BL4053 - Business Law I (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27, but may be subject to modification | ||||||||
| Module title | Business Law I | ||||||||
| Module level | Certificate (04) | ||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
Business Law I is a core module on the BA Business with Law and the BA Business with Law (Foundation) degrees. This module will introduce students to the key aspects of contract law within the context of the business environment.
Students will study the principles of contractual formation including offer, acceptance, terms of a contract, third party rights, exemption clauses, misrepresentation and frustration.
The aims of the module.
As students on this module, you will:
• Acquire knowledge of the basic rules of contractual formation and construction.
• Develop skills in finding, reading and understanding primary sources of law.
• Develop skills in finding, reading and understanding secondary sources of law.
• Practise the practical and professional skills of legal research, legal analysis and legal writing including written communication activities (including summative) and oral communication activities (formative only).
Prior learning requirements
N/A
Syllabus
1. The Creation and Nature of Contractual Obligations
LO1
The agreement:
Offer
Acceptance
Intention to create legal relations
Consideration
Privity of contract
Capacity
Formalities
2. The Contents of a Contract
LO2
Terms
Representations
Exemption clauses
3. Overview of Misrepresentation and Frustration (LO3*) including
The definition of misrepresentation
The meaning of a ‘statement of fact’
Mere puffs
Remedies
Criteria for frustration
Destruction of subject matter
Incapacity of personnel
4. Drafting a Letter of Claim in relation to a claim in contract
LO2 and 3.
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Learning and Teaching Strategy
The lecture sessions will be used for:
Dissemination of knowledge through an overview of each topic with detailed guidance on appropriate aspects.
An introduction to relevant academic literature; guidance on learning strategies; use of Weblearn and IT resources; whole group questions and discussion.
The seminars will be used for:
Development of skills necessary to attain the module learning outcomes through:
written and oral questions/answers designed to reinforce fundamental rules/ principles /cases; a range of step by step writing exercises; IT tasks such as research of cases and statutes; problem solving; Legal writing.
Blended Learning/pdp
All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on Weblearn for use in directed private study.
Student engagement will be encouraged in both lectures and seminars through weekly use of Weblearn for access to all the above materials.
There will be required use of the professional legal databases, especially Westlaw and Lexis+ (Lexis Library) for legal research.
Opportunities for reflective learning
Each weekly seminar will contain space for students to reflect on what they have learnt in relation to the overall syllabus. There will be frequent feedback opportunities structured into the timetable and a range of sample answers posted onto Weblearn.
Students’ Study Responsibilities
The need for attendance, punctuality, preparation and engagement will be emphasised with reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, team-work, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject.
Assessment
The module uses formative and summative assessments to monitor the students learning progress. Various formative assessments are used across the teaching period. The summative assessment requires students to produce a written advice based on legal problem e.g. Statement of Claim (2000 words)
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding of the basic elements of contract formation
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the contents of a standard contract and elements that impact its application within the business environment.
3. Demonstrate the ability to write a formal letter of claim in relation to a breach of a contract.
4. In accordance with ESJ Framework’s aim to decolonise the curriculum, you will have the opportunity to reflect critically on the purpose and history of legal rules that protect certain groups but leave others marginalised, and to consider alternative perspectives.
Bibliography
Contract law, by Ewan McKendrick, 2025, 16th edition
Catherine Elliot and Frances Quinn’s Contract Law, by Catherine Elliot and Frances Quinn, 13th edition, Pearsons, 2025
Treitel on The Law of Contract, by Edwin Peel, 2025, 16th edition
OʼSullivan & Hilliard's The Law of Contract, by Janet OʼSullivan, 2024, 11th edition
DATABASES
Westlaw Edge UK
Lexis+ UK
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/65695682-40E2-EAFC-F179-C2BB700B61F8.html?lang=en-GB&login=1