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Land Law

Module description

The law relating to land (so-called ‘real’ property) inescapably shapes social relationships – but at its heart lies a tension: although we all need access to land in order to live, some of the fundamental and arguably central mechanisms within land law revolve around the power to exclude others. This gives often unquestioned credence to the notion that private property is ‘normal’ property.

On this module, you will study fundamental principles and doctrines that underpin land law. You will scrutinise various rights and estates that arise in registered and unregistered land, and consider the extent to which those interests might impact third party purchasers. Throughout the module, you will encouraged to look beyond the wording of the rules and consider them in social and political context.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aims of this module are

• to provide you with a clear and in-depth understanding of different types of rights in land, and of the rules and principles governing acquisition and transfer of such rights;
• to provide you with an understanding of the social and political dimensions of some aspects of land law;
• to provide you with opportunities to develop legal skills

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Identify and define various rights that exist in relation to land.
• 2. Explain and apply principles and rules governing land law.
• 3. Critically assess the present state of aspects of land law in social and political contexts.

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 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 written 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.
• 9. Reflect upon your own skills development and set and achieve skills development goals.

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:

• The distinction between real and personal property
• Registered land:
• The register
• Registrable interests
• Minor interests
• Overriding interests
• Overreaching beneficial interests
• Unregistered interests in land
• Leases and licences
• Housing and homelessness
• Planning
• Covenants
• Easements
• Mortgages
• Co-ownership
• 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

• Chris Bevan, Land Law (3rd edn, OUP 2022).
• Ben McFarlane, Nicholas Hopkins & Sarah Nield, Land Law (2nd edn, OUP 2020).
• Meryl Thomas (ed), Blackstone’s Statutes on Property Law (31st edn, OUP 2023

Key words search

Land, property, law, Cornwall