Advanced torts

LWM82

This course is designed for students who have obtained an undergraduate degree in law or another discipline and who are now interested in postgraduate-level studies. Tort law is fundamental to the common law and is of everyday importance in all sorts of community and business interactions.

Study as an individual course

Module A: Introduction to torts and trespass to the person

LWM82A

History of tort law
Protected interests and fault
Battery
Assault
False imprisonment
Intentional infliction of harm

Module B: The action in negligence

LWM82B

Duty of care: general
Duty of care: psychiatric illness
Standard of care and breach
Causation and remoteness
Defences

Module C: The defamation action

LWM82C

Introduction
Defamatory meaning
Reference
Publication
Defences

Module D: Tort theory

LWM82D

Conceptualisation and theory
Corrective justice
Rights theory
Economic theories
Deterrence
Pluralism in tort law

Assessment

Each module is assessed by a 45-minute unseen written exam.

Sequence

It is strongly recommended that you attempt the modules in order.

How to apply

You can apply to study a module individually as a standalone unit or as part of a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Laws qualification. (In either scenario, they must be studied in order.)

These modules also contribute towards the following specialist pathways for Laws:

Common law

Apply via Postgraduate Laws.

Christian Witting

Christian Witting is Professor of Private Law at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). Previously, he held chairs in law at Durham University and Exeter University. Christian also worked at Melbourne Law School in Australia, and has been a Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore on several occasions. He is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Australia, formerly in service with the Commonwealth Attorney’s General’s Department (Australia).