LAND LAW 1 - 2021/2

Module code: LAW2081

Module Overview

Introduction to the basic principles of real property. It introduces the sources and content of land law and their application and effect, as well as related ethical and policy questions.

Module provider

School of Law

Module Leader

THANAPAL Vickie (Schl of Law)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

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

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 44

Lecture Hours: 22

Tutorial Hours: 7

Guided Learning: 55

Captured Content: 22

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:


  • Nature of Land                                       

  • Ownership of Land (historical origins and modern significance including estates in land)

  • Introduction to different kinds of third party rights in land.

  • Enforcement of third party rights in the unregistered system

  • Enforcement of third party rights in the registered system

  • The leasehold estate in land               


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Coursework 3000 WORD COURSEWORK 100

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate, in accordance with the Learning Outcomes, their acquired knowledge, critical awareness of the key principles and policies studied in this Module, their ability to evaluate and also to apply their acquired knowledge and critical awareness to the resolution of hypothetical legal problems.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

1 written 3,000 word coursework for Semester 1.

Formative assessment and feedback

Students will receive verbal feedback on their performance during tutorials.  In addition they will undertake a written 1,500 word formative assessment, during Semester 1, on which they will receive individual written feedback and group verbal feedback. This written formative assessment will be designed to give the students practice in writing an answer which is similar in style and content to what they can expect in their summative assessment.

Module aims

  • To consider and critically examine the rules of law (comprising both the common law principles and the legislative provisions) which provide the legal framework of land law in the areas covered by the Land Law I syllabus (as indicated below)
  • To consider and critically examine the considerations of policy which underlie land law in the areas covered by the Land Law I syllabus
  • To consider the objectives of land law as they relate to the areas of land law covered by the Land Law I syllabus, with particular reference to its theoretical underpinning, as well as the philosophies and the various conceptions of justice apparent within this area of law,
  • To partially satisfy the Qualifying Law Degree requirements as to land law.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
1 Explain and analyse the principal features of the areas of land law considered in this Module and of the way those principles have developed KC
2 Analyse and demonstrate a critical understanding of the legal issues arising in a range of hypothetical legal problems CPT
3 Use and critically engage with the sources of land law, including common law, equity and statute, and the relationship between them KCT
4 Be able to conduct an analysis of such hypothetical legal problems by applying their acquired knowledge and critical understanding of the underlying concepts and principles to reach a legal resolution of the problems KCPT
5 Analyse and demonstrate a critical understanding of the relationship between policy and principle in the relevant areas of land law considered and be able to evaluate the law and policy they have studied KC
6 Analyse major tendencies within scholarly discussions of Land Law KCPT
7 Critically apply knowledge of the primary and secondary legal authorities to solve novel problems and answer essay questions about the competing goals and content of land law KCPT
8 Be able to effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis PT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy follows an enquiry-based learning approach.

Lectures will introduce the topics, give a general overview of the principles of each topic, give guidance on how to analyse the law and research those topics and in some instances give specific examples of the law and its effect. 

The lectures will not give a full description of, or appreciation of, the law. In order to learn in greater depth and breadth, such as to satisfy the learning outcomes, students will answer questions of some complexity in the 2-hour seminars, either resolving legal problems or performing a critical analysis of the law. Typically the seminar groups will each contain 16 students, who will work in small groups to research the law and present answers, demonstrating self-direction and originality, of both approach and resolution. Students should be prepared to field questions during their presentations, either from their tutor or from fellow students, and to follow up the presentations with group discussion and feedback. Presentations may be required in any form, including advocacy for a specific party in a problem question or argument for or against a specific proposition.

The learning and teaching methods include:


  • Lectures (2 hrs x 11 weeks)

  • Tutorials (2 hrs x 6 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: LAW2081

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Law with Criminology LLB (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Law LLB (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Law with International Relations LLB (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Law (Law and Technology Pathway) LLB (Hons) 1 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module
Law (Philosophy, Politics and Law Pathway) LLB (Hons) 1 Compulsory 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 2021/2 academic year.