Module Catalogue

LAW3252 : Problem Areas in Private Law (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2025/26
  • Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to proof of pre-requisite knowledge.
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Christine Beuermann
  • Co-Module Leader: Dr Emilia Mickiewicz
  • Lecturer: Dr Tim Dodsworth, Dr Derek Whayman, Dr Nikki Godden-Rasul, Professor Richard Mullender, Dr Aris Christidis
  • Owning School: Newcastle Law School
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

In this module, students will explore a small number of problematic areas in private law in some depth. The areas to be explored will differ from year to year. The object of the module is not to gain knowledge of specific content (although this will occur), but to consider more broadly why certain areas of private law remain problematic and the different approaches adopted within private law to address such difficulties. Students will improve their analytical skills in identifying the nature of specific legal problems and their broader understanding of private law by placing those problems in a broader philosophical, historical, comparative and societal context. The module will particularly enable students to explore tensions and themes within private law, an understanding of which will enable them to better consider how problems that arise in the future may be addressed

Outline Of Syllabus

An example – syllabus will change each year with what’s topical and what fits with interests of particular staff members involved in module.

1.       Contract interpretation
2.       Private -v- Public – public authority liability
3.       Illegality - defences in contract and tort
4.       Responsiveness of private law to social change – privacy (a case study)
5. Feminism and private law

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture112:0022:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion221:0042:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching52:0010:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery121:0012:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1210:00120:00N/A
Total206:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This is an advanced module, with students being challenged to develop their own ways of thinking about complex issues. Issues will be introduced in lectures and discussed in small group teaching.

Drop-in/Surgery time is provided in this module as part of the Law School assessment and feedback policy such that markers and/or module leaders will offer the opportunity for one-to-one oral feedback on students' work, in addition to written feedback on coursework front sheets and generic class feedback. The time given above is merely indicative and more time may be scheduled if necessary to meet the demand for individual feedback.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Digital Examination1202A60Inspera Digital Exam. Students required to complete two questions out of five (one on each topic covered in the module).
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise2M40Students choose a case or an article on a particular issue covered in the module from a list provided by the module leader. Students will then prepare a 1500 word note on that case or article.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students will examine a piece of source material in depth during the course of the semester. This will enable them to hone their skills to sit the final exam.

Reading Lists

Timetable