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Study information

Land Law

Module titleLand Law
Module codeLAW2017B
Academic year2021/2
Credits30
Module staff

Dr Rachel Gimson (Lecturer)

Dr Richard Bowyer (Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

12

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

20

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 English Land Law, focussing in particular on key rights which exist in relation to land. You will scrutinise the content of these rights, and consider the way in which the content requirements of each right have been developed through judicial decision.  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.

This module is one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge required by the JASB of the Law Society and Bar Council 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

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, in particular statutes, and will be encouraged to think critically about the law with reference to the views of academic commentators.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

  • 1. demonstrate detailed/comprehensive knowledge of the law relating to land law and a substantial range of major concepts, values and principles relevant to its application;
  • 2. demonstrate ability to compare, analyse and synthesise the principal rules and theories relating to the land law;
  • 3. demonstrate ability to select and assess appropriate techniques of evaluation and to evaluate selected aspects of the land law critically;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

  • 4. Demonstrate detailed / comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a range of complex and technical legal concepts and principles;
  • 5. Demonstrate flexible ability to define complex legal problems, identify their relative significance and select appropriate methods for investigating and critically evaluating them ;
  • 6. Demonstrate ability to select, integrate and present coherently and reflectively, 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, within a limited time frame, 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:

  • transfer of freehold title,
  • proprietary estoppel,
  •  adverse possession
  • leases,
  • mortgages,
  • easements,
  • covenants,
  • registered and unregistered land.

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
552450

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity5522 x 2.5 hour seminars
Guided Independent Study88Seminar preparation
Guided Independent Study32Formative assessment preparation
Guided Independent Study62Summative assessment preparation
Guided Independent Study63Individual reading preparation

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Seminars22 x 2.5 hours1-10Immediate feedback from tutors and peers
Formative Essay*One week turn-around, 2,500 words1-8, 10Individual indicative mark and individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available. General comments given to the cohort. *See summative assessment: students have two opportunities to submit an essay. They may use the first opportunity as formative and submit a second essay.

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay 15048 hour turn-around, 2,500 words1-8, 10 Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available
Essay 250One week turn-around, 2,500 words1-10Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available *The student will have two opportunities to write an essay for summative assessment (one in the first term and one in the second). A student may choose only to complete one (in which case the mark awarded will be the mark for this 50% part of the assessment) or to complete two (in which case the higher of the two marks will be taken).
0
0
0
0

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Essay 1Essay (48 hour turn-around, 2,500 words) 1-8, 10August/September reassessment period
Essay 2**Essay (one week turn-around, 2,500 words) 1-10August/September reassessment period

Re-assessment notes

**If a student achieves less than 40% in one essay but 40% or more in the other, the higher mark will be taken. If a student achieves less than 40% in both opinions, and is permitted to refer, they may submit a third essay (and will be capped at 40%). If a student defers in respect of one or both essays, they may submit one deferred essay and the mark awarded for it will be taken.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Bevan, Land Law (March 2018)

Thompson & George, Modern Land Law (2017)

Blackstone's Statutes on Property Law 2017-2018 (25th ed. edited by Meryl Thomas)

Key words search

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

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

NQF level (module)

5

Available as distance learning?

Yes

Origin date

01/10/2001

Last revision date

26/08/2020