The focus of the module is private property in English land: title by registration; squatting; owner-occupation; leases; covenants and land development. It builds on the Foundations of Property module to develop an in-depth understanding of English land law, its conception of property and its politics and effects. And it gives experience in how to advise clients on land law problems – and on how to avoid problems for clients.
Private study hours: 120
Contact hours: 30
Total study hours: 150
All single and joint honours Law programmes
Main assessment methods
• Problem Question 2000 words (50%) *
• Exam 2 hours (50%)
* Students must achieve a mark of 40% in the problem question to pass the module
Reassessment methods
Like for like, where undertaken, students must achieve a mark of 40% in the problem question to pass the module on reassessment.
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages.
S Bright and J Dewar (eds) Land Law; Themes and Perspectives (Oxford University Press, 1998)
Cowan, D.et al, Great Debates in Property Law, 2nd ed.(London: Palgrave MacMillan, 2016)
Gray, K. and Gray, S., Land Law 7th ed., (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011)
Lim, H. and Bottomley, A. (eds), Feminist Perspectives on Land Law, (London: Routledge, 2007)
Murphy, T. & Flessas, T. et al, (eds), Understanding Property Law, 4th ed. (London: Sweet and Maxwell, 2004)
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principal concepts of land registration and of property rights in English land law, together with key cases and statutory provisions.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the particular conceptions of Property immanent in the concepts of English land law – possession-based title; title by registration; property as a right binding various categories of people outside of a contractual or other personal relationship.
3. Demonstrate a contextual and critical understanding of relevant issues, particularly the 'culture of registration' and title by registration; squatting; family property and housing finance issues.
4. Demonstrate problem-avoidance – an ability to recognise potential land law issues and use appropriate drafting and planning to avoid things going wrong for a hypothetical client.
5. Demonstrate problem-solving – an ability to recognise land law issues in a factual situation where things have gone wrong for a hypothetical client.
6. Demonstrate an ability to analyse English land law contextually and critically.
7. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of English private and public law. Consideration of English land law is building on concepts and issues about property introduced in Foundations of Property. Property rights are contrasted with contractual and other personal rights highlighted in Introduction to Obligations. Private rights over land are contrasted with public rights.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a contextual and critical understanding of English law.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of legal problem-solving.
3. Demonstrate appropriate legal research.
4. Demonstrate a contextual and critical analysis.
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