Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW3041C: Trusts

This module descriptor refers to the 2024/5 academic year.

Module Aims

The module’s aims are:

  • to give you an understanding of the origin and development of the traditional concepts of equity, trusts and restitution, as well as an appreciation of how these essential tools are utilised in various ways in modern-day commercial contexts;
  • to teach you the varied terminology, theoretical foundations, core principles and key rules of equity and trusts;
  • to provide you with the opportunity to interrogate and evaluate the essential role of trusts in a number of modern-day commercial, non-commercial and private client contexts;
  • to provide you with the opportunity to evaluate the efficacy and issues inherent in different trust instruments and models of ownership;
  • to equip you with an understanding of the essential role of equitable remedies, proprietary claims and restitution, and their underlying principles and concepts;
  • to give you an opportunity to critique and potentially manipulate their use in practice;
  • to develop your understanding of the dynamic nature of law, building on study throughout your course of study (and especially in relation to law of contract and law of property);
  • to develop your skills of commercial awareness, legal research and the written and oral communication of legal analysis.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.

On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the different types of legal obligation arising under the law relating to equity trusts and restitution;
2. Explain and critically apply the main principles and rules governing equity, trusts and restitution;
3. Critique and evaluate developments in the laws relating to equity, trusts and restitution.
Discipline-Specific Skills4. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of a range of legal concepts and principles;
5. Structure and develop effective legal research, analysis and argumentation;
6. Critically apply the law to factual scenarios;
7. Communicate technical legal information and argument effectively and concisely.
Personal and Key Skills8. Take responsibility for independent learning;
9. Identify retrieve and use a range of library-based and electronic resources with little guidance;
10. Manage time independently and efficiently in preparing for learning activities and assessments.