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Module Catalogue

IB2C1-15 Fundamentals of Business Law

Department
Warwick Business School
Level
Undergraduate Level 2
Module leader
Robert Poole
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
100% exam
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

N/A

Module aims

To develop an understanding of the main sources of law, the procedures involved in creating law and limitations place on the legislature and judiciary.

To develop an understanding of the hierarchy of the court system and the importance of the doctrine of stare decisions in common law systems.

To understand the basic concepts and principles of contract law and the importance of contract formation in the business world.

To understand the potential consequences which may flow from a breach of contract.
To understand the different legal forms of business and the legal formalities required to set up as a sole trader, in partnership and as a limited company.

To develop legal skills including analysis of legal problems, and problem-solving techniques which can be applied to analyse a range of hypothetical problems.

To be able to conduct research using official sources of legislation and case-law.To gain experience in preparing and presenting legal arguments.To develop an ability to evaluate and criticise legal principles

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The Legal System: An introduction to the English legal system, with particular reference to how the law is made and how legal disputes are resolved. Civil and criminal law distinctions. The creation of law through judicial precedent, statute law and European law. Interpretation of statutes. The court system and procedures for commencing and responding to a legal dispute. The role and qualifications of solicitors and barristers.

Business Transactions: An introduction to the law of obligations. Formation of contracts, with particular reference to the importance of contract formation in the world of business. Offer and acceptance, consideration, intention to create legal relations, capacity to contract, the purpose of contracts. Contracts in restraint of trade. The postal rules and the relevance of modern methods of communication. Rights of Third Parties Act. Remedies available for breach of contract.

Business Organisations: The legal formalities involved in setting up in business as a sole trader, in partnership and as a limited liability company. The Partnership Act and Companies Acts, forming partnership agreements. Limited liability partnerships. Agency and the role of the partner. Memorandum and Articles of Association. Effects of incorporation. Lifting the corporate veil.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Understand the essential features, institutions and principles of legal systems with particular reference to the English legal system
  • Recognise the major sources of law.
  • Recognise the hierarchy of English courts and to be able to understand the doctrine of stare decisis.
  • Understand the basic principles and theories underlying the law of contract and remedies for breach of contract.
  • Analyse texts and oral presentations
  • Communicate complex ideas effectively.
  • Test and refine hypotheses.

Indicative reading list

Core text: James Marson & Katy Ferris, Business Law, 5th edition, 2018 Oxford University Press
Illustrative Reading:
Alix Adams Law for Business Students, 11th edition, 2020, Pearson
Ewan Macintyre, Essentials of Business Law, 6th edition, 2018, Pearson
Card and James, Business Law, 4th edition, 2016, Oxford University Press

Subject specific skills

  1. Analyse legal problems. Conduct research using official sources of legislation, case law and secondary sources.
  2. Prepare and present legal arguments for both sides of a legal dispute.
  3. Evaluate and criticise current law and reform proposals

Transferable skills

  1. Conduct independent research of set issues using library and electronic sources.
  2. Present reasoned arguments orally and on paper.
  3. Work in teams to prepare and present case-studies.
    4.Support arguments by reference to appropriate sources.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 10 sessions of 2 hours (13%)
Seminars 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Private study 48 hours (32%)
Assessment 73 hours (49%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

preparation

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group B
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
In-person Examination 100% 73 hours No
  • Answerbook Pink (12 page)
Feedback on assessment

my.wbs

Past exam papers for IB2C1

Post-requisite modules

If you pass this module, you can take:

  • IB2C3-15 Business Law 2
  • IB237-15 Business Law 2

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • UIBA-N20B BSc in Management
    • Year 2 of N20B Management
    • Year 2 of N20B Management
    • Year 2 of N23K Management with Accounting
    • Year 2 of N234 Management with Digital Business
    • Year 2 of N235 Management with Entrepreneurship
    • Year 2 of N232 Management with Finance
    • Year 2 of N252 Management with Marketing
    • Year 2 of N23L Management with Strategy and Organisation
  • Year 3 of UCSA-I1N1 Undergraduate Computer Science with Business Studies
  • Year 4 of UCSA-I1NA Undergraduate Computer Science with Business Studies (with Intercalated Year)
  • UIOA-VEU Undergraduate EU Visiting
    • Year 1 of UVEU Undergraduate EU Visiting
    • Year 1 of UVEU Undergraduate EU Visiting
    • Year 1 of UVEU Undergraduate EU Visiting
  • UIOA-ESO Undergraduate European Exchange
    • Year 1 of UESO Undergraduate European Exchange
    • Year 1 of UESO Undergraduate European Exchange
    • Year 1 of UESO Undergraduate European Exchange
    • Year 1 of UESO Undergraduate European Exchange
    • Year 1 of UESO Undergraduate European Exchange
    • Year 1 of UESO Undergraduate European Exchange
  • Year 2 of UGEA-RN21 Undergraduate German and Business Studies
  • Year 2 of UIPA-L8N1 Undergraduate Global Sustainable Development and Business
  • Year 2 of UIBA-N1RA Undergraduate International Business with French
  • Year 2 of UIBA-N1RB Undergraduate International Business with German
  • Year 2 of UIBA-N1RC Undergraduate International Business with Italian
  • Year 2 of UIBA-N1RD Undergraduate International Business with Spanish
  • UIBA-N20F Undergraduate International Management
    • Year 2 of N20F International Management
    • Year 2 of N20F International Management
    • Year 2 of N20S International Management (with Accounting)
    • Year 2 of N20T International Management (with Chinese)
    • Year 2 of N20P International Management (with Entrepreneurship)
    • Year 2 of N20M International Management (with Finance)
    • Year 2 of N20U International Management (with French)
    • Year 2 of N20L International Management (with Marketing)
    • Year 2 of N20V International Management (with Spanish)
    • Year 2 of N20W International Management (with Strategy and Organisation)
    • Year 2 of N20N International Management with Digital Business
    • Year 2 of N20E Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 2 of N234 Management with Digital Business
  • UIBA-N20E Undergraduate Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N20E Management (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23N Management with Accounting (with Foundation Year and Placement Year)
    • Year 3 of N23M Management with Accounting (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23E Management with Digital Business (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23F Management with Entrepreneurship (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23D Management with Finance (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N252 Management with Marketing
    • Year 3 of N254 Management with Marketing (with Foundation Year)
    • Year 3 of N23P Management with Strategy and Organisation (with Foundation Year)
  • Year 3 of UMAA-G1N4 Undergraduate Mathematics with Business Studies
  • Year 4 of UMAA-G1N5 Undergraduate Mathematics with Business Studies (with Intercalated Year)
  • UIOA-VOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting
    • Year 1 of UVOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting
    • Year 1 of UVOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting
    • Year 1 of UVOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting
    • Year 1 of UVOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting
    • Year 1 of UVOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting
    • Year 1 of UVOS Undergraduate Overseas Visiting
  • Year 4 of UPXA-F3ND Undergraduate Physics and Business Studies (with Intercalated Year)
  • Year 3 of UPXA-F3N2 Undergraduate Physics with Business Studies