LW1TOR: Tort

Module code: LW1TOR

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Ms Jessica Fish, email: j.fish@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): This module is restricted to LLB students (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

1. Develop knowledge and understanding of the techniques of legal reasoning and analysis characteristic of Tort law. 
2. Develop knowledge and understanding of Tort within the common law tradition and be able to understand and apply the relevant case law, judgments, and statutes.  
3. Contextualise Tort Law within the broader context of students’ legal education. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify the basic structure of the Law of Tort and its fundamental principles
2. Identify legal issues (torts) in factual scenarios and apply appropriate legal authorities
3. Gain critical awareness of how Tort Law functions within society and within the broader legal system
4. Develop skills in group working and presenting as well as both written and oral argumentation skills

Module content

This module will cover the role and purposes of  tort, and will focus on a selection of torts which may include:

1. Trespass against the person
2. Fundamentals of negligence
3. Duty of Care
4. Psychiatric Injury
5. Breach of care
6. Introduction to Causation
7. Defamation
8. Trespass against land and Nuisance
9. Rylands v Fletcher
10. Occupiers Liability
11. Vicarious Liability
12. Damages

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The course will be taught integrating lectures, tutorials, workshop and self-directed activities. The aim of the course is to provide students with a variety of avenues to engage in the subject of Tort law including simulation activities, and interviews with professionals and lecturers lead instruction.  

The topics covered may include: trespass against the person; negligence; defamation; trespass against land, nuisance and Rylands v Fletcher; occupiers liability; vicarious liability; and damages.   

Study hours

At least 37 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

1,250 word problem question exam  

Reassessment

Additional costs