Dispute Resolution in Contract and Tort

Module Identifier
LC31520
Module Title
Dispute Resolution in Contract and Tort
Academic Year
2026/2027
Semester
Semester 1
Co-ordinator
Mrs Lauren Harvey
Reading List
View on Aspire
Pre-Requisite
CT13820 or CT23820 or LC13820 or LC23820
Pre-Requisite
CT11120 or CT21120 or LC11120 or LC21120
Pre-Requisite
CT10120 or CT10420 or CT20120 or LC10120 or LC10420 or LC20120
Co-Requisite

If intending to prepare for the SQE1 examination students should also pursue: LC31420:LC31320:LC31620:LC31720:LC31820
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)

Welsh medium equivalent of moduleCT31520 [not yet in place]
Other Staff
Dr Tristan Webb
Dr David Poyton
Ms Caroline Whitby

Assessment

Assessment Type

Assessment details

Proportion
Semester Assessment Problem-solving written answers: 25%
Semester Exam Online examination: 2 Hours In person in computer room 75%
Supplementary Assessment Problem-solving written answers: 25%
Supplementary Exam Online Examination: 2 Hours In person in computer room 75%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

  1. Analyse merits of a claim or defence, using knowledge of the core principles of the law of contract and tort
  2. Evaluate pre-action considerations and steps to meet a client's objectives
  3. Apply the Civil Procedure Rules for bringing or responding to a claim in contract and/or tort
  4. Evaluate how best to progress or defend the claim to meet a client’s objectives
  5. Evaluate the evidence needed to progress or defend a claim
  6. Prepare a case for a trial and take forward post trial steps

Brief description

This module covers the principles and practical rules associated with dispute resolution in contract and tort.

Students are expected to draw on and apply knowledge from the following areas of law and practice:

The core principles of contract law

The core principles of tort

The principles, procedures and processes involved in dispute resolution and the Rules of Civil Procedure

Content

1. Contract
- Existence/formation of a contract
- Contents of a contract.
- Causation.
- Vitiating elements.
- Discharge of contract and remedies.
- Unjust enrichment.

2. Tort
- Negligence.
- Nuisance and the rule in Rylands v Fletcher.
- Breach of statutory duty and product liability.
- Remedies and defences.

3. Dispute Resolution
- Analysis of merits of claim or defence.
- Arbitration, mediation and litigation as an appropriate mechanism to resolve a dispute.
- Pre-action considerations and steps.
- Commencing, responding to or progressing claim.
- Case management and any interim applications relevant to the claim.
- The evidence needed, and disclosure steps required in commencing, responding to, progressing or defending a claim.
- Preparation of a case for a trial, the trial and any post trial steps.
- Procedures and processes relevant to costs and funding involved in dispute resolution.

Module skills

Skills type

Skills details
Communication Central to all interactions on this module (core to the professional and ethical elements of the competency requirements)
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will be presented with new and novel scenarios regularly in order to develop their ability to adapt the application of their legal knowledge.
Information Technology Computer-based assessment. Legal research via electronic databases.
Personal Development and Career planning Feedback and feedforward sessions reflecting on performance in set tasks. Practical and client-facing aspects of the module
Problem solving Scenarios and case studies central to module delivery with students developing solutions.
Research skills Central to problem-solving and decision making in the context of legal analysis.
Subject Specific Skills Knowledge of dispute resolution in contract and tort disputes
Team work Many of the classroom exercises will require teamwork

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6