Law of Succession (Spr) (M3020)
Law of Succession (Spr)
Module M3020
Module details for 2023/24.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 6
Module Outline
The Law of Succession is concerned with the devolution of assets on death, often representing the culmination of a person's accumulation of good in a lifetime of work and saving. The module considers both the law of intestacy (where property devolves by rules of law because there is no will) and the law of wills. It will explore the modes of transfering inherited wealth and property on death in a social context; it will be particularly interested in the idea of freedom of testation (which is particularly strong in this jurisdiction) and in the social context in which that principle operates. Here we will consider the consequences that freedom of testation may have for poverty and the impact that that may have on the State's obligation to alleviate poverty. The adequacy of current legislation to provide for the meeting of support obligations to family and dependants will be considered in this light.
The module will cover not only wills and intestacy, but also probate and the administration of estates. (although in this regard the outline ideas rather than the technical details will be relevant to our study).
Module learning outcomes
Understand and offer critical reflections of the rules of intestacy and the administration of the estate of a person who dies without a will.
Understand and offer critical reflections on the legal rules for making a will, and for the administration of a testator's estate.
Critically analyse the adequacy of the rules of succession in their social, political and ideological context.
Carry out independent study and research using a range of legal and social science materials.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Distance Exam | Semester 2 Assessment | 70.00% |
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Test | T2 Week 10 (1 hour) | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 21111110001 |
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 1 hour | 11101111011 |
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 2 hours | 00010000100 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Miss Fiona Clements
Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/22428
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.