Personal Property Law - LAW00069H

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Module summary

This module will consider various aspects of English personal property law. It will build on material covered in modules such as contract law and the
law of torts, and will provide the ideal basis for further study into the broad field of commercial law. There will be coverage of impact of modern
developments such as AI, digital assets, the internet of things, and sustainability issues such as digital product passports and circular economy.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2026-27

Module aims

This module will consider various aspects of English personal property law, with a primary focus on tangible personal property (ie goods). It will build
on material covered in modules such as contract law and the law of torts, and will provide the ideal basis for further study into the broad field of
commercial law. Various topics such as the nature of property, ownership, and possession, the role of agency, and the meaning and effect of taking
security may be covered. There will also be examination of the impact of modern, digital technologies such as blockchains and distributed ledger
technologies, smart goods, AI, as well as sustainability issues. Whether there is or is not a coherent English law of personal property will be a guiding theme throughout this
module.

Module learning outcomes

- Demonstrate understanding of the principles, policies, theories and purposes of personal property law (MLO1);
- Identify, explain and critically evaluate academic, commercial, political, and other cognate perspectives on personal property law (MLO2);
- Examine critically the nature and impact of concepts relating to possession, ownership, title and property, including the different roles of law and
equity (MLO3);

- Demonstrate understanding of the impact of sustainability on personal property law (MLO4)
- Critically evaluate the impact of digitalisation on personal property law (MLO5);
- Show awareness of the competing tensions concerning the acquisition, transfer, and protection of personal property (MLO6);

Module content

This module will begin by contextualising the conceptual structures of property outlined in Foundations in Law modules 1-6, ie possession,
property, title and ownership, within the specific framework of personal property law. There will be identification of the distinction and impact of the
division between tangible and intangible personal property, and the important role played by statutory and common law frameworks governing such
areas. The focus on tangible things will be stated, and thus the importance of mechanisms such as bailment and agency will be identified and
explained. There will also be examination of the impact of security over personal property. The effect of digitalisation will be ingrained throughout the
course, as well as being the focus of specific seminar topics. The importance of personal property within society, whether as part of commerce or
otherwise, will be critically examined throughout the module, particularly in light of issues of sustainability and circular economy.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Module feedback

Students will receive regular feedback based on their contributions to seminars, and through peer and tutor review of outputs created for seminars.
Formative assessments will be undertaken throughout the course, and may take the form of presentations, group work and/or individual written
assessments. Oral and written feedback will be provided for formative assessments. Students will receive written feedback on their summative
assessment output, within the timescale set by the University's Feedback Turnaround Time policy. There will be a general "open-door" approach to
further feedback and guidance during the module and following assessments should this be required by individual students. A discussion board will
be operated via the VLE which will provide the opportunity for further feedback.

Indicative reading

Duncan Sheehan, Principles of Personal Property Law (2nd ed Hart 2017 - or more recent edition if available)
Michael Bridge (Ed), Benjamin's Sale of Goods (9th ed, Sweet and Maxwell 2014 - or more recent edition if available)

Reza Beheshti, Severine Saintier, and Sean Thomas, Bradgate's Commercial Law (4th edn OUP 2024 - or more recent edition if available).