Company Law Foundation
| Module title | Company Law Foundation |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW3083 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Ms Charlie King (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
Company Law is a subject of great practical and theoretical interest, with important links to business and to other areas of law. Because of the importance of companies to the economy and society, it is also a subject that is continually part of the wider political debate. It would be all but impossible to go through life without dealing with companies (whether large or small): lawyers, business people, advisors, employees, customers, suppliers, creditors, politicians – all have to engage with companies at some level or another. In this module, you will consider both private and public companies and examine the nature of the corporate form and the constitution and administration of companies, and will focus on the key players in the corporate drama – directors and shareholders – and their relationship to one another.
This module is open to undergraduate students with experience of studying law in England and Wales. Lectures are shared with Company Law (LAW3043: 30 credits).
Please note that you cannot choose to take BEA3015 ‘Corporate Law’ in conjunction with this module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to introduce you to some of the key topics and themes in Company Law. It is not an ‘introduction’ to the subject in the sense of providing you with relatively shallow knowledge over a wide range of topics; instead it considers in depth some of the main ideas underpinning Company Law and thus provides a foundation in the subject. (A wider range of topics within Company Law are considered in the 30-credit module LAW3043 (Company Law).)
Having completed the module you should have gained an appreciation of the role of the company as a form of business enterprise and a thorough understanding of some of the aspects of its legal regulation, focusing on the nature of the company and the positions of directors and shareholders within the company. The module aims to enable you to identify legal issues and problems arising through the use of a company, to consider and analyse areas of legal complexity within the topics covered and advise appropriately on the legal resolution of problems. The module covers various topics concerning the use of the corporate form, in particular looking at issues arising on incorporation, issues arising from the company's structure, administration and management and issues with directors' obligations and minority shareholder protection.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate detailed understanding of the role and principal features of companies in England & Wales
- 2. demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the principal features of company law in the areas considered in the module: (a) corporate form and structure; (b) ownership and control; (c) duties and remedies
- 3. identify, explain, assess and analyse issues and problems of differing levels of complexity arising in the areas of company law considered in the module and identify and apply relevant legal rules to those issues and problems and reach appropriate conclusions
- 4. understand and access a range of different sources of company law and use them appropriately to explain issues, reach conclusions and critique arguments and problems in the areas of company law considered in the module
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. apply legal knowledge to a problem/ case study and to suggest a conclusion supported by relevant arguments
- 6. select, integrate and present coherently and reflectively, relevant law and legal/theoretical arguments
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. manage relevant learning resources/ information/ learning strategies and develop own arguments and opinions with minimum guidance;
- 8. communicate and engage in debate effectively and accurately in a manner appropriate to the discipline/ different contexts; and
- 9. work independently, within a limited time frame, with access to external sources, to complete a specified task.
Syllabus plan
It is envisaged that the syllabus will include the following topics in the following order although precise content and order may vary.
- Introduction: business enterprise and the company;Overview of business and organisational structures, including introduction to partnership law and LLPs
- Corporate form and structure
- Ownership and control: shareholders, directors and decision-making; corporate governance ;
- Duties and remedies: directors’ duties;
- Shareholder remedies;
- Revision Session
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 28.5 | 121.5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 24 | 12 x 2 hour lectures, including introductory and revision sessions |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 4.5 | 3 x 1.5 hour Seminars |
| Guided independent study | 54.5 | Individual reading and lecture preparation |
| Guided independent study | 20 | Seminar preparation |
| Guided independent study | 40 | Assessment preparation |
| Guided independent study | 7 | Formative assessment |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination practice assignment (take-home, open book) | 1 hour | 1-9 | Written feedback; additional feedback available on request |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination (take-home, open book) | 100 | 2 hours and 15 minutes intended duration (within a 24-hour submission window) | 1-9 | Written feedback; additional feedback available on request |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination (take-home, open book) | Examination (take-home, open book; same as above) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
Hudson, A., Understanding Company Law (Routledge: latest edition)
Mayson, French and Ryan on Company Law (Blackstone Press) latest edition.
Hannigan, B., Company Law (OUP) latest edition.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
www.companieshouse.gov.uk
www.dbis.gov.uk
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | LAW1004 Law of Contract |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2010 |
| Last revision date | 09/05/2022 |
