Principles of Business Law

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Four hours per week.

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For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills, and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to providing support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/.

Principles of Business Law provides an introduction to law from a business perspective. This subject is available as a level 1 breadth subject to students in all faculties. Topics include: the nature and purpose of law; how law develops and changes; how new law is made; how to read and understand legislation and case-law; how legally binding agreements (contracts) are created; how to understand the terms of a contract; what must be done to discharge contractual obligations; how contracts are enforced if there is a breach of contract; special circumstances in which performance of a contract can be avoided (duress, undue influence, mistake, unconscionable conduct and misleading conduct; liability in tort law for injury or loss caused to other persons or their property; the law of agency; an introduction to business organisations.

Note 1: Principles of Business Law is a prerequisite for Corporate Law and Taxation Law.

Note 2: This subject is recommended to students in any faculty and in any year of study who would like to study an introductory law subject.

Note 3: This subject is not available to LLB or JD students.

The objectives of this course are to:

• Explain the nature and role of law in society;
• Describe the sources of Australian law;
• Find, interpret and apply case-law and legislation;
• Explain and apply the principles of contract law in business situations;
• Explain the basic principles of liability in tort law;
• Explain and apply statutory consumer protection legislation;
• Explain Agency relationships;
• Distinguish different kinds of business organisations.

First skills-task in week 4 (15%) and second skills-task in week 7 (15%) and third skills-task in week 10 (15%) and a 1.5-hour end-of-semester examination (55%).

First Principles of Business Law (CD-Rom and Source Book) Latest edition.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion of the subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

• The capacity for close reading and analysis of a range of legal source materials;
• The capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection;
• The capacity to solve problems, including through the collection and evaluation of information;
• The capacity to effectively plan and manage time;
• Intercultural sensitivity and understanding.

In addition, on completion of the subject, students should have developed the following skills specific to the discipline of law:

• Ability to find and deal with legal source materials;
• Ability to find and apply legal principles and rules to resolve specific issues.