Introduction to Commercial Law | LAWS2034 | University of Southampton

Module overview

This course lays the foundation for further studies in commercial and maritime law by introducing you to advanced rules and applications of contract law. We will be exploring the ramifications of the tripartite contractual relationship involving agents, of the interaction between contract and property law in the context of debt financing, and of contracting transnationally through electronic means. Although these commercial contexts are very different, the course trains your commercial analytical skills by exposing you to a range of complex relationships which often involve numerous parties and transactions, and by understanding how the law settles these in light of the reasonable expectation of the parties, commercial expedience, the integrity of legal concepts as well as wider policy factors.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

understand property and security in commercial transactions;
analyse relevant legal materials;
understand the concepts, main principles and legal relationships between parties in commercial transactions, covered within the syllabus;
apply the legal principles, with appropriate legal authorities, in the solution of complex problems;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

display clarity and objectivity in oral discussion, demonstrating an awareness of academic integrity issues.
distinguish relevant from irrelevant materials.
manage your time effectively.
identify and analyse key issues.
think critically, develop coherent arguments in writing.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

understand the concepts, main principles and legal relationships between parties in commercial transactions, covered within the syllabus.

Syllabus

The following is an indicative list of module content. These topics may change year-by-year, reflecting current developments and allowing syllabus evolution:

(1) Party autonomy and competing values

(2) Agency law

(3) Debt financing

(4) E-Commerce

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching for this module is by lectures and tutorials. Lectures will introduce the main principles and structure of the subject. You are expected to provide the main input to the tutorials, where the main issues are discussed.

Study time
Type	Hours
Lecture	20
Seminar	10
Revision	20
Preparation for scheduled sessions	100
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

'Blackboard' learning platform. There is no set book. The Blackboard site will contain all the introductory material necessary, references to further sources, and links to further e-resources. All cases and statutes are available using the legal databases.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Examination Mock Examination

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External