The module introduces the student to the fundamental concepts of land law by focusing on the nature of ‘property’ and on the creation, protection, and disposition of different estates and interests in land, the role of formalities and registration systems, and the part played by the law in regulating land use.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

• Accurately identify, describe and explain the main principles, values and rules that operate in land law of England and Wales with reference to relevant case law, legislation and policy
• Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge in order to provide arguable conclusions in problem-solving exercises (involving actual or hypothetical problems relating to land law)
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in depth and in context by explaining the relationship between substantive areas of land law, and between land law and wider social and/or policy issues
• Analyse specific aspects of land law drawing on a range of different sources including case law, legislation, policy debate, and academic journal articles

A combination of lectures and tutorials

Throughout the module, students will be expected to develop and practise the intellectual, practical and transferrable skills appropriate to Level 5 learning outcomes, such as:

• Recognise and rank the importance of issues in terms of relevance and importance.
• Use appropriate legal research methods and tools independently to identify primary and secondary materials to supplement reading lists and taught materials.
• Bring together information and materials from a variety of different sources, and produce a synthesis of relevant doctrinal and policy issues in relation to each topic.
• Evaluate and merits of particular arguments and make reasoned choices between different alternative outcomes or solutions to problems.
• Present knowledge or an argument, orally and in writing, in a way which is clear, informed comprehensible to others.
• Produce a word-processed piece of summative coursework on an independently researched topic.
• Use electronic information retrieval systems, such as Westlaw UK, HeinOnline, Hansard etc.
• Make spontaneous and pre-prepared oral contributions to each tutorial.
• Reflect on his/her own learning by measuring progress against the module’s learning outcomes and use feedback to identify and overcome weaknesses in performance. 

Exam 3 hours - 100%

Areas of study typically include:

• Fundamental concepts of land law.
• Co-ownership and trusts of land.
• Acquiring interests in the family home.
• Land registration.
• Leases and licences.
• Easements.
• Freehold covenants.
• Mortgages.
• Adverse possession.

Details of the recommended texts will be available at the beginning of the module. In preparation for each tutorial, in addition to specified readings from the recommended texts, students will also be required to read specified cases, academic commentaries and articles, and official reports (including proposals by the Law Commission).

As well as completing essential reading tasks in preparation for tutorials, students are expected to engage in further reading to advance their own learning.  Further reading lists will be made available over the course of the module.