available |
| Essay 2 | 40 | 2,500 words | 1-8, 10 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | Essay (48 hour turnaround, 2,500 words) 60% | 1-8, 10 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay 2 | Essay 2,500 words 40% | 1-8, 10 | August/September reassessment period |
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 |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2001 |
| Last revision date | 04/01/2019 |
