LQ7006 - SQE Commercial Law and Practice (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26, but may be subject to modification | |||||||||||||||
| Module title | SQE Commercial Law and Practice | |||||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | |||||||||||||||
| 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 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module focuses on advising the commercial client in relation to commercial contracts.
It aims to equip you to act as a day-one solicitor for commercial clients in order to negotiate and advise upon commercial contracts.
Module aims
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
• outline the basic structure of commercial contracts and identify the terms (e.g. boiler plate clauses) contained in them;
• draft simple clauses (e.g. quantity, quality, price and payment) in a supply contract;
• distinguish and explain the various methods of giving personal forms of security (e.g. guarantees and indemnities);
• identify and outline the legal features of both domestic business-to-consumer and business-to-business contracts (e.g. sale, service, work and materials, and HP contracts);
• advise on the legal framework governing the late payment of commercial debts;
• explain how contractual terms (including standard terms and conditions) are affected by both the common law and statutory rules;
• advise a client in relation to a potential product liability claim;
• outline and apply the relevant law in relation to an e-commerce transaction;
• explain the circumstances under which title and risk in goods pass in a domestic sales contracts;
• outline the circumstances under which title and risk in goods pass in an international sales contracts;
• distinguish between FOB and CIF incoterms incorporated into international sale contracts;
• outline the documents (e.g. Bill of Lading), key features and legal rules (e.g. Hague Visby Rules, CGSA 1971) associated with contracts for the carriage of goods by sea;
• explain the payment mechanism (e.g. Letters of Credit) and apply the legal rules often used in international sale contracts.
Syllabus
• Commercial Contracts and Security
• Domestic Commercial Contracts
• International Commercial Contracts
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Overview
You will be taught by a combination of on-campus and online lectures, interactive seminars, one-to-one supervision, and self-study, and will be encouraged to read from specified case law, practitioners’ text books and legal journals. (Evening students will study entirely by distance learning.)
You will be given the opportunity to discuss theoretical issues as well as practical problem solving. You will be supported in undertaking on-line research using electronic law databases and encouraged to use on line legal resources on a regular basis. There is a virtual learning environment containing handbooks, lecture notes, weblinks, discussion groups, study skills materials and assessment criteria.
Experiential Learning
You will be encouraged to respond to realistic case-studies relating to the sector in the style of a professional legal advisor. You will also be able to participate in the extracurricular experiential learning offered within the Law School, including the Pro Bono Clinic and the Mooting Club.
Study Support
You will have regular access to module tutors in person, by email and by one-to-one video conferences to support their studies. You will also engage with one formative assessment for each module, which will be marked promptly with opportunities for feedback either by email or individual discussion.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to do the following:
1. demonstrate your knowledge and understanding and employ the applicable skills in commercial law and practice;
2. use the legal knowledge, skills, procedures and behaviours appropriate to each client and each commercial transaction;
3. identify the overall nature of the commercial transaction, then plan and progress that transaction through a series of steps and decisions including, where appropriate, drafting documentation;
4. identify the client's goals and alternative means of achieving those goals, and deal appropriately with client care;
5. investigate and identify the relevant facts, research and identify the relevant commercial legal issues, and advise the client on the legal consequences;
6. recognise and act within the rules of professional conduct;