LW2LAN: Land Law

Module Provider:

School of Law

Number of credits:

30 [15 ECTS credits]

Level:

I (Intermediate)

Terms in which taught:

Autumn and Spring

Module Convenor:

Professor EJ Cooke

Pre-requisites:

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

Module version for:

2007/8

Aims:
• To complement knowledge of legal and equitable property rights gained through study of other modules (particularly Equity & Trusts).

• To provide a foundation upon which students can study property options in the final year and build a career in the legal or other property related professions.

• To examine the nature, scope, creation and enforceability of rights relating to land from a theoretical and practical point of view.

Assessable learning outcomes:
The students will have developed their knowledge of the significance of legal and equitable property rights in the context of land; they will have acquired knowledge of the nature, scope, creation and enforceability of such rights. They will be able to evaluate some key land law concepts, to identify those applicable to straightforward factual situations and to apply them to those situations so as to reach clear and supportable conclusions.

Additional outcomes:
The development of oral communication skills and experience of team working.

Outline content:
The module will reflect the overriding importance of the Land Registration Act 2002, under which registration will be the basis of title, while nevertheless explaining the history and context of the modern law. It will be concerned with all types of land ownership (freehold, leasehold, shared, ownership by way of security and adverse possession) and also with property rights not amounting to full ownership (easements and covenants).

• What is land?
• Introductory Concepts: Tenures and Estates
• Title to Land and the Land Registration Act 2002
• Sharing Ownership and Land
• Easements
• Covenants affecting Freehold and Leasehold Land
• Adverse Possession
• Mortgages

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Two one-hour lectures per week plus one tutorial per fortnight. One essay is to be written per term. Teamwork will be a component in at least one tutorial.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
None.

Examinations
One three-hour examination paper (four questions to be answered out of at least eight) in May/June.

Requirements for a pass: 40%.

Reassessment arrangements: Re-examination in September.