Module Catalogue 2026/27

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The central aims of the module are:

1. To provide a basic understanding of key legal concepts and of the nature of legal materials. [PC1-I/D/A]

2. To provide a general introduction to the legal framework for land use. [PC1-I/D/A]; [PC10-I/D/A]

3. To provide insight into the circumstances where those concerned with various aspects of land use may encounter legal problems or have occasion to call on legal expertise. [PC10-I/D/A]

4. To provide a foundation for non-Law students wishing to take more advanced modules in Land, Planning or Environmental Law.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will address the following topics:

* An introduction to English law, and the role of law in regulating land use;

* The structure of private land law;

* Subsidiary rights over other people’s land;

* Landlord and Tenant;

* Responsibility for harm arising from the use of land;

* Public control of land use.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. An introduction to English law, including sources of English law (including EU sources and the Human Rights Act 1998); the English Court Structure and the doctrine of precedent. [PC1-I/D]

2. The structure of private Land Law, including: defining land; ownership; tenure and estates; the role of equity; introduction to land registration; introduction to easements. [PC1-I/D/A] [PC10-I/D/A]

3. An introduction to the law of Landlord & Tenant. [PC1-I/D/A]; [PC10-I/D/A]

4. An introduction to the role of Tort Law, with particular reference to trespass to land, nuisance, and occupier’s liability. [PC1-I/D/A]; [PC10-I/D/A]

5. An introduction to the nature of public rights in land, and of legal machinery for public control of land use: planning law and development control, including Environmental Impact Assessments; and Environmental Regulation of land (i.e. site designation) [PC1-I/D/A]; [PC10-I/D/A]

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module, students will be able to:

* Engage in legal problem solving: identifying relevant issues; applying relevant concepts, principles and rules; identifying evidence needed; making judgements and reaching supported conclusions on the basis of sound and informed reasoning. [PC1-I/D/A; PC2-I/D/A]; PC10-I/D/A]

* Demonstrate the ability to write and speak with care and precision in the understanding, analysis and synthesis of the law. [PC5-D/A]

* Demonstrate the ability to identify issues for research, and to retrieve accurate and relevant legal and other sources in primary and secondary form. [PC2-I/D/A]

Cognitive Skills

* Analysis: Identifying and ordering issues by relevance and importance

* Synthesis of materials from diverse sources

* Critical judgement: discernment between the merits or otherwise of particular arguments

* Evaluation: making a reasoned choice between competing solutions or arguments.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures: There will be 22 hours of lectures seeking to provide an overview of the substantive elements of the course, and also to provide opportunities for legal skills development (e.g. introducing problem questions). These will be supported with structured online guidance and activities.

Seminars: There will be four synchronous one-hour classes for students that correspond to the content of the course, providing opportunities for knowledge and skills development. These provide an opportunity to develop oral, analytical and critical skills as well as knowledge development in relation to the aspects of the law covered. The seminars will be structured, with students expected to prepare responses to questions in advance of attending. These will provide a mixture of problem and essay style questions.

Lecture Materials: The feedforward lectures for coursework and the exam will be recorded and uploaded to Canvas. This is to enable students to easily access this at a time that suits them.

Module Talk: Synchronous Assessment Feedforward Q&A: These synchronous sessions will represent two hours of scheduled online contact time. These sessions are opportunities for students to ask questions about each of the assessments respectively, and also to ask any broader questions about the module.

Drop-In/Surgery Feedback: These reflect the Law School policy that markers will offer the opportunity for one-to-one oral feedback on students’ assessed work.

Module Talk: Revision: These synchronous online sessions will provide an opportunity for students to revisit and discuss key areas of the course prior to the exam.

Online Discussion: There will be dedicated opportunities for students to engage in online discussion board activities in peer learning groups, or to undertake quizzes as individuals. This will help to consolidate student learning and develop their knowledge and skills. Tasks and quizzes will help bridge the gap between lecture content and preparing for seminars/assessment, addressing elements of problem-style and/or essay style questions.

Independent Study: There will be 163 hours of independent study associated with this module, to be divided as needed between preparation, consolidation, engaging with the formative assessment and revision.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The summative assessment is comprised of an unseen examination. This provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of different topics within the syllabus.

The final examination requires students to answer one multi-part compulsory problem question, and one essay style question from a choice of three. These assessments engage critical, analytical and evaluative skills, as well as the ability to write with care and precision.

A take-home exam is preferred, so that it is open book and submitted online.

Students have the opportunity to complete a formative assessment in the form of a Multiple Choice Quiz (MCQ).

Structured online learning activities and seminars have been designed to focus on the skills development necessary for the summative assessment.

General Notes

N/A