LW5007 - Property Issues in Practice

This module is delivered through Problem Based Learning (PBL), a type of experiential learning, in which you engage in a simulated interview with an actor client (known as a standardised client) followed by supervised studio sessions (working in group guided sessions in collaborative working spaces) and small group sessions (workshops). In the latter two, you work collaboratively in small groups, facilitated by a tutor, to identify the legal problem concerned. You will carry out independent and collaborative research to identify and understand the relevant substantive law and, through a series of workshops in which you orally present your findings for tutor feedback, you will tease out the solution to your client’s problem culminating in a written research report.

There will be online teaching delivery to support the development of skills relevant to the module such as the nature of problem based learning, practical legal research skills and interviewing skills.

You will have the opportunity for formative oral feedback from tutors in workshops and on your group oral presentations. You will also receive formative feedback on your interviewing skills from your peers (your partner in the interviews) as well as from the standardised client.

Your summative assessment in this module will consist of one piece of coursework. This will comprise two elements:

(a) a research report on relevant substantive law (90%)
(b) an evaluation of the contribution to work you do in groups in preparation for the coursework. (10%)

You will be supported academically in a number of ways including:
• Online teaching delivery to support the development of skills relevant to the module such as the nature of problem based learning, practical legal research skills and interviewing skills
• Oral feedback from tutors in workshops and on group presentations
• Materials on the module elp site, for example, an exemplar of a PBL research report
• Peer feedback on your interviewing skills
• Feedback from the standardised client on your interviewing skills
• Peer feedback on research within your group

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• Apply and interpret substantive and procedural law in the wider context of a hypothetical legal case

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Effectively organise and communicate information in writing to a specialist and/or non-specialist audience

Personal Value Attributes
• Develop intellectual independence by being able to ask and answer cogent questions about law, identify gaps in your knowledge and acquire new knowledge

• Develop independent thinking skills and curiosity

You will have the opportunity for formative oral feedback from tutors in workshops and on your group oral presentations.

You will also receive formative feedback on your interviewing skills from your peers (your partner in the interviews) as well as from the standardised client.

Your summative assessment in this module will consist of one piece of coursework. This will comprise two elements:-
(a) a research report on relevant substantive law (90%)
(b) an evaluation of the contribution to work you do in groups in preparation for the coursework. (10%)


This assessment will address all four module learning outcomes. Marking criteria will be provided from the start of the module to enable you to understand what is expected and how you will be judged on your performance. You will receive written feedback on your coursework using the standard School of Law feedback sheet which includes feed forward comments to improve your performance in future assessments.

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This module uses Problem Based Learning which allows you to take charge of your own learning and to independently research an area of trusts and land law through the use of a face to face simulated experience. By interviewing a standardised client you will be introduced to a hypothetical ‘real life’ scenario allowing you to identify the legal issues at stake. You will then use a variety of research techniques and sources to independently and collaboratively research the problem and understand the legal and practical issues. You will strive to come to a solution to the problem and communicate this to both a specialist (solicitor supervisor) and non-specialist (client) audience. In this module law is studied in its real context, breaking down barriers between the substantive legal subjects so you can take a holistic approach to the practical and theoretical elements of your client’s problem preparing you for life as a practising lawyer.