Commercial Law: Documentary Credit and Secured Finance
| Module title | Commercial Law: Documentary Credit and Secured Finance |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW3218 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr I-Ju Chen (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 150 |
|---|
Module description
On the module, you will look at the body of law that pertains to secured finance and documentary credit. These areas of law have wide-ranging scope and affect businesses and individuals who enter commercial transactions. The practical implications of these rules, such as how these are applied in scenarios, will be explored. This module is open to students who studied LAW3219 Commercial Law: Sale of Goods and Agency, as it will build on your knowledge of commercial law and complement your previous studies.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The overarching aim of the module is to develop your understanding of key aspects of commercial law, particularly in relation to documentary credit, secured finance and bills of lading. The module aims to give you an understanding of these further issues in commercial law, which will encourage you to think practically in this field, as well as, apply the legal rules and to specific commercial situations. This will also enable you to identify and evaluate issues within commercial law. Critical consideration will also be given to the aims of commercial law in the light of the changing manner that trade is conducted, both domestically and internationally, and its efficacy in achieving its aims.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the areas of credit and secured finance in commercial law in England and Wales.
- 2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of relevant issues and be able to discuss the practical and the business context in which they operate.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Read and understand case law and be able to apply it effectively in specific situations.
- 4. Identify and critically evaluate academic literature
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Work independently to complete a specified task.
- 6. Demonstrate effective skills in research and writing.
Syllabus plan
It is envisaged that the syllabus will include some or all of the following topics (note that precise content and order of delivery may vary):
- Legal aspects of money and finance
- Documentary credit
- Secured finance
- Bills of lading
- Other methods of business financing
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 24.5 | 125.5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 20 | 10 x 2 Hour Lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 4.5 | 3 x 1.5 Hour Seminars |
| Guided independent study | 76 | Reading and Seminar Preparation |
| Guided independent study | 49.5 | Assessment Preparation and Completion |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay Plan | 750 words | 1-6 | Individual Written Feedback; oral feedback upon request. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 100 | 2500 words | 1-6 | Individual written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay (2500 words) | Essay (2500 words) | 1-6 | Referral / Deferral period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- David Fox et al, Sealy and Hooley’s?Commercial Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (6th edn, OUP 2020).
- Ewan McKendrick, Goode and McKendrick on Commercial Law (6th edn, Penguin 2021).
- Reza Beheshti, Severine Saintier, Sean Thomas, Bradgate’s Commercial Law (4th edn, OUP 2024).
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- Law Commission documents
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | LAW3219 Commercial Law: Sales of Goods and Agency |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 13/02/2025 |
| Last revision date | 13/02/2025 |
