BL4051 - Business Law (2024/25)
Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||||||
Module title | Business Law | ||||||||||||
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 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
This module introduces students to essential principles and concepts of business law. Students are given the opportunity to examine the major sources of English law and to become familiar with the functioning of these in the context of social and cultural diversity and the modern day environment. Students will also develop an understanding of obligations in the form of commercial agreements and the c consequences of professional negligence. In addition, students will also learn about employment law issues relevant to finance professionals as well as an introduction to the law relating to the formation of different forms of business organisations
The module aims to develop knowledge and skills in the understanding of the general legal framework, and specific legal areas relating to business, recognising the need to seek further specialist legal advice where necessary.
The key skills developed in this module provides the basis for the study of specific legal aspects of corporate formation, financing and management of business organisations as well as issues of liability for specific civil activities and criminal behaviour at Level 5 and complements the accounting areas of financial reporting and audit and assurance.
Syllabus
There are four broad aspects of business Law to be covered in this module:
The module will introduce students to the legal structure and process including the definition and classification of the law; the structure and operation of the courts, legal personnel and the sources of law. LO1
The module then explores the law of obligations and professional practices that underpin business transactions. This section focuses on key aspects of contractual obligations including the formation, terms and liabilities for breach of contract as well as the meaning and application of tortious liability (including negligence). LO1
The third element of the module provides an over of employment issues relevant to finance professionals including contracts of employment, dismissal and redundancy. LO2
The final element of the module introduces students to the management of a company in terms of the legal requirements needed in the formation of business organisations. LO2
Detailed coverage of the formation, management and administration of business organisations including directors obligations and insolvency will be covered in Financial Reporting and Company Law (Level 5).
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Students will be assessed by a combination of formative and summative assessment. The formative assessments will take place predominantly during the seminars through learning activities. Each week students are required to provide answers to discussion and practical problem questions to enable students to monitor and evaluate their progress in the module. The lectures aim to be as interactive as possible using short answer questions during the lecture to enable students to assess their level of understanding during the class contact time. Students will also be encouraged to submit answers to past assessment questions for feedback purposes.
The module will make use of a range of blended features including weblearn, podcasts, court and tribunal sessions.
Learning outcomes
1. Identify the essential elements of the legal system and to recognise and apply the appropriate legal rules relating to the law of obligations (including contract and negligence) (aspects covered in assessment 1)
2. Explain and apply the law relating to employment relationships and to distinguish between the alternative forms of business organisations (assessment 2).
Bibliography
Textbooks:
Core Text:
Marson, J, Ferris, K., Business Law, 5th edition, Oxford University Press, 2018; or
Ewan Macintyre, Business Law, 9th Edition, Pearson, February 2018
Other Texts:
Adams, A., Law for Business Students, 1-th ed., Pearson, February 2018
Jones, Lucy, Introduction to Business Law, OUP, 4th ed. 2017
Roach, L., Card & James’ Business Law, OUP, 4th, April 2016
Gillespie, Alisdair, The English Legal System, Oxford University Press, 5th ed. 2015
Wilson, S. Rutherford, H., & others; English Legal System OUP, 2nd ed. April 2016
Wild, C. Weinstein, S, Smith & Keenan’s English Law, 17th ed., Pearson, 2013
Kelly, D, Hammer, R, Hendy, J, Business Law, 3rd ed., Routledge 2017
Journals:
The New Law Journal
Websites:
http://www.bailii.org/
www.bbc.co.uk
http://www.parliament.uk/
DirectGov
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/
Electronic Databases:
Westlaw
Lexis Nexis