Unit information: Land Law in 2014/15

Unit name	Land Law
Unit code	LAWDM0075
Credit points	30
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Bell
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 explores the core principles of English land law. Though broadly doctrinal in focus, it will also expose the historical development of those principles, the policies that have driven their development, socio-political perspectives on their form and practical operation, and 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; future challenges.

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

10 two-hour seminars

Assessment Information

Summative - Three-hour examination (67%) and 3,000-word essay (33%) Formative - students should do one formative assessment.

Reading and References

Smith, Property Law (7th ed 2011) Gray & Gray, Land Law (7th ed 2011) Lawson & Rudden, The Law of Property (3rd ed 2002)

Articles and cases including:Birks - ‘Before we begin: Five keys to Land Law’ and Bright ‘Of Estates and Interests: A tale of Ownership and Property Rights’ in Bright and Dewar, ‘Themes and Perspectives’ (1998) Gardner - ‘The Remedial Discretion in Proprietary Estoppel’ (1999) 115 LQR 438 Kernott v Jones (Supreme Court 2011) Berisford v Mexfield Housing Co-operative Limited (Supreme Court 2011)