Unit information: Land Law in 2014/15

Unit name	Land Law
Unit code	LAWD20002
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Layard
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	University of Bristol Law School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit considers in detail the range of rights that may exist in land, their durability, along with the rules governing potential conflicts between such rights. Topics covered include: successive and concurrent interests; leases and licences; easements and covenants; security interests; priorities; registered land; concepts of property, formalities, constructive trusts, proprietary estoppels.

The unit aims to give students a basic understanding of land law. Students are equipped to understand and apply the distinct conceptual tools deployed in land law and the particular applications of legal reasoning associated with it, notably in terms of statutory interpretation. Students will be able to discuss the range of rights that one or more people may hold in relation to land, and the principles that govern the enforceability of such rights against third parties. They will be able to solve problems arising in this area of law.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Develop unit-specific knowledge and understanding of the system of English land law. By the end of the unit, you should be able to:

• explain how estates and interests in land are created and transferred
• explain the characteristics of the major interests in land
• identify when transactions involving land present priority problems
• explain how such priority problems will be resolved
• show an understanding of the forces that have shaped the development of the law
• show an understanding of the defects of the current law and it might be reformed

Using statutory materials Develop generic legal skills in using statutory materials. By the end of the unit, you should be able to:

• cite any relevant statutory provisions accurately, when stating or discussing the law
• analyse and explain the meaning of these provisions, in light of case law interpreting them
• use that understanding in the resolution of complex land law problems

Solving complex, multi-issue legal problems develop generic legal skills in solving multi-issue legal problems. By the end of the unit, you should be able to:

• analyse complex land law problems, to identify the legal issues raised
• identify the applicable legal principles
• use those principles in a well-ordered and well-reasoned manner to resolve the legal issues raised

Teaching Information

20 lectures 8 tutorials plus revision sessions

Assessment Information

Formative assessment: students should do one, and may do two pieces of formative work Summative assessment: one 3-hour (unseen) exam consisting of essays and problem questions (100% of mark).

Reading and References

- Dixon, Modern Land Law (9th edn Routledge 2014)

Articles and chapters on reading lists include: - Cowan, Fox O’Mahoney and Cobb, Great Debates: Property Law (Palgrave, 2012) - G. Douglas, J. Pearce and H. Woodward, “Cohabitants, property and the law: A study of injustice”, (2009) 72(1) Modern Law Review 24 - A. Bottomley, “From Mrs Burns to Mrs Oxley: Do co-habiting women (still) need marriage law?”, (2006) 14(2) Feminist Legal Studies 181 - A. Bottomley, “Self and subjectivities: Languages of claim in property law”, (1993) 20(1) Journal of Law and Society 56 - M. Dixon, “Confining and defining proprietary estoppel: The role of unconscionability”, (2010) 30(3) Legal Studies 408 - Goymour, Easements, servitudes and the right to park (2009) 67(1) C.L.J. 20-23 - Bogusz, “Actual Occupation under the LRA 2002” [2011] Conv 268 - Nield, “Responsible lending and borrowing: Whereto low-cost home ownership?’, (2010) 30(4) Legal Studies 610 - Law Commission Report on Easements and Covenants http://www.justice.gov.uk/lawcommission/areas/easements.htm