Indicative Content
This module seeks to provide students with a broad introduction to the fundamental principles of land law including the concept of proprietary interests and the concept of competing priorities. The syllabus includes the following topics:
- The 1925 legislation: registered land and unregistered land
- Trusts of land
- Co-ownership
- Leases
- Easements and profits a prendre
- Freehold covenants
- Licences
- Adverse possession
Learning Strategies
The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 300 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 72 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 228 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks.
Contact will include a mixture of small and larger group activities, much of it based on the principles of practice and problem based learning. Learning will be organised into a series of sessions where students will be required to participate. Each session will be based around a problem or issue, and students will work towards a range of solutions by specifying objectives, identifying constraints, obtaining background information, applying related theory and knowledge based around the subject matter.
Large group sessions seek to establish an overview framework within which selected theories and rules of the subject matter can be more effectively developed. They will verify and consolidate knowledge and understanding and will engage in more detailed exposition of selected theories, rules and constraints.
The guided learning will incorporate a mixture of activities, some of which will require groupwork and electronic interaction. The learning will be facilitated by use of the VLE platform and discussions/interactions between students and tutors.
Students will be expected to be familiar with contemporary discussions in this area of law, and to bring a range of ideas to bear on the discussions. Thus, although there will be a framework of knowledge and understanding, students will be actively, rather than passively, engaged in the process of both learning about, and increasing understanding of, the subject matter.
The module will use a blend of teaching methods to enable different styles of learning to be facilitated. The differing methods will also be a platform for the development of essential skills such as intellectual skills, communication skills and problem solving, as well as research, teamwork, negotiation, presentation, referencing, argument, judgement and appropriate use of IT.
Assessment Details
Assignment - Semester 1
2500 word assignment . A 50% weighting will be applied to this assessment and combined with the remaining element of assessment in this subject . Assesses Learning Outcomes 1,4 and 5
End of course unseen exam . 2 hours in length - Semester 2
A 50% weighting will be applied to this assessment and combined with the other element of assessment (Assessing all Learning Outcomes)
If the mark for either element of assessment is less than 20%, you will be required to re-sit that element in the same format
To pass this module, you must obtain a composite mark of at least 40%
Resources
Access to appropriate texts, legislation and case law.
Module Study Guide
Computing facilities will be needed to access material available on Blackboard and specialist on-line databases such as Lexis, Westlaw, BAILII and the Law Commission site.
Texts
Dixon, Modern Land Law, (9th Edition Routledge Cavendish Publishing, 2014).
Mackenzie & Phillips, Textbook on Land Law, (15th Edition, OUP, 2014)
Smith, R. Property Law Cases And Materials, (5th Edition. Longman Law, 2012).
Learning Outcomes
1. DEMONSTRATE A KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF LAND LAW.
Knowledge and Understanding
Learning
2. EXERCISE INTELLECTUAL SKILLS TO SHOW COMPETENCY IN THE ABILITY TO ANALYZE FACTS, RULES AND CONCEPTS IN THE CONTEXT OF LAND LAW
Analysis
3. DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS BY ANALYSIS AND THE APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF LAND LAW IN A REASONED AND COGENT MANNER.
Analysis
Application
Problem solving
4. DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO CONDUCT EFFECTIVE RESEARCH AND TO UTILISE SUCH RESEARCH IN AN EFFECTIVE MANNER .
Enquiry
5. DEMONSTRATE AN ABILITY TO EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION OF LAND LAW VERBALLY AND IN WRITING
Communication
Application