| Unit name | Land Law |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWDM0075 |
| Credit points | 30 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Mr. Sheldon |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
Land Law is concerned with the distinctive body of rules that regulates the ownership of land. In particular, this unit examines the range of interests in land that are recognised by the law and how these interests are created, transferred and enforced. Land Law focuses on the most important of the practical situations in which property rights are fragmented – when more than one person has an interest in the same piece of land – and on how property rights may endure through, or be defeated by, the transfer of ownership of the land. Throughout the unit, the focus is on registered land (rather than unregistered land).
What exactly is land? How does Land Law affect Generation Rent? What happens to the family home when cohabitees’ relationship breaks down? Right to roam, right to a home…all of these matters, and more, are the concerns of this subject. During the course you will learn that Land Law is not an arid set of laws and doctrines, but is thoroughly intertwined with human experience in the living world.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Particular emphasis is given to the development of problem-solving skills. In addition, the unit is designed to enhance skills of legal reasoning, analysis and synthesis, and to develop the ability to deal with primary sources – both cases and legislation. The purpose of the coursework component of the unit is to develop skills of independent legal research and writing. This is a core unit on the Law (MA) programme and can also be chosen by students on LLM programmes who have not previously studied English law.
An overview of content
This unit explores the core principles of English land law. While developing a strong grounding in doctrinal land law, you will discover the historical development of those principles, the policies that have driven their development, socio-political perspectives on their form and operation, as well as the future scope for law reform in the area.
Core topics will be: the history, structure and concerns of land law; the registered title regime; formal and informal acquisition of interests; co-ownership and successive ownership; leases; licences; easements; covenants; security; adverse possession, human rights and future challenges.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
You will be 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.
You 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. You will be expected to read around the subject, understanding land law “in context”, challenging and critiquing some of the assumptions and practices in land law. You will be also be able to solve problems arising in these areas of land law.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the unit, a successful student will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a variety of asynchronous and synchronous activities. Seminars will be focused on essay and problem-question preparation, with special attention given to particularly controversial or difficult aspects of the law.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
1 problem question – 1,500 words, for which you will receive individual written feedback and group feedback, the latter typically via a lecture. Informal feedback will also be given as part of regular discussions during seminars and office hours.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
1 Timed Assessment – 1 essay question and 1 problem question (2,000 words each). This assessment will cover all Intended Learning Outcomes for this unit.
When assessment does not go to plan:
When a student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit, failed component/s will be reassessed on a like-for-like basis with new assessment questions.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. LAWDM0075).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
