Contract Law
| Module title | Contract Law |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW2004C |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Janet Keliher (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 110 |
|---|
Module description
So much of everyday life is regulated by a contract: for example, buying food, or a train ticket, renting a house, or getting a job. Contract also regulates multi-million pound transactions: for example, the corporate take-over of another company, building a new factory, or commissioning a container ship. Knowledge of contract law is empowering in helping us to understand these transactions and resolve disputes. It is a central part of the law of the England and Wales and is currently prescribed by the governing bodies of the professions (solicitors and barristers) as a foundation subject for a qualifying law degree. In this module, you will explore the process of making a contract, examine the terms of the contract and learn about what happens when a contract is broken or comes to an end.. The emphasis of this module will be on applying the rules and principles of contract law in context to real-life cases, considering the impact of contractual arrangements in the context of the sustainability and on developing the skills to make, use and enforce contracts.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module primarily examines the law of contract in a commercial and organisational setting.
The module aims:
(a) To allow you to develop a detailed understanding of the different aspects of law of contract;
(b) To encourage you to think practically in this field, and apply the legal rules and principles you have learned to specific situations, and;
(c) To enable you to develop the skills to make, use and enforce contracts.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate a detailed understanding of the main areas of the English law of contract
- 2. demonstrate skills necessary to the conduct of contractual negotiations
- 3. critically assess developments in contract law
- 4. demonstrate an awareness of the impact of contractual arrangements in the context of sustainability
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. collect, synthesise and apply legal knowledge to a problem / case study to inform a choice of solutions
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. demonstrate commercial awareness and understanding of your personal responsibilities and of professional codes of conduct in relation to client management
Syllabus plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
- Formation of Contract (Formal Requirements; Offer and Acceptance)
- Consideration
- Intention to create legal relations
- Certainty
- Privity of contract
- Terms of the contract and the interpretation of terms
- Exclusion clauses
- Green contracts
- Performance and breach
- Misrepresentation
- Mistake
- Unequal bargaining (duress; undue influence; unconscionable bargain)
- Frustration
- Illegality
- Remedies
- Negotiation
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | 234 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 22 | 22 x 1 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 22 | 11 x 2 hour seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 10 | Workshop activities |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 12 | 6 x 2hr peer led law firm meetings |
| Guided Independent Study | 88 | Lecture preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 88 | Seminar and workshop preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 10 | Formative essay preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 48 | Summative assessment preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| You will receive feedback on your oral contributions during seminars and workshops | 11 x 2 hours and workshop time | 1-6 | Immediate feedback from self, peers and tutor |
| Answer plans for summative work | 500 to 1000 words | 1-3, 5 | Individual indicative mark and individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available. General comments given in a lecture or on ELE. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal problem | 40 | 2000 words | 1, 5 | Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available. General comments given in a lecture or on ELE. |
| Essay | 40 | 2000 words | 1, 3 | Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available. General comments given in a lecture or on ELE. |
| Skills development plan | 20 | Reflective commentary 1000 words on development of skills during the module | 2, 4, 6 | Individual written feedback, with supplementary oral feedback available. General comments given in a lecture or on ELE. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal problem | Resubmission of legal problem (2000 words) | 1, 5 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay | Resubmission of essay (2000 words) | 1, 3 | August/September reassessment period |
| Skills development plan | Resubmission of skills development plan (1000 words) | 2,4,6 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
1. Richard Stone and James Devenney, The Modern Law of Contract 13th Ed (Routledge, 2019)
2. Euan McKendrick, Contract Law 9th Ed (OUP, 2020)
3. Mindy Chen-Wishart, Contract Law 6 th Ed (OUP, 2018)
4. Sir Jack Beatson, Andrew Burrows and John Cartwright, Anson’s Law of Contract 31st Ed (OUP, 2020)
5. Elizabeth Macdonald and Ruth Atkins,Koffman and Macdonald ‘s Law of Contract 9th Ed (OUP, 2018)
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 03/04/2018 |
| Last revision date | 27/05/2022 |
