module specification

This module examines the legal framework within which companies operate in the United Kingdom. The module aims to provide you with in-depth knowledge of the fundamental rules and principles governing the operation and regulation of companies in the United Kingdom from the time that a company is formed to the time that it goes into liquidation. Company law is a vital and dynamic topic for anyone interested in working in the corporate sector, and anyone who needs to know how businesses operate.

The module aims to develop several key transferable skills including independent research, critical analysis and academic writing in the context of company law, emphasising the use of primary and secondary sources of law.

The aims of the module are as follows:

1. You will acquire knowledge of the rules and regulations of company law, which have arisen both at common law and under statute.
2. You will develop several key transferable skills, including independent research, critical analysis and cogent academic writing in the context of company law, emphasising the use of primary and secondary sources;
3. You will enhance your employability by the development both of these skills, and by the practice of written communication activities (including summative) and oral communication activities (formative only).

Company Law includes the study of:
• the formation,
• corporate personality
• constitution of the company
• majority rule and minority protection
• directors’ duties
• share issue,
• share capital,
• loan capital
• corporate governance.

All these subjects pervade each of the Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

Learning & Teaching Strategy

Weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour seminar.
The lecture 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 seminar will be used for the development of skills necessary to attain the module learning outcomes through:
• Written and oral questions/answers designed to reinforce fundamental rules, principles and cases;
• A range of step-by-step analytical exercises;
• Problem solving;
• IT tasks, such as research of cases and statutes;
• Legal writing;
• Oral presentation;
• Oral communication;
• Teamwork.

Blended Learning
All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on blackboard 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 of the above materials.
There will be required use of the professional legal databases, especially Westlaw and Lexis Library, for legal research.

Opportunities for reflective learning/pdp
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.

Employability
Employability strategy will aim to acquaint students with a range of employment avenues both in the legal profession and in those professions into which legal qualifications and skills are transferable.

Student’s Study Responsibilities
The need for attendance, punctuality, preparation and engagement will be emphasised with particular reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, team-work, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. Critically analyse the principles of company law.
2. Demonstrate the ability to solve legal problems relating to company law.
3. Demonstrate the ability to write critical, discursive essays relating to the topics covered in the syllabus.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/C4792AA6-5F35-1E83-3C75-57A5BC7854F8.html

CORE
Hannigan B, Company Law, 7th ed. Sept. 2024, Oxford University Press
Mayson, French and Ryan, Company Law, 38th ed. 2023, Oxford
Wild, C., and Weinstein, S., Smith & Keenan’s Company Law, 18th ed. 2019, Pearson Longman.
Digman, A and Lowry, J., Company Law, 13th ed. 2025, OUP.
MCLaughlin, S., Unlocking Company Law, 4th ed. 2019, Routledge
Roach, L., Company Law, 2nd ed. 2022, OUP
Roach, L., Company Law Revision Concentrate Pack, 6th ed.2020, OUP

DATABASES
Westlaw Edge UK
Lexis+ UK