- Student Records
Programme & Unit Catalogues


MN50273: Understanding commercial law

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2015/6
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: School of Management
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Modular (no specific semester)
Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this module you must take MN50339 AND take MN50340 AND take MN50341 AND take MN50342 AND take MN50343 AND take MN50344
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
The course is designed to equip participants with an understanding of the implications of law for businesses. It is focussed on common commercial practice and the law in the context of the wider business world.

Learning Outcomes:
Students will understand the legal framework within which businesses operate and the legal liabilities that can arise. By the end of this unit, the student should be able to:
* Understand the implications of contractual formation, validity and enforceability
* Understand the effect of contractual negotiations, breach and waiver.
* Understand the types of business entity and their liability.
* Understand key common usages in commercial contracts, including international trade terms and their legal effect.
* Understand the key implications of employment law.
* Understand non-contractual liability of businesses.

Skills:
Participants will be able to analyse and understand the content of commercial contracts and their ramifications, comprehend the liabilities of businesses with the potential risks which can arise, and develop the skills with which to avoid most problems, or, where necessary, know how to deal with problems once they have arisen.
Intellectual skills - T
* the facility to apply legal principles into a range of common business situations;
* a critical awareness of current issues and frameworks in law;
* the ability to analyse legal material and situations; to evaluate relevance and validity, and to synthesise it in the context of topical business problems;
* an understanding of methodological techniques that allow detailed analysis of the legal implications of business issues and ability to use these skills in management.
Professional Practical skills - F
* evaluate the implications of contractual terms and other issues of civil liability
* understand and implement effectively the relevant procedures in respect of legal liability which should be adopted for good business practice;
* be aware of the risk areas and the steps which can be taken to avoid risk or limit liability.
Transferable/Key skills - A
* ability to appreciate and include the legal implications in the decision-making and management process both within and in the external relations of a business.
Personal/Interpersonal - A
* the facility to communicate legal requirements, including devising and explaining good practice in the legal context.

Content:
The course outlines the legal framework: the courts, terminology, sources and types of law. Contract law is examined from the basic principles through to detailed commercial contracts and their implications, including the network of supporting contracts which is usually involved, and their special characteristics, such as: payments (covering bills of exchange, documentary credits, etc); carriage or goods; insurance; and intellectual property. The nature of different types of business entity: companies and partnerships, and the individuals who are involved with such businesses, are examined, and the liabilities that arise. Some ancillary areas are also considered, such as competition law, arbitration, and legal responsibilities outside of contract, such as negligence and product liability.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MN50273 is Optional on the following programmes:

School of Management
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2015/16 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2016/17 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2015/16.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.