Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module LAW2011: LAND LAW

Department: Law

LAW2011: LAND LAW

Type	Open	Level	2	Credits	20	Availability	Available in 2009/10	Module Cap	None.	Location	Durham

Prerequisites

Legal Skills (LAW 1041) and Law of Torts (LAW 1051) and Contract Law (LAW 1071).

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

None.

Aims

To provide students with a sound understanding of the various rights and interests that can affect land
To provide a good working knowledge of how rights and interests in land are acquired, protected and transferred
To enable students to apply this knowledge in order to resolve competing claims to land
To encourage an awareness of the social and economic contexts and the systemic goals that influence the regulation of interests in land.

Content

Ownership of Land:
The nature and scope of land ownership, including fixtures
Tenure and Estate
Interests in land: legal and equitable
Registered and unregistered land
The impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on land law
Interests in land :
The relationship of Landlord and Tenant
Licences and Proprietary Estoppel
Mortgages
Easements

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Students should be able to:
Demonstrate a sound understanding in several areas of English land law.

Subject-specific Skills:

Students should be able to:
Identify relevant principles of law
Apply those principles to solve land law problems
Analyse case law and interpret statutes

Key Skills:

Acquisition of knowledge through critical analysis of primary and secondary sources
Synthesis, critical judgment and evaluation of ideas and arguments
Written communication skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Student learning will be facilitated by both large and small group teaching
Large group teaching will be used to introduce topics, and direct student learning in particular areas
Some lecturers will concentrate on applied skills, particularly problem solving in land law
Small group teaching will encourage in depth analysis of material
Module staff will provide on-going support and guidance as appropriate.
The examination tests the ability to focus on relevant legal issues and organise knowledge and argument appropriate to questions raised. The examination questions will provide the means for students to demonstrate the acquisition of subject knowledge and the development of their problem-solving skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	20	Weekly	1 hour	20
Tutorials	4	Normally two in each of Michaelmas and Epiphany	1 hour	4	■
Preparation and Reading				176
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Written examination - including 15 minutes reading but not writing-in-the-answer-book time	2hrs 15mins	100%

Formative Assessment:

1 essay, 1 in-class assessment exercise during the year

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University