EU Law: Specifically

- Institutions of the European Union
- Historical overview of European integration and features of the EU legal order
- Role of the central EU institutions, and the law-making process
- Administrative and judicial enforcement in the CJEU, the national courts and national administrations
- Introduction to substantive law with a focus on the provisions concerning free movement of persons and goods

Business Law: Specifically

- Nature of business organisation and structures
- Agency and Partnership
- Formation and constitution of a limited company
- Corporate governance
- Capital of a limited company
- Business liability and directors' duties and obligations
- Corporate Insolvency

1. Students work in small groups to analyse a real or hypothetical EU law case (as instructed by the tutor) drawn from constitutional, institutional or substantive EU law. Cases may relate to the EU legal order, the role of EU institutions and the legislative process, administrative or judicial enforcement before the CJEU and national courts, or substantive law issues such as the free movement of persons and goods. Based on their legal analysis, each group delivers an oral presentation of 10 minutes proposing well-reasoned legal solutions supported by relevant treaty provisions, legislation and case law. A further 5 minutes is allocated for questions.

2. Students are required to produce an individual research essay, in accordance with the previously released assessment brief, analysing a contemporary Business Law issue relating to business organisations and corporate activity. The essay may address topics including, but not limited to, business structures, agency and partnership, the formation and constitution of limited companies, corporate governance, company capital, business liability, directors’ duties and obligations, or corporate insolvency. Students are expected to demonstrate critical engagement with relevant legal principles and to communicate written legal arguments and advice clearly, effectively, and coherently.

The learning strategy will include direct contact with a tutor, directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for the assessments. Students are encouraged to conduct weekly reading, preparation for workshops, and consolidation of learning.

Lectures provide the foundational legal framework for both EU Law and Business Law. In the EU Law component, lectures introduce substantive areas of law. In the Business Law component, lectures explain core concepts relating to business organisations and structures, agency and partnership, company formation and constitution, corporate governance, share capital, directors’ duties, business liability, and corporate insolvency.

Workshops are designed to be interactive and problem-based, enabling students to apply legal principles introduced in lectures. In EU Law workshops, students analyse constitutional, institutional, and substantive law scenarios involving free movement and enforcement before the CJEU and national courts. In Business Law workshops, students work through practical problem questions relating to company formation, directors’ duties, corporate governance, liability, and insolvency.

Students frequently work in small groups, encouraging collaboration, peer learning, and the development of critical reasoning skills. Workshops provide structured opportunities to practise case analysis, issue identification, and legal argumentation, directly supporting preparation for the group case analysis and presentation. Opportunities for formative feedback and peer discussion help students build confidence and competence in collaborative work, critical reasoning, and professional legal communication, ensuring they are well prepared for both assessed components.

Independent study enables students to consolidate and extend their learning beyond scheduled contact hours. Individual study plays a central role in preparing students for the individual research essay, allowing them to explore contemporary legal issues in depth, develop sustained legal arguments, and practise effective written communication. Students are also encouraged to reflect on workshop discussions and incorporate feedback into both their written work and group presentations.

1. Demonstrate detailed and contemporary knowledge and a systematic understanding of the legal principles, institutions and frameworks underpinning EU law and business law.

Knowledge and understanding

2. Apply critical legal reasoning and problem-solving skills to real-life EU and business law scenarios. Evaluating issues of liability, governance, enforcement, sustainability, and ethical decision-making, both independently and in collaboration with others with appropriate and effective use of digital resources to support legal research.

Critical reasoning and collaboration
Digital literacy

3. Communicate legal analysis and advice effectively to professional, academic, and non-specialist audiences, clearly explaining the practical implications of EU and business law for commercial activity, regulatory compliance and organisational decision-making.

Communication
Research skills

Law Trove

Legal databases with access to statutes, case law, and secondary sources such as journal articles.

EU Law -

Berry E, Bogusz B and Streker S, Complete EU Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (6th edn, OUP 2025)

O’Meara N, Essential Cases: EU Law (8th edn, OUP 2025)

Horspool M, Humphreys M and Wells-Greco M, European Union Law (11th edn, OUP 2021)

Business Law-

Kelly D, Hammer R and Hendy J, Business Law (4th edn, Routledge 2020)*

Marson J and Ferris K, Business Law (6th edn, OUP 2020)*

*Although these texts are now slightly over 5 years old, both texts remain appropriate for core texts. They are the most recent editions available and provide comprehensive single-volume coverage of Business Law as required at Undergraduate level.

This module introduces you to EU and Business Law. In the EU Law component, you are introduced to the constitutional and institutional foundations of the EU legal order, including a historical overview of European integration and the defining features of EU law. The module explores the roles of the central EU institutions and the EU law-making process, alongside mechanisms of administrative and judicial enforcement through the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), national courts, and national administrations. Key areas of substantive EU law, with particular emphasis on the free movement of persons and goods will also be introduced.

The Business Law component focuses on the legal regulation of business activity at domestic level. You will examine the nature of business organisations and structures, including sole traders, partnerships, and companies, with detailed consideration of agency and partnership relationships. The module analyses the formation and constitution of limited companies, corporate governance frameworks, and the rules governing share capital. It further explores business liability, directors’ duties and obligations, and the legal consequences of mismanagement. The module concludes with an introduction to corporate insolvency, examining the legal processes available when businesses face financial distress. Using legislation, case law, and practical problem scenarios, the module develops your ability to analyse legal issues, apply legal principles, and understand the interaction between EU law and business regulation in practice.