CRN 50365 L7 Final Building Law Principles Assessment Brief 2025-26 | UoS

Assessment Information/Brief 2025-26

Assessment task details and instructions

Ms Dowd engages in the development of property and her portfolio continues to grow. 2025 has seen the continued development of her business but as always challenges arise! 

In the course of her business she has encountered the following issues as explained in each of the three scenarios presented below. You are required to address the issues and provide a reasoned response to each scenario which provides a framework of knowledge and advice where possible in order to attain the most beneficial resolution. In your response you should seek to address the following where applicable.

1. Identify relevant area(s) of tortious liability
2. Outline any relevant legal principles relating to those areas
3. Explain any potential liabilities that exist relevant to the parties involved
4. Discuss any possible defences that might be used to mitigate liabilities where evident
5. Discuss possible sanctions
6. Use relevant case-law and statute as required in support of arguments
7. Adopt a professional tone in your response
8. Make reasonable assumptions in the development of your response where required or possible.
9. Demonstrate effective research and apply both “in-text citations”, a full reference list, a bibliography, table of cases and table of statutes (in this order) at the END of the assessment (word count to follow at the end)

Scenario 1 

Whilst Ms Dowd has broad experience of dealing with contracts and the issues arising from them, she has less experience of matters relating to tortious liability. She has asked you to prepare a brief for her which outlines two key areas she is aware of which might prove problematic during forthcoming developments if not addressed appropriately. As such, she requires a review of matters relating to nuisance and trespass, how these might arise in her business activities in property development and possible outcomes. 

Prepare a review of these two key areas, referring to statute, case law and appropriate legal principles.
(30 marks)

Scenario 2 

Ms Dowd is considering pursuing the development of an existing residential property, a mid-terraced Victorian villa style house (as indicated in the photograph below). There are significant works required to the roof as well as the development of a currently unusable basement room into further living accommodation.

She is seeking advice as to how to undertake this work in accordance with the guidelines as set out in The Party Wall Act (1996). She is particularly interested in avoiding mistakes which others have made previously! 

Using both the appropriate statute and case law provide a response which will enable Ms Dowd to undertake her activities with minimum liability. (30 marks)

Scenario 3 

As her business has expanded so too has her delivery team. These include both employees and independent contractors. Outline the key factors that Ms Dowd needs to be aware of in relation to potential tortious liability when directing or commissioning work involving these parties.

Use appropriate case law to support your response.  (30 marks)

A further 10 marks are available for clarity of writing style, application of Harvard Referencing System, spelling, punctuation and grammar

TOTAL MARKS AVAILABLE 100 MARKS

Using Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools

For this assessment you may use tools, software, or features of software which use artificial intelligence to generate content such as text, images or data, in an assistive and supportive capacity. This means you may use the tool to explore the topic, generate or process data, or suggest draft structures and refine the wording or your work. However, the final work you submit must be your own. Use of AI to generate content to misrepresent your own abilities or mislead your assessor is academic misconduct. When using AI tools, please use University provided tools within the requirements of the University’s ICT Acceptable Use Policy, and do not upload sensitive or personal information. 

Word count/ duration (if applicable)

Your brief should be no longer than 2,500 words in length (+/- 10%).

On average each scenario (3 in total) will therefore consist of about 833 words. Any words in excess of the overall amount (2,500 words) will not be penalised but will not be considered for marking.

The title page, “In-text references” and the reference list / bibliography / table of cases / table of statutes are EXCLUDED from the word count. 

You must clearly state the word count used in your assessment at the end of the Reference List / Bibliography / Table of Cases / Table of Statutes.

How to submit

For coursework assessments only: students with a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP) or Carer Support Plan should check your plan to see if an extension to this submission date has been agreed.

The assignment must be submitted electronically, as a single Word file, through Turnitin®. You are advised to submit a DRAFT copy prior to uploading your FINAL submission to check for similarity. Further information and support for students using Turnitin® can be found here: University of Salfod Manchester Blackboard Learn

As the University will mark assessments anonymously where possible, include your student roll number and not your name on your assessment. Do not upload links in the submission area, as we cannot access them and therefore cannot mark your work. If you have saved your files on your University of Salford OneDrive, dragging files to the submission area may attach a link instead of the file. Always attach files using the paperclip icon. 

Feedback

You can expect to receive feedback by 1600hrs Friday 16th January 2026. This will be in the form of individual feedback sheet added to the RUBRIC TAB in your Turn It In account. 

Assessment Criteria:

The assignment will be assessed strictly in accordance with the following criteria. Please ensure that you address each of these in relation to Scenarios 1 to 3 when writing your assignment. No marks will be awarded against any other criteria.

Assessment Criteria

Each question carries 30 marks, allocated as follows;

At  Level 7 the following marking scale shall be used:

• Outstanding 90% – 100% 
• Excellent 80% – 89%
• Very good 70% – 79%
• Good 60% – 69%
• Satisfactory 50% – 59%
• Unsatisfactory 40% & 49%
• Inadequate 30% – 39%
• Poor 20% & 29%
• Very poor 10% 19%
• Extremely poor 0% –   9%