Property Law
Legal estates and interests, land registration, co-ownership, leases and licences, adverse possession, proprietary estoppel, easements, freehold covenants.

Equity and Trusts
Certainties and formalities, express, resulting and constructive trusts, fiduciary relationships, duties and liabilities of trustees, breach of trust, equitable remedies (injunctions, specific performance).

Cross-cutting Themes
The historical foundations of equity, interaction between common law and equity, justice and conscience, access to legal remedies, social justice and property.

Assessment 1: Land Law Problem-Based Case Study - This written task (2,500 words) presents students with a complex, practice-oriented scenario involving estates and interests in land, third-party rights, and the interaction of legal and equitable claims. Students are required to apply statutory and common law principles, identify legal issues, and offer reasoned conclusions supported by case law and academic commentary. (Assesses: LO1: Systematic understanding of land law. LO3: Application to complex problems. LO4: Written legal communication.)

Assessment 2: Equity and Trusts – Doctrinal Analysis Essay - This 2,500-word written task requires students to select a focused issue or theme in equity and trusts, such as fiduciary obligations, discretionary trusts, or equitable remedies, and critically analyse its development through case law and academic debate. The emphasis is on interpretative and evaluative skills, rather than problem-solving, to ensure variation across assessments. (Assesses: LO2: Critical understanding of equity and trusts. LO3: Application and analysis of legal reasoning. LO4: Structured, persuasive legal writing).

Both assessments are supported by formative activities and guidance throughout the module, including problem-solving workshops, case law discussion, and structured feedback opportunities. Together, they ensure a balanced assessment strategy, combining doctrinal knowledge, practical application, and academic critique.

Students will learn the doctrinal foundations and conceptual debates in land law and equity through lectures and will apply those rules to realistic professional scenarios in workshops as well as evaluating the ethical reasoning behind property rules. Case law, legislation and academic commentary will be integrated into workshops and lectures and learning will be in a supportive environment with peer collaboration and constructive feedback being used to promote understanding and reflection. Inclusivity is supported in this module through the provision of core legal materials in multiple accessible formats.

1. Demonstrate systematic understanding of key concepts and doctrines in land law, including land ownership, estates and interests in land, and third-party rights.
University Learning Outcome: 1. Knowledge and Understanding 7. Application

2. Critically evaluate the legal and equitable principles underpinning the law of trusts and the operation of equitable remedies.
University Learning Outcome: 1. Knowledge and Understanding 3. Enquiry 4. Analysis

3. Apply legal rules and equitable doctrines to complex factual and theoretical problems, offering well-reasoned legal conclusions.
University Learning Outcome: 4. Analysis 5. Problem Solving 7. Application

4. Communicate legal reasoning clearly and coherently, using appropriate legal terminology and referencing.
University Learning Outcome: 2. Learning 6. Communication

Westlaw, Lexis+, Law Trove, Practical Law, Blackboard

Property:
Bevan, C. Land Law (3rd edn, OUP, 2022)
Clarke & Greer, Land Law Directions (8th edn, OUP)

Equity:
Virgo, G. Principles of Equity and Trusts (5th edn, OUP, 2023)
Watt, G. Trusts and Equity (10th edn, OUP, 2023)
Hudson, A. Equity and Trusts (11th edn, Routledge, 2025)

N/A

In this module you will explore two foundational areas of English law: property and equity. You will examine the legal and equitable rules that govern ownership, co-ownership, and fiduciary obligations, and will critically assess how law allocates and protects rights in land and trusts. Through doctrinal learning, problem-solving, and reflective analysis, you will gain the skills needed to apply property and trust law in legal practice and professional decision-making.