Course Catalogue

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This course provides students with an overview of the main areas of tort law and introduces the main concepts of tort law in common law jurisdictions, particularly, but not limited to, English law. The course concentrates on the foundations of tortious liability. Indicative of the topics covered in the course would be: negligence, nuisance, vicarious liability, defamation, unjustified enrichment, causation, defences, damages and remedies. The topics covered in the course may be varied.

It is a compulsory course for the LLB (Common Law) and the Accelerated LLB (Common Law).

Generally three 1 hour lectures per week in Semester 2. Five 1 hour tutorials per student during semester 2. 1 hr moot.

Entry to the Common Law LLB or the accelerated Common Law LLB or as a visiting law student.

LAW 1021 Obligations 1A

LAW 1001 Business Law

Common Law System and Method

One 2 hour written unseen examination as summative assessment at the end of the course in semester 2.

■ To provide a grounding in the overall structure and function of Private Law.

■ To provide a firm grounding in the structure and content of the Law of Tort in the Common Law systems, drawing appropriate comparisons with the Law of Delict/Reparation in the Civil Law Systems.

■ To explain and illustrate, through a programme of lectures and tutorials, the main principles and concepts of the Law of Tort.

■ To enhance students' problem-solving skills through the identification of legal issues in complex problems, the application of relevant legal rules, and achievement of resolutions to the problems set.

■ To offer guidance in the framing and presentation of written and oral legal argument.

■ To highlight areas where the principles are subject to doubt or disagreement, and to encourage independent thought.

■ To assist students in the development of research methods and enhance their familiarity with different sources of law.

■ To encourage critical analysis, problem-solving, and enhance essay-writing skills.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Show a clear understanding of the basic classification of Private Law, and its overall structure and function.

■ Understand the structure of tort law by focusing on the structure of common law systems.

■ Show a clear and thorough understanding of principles and concepts of Tort Law.

■ Define accurately and explain clearly the legal issues in complex problems, supported by the appropriate authority.

■ Undertake research to understand such arguments and make informed choices on the legal rules applicable in areas where the principles are subject to doubt or disagreement.

■ Demonstrate an ability to plan how to resolve problems and rank competing arguments.

■ Construct and present a coherent and well-argued account of individual issues.

■ Present an oral argument on legal issues.

■ Research, extract and combine information from a variety of sources.

■ Work to deadlines, independently, and plan work accordingly.

Additional requirement - a student must have obtained a 'pass' in the Law of Tort Moot.