Introductory description

This is an elective module available for final year WBS and non-WBS students.

1. To understand the legal structure of UK business organisations.
2. To provide an understanding of the key concepts of UK company law.
3. To understand the rights and remedies available to the main stakeholders in UK companies.
4. To develop the ability to analyse legal problems and apply problem-solving techniques to hypothetical situations.
5. To develop legal research skills and the ability to critically evaluate legal principles and law in practice.

Module web page

Module aims

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.

• Formation and constitution of business organisations – Agency law.
• Formation and constitution of business organisations - Partnerships.
• Formation and constitution of business organisations – Corporations and legal personality.
• Formation and constitution of business organisations – formation and constitution of a company.
• Capital and the financing of companies – share capital, loan capital and capital maintenance/dividend law.
• Management, administration and regulation of companies – directors, other officers.
• Management, administration and regulation of companies – meetings and resolutions.
• Insolvency law – insolvency and administration.
• Corporate fraudulent and criminal behaviour.

Learning outcomes

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

• Understand the legal structure of UK business organisations.
• Understand the key concepts of UK company law.
• Understand the rights and remedies available to the main stakeholders in UK companies.
• Demonstrate the ability to analyse legal problems and apply problem-solving techniques to hypothetical situations.
• Demonstrate legal research skills and the ability to critically evaluate legal principles and law in practice.

Indicative reading list

McLaughlin, S. Unlocking Company Law, 3rd Ed, 2015 Routledge.
Mayson, French & Ryan, Company Law, 33rd edition, 2016, Oxford University Press.
Jones, L. Introduction to Business Law, 2nd Ed, 2012/13 Oxford University Press.

Subject specific skills

Demonstrate the ability to analyse legal problems and apply problem-solving techniques to hypothetical situations.

Transferable skills

Reading and independent research for assessments including the library and electronic sources.
Seminar preparation and oral contribution in seminars.
Responding to seminar feedback.
Analysing texts and legal problems.
Communicating complex ideas in an understandable and effective manner.
Presenting both sides of an argument in a legal dispute.
Critically evaluating the current legal framework and considering a range of alternative proposals for reform.
Supporting legal arguments by reference to appropriate sources including legislation and relevant case law.