Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW3041C: Trusts

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

  • Introduction to equity, trusts and the concept of beneficial ownership
  • Classification of trusts and distinction of trusts from other legal concepts
  • Creation of trust instruments
  • Requirements of certainty in relation to trust instruments
  • Trustee duties and powers
  • Breach of trust
  • Investment trusts
  • Private wealth management
  • Employee benefit trusts
  • Charitable trusts
  • Constructive and resulting trusts
  • Equitable remedies
  • Unjust enrichment and unjust factors
  • Restitution for wrongs
  • Proprietary and restitutionary claims
  • Remedies and defences in restitution

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
542460

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

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activity918 x 30-minute podcast
Scheduled learning and teaching activity1818 x 1-hour lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activity2718 x 1.5-hour seminars
Guided independent study85Individual reading and lecture preparation
Guided independent study95Seminar preparation
Guided independent study16Formative assessment preparation
Guided independent study50Summative assessment preparation

Online Resources

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

The Law Society (News updates on Trusts): www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/private-client/trusts

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
Outline of essay750 words1, 2, 4-10Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available
Outline of written legal advice750 words1-10Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available

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
Essay603,500 words1, 2, 4-10Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available
Written legal advice402,000 words1-10Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available

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 (3,500 words)1, 2, 4-10August/September reassessment period
Written legal adviceWritten legal advice (2,000 words)1-10August/September reassessment 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.

Graham Virgo, The Principles of Equity and Trusts (4th edn, OUP 2020)

Jonathan Garton, Rebecca Probert & Gerry Bean, Moffat's Trusts Law: Text and Materials (7th edn, CUP 2020)

James Glister and James Lee, Hanbury and Martin: Modern Equity (21st edn, Sweet & Maxwell 2018)

Andrew Burrows, The Law of Restitution (3rd edn, OUP 2011).

Paul S Davies & James Penner (eds), Equity,Trusts and Commerce (Hart Studies in Private Law). (Hart Publishing 2017)

Peter Devonshire & Rohan Havelock (eds), The Impact of Equity and Restitution in Commerce (Hart Studies in Private Law) (Hart Publishing 2019)