Professional Negligence (M3119)
Professional Negligence
Module M3119
Module details for 2022/23.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 6
Module Outline
Professional negligence and liability is a well-established specialist area of academic legal study, as well as an important specialism within legal practice. The range of solicitors' firms and barristers' chambers which offer specialist professional negligence services is wide. Some focus upon claimant based actions against, for example, doctors and lawyers, whilst others focus upon defence work. Large City of London and similar practices will often specialise in bringing or defending complex commercially focussed professional negligence claims (e.g. the largest claims against firms of solicitors or accountants can run to hundreds of millions of pounds). Consideration will also be given, as appropriate, to professional protections and the history of professional immunities.
This module aims to enable students to consider and debate key areas of professional negligence and liability, focussing predominantly on the position in England and Wales but also making international comparisons where appropriate. The module will consider the common law, statutory and other regulatory aspects of professional control and liability. In essence, the module will seek to address the question: 'how are professionals controlled and what avenues of redress are available for the wrongs they commit''
Module learning outcomes
Demonstrate a grounding in contemporary academic and practitioner-led debates about professional negligence and other liabilities
Demonstrate a degree of detailed knowledge about the different kinds of liability which may arise with regard to a selected group of professions
Interpret advanced academic and practitioner debates regarding the future of professional negligence and liability
Through analysis and evaluation, demonstrate a critical understanding of the roles of civil and regulatory liability as control mechanisms for professional behaviour
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (3000 words) | Semester 1 Assessment Week 1 Thu 16:00 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Seminar | 2 hours | 11111011111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Mark Davies
Assess convenor, Convenor
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