Accessibility statement

Personal Property Law - LAW00069H

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  • Department: The York Law School
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Sean Thomas
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

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 blockchains and the internet of things.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

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, and AI. 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);

- Identify and explain the role of bailment (MLO4);

- Identify and explain the role of agency within personal property law (MLO5);

- Identify and explain the nature and effect of taking security (MLO6);

- Critically evaluate the impact of digitalisation on personal property law (MLO7);

- Show awareness of the competing tensions concerning the acquisition, transfer, and protection of personal property (MLO8);

Module content

This module will begin by contextualising the conceptual structures outlined in Property I and Property II (part of FL2 and FL3&4), 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.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Personal Property Law Essay/Coursework		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Personal Property Law Essay/Coursework		 N/A 100

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, Personal Property Law (4th ed OUP 2015 - 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).


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.