Module Additional Assessment Details
1 x 3 hour examination at the end of Semester 2 (100%)
(The students will be allowed to take into the examination room their copy of the case study and Statute which will be provided in advance of the examination. The students may underline or highlight the text of the case study and statute but will not be allowed to annotate it. Students will also be allowed to take their completed work plans into the examination room. The examination will assess Learning Outcomes 1 - 5.
Students must achieve an overall mark of 40%.
Module Indicative Content
The module will provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the core principles relating to formation, performance and discharge of contracts and an appreciation of the commercial implications of such principles.
Issues covered will include:
- formation of contracts
- contractual obligations under terms of the contract
- exclusion clauses and unfair contract terms
- vitiating factors and their consequences
- methods of discharging contracts
- remedies for breach
- legal developments resulting from commercial activity and technological advances
Module Texts
Poole J, Casebook on Contract, Current Edition, OUP
Richards, P. Law of Contract, Current Edition, Pearson Longman
Richard Taylor & Damian Taylor Contract Law Directions (latest edition) OUP
Module Resources
Access to appropriate texts, legislation and case law.
Module Study Guide. Lecture Outline. Power points
Computing facilities will be needed to access material available on the web and specialist on-line databases.
Specialist software.
Module Learning Strategies
Whole group sessions - a series of participatory lectures will disseminate basic knowledge and understanding as the foundation of preparation for a structured programme of tutorial sessions - 2 hours per week x 22 weeks = 44 hours.
Small group sessions - a series of tutorial sessions will examine particular aspects of the Law of Contract. A variety of teaching and learning methods will be used to encourage and develop both individual and collaborative learning, for example, a moot and an information technology based tutorial - 10 hours per semester = 20 hours.
Directed study and independent learning - principally, this will consist of preparation for tutorials and directed research. The module study guide provides students with an integrated programme of learning guidance via further reading references.
Completion of the tutorial questions and related case studies will encourage students to focus of the type of problem areas which can be assessed and facilitate tutorial discussion. The use of the case studies during the period of the module is intended to place a greater emphasis on analytical skills. Two unseen, compulsory questions on the examination paper, based on a pre-seen case report and statute will enable an element of research to be assessed. Completion of tutorial reflective assessment forms at the end of each tutorial will encourage students to assess their progress, identify strengths and weaknesses and manage their time more effectively - 236 hours.
TOTAL LEARNING TIME = 300 HOURS.