Spring Semester 

It is essential that students reading for a Management degree acquire an understanding of the essential legal principles regulating commerce and industry, with particular emphasis on the general awareness of the law necessary for those holding management positions. 

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the main areas of legal constraint on business by way of an examination of the regulatory framework of common law rules, statutory provisions and EC law. 
Emphasis will be placed on the essential legal principles and general awareness of the legal environment necessary for managers. 

On successful completion of this module the students will be able to: 
·         understand the legal principles underpinning Business Law 
·         understand the most important statutory and common law constraints upon businesses
develop a critical awareness of the interaction between legal regulations and  managerial objectives 

The following areas of Law will be covered: 
·              Introduction to the English Legal System 
·              Sources of Law ( including European law)·                     Business and the Law of Tort  ( Negligence and Product Liability ) 
·                     Occupiers’ Liability 
·                     Principles of contract ( formation , terms , factors affecting validity , discharge and remedies) 
·                    Business Transactions 
·                    Types of business contract 
·                    Contracts for the sale of goods
·                    Contracts for the supply of goods and services 
·                    Credit contacts 
·                    Consumer protection 
·                    Employing labour 
·                    Criminal liability in business 
·                    Forms of business organisation 

The teaching and learning strategy is designed to develop an understanding and critical awareness of the essential principles of the law relating to business. 
The teaching and learning methods include a series of lectures designed to open out the subject and provide signposts to the student of the path to background and supplementary reading. They will encourage a critical awareness and stimulate private study. 
The assessment methods include: a written assignment (50%) and an examination (50%). Students are advised that persistent non-attendance may affect performance in the assessments. 
In order to achieve the threshold standard for the award of credits for this module, the student must meet the following criteria related to the learning outcomes described above:
·         be able to demonstrate an awareness of the essential principles regulating the field of Business Law 
·         show an ability to understand the difficulties of achieving business objectives while complying with the Law 
·         demonstrate that essential and background reading has been undertaken
·         develop a critical understanding of the law regulating this field 
To pass this module the student will demonstrate a familiarity with law for managers, but whose attempts to organise, present and examine the material in a critical and constructive manner are only partially successful.  The student displays some understanding of the relevant issues and some familiarity with the relevant literature and techniques 
Assessment Strategy 
The assessment strategy is designed to discover whether the student has followed and understood the main principles of the relevant Law and has developed a critical awareness of the central tensions in the area. 

Essential Reading 
Riches S and Allen V,  Keenan and Riches’ Business Law, 9^th ed., Pearson Publishing 
Recommended Reading 
Background Reading