BL5057 - Business Law II (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27, but may be subject to modification | ||||||||
| Module title | Business Law II | ||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||
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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 II 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 the Law of Tort within the context of the business environment.
Students will study the principles of the tort of negligence, the most significant of the torts. These principles include the duty of care, breach of duty, causation and remoteness. Students will also acquire knowledge of the basic principles of the torts of private nuisance, occupiers’ liability, defamation and passing off.
The aims of the module are as follows:
1. You will acquire knowledge of the principles of the torts of negligence, private nuisance, occupiers’ liability, defamation, passing off and vicarious liability.
2. You will develop several key transferable skills, including independent research, critical analysis and cogent academic writing in the context of the law of tort, emphasising the use of primary and secondary sources.
3. You will enhance your employability by the development of these skills, and by the practice of written communication activities.
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.
Prior learning requirements
N/A
Syllabus
LO1 – LO3
*The scope and purpose of the Law of Tort – (LO1)
*The Tort or Negligence (LO1 – LO3) – This is a key topic and includes the study of who is owed a duty of care, the circumstances of when a breach of duty has occurred and the causation or link between the act of negligence and the injury suffered along with the defences and compensation that might be applied.
*Private Nuisance (LO1 – LO3) - This includes a study of who can be sued, and who can sue, the meaning of unreasonable interference with land, the potential defences, and the potential remedies available to claimants.
*Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 (LO1 – LO3) – You will study the responsibilities of parties in control of premises.
*Defamation( LO1 – LO3) - You will also study the tort of defamation (LO1 –LO3). This involves considering all the requirements for liability, such as the meaning of “defamatory”, defamation by innuendo, the meaning of “publication”, the requirement for “serious harm”, and the various defences available.
*Passing-Off (LO1 – LO3) - You will next consider the role of the economic torts in protecting trading interests, with particular emphasis on the tort of passing off.
*Vicarious Liability (LO1 – LO3) - Finally, there will be a study of the principle of vicarious liability the circumstances in which one person (usually an employer) can be liable in law for a tort committed by someone else (usually an employee).
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 particular reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, teamwork, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject.
The Business Law II module focuses on key aspects of tortious liability. Many environmental and sustainability measures address the issue of loss or damage using a variety of legal measures to achieve environmental objectives for example negligence, nuisance and trespass. The syllabus would also be helpful in helping students to develop an awareness of risk assessment issues in the business environment/workplace which might also include aspects of sustainability and climate change. The module is assessed by exam. This will help prepare students for vocational study. The exam description/form aims to help students develop legal application. The pre-seen case study will enable students to identify potential areas in advance and provide advice, helping students to develop problem solving skills and demonstrating relevant legal knowledge. Vocational training for solicitors for example, is assessed almost entirely by situational judgement multiple choice questions. The exam description in terms of written advice could potentially incorporate MCQs. However, the main rational for an exam is to ensure that they have some practice of time constrained assessment.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding a knowledge and understanding of the torts of negligence, private nuisance, occupiers’ liability, defamation passing off and the principle of vicarious liability.
2. Demonstrate the ability critically to discuss case study problems relating to the topics covered in the syllabus.
3. Demonstrate the ability to write critical, discursive essays and practical legal advice papers relating to the topics covered in the syllabus.
Bibliography
CORE
Tort law, by Kirsty Horsey; Erika Rackley, 2023, 8th edition
Casebook on tort law, by Kirsty Horsey; Erika Rackley, 2024, 17th edition
ADDITIONAL
Clerk & Lindsell on torts, by J. F. Clerk; W. H. B. Lindsell, 2023, 24th edition
Winfield and Jolowicz on Tort, by JA Jolowicz, PH Winfield, and WVH Rogers 2025, 21st edition
DATABASES
Westlaw Edge UK
Lexis+ UK
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/C76B3226-76BD-19D3-1AE9-FDFDC92D6AEA.html?lang=en-GB&login=1