module specification

You will initially be introduced to the foundations of English Law.  Some of the key issues here include:  the importance of Law in society and the sources of Law.  You will also learn about Statute Law, Common Law, Criminal Law, Civil Law and other types of Law.

The second part of the module aims to integrate the legal rules with business situations. 
This part also deals with the relative advantages of being an employee verses self-employed.  Thus from the outset, students would be able to distinguish clearly between these two routes of earning a living in future.  In the past, most students have enjoyed this part of the module.

The third part deals with how the English Courts handle real-life business disputes.  You will be able to bring into seminar discussions your own experiences (or family/friends’ experiences) with the Law.   Some of these scenarios include:  what to do if shops refuse to give out refunds, or if goods purchased are of unsatisfactory quality

The fourth part of the module aims to examine the relevance of ethics in business and the accountancy professions.  You will learn some of the most recent ethical standards which are required in commercial activities.

Throughout the semester, you will also be acquiring some skills of the legal profession such as how to read and understand Law cases and Statutes.  You will be able identify the important elements in cases and statutes for use in university assessments or in later life.  You will be able to connect, albeit indirectly, the knowledge and skills acquired in this module with your other modules in the Business School.  And you will understand your other modules from a different dimension which gives you a wider world view.

1. The English Legal System [LO 1 and 2]

• Sources of Law

• Civil and Criminal Law

• Hierarchy of Courts and Court Structure

• Influence of EU Law

2. Fundamentals of Contract Law [LO 1 and 2]

• Offer and Acceptance

• Consideration

• Intention to create legal relations

• Contract Terms

• Frustration in Contract

• Consumer Rights Act 2015

• Remedies for breach of Contract 

3. Law of Torts [LO 1 and 2]
• Negligence and Duty of Care 

• Causation and Remoteness

• Vicarious Liability

• Passing-off; Defences

• Application to Accountants and Auditors

4. Professional Ethics in Accounting & Business [LO 3 and LO4]

• The nature of ethics and its relevance to society, business and the accountancy profession

• The role of regulatory and professional bodies in promoting ethical and professional standards in the business & accountancy profession

• Recommend improvements to accounting systems to prevent error and fraud and to improve overall efficiency

• Ethics in financial reporting in respect of selection and adoption of accounting policies and estimates

• The benefits of a corporate code of ethics and ethical conflicts and dilemmas to the organisation and its employees

Teaching will take the form of weekly two-hour lectures and one-hour seminar discussions.

The lectures will aim to teach knowledge and skills in the fields of Business Law and Ethics.  Students will be given guidance on what to expect and how to solve real-life difficult business and ethical issues. 

During the weekly seminars, you would attend prepared to discuss and reflect on the issues raised in the lectures as well as issues from independent study.  Students will be given opportunities to apply and analyze the principles of Law and Ethics in a variety of businesses contexts.    You will be encouraged to answer and ask questions on the topics.    

You will be provided with real-life and hypothetical legal scenarios on which discussions will be based.  Depending on the stage of the syllabus reached, you may be asked to advise hypothetical clients on their legal problems.   In the past, many students have benefited from the seminar discussions.  Some students were able to introduce their personal experiences with the law or the experiences of family/friends.

In addition, there will be ample opportunity to practise written work in the seminars.

On successful completion of this module students would be able to

LO1: demonstrate an understanding of the English Legal System, the sources of law, the court structures, hierarchy of the courts and the influence of EU Law.

LO2: explain the basic principles of law which affect businesses and individuals, particularly, in relation to Contract Law, Tort Law and Commercial Law.

LO3: demonstrate an understanding of the importance of ethics to society, businesses, professional accountants and marketing executives.

LO4: recognise that business and finance should be conducted in a manner which complies with modern professional ethics and values.

Reading List Talis Link:
AC4056 Business Law and Ethics | London Metropolitan University

CORE  TEXTBOOKS

1. Adams, A., Caplan, S. and Lockwood, G. (2023) 12th Edition, Pearson

2. Velasquez, M. G. (2017) Business Ethics: Concepts and Cases, ISBN-10: 0133832392 • ISBN-13: 9780133832396
©2016 • Pearson • Unbound (Saleable), 448 pp

ADDITIONAL TEXTBOOKS

1. Macintyre  E,  (2018)  Business Law 9th Edition, Pearson

Online law cases from Westlaw – www.westlaw.co.uk