Module Identifier LA39010  
Module Title INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL LAW  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Mr Richard W Ireland  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Dr Jonathan M C Fitchen  
Mutually Exclusive LA36520  
Course delivery Lecture   16 hours. Two one hour lectures per week  
  Seminars / Tutorials   3 hours. Three one hour seminars  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam1.5 Hours  100%
Supplementary Exam1.5 Hours  100%
Professional Exemptions Not Required for Professional Purposes  

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to.
1. Understand key principles of Roman Law
2. Appreciate and critically evaluate the contribution of Roman Law to modern legal systems
3. Compare and contrast Civil Law doctrines and techniques with their experience of Common Law
4. Analyse and apply Roman Law doctrines to specific problems

Brief description

The module explores the history, sources and techniques of Roman Law. It then explores such knowledge with respect, in particular, to the Law of Obligations. The influence of Civilian learning in respect of named jurisdictions (principally France, Germany, Scotland, England and Wales) is explored and the nature, philosophy and technique of codification is examined and related to the sources.

Content

History and Sources of Roman Law-lex, Praetorian and juristic development. The work of Justinian.
The Law of Obligations generally
The Law of Contract
The Law of Delict
The Law of Quasi-Contract
Influence of Roman Law (generally and specifically in relation to the above topics) on the development of national legal systems: France, Germany, Scotland, England and Wales.
Codification-aims, history and philosophy-illustrated primarily through the Civil Codes of France and Germany.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6