Business and Corporate Law (LAWS7023)

Principles, Sources, Australian Legal System

Teaching Week 1 Lecture: Starting in Teaching Week 1 and continuing through to Teaching Week 13, there will be a weekly lecture which all students must attend. Teaching Week 1 (TW1) will provide an overview of the course including how to do well in this course, the importance of summarising the subject material on a weekly basis and the three draft strategy for workshop submissions and the 15% assignment. This lecture will look at aspects of the Australian legal system and principles and sources of the law - which will also relate to the non-assessable workshop question submission (which will be further discussed at length in the Teaching Week 1 and 2 workshops). Students must read the lecture material before attending the lecture, attend the lecture and take notes, then listen to the lecture recording and summarise the lecture and other teaching week material this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Non-Assessable Workshop this Week (TW1)

There will be workshops occurring during certain weeks during the semester which all students must also attend. Workshops discuss the answers to assessable workshop problem submissions and the course content. As an introduction to the course, this workshop in Teaching Week 1 will be non-assessable and will follow on from the TW1 lecture with a visual workshop on problem question technique and some discussion and guidance on a non-assessable IL&AC question which students must submit online by 10am Monday 4 August (TW2). Students must attend the workshop, take notes and summarise the workshop discussion this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Contracts 1 - Formation and Terms

Teaching Week 2 Lecture: This lecture will look at the formation of contracts and the terms of contracts: Students are introduced to the requirements of a contract being offer, acceptance and consideration. The lecture delves into the agreement between the parties, their intention to create legal relations, the capacity of the parties and genuine consent. Students will examine what forms the terms of a contract and what does not. Students must read the lecture material before attending the lecture, attend the lecture and take notes, then listen to the lecture recording and summarise the lecture and other teaching week material this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Non-Assessable Workshop This Week (TW2)

Non-Assessable Workshop Submission question due online 10am Monday 4 August. Continuation of the TW1 Non-Assessable Workshop with discussion of Non-Assessable IL&AC Submission. Release of the First Assessable Workshop Submission (2%) due online 10am Monday 11 August (TW3). Students must attend the workshop, take notes and summarise the workshop discussion this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Contracts 1 and 2 - Formation and Terms and Terms and Enforcing

Teaching Week 3 Lecture: This lecture will continue with Contracts 1 and will examine further aspects of terms such as express terms, conditions and warranties, collateral contracts and disclaimers. Students will also begin Contracts 2 and examine when a contract is enforceable and when it is invalid and unenforceable, including vitiating factors such as mistake, undue influence, duress, misrepresentation, discharge and damages. Students must read the lecture material before attending the lecture, attend the lecture and take notes, then listen to the lecture recording and summarise the lecture and other teaching week material this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Assessable Workshops This Week (TW3)

First Assessable Workshop Submission due online 10am Monday 11 August - Discussion of First Assessable Workshop Submission in the TW3 workshops. Release of the Second Assessable Workshop Submission (2%) due online 10am Monday 18 August (TW4). Students must attend the workshop, take notes and summarise the workshop discussion this week

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Contracts 2 and the Australian Consumer Law

Teaching Week 4 Lecture: This lecture will finish Contracts 2 and will start examining the relationship between contracts and Australian Consumer law such as misleading and deceptive conduct, implied terms in consumer contracts and unfair terms. Students must read the lecture material before attending the lecture, attend the lecture and take notes, then listen to the lecture recording and summarise the lecture and other teaching week material this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Assessable Workshops This Week (TW4)

Second Assessable Workshop Submission due online 10am Monday 18 August - Discussion of Second Assessable Workshop Submission in the TW4 workshops. Release of the Third Assessable Workshop Submission (2%) due online 10am Monday 25 August (TW5). Students must attend the workshop, take notes and summarise the workshop discussion this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

The Australian Consumer Law

Teaching Week 5 Lecture: This lecture will finish the examination of the Australian Consumer Law such as misleading and deceptive conduct, implied terms in consumer contracts and unfair terms.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Assessable Workshops This Week (TW5)

Third Assessable Workshop Submission due online 10am Monday 25 August - Discussion of Third Assessable Workshop Submission in the TW5 workshops. Release of the 15 % IL&AC Submission and presentation on the 15% IL&AC Submission (Due TW7) and the 25% In-Semester exam (in TW9) in the workshop. Students must attend the workshop, take notes and summarise the workshop discussion this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Torts - Causing Harm

Teaching Week 6 Lecture: This lecture looks at the basic concepts of tort law including how it differs from contract law, negligence, duty of care, breach of duty of care and causation. Students must read the lecture material before attending the lecture, attend the lecture and take notes, then listen to the lecture recording and summarise the lecture and other teaching week material this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

No Assessable Workshops This Week (TW6)

No assessable workshops this week - this is to provide students with extra time to work on the 15% IL&AC Submission due 10am Monday 8 September (TW7). The TW6 workshop may be used to cover lecture material not finalised in the lectures (as notified by the Course Co-ordinator).

Business Entitites, Corporate Finance and Disclosure

Teaching Week 7 Lecture: This lecture introduces different legal forms used to conduct business including sole traders, partnerships and companies. In respect of companies, the lecture delves into incorporation, the consequences of incorporation, creation of a separate legal entity, types and status of companies, share transfers and corporate finance. Students must read the lecture material before attending the lecture, attend the lecture and take notes, then listen to the lecture recording and summarise the lecture and other teaching week material this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

No Assessable Workshops This Week (TW7)

No assessable workshops this week - 15% IL&AC Submission due 10am Monday 8 September (TW7) - and this is to provide students with extra time to summarise and prepare for the 25% In-Semester Exam (TW9). The TW7 workshop may be used to cover lecture material not finalised in the lectures (as notified by the Course Co-ordinator).

Corporate Governance and Corporate Contracting

Teaching Week 8 Lecture: This lecture will look at corporate governance including internal governance rules, the ASX code on Corporate Governance and examine the issue of corporate contracting. Students must read the lecture material before attending the lecture, attend the lecture and take notes, then listen to the lecture recording and summarise the lecture and other teaching week material this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

No Assessable Workshops This Week (TW8)

No assessable workshops this week - this is to provide students with extra time to summarise and prepare for the 25% In-Semester Exam (TW9). The TW8 workshop may be used to cover lecture material not finalised in the lectures (as notified by the Course Co-ordinator).

25% In-Semester Exam

Teaching Week 9 Lecture: The 25% In-Semester Exam. This 25% IL&AC In-Semester Exam will be an on-campus invigilated exam. Any written or printed material is permitted in the exam; it may also be annotated. This includes dictionaries, texts, notes, and annotations. Electronic equipment is not permitted.

This 25% In-Semester Exam will occur during the Teaching Week 9 lecture in the Semester 2 lecture room. Students will have 1 hour to complete it.

The 25% Final Exam will consist of problem based IL&AC questions which will require answers using the IL&AC technique. 

This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

No Assessable Workshops This Week (TW9)

No assessable workshops this week. The TW9 workshop may be used to cover lecture material not finalised in the lectures (as notified by the Course Co-ordinator).

Mid-Semester Break

Mid-Semester Break - No Lectures or Workhshops

Mid-Semester Break

Mid-Semester Break - No Lectures or Workshops

Duties of Directors and Officers 1

Teaching Week 10. No lecture class due to Monday 6 October Kings Birthday Public Holiday - Lecture Recording to be made available. This lecture examines the role of directors, an overview of directors’ and officer's duties and the duty of care and diligence. Students must listen to the lecture recording, take notes and summarise the lecture and other teaching week material this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

No Workshops This Week (TW10)

No workshops this week due to Kings Birthday Public Holiday on Monday 6 October - Release of the Fourth Assessable Workshop Submission (2%) due online 10am Monday 13 October (TW11).

Duties of Directors and Officers 2

Teaching Week 11 Lecture: This lecture examines further duties such as the duty to act in good faith in the best interest of the corporation, the duty to act for a proper purpose, the duty to avoid conflicts of interest, breach of duty and remedies. Students must read the lecture material before attending the lecture, attend the lecture and take notes, then listen to the lecture recording and summarise the lecture and other teaching week material this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Assessable Workshops This Week (TW11)

Fourth Assessable Workshop Submission due online 10am Monday 13 October - Discussion of Fourth Assessable Workshop Submission in the TW11 workshops. Release of the Fifth and Final Assessable Workshop Submission (2%) due online 10am Monday 20 October (TW12). Students must attend the workshop, take notes and summarise the workshop discussion this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Record Keeping, Privacy and Data Protection

Teaching Week 12 Lecture: This lecture delves into recordkeeping requirements for companies and the regulatory environment in which accountants and auditors operate. This lecture will also look at data protection and privacy regulations when collecting, generating, storing, accessing, using or sharing data and information and the tort of breach of confidence. Students must read the lecture material before attending the lecture, attend the lecture and take notes, then listen to the lecture recording and summarise the lecture and other teaching week material this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Assessable Workshops This Week (TW12)

Fifth and final Assessable Workshop Submission due online 10am Monday 20 October - Discussion of Fifth and final Assessable Workshop Submission in the TW12 workshops. Practice Exam Questions to help motivate students for the Final Exam will also be released and discussed. Students must attend the workshop, take notes and summarise the workshop discussion this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Members Rights and Remedies and External Administration

This lecture delves into members’ rights, members’ decision-making powers and remedies and will also discuss external administration and winding up. Students must read the lecture material before attending the lecture, attend the lecture and take notes, then listen to the lecture recording and summarise the lecture and other teaching week material this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Teaching Week 13 Consultations

Non-Assessable Workshop Consultations to be held to discuss the Practice Exam Questions. Consultation Times will be held at the same time and venues as the regular workshop times. Students must attend, take notes and summarise the discussion this week.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05