module specification

The Law of Tort I is a core module for the LL.B. courses and the BA in Law, which introduces students to some of the key principles of the Law of Tort, which is one of the foundation subjects of English Law, as identified by the professional legal bodies, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board.

Students will study the principles of the tort of negligence, by far the most significant of the torts in terms of legal practice. These principles include the duty of care, breach of duty, causation and remoteness.

The aims of the module are as follows:

1. Students will acquire knowledge of the basic precepts of the tort of negligence;

2. Students will develop their skills in finding, reading and understanding primary sources of law;

3. Students will develop their skills in finding, reading and understanding secondary sources of law;

4. Students will practise the practical and professional skills of legal research, legal analysis and legal writing.

N/A

1. Scope and Purpose of the Law of Tort

LO1 & LO2 

2. The Tort of Negligence

LO3

Duty of Care
Breach of Duty
Causation and Remoteness
Defences
Nervous Shock
Economic Loss
Vicarious Liability
Remedies

Learning and Teaching Strategy

Weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour seminar. 

The lecture will be used for:

Dissemination of knowledge through an overview of each topic with detailed guidance on appropriate aspects;
An introduction to relevant academic literature;
Guidance on learning strategies;
Use of blackboard and IT resources;
Whole group questions and discussion.

The seminar will be used for:

Development of skills necessary to attain the module learning outcomes through:
Written and oral questions/answers designed to reinforce fundamental rules/principles/cases;
A range of step by step writing exercises;
IT tasks such as research of cases and statutes
Problem-solving
Legal writing

Blended Learning

All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on blackboard for use in directed private study.

Student engagement will be encouraged in both lectures and seminars through weekly use of Weblearn for access to all of the above materials.

There will be required use of the professional legal databases, especially Westlaw and Lexis Library, for legal research

Opportunities for reflective learning/pdp

Each weekly seminar will contain space for students to reflect on what they have learnt in relation to the overall syllabus. There will be frequent feedback opportunities structured into the timetable and a range of sample answers posted onto Weblearn.

Students’ Study Responsibilities

The need for attendance, punctuality, preparation and engagement will be emphasised with particular reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, team-work, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject.

On successful completion of this module, the students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the purpose and scope of the law of tort.

2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the key elements of the tort of negligence.

3. Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent legal research into a tort-related issue, and to present a cogent discussion about it.

Coursework (1,500 words)

A written essay. This will assess the ability to discuss legal case studies and/or contemporary legal issues within the context of the law of tort; and to present the discussion in a cogent, written format.

This specifically relates to all the learning outcomes for the course.

TBC