Introduction to Property Law - LAWS8273

 
Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 4
 
 
EFTSL: 0.08333 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 1
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: Academic Program must be either 9220 or 5750
 
 
CSS Contribution Charge:Band 3 (more info)
 
   
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description


The course aims to provide students with some of the basic building blocks essential to an understanding of property law. These key concepts are not only important to property law itself but also to understandings in related fields such as succession, taxation, water law, native title, trusts and equity, for example. The course explores the concept of the fragmentation of proprietary interests and discusses how interests may be divided spatially according to the doctrine of tenure, and temporarily, according to the doctrine of estates. The course also aims to provide students with an overview of the creation, transfer and acquisition of various types of property interests which may include mortgages, leases and easements. Its primary focus is on real property but it also touches on personal and intellectual property.

Credited Programs


Legal Studies students only

Recommended Prior Knowledge


None

Course Objectives


On completion of this course students should be able to:

  • Recognise legal problems at a standard appropriate to an introductory course
  • Undertake legal research
  • Argue clearly and persuasively, both in writing and verbally
  • Read and interpret legislation at the standard appropriate to an introductory course
  • Evaluate critically existing legal principles and institutions with a view to determining what reforms, if any, are needed
  • Apply your knowledge to theoretical issues
  • Develop an individual perspective on the philosophy(ies) underpinning property

Main Topics


  • The concept of property
  • The doctrines of tenure and estates
  • Native title
  • Adverse possession
  • Priorities
  • Torrens
  • Leases
  • Mortgages

Assessment


Class participation - 20%
Research exercise - 80%



Course Texts


Prescribed
J Gray (et al), Property Law in New South Wales, LexisNexis, Sydney, 2007.


Recommended
None

Resources


Some Course Materials will be sent electronically to students before the course commences. These must be undertaken in advance of attending the course.