• Overview
  • Aims and Learning Outcomes
  • Module Content
  • Indicative Reading List
  • Assessment

Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW3041B: Trusts

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Module Aims

The aims of the module are:


To achieve a critical understanding of the general principles of the law of Trusts, both in their own right and within the wider context of property law, and to do so by concentrating on selected topics which are studied in depth.

  
To achieve flexibility in the study of Trusts law, and selectivity within the considerable amount of material, so that problems in Trusts law can be correctly identified and addressed succinctly and accurately with full legal authority.

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. Understand the general principles of the law of Trusts as expressed through case law and legislative enactments;
2. Possess a detailed knowledge of the law relating to certain areas of Trusts which have been selected for study in view of their particular difficulty or importance;
3. Develop awareness of and understanding of the areas of growth and reform in the law of Trusts;
4. Develop understanding of the importance of non-legal/contextual materials (such as Charity Commission guidance).
Discipline-Specific Skills5. Demonstrate detailed / comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a range of complex and technical legal concepts and principles;
6. Identify and apply the relevant law from legal sources and to locate and discuss the relevance of specified non-legal sources;
7. Acquire legal research and analytical skills
Personal and Key Skills8. Demonstrate engaged, effective and accurate written communication skills in a manner appropriate to the discipline / different contexts
9. Demonstrate engaged, effective and accurate oral communication skills in a manner appropriate to the discipline / different contexts
10. Identify, retrieve and use efficiently a range of library-based and electronic resources with minimum guidance;
11. Demonstrate ability to interact effectively and proactively within a team / learning group and to share information and ideas, and to manage conflict
12. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, to complete a specified task.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

It is envisaged that the syllabus will include the following topics in the following order although precise content and order may vary.


Part 1: Private Trusts: Introduction; historical contextualisation; Distinction of trusts from other legal concepts; Creation of trusts; Formalities; Discretionary trusts.  

Part 2: Trusts Administration: Introduction to Trusteeship; Remuneration of trustees; Duty to maintain equality between beneficiaries; Investment; Powers of maintenance and advancement.  

Part 3: Other Trust Matters: Implied and Resulting trusts; Constructive trusts; Breach of Trust; Personal Remedies and Tracing;  

Part 4: Charities: Different forms of charity; Charities Act 2006 and the work of the Charity Commission and Charity Tribunal; Charitable nature; Disqualifying factors; Public benefit; Regulation of charities; Cy Pres doctrine.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
582420

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity2222 x 1 hour Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities13.59 x 1.5 hour seminars
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities13.59 x 1.5 hour syndicate workshops
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities99 x 1 hour Q & A sessions
Guided Independent study43Syndicate preparation
Guided Independent study43Seminar preparation
Guided Independent study31Formative assessment preparation
Guided Independent study62Summative assessment preparation
Guided independent study189 x 2 hour peer-led syndicate meetings & activities
Guided Independent Study45Individual reading and lecture preparation

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

 

All handouts and related materials will be put up throughout the year by the module co-ordinator on an ELE Trusts site. This site will also be used at the discretion of the individual lecturers for distribution of slides, and tests.

Other Learning Resources

Comprehensive bound module materials written by the lecturers as described above.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Seminars9 x 2 hours1-12Immediate feedback from tutors and peers
Formative essay48 hour turn-around, 2500 words1-8, 10-12Individual indicative mark and individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available. General comments given in a lecture or on ELE.

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay10048 hour turnaround, 5000 words1-8, 10-12Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available
0
0
0
0
0

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
EssayEssay (48 hour turnaround, 5,000 words)1-8, 10-12August / September re-assessment period

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

There are no texts specified as essential but the following are all recommended for students to choose from;  

Text Books  
Hudson, A., Equity and Trusts , 7th ed. 2013, Routledge-Cavendish  
Virgo, Graham,  The Principles of Equity and Trusts, 2012, Oxford University Press

Moffat, G., Trusts Law, Text and Materials , 5th ed. 2009, Cambridge University Press  
Oakley, A. J., Parker and Mellows: The Modern Law of Trusts , 9th ed. 2008, Sweet and Maxwell  
Pettit, P., Equity and the Law of Trusts , 11th ed. 2009, Oxford University Press  
Panesar, S., Exploring Equity and Trusts, 2010, Pearson  
Martin, J., Hanbury and Martin: Modern Equity , 18th ed. 2009, Sweet & Maxwell  

Shorter Texts  
Watt, G. Trusts and Equity , 3rd ed. 2008, Oxford University Press

Penner, J. E. The Law of Trusts , 5th ed. 2006, Oxford University Press  
Hudson, A. Understanding Equity and Trusts , 3rd ed. 2008, Routledge-Cavendish  
Edwards, R. and Stockwell, N. Trusts and Equity , 9th ed. 2009, Pearson Education.  

Cases and Materials Book  
Watt, G. Todd and Watt's Cases & Materials on Equity and Trusts , 7th ed. 2009, Oxford University Press  
Burn, E. H. Maudsley & Burn's Trusts & Trustees Cases & Materials , 7th ed. 2008 Oxford University Press  

Statute Book  
A number of satisfactory books are on the market but two good ones are;  
Thomas, M. Blackstone’s Statutes on Property Law 2009-10 , 17th ed, Oxford University Press  
Hewitson, R. Property Law Statutes 2010-11 , Routledge