COMMERCIAL RESTITUTION - 2020/1

Module code: LAW3132

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, and in a departure from previous academic years and previously published information, the University has had to change the delivery (and in some cases the content) of its programmes, together with certain University services and facilities for the academic year 2020/21.

These changes include the implementation of a hybrid teaching approach during 2020/21. Detailed information on all changes is available at: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/coronavirus/course-changes. This webpage sets out information relating to general University changes, and will also direct you to consider additional specific information relating to your chosen programme.

Prior to registering online, you must read this general information and all relevant additional programme specific information. By completing online registration, you acknowledge that you have read such content, and accept all such changes.

Module Overview

Commercial restitution is an intellectually stimulating subject which lies at the intersection of the foundational subjects of private law. It is a recent and swiftly developing area of law, with significant practical relevance. Knowledge of the rules that form the basis of this subject is highly recommended for those who want to pursue careers in commercial law.

Unjust enrichment as a cause of action has been recognised by the House of Lords in 1991. However, commercial restitution has been an important concept in English commercial law for much longer. In this course, we explore the legal developments and debates in this lively and commercially very important area of law.

Module provider

School of Law

Module Leader

TUREK Krystof (Schl of Law)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

JACs code: M221

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

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

n/a

Module content

Introduction to unjust enrichment and restitution
What is enrichment?
At the claimant's expense?
A list of unjust factors
The absence of basis theory
Tracing
Restitutionary remedies
Defences

Assessment pattern

Assessment type	Unit of assessment	Weighting
Coursework	3,000 word written coursework	100

Alternative Assessment

n/a

Assessment Strategy

The module will be assessed by a 3,000 word written coursework. There will be an opportunity to submit a formative assessment and obtain feedback.

Module aims

To introduce the concept of unjust enrichment and the variety of restitutionary responses
To develop an understanding of the concept of unjust enrichment in English law
To understand and critically assess when enrichment will be reversible when it is at the claimant's expense
To understand and critically assess the variety of unjust factors that may make the receipt of enrichment unjustified
To understand and critically assess the rival theory of absence of basis
To understand and critically assess the law of tracing
To understand and critically assess the variety of restitutionary responses
To understand and critically assess the variety of defences to a claim for restitution

Learning outcomes

		Attributes Developed
001	Critically evaluate the central principles, concepts and history of the area of restitution and unjust enrichment	CKT
002	Critically evaluate the content of the rules studied on this module	CKT
003	Critically evaluate the concept of enrichment in English law	CKT
004	Critically evaluate the idea of when that enrichment is at the claimant's expense	CKPT
005	Critically evaluate the proper justification for restitutionary reliability (unjust factors or absence of basis)	CKT
006	Critically evaluate the remedies available to effectuate restitution of unjust enrichment	CKPT
007	Critically evaluate the circumstances in which the defendant may have a valid defence to a restitutionary claim	CKPT
008	Critically engage with scholarly debates on the law of restitution and unjust enrichment	CKT
009	Critically engage with the major controversies surrounding the legal areas studied in this module	CKT
010	Critically engage with and apply knowledge of the primary and secondary legal authorities to solve complex problems and complex essay questions which seek to resolve tensions between the competing arguments surrounding the law of restitution	CKP

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Overall student workload

Independent Study Hours: 117

Seminar Hours: 33

Methods of Teaching / Learning

This course will be delivered through 11 weekly three-hour seminars. Preparatory reading will be required, and seminar participation and debate encouraged within an informal academic setting.

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

Reading list for COMMERCIAL RESTITUTION : http://aspire.surrey.ac.uk/modules/law3132

Other information

n/a

Programmes this module appears in

Programme	Semester	Classification	Qualifying conditions
Law with Criminology LLB (Hons)	1	Optional	A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Law LLB (Hons)	1	Optional	A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Law with International Relations LLB (Hons)	1	Optional	A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module

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.