INTRODUCTION TO TORT LAW - 2020/1

Module Overview

Introduction to Tort Law forms one part of the tort law syllabus, the second part (Tort Law in Context) is taught in Semester II.

Introduction to Tort Law introduces students to the concepts, terminology and polices relevant to modern tort law (including tort as a means of compensating victims and as a loss distribution mechanism) as well as briefly considering its historical origins and the potential impact on tort law of Human Rights. These points are illustrated through a consideration of some example torts (the tort of negligence, trespass to the person and related torts and trespass to land together with relevant available defences and remedies), vicarious liability and an outline of the principles governing compensation for personal injury and death.

Introduction to Tort Law will also allow opportunities for students to develop their academic skills of legal research, legal writing, critical analysis and problem solving through the use of both real case examples and tailored case studies.

It therefore satisfies part of the law of obligations, as required by the qualifying law degree (QLD) requirements.

Integration with core legal skills and critical method training

The module also shares ten one hours ‘Justice, legal systems and method’ lectures with the other Level 4 Semester One law modules on the single and dual honours programmes. These cover an introduction to the following areas:

Legal method: Introduction to the study of law; Use of sources: Authority and precedent; Interpretation; Research skills; Legal writing; Academic sources and critical analysis. History of the English legal system; Comparative overview of legal systems; Introduction to common law and common law method; Introduction to critical legal method and theories of justice

These teaching sessions will be fully integrated into the study tasks and activities in the substantive study of this module during this Semester, and inform the learning outcome below. These sessions are delivered in collaboration with the Library and learning resources team to demonstrate the practical elements of legal skills and research.

 

Module provider

School of Law

Module Leader

PETERS Katy (Schl of Law)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

University and programme entry requirements.

Module content

 

Indicative content includes:

 

What is tort?

Historical development

Interests protected

Aims of tort law

Role of tort in modern society

Impact of Human Rights Act 1998

Example torts

• Negligence


• Trespass to the person and related torts


• Trespass to Land

Vicarious Liability

Defences (for each topic covered)

Remedies

• Assessment of damages in injury cases (in outline)

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment addresses all learning outcomes listed above.

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

• Their knowledge of the topics covered;


• Their ability to think critically and to analyse relevant areas of law and policy


• Their ability to apply their knowledge and critical analysis to an extended case study based question

by undertaking a piece of guided, independent research and applying their findings to the resolution of the legal issues arising in the coursework and/or engaging in the critical discussion required in the coursework.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

One piece of coursework of no more than 3,000 words which is designed to secure the objectives identified above, as well as the learning outcomes noted above;

The assessment deadlines will be those set from time to time by the School of Law, the Faculty or the University, whichever may be the case.

Formative assessment and feedback

1500 word coursework.

Students will receive feedback on their performance, as follows:

• Oral feedback in lectures and, in particular, tutorials;


• General class discussions on guided themes/topics, with immediate (oral) feedback on their performance;


• Formal, written feedback on the formative assessment exercise;


• Individual, informal feedback, from time to time, as required.

 

Module aims

• To evaluate and examine the rules of law to a good level (comprising both the common law principles and relevant legislative provisions) which provide the legal framework of tort law both generally and in the example areas covered by the Introduction to Tort Law syllabus (as indicated below)
• To consider, examine and demonstrate a knowledge of the considerations of policy which underlie tort law generally and in the areas covered by the Introduction to Tort Law syllabus
• To consider and evaluate the objectives of tort law in relation to the areas of tort law covered by the Introduction to Tort Law syllabus,
• To appreciate at an introductory level how tort law operates as a compensation and loss distribution mechanism
• Along with Tort in Context (Semester II) to satisfy the Qualifying Law Degree requirements as to the law of Obligations

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Introduce topics, with particular emphasis on key areas of the syllabus, in lectures - using appropriate visual aids together with other with supporting materials (e.g. news clips)

• Facilitate a more detailed study of the syllabus by directed independent study of selected legislation, case law and other texts and directed preparation of focussed tutorial questions

• Enhance student’s understanding and awareness by group discussion in tutorial

• Facilitate student’s revision of the Module by the submission of written formative coursework (see below) and by interactive revision lectures towards to the end of Semester

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures (2 hours per week x 11 weeks);

• Tutorials, (1 hour per week x 8 weeks)

 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: LAW1045

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.