LAW-20130 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Law-10039 Legal Essentials

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

Law of Real Property provides an essential introduction to land law, the trust, the role of Equity and the concept of property. In this module, you will consider a range of substantive property rights such as leases and mortgages. You will examine the interrelationship between law and equity, brought to life in an illuminating study of co-ownership, its structure, its regulation and the rules governing the informal acquisition of rights in the family home. As one of the key foundations of legal knowledge, this module is essential in providing you with the skills and confidence to apply and critique legal rules and formalities as apply to the creation, protection and disposition of third-party rights in Land. It is an essential module for all students wishing to pursue a career in legal practice and brings to life the world of property law disputes in practice.

This module aims to introduce you to the theory of property law, the concept of property and the general principles of property law in England and Wales. It introduces you to the major types of third-party property interests that may exist in land. You will also consider in depth how property rights are acquired, protected and transferred. Leases and licences will be examined and you will explore the rules relating to the creation of easements, the transmission of the benefit and burden of freehold covenants, the statutory formalities and policy drivers governing land contracts and the legitimate means by which these formalities can be circumvented. The law of mortgages will be analysed with special attention to the statutory, common law and equitable rights and remedies of the parties.

Intended Learning Outcomes

distinguish (both theoretically and practically) between the different types of interest in land: 1
explain the nature of equity and its place in the law of England and Wales: 1
apply the formalities governing the creation, acquisition and disposition of interests in land: 1,2
appraise the historical and contemporary policy and case law developments in land law: 1
explain the application of land law to the resolution of property disputes: 2
provide advice by reference to legal authority and the views of academic commentators: 2

Study hours

Lectures: 40 hours
Tutorials: 10 hours;
Tutorial preparation and further reading: 130
Assessment preparation, revision and further reading: 120

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment