Report

Business Law

Unit 1: An Introduction

This Unit will focus upon the English Legal System (ELS).

It will look at the history of the English law and its development and assess the impact of the EU upon Parliament and the judiciary, and it will also identify and explain the different sources of law and the hierarchy of the courts.

In this unit we shall:

• Look at the English Legal System and how it has developed
• Look at elements of legislation (statutory law)
• Look at aspects of common law (precedent)
• Distinguish between civil/criminal law
• Understand public/private law
• Understand the effect of the European Union Legislation on ELS

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of the English Legal system

Unit 2: Contract Law 1

This unit will introduce you to the area of contract law.

Every business and individual will make contracts at some time or another. Contracts can be made to individuals or to the world at large.

This unit will explore the formation of a contact and highlight the necessary formalities in order to make a legally binding agreement.

In this unit we shall look at:

• Offer (distinguishing from invitation to treat)
• Acceptance
• Consideration
• Intention to create legal relations
• Capacity

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contract law
• Research effectively a number of cases and other sources of information to help interpret the law

Unit 3: Contract Law 2

This Unit will build on the basics of contract law that we covered in Unit 2. In this Unit we will look at the basis of the contract, the terms and exclusions.

We will also look into the legislative response to unfair terms and what happens when there is a mistake or misrepresentation made in contract law.

Lastly we will look at what remedies are available for breach of contract.

In this unit we shall look at:

• Express terms/Implied terms
• Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977
• Mistake/Misrepresentation
• Discharge
• Remedies for breach of contract

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contract law
• Research effectively a number of cases and other sources of information to help interpret the law

Unit 4: Tort I

In this unit you will be introduced to the area of tort and tortuous liability.

We will look at negligence, duty of care, foreseeability, damages and remedies available.

It will introduce you into the consumer law and regulation as well as highlight how consumer law came about.

In this unit we shall look at:

• Duty of care
• Breach of duty
• Damage
• Remedies for breach of the tort of negligence

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of tort law
• Research effectively a number of cases and other sources of information to help interpret the law

Mid-Module Assignment

You need to submit your Mid-Module Assignment before the end of Unit 4.

A TV Shop advertises its annual sale in the local press.  The advertisement states that all television sets will be available at less than half price and the first customer through the doors at opening time on March 1st will also win a case of champagne.

Homer arrives at the shop the night before the sale to ensure that he is first in the queue but, unfortunately, he falls asleep before opening time and the next person in the queue enters the shop first, winning the champagne.

Homer finds a TV that he wants to purchase, however the manager refuses to give him the television at half price.

When Homer told him of the advert, the manager replied, ‘I only put the advert in to get people into my shop, none of the televisions are half price’. The manager also points to a sign at the back of the shop which advises that the shop may withdraw sale items at its discretion

Explain, using case examples and statute where appropriate, the legal implications for Homer and the way in which the law has tried to regulate exclusion clauses.

Your response should be in the form of a written report of between 1,500 and 2,000 words.

Click here to watch a short lecturecast designed to help you write your assignment.

The learning outcomes for this assignment are:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of the English Legal system, relevant legal institutions and four principal areas of law relevant to the operation of a business
• Research effectively a number of cases and other sources of information to help interpret the law