Introductory description
The module examines and analyses the law of civil liability for wrongfully-inflicted damage or injury: the law of “wrongs” or tort.
Module web page
Module aims
The module examines and analyses the law of civil liability for wrongfully-inflicted damage or injury: the law of "wrongs" or tort. We consider the development, through cases, of doctrines intended to deal with the problems of losses which are attributable to human fault. Stress is laid on the processes and techniques involved in judicial (as opposed to legislative or administrative) law-making; on the relevance and responsiveness (or otherwise) of the doctrines thus developed to society's actual problems in the areas concerned; and on the policies and philosophies underlying the rules.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Historical development of tort;
theories and aims of tort;
the criteria for an action in negligence – duty of care, breach of duty, causation, remoteness of damage;
defences to negligence;
liability for psychiatric injury;
omissions;
public bodies;
occupier's liability;
trespass to the person;
economic loss;
special liability – products, statutory duty;
nuisance;
defamation;
privacy;
vicarious liability;
damages;
alternatives to tort.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Understand basic concepts and structure of the Common law of tort, with particular reference to the law of negligence in tort
- Understand the doctrinal relationship between the areas of common law. To appreciate the influence of policy on the development of the law
- Understand the social context and the economic implications of the recognition and extension of liability in tort. Particular reference being made to insurance, loss spreading, developing medical knowledge, maintaining professional standards and consumer protection.
- Application of substantive law and legal reasoning skills to hypothetical cases. Developing critical perspectiveson legal developments
- Analyse, evaluate and form critical judgements on individual cases and statutes; form critical judgements on a series of linked materials on discreet topic
- Work independently to gain understanding of case law and policy issues without explanatory lectures
- Understand the language of the common law obligations. Be able to make oral presentationsindividually and in small groups on matters of law and policy. Be able to participate in and to organize discussion in an orderly and productive manner
- Work in collaboration to complete defined task within a limited time.
- Reference to primary source materials on the internet (cases,statutes, government reports and academic articles) through tort law web page
Indicative reading list
McBride, N. and Bagshaw, R., Tort Law, 5th ed. (Pearson Education, 2015)
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Subject specific skills
No subject specific skills defined for this module.
Transferable skills
No transferable skills defined for this module.
Study time
| Type |
Required |
| Lectures |
36 sessions of 1 hour (12%)
|
| Seminars |
14 sessions of 1 hour (5%)
|
| Private study |
250 hours (83%)
|
| Total |
300 hours |
Private study description
No private study requirements defined for this module.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group BA
|
Weighting |
Study time |
|
Online Examination
|
100%
|
|
- Online examination: No Answerbook required
|
Feedback on assessment
Face to face feedback by student request in October. Generic feedback provided via Moodle.
Past exam papers for LA124
Courses
This module is Core for:
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-ML34 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 1 of
UIBA-MN34 Law and Business Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-M130 Undergraduate Law
-
ULAA-M105 Undergraduate Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 1 of
M105 Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 1 of
M105 Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-M131 Undergraduate Law (4 Year)
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-M106 Undergraduate Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-M132 Undergraduate Law (Year Abroad)
-
ULAA-M108 Undergraduate Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 1 of
M108 Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 1 of
M108 Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 1 of
UIBA-MN31 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
-
Year 1 of
UIBA-MN32 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
-
Year 1 of
UIBA-MN37 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
-
Year 1 of
UIBA-MN35 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
-
Year 1 of
UIBA-MN36 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-M135 Undergraduate Law and Sociology
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-M133 Undergraduate Law with French Law
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-M10A Undergraduate Law with French Law (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-M134 Undergraduate Law with German Law
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-M10C Undergraduate Law with German Law (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-M136 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (3 Year)
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-M111 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (3 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
Year 1 of
ULAA-M113 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (4 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
This module is Core optional for:
-
UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 1 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 1 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
This module is Core option list D for:
-
UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 2 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 2 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
This module is Option list E for:
-
UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 2 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law
-
Year 2 of
V7MW Politics, Philosophy and Law