1. Critically analyse the concept of separate legal personality in the development of company law.

Knowledge and Understanding, Learning, Analysis

2. Select and deploy knowledge and understanding of legislative provisions and relevant case law to build up logical, relevant and well-reasoned argument.

Analysis, Application

3. Undertake evaluative, independent research and communicate effectively in academic writing using correct OSCOLA referencing.

Enquiry, analysis, reflection, Communication

4. Demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of key aspects of company law.

Knowledge and Understanding, Learning, Enquiry

Working towards the assessment task will be a key element of the learning, and tutors will be available to guide students through the process, and to improve their ability to meet the learning outcomes to a high standard. It is expected that around 25 hours of the module will be devoted to the assessment tasks - much of it during the self-directed periods.

Assessment will be an integral part of the module. There will be one assessment point and workshops focused on assessment activities will be scheduled into the timetable. Earlier tasks will be shorter and more succinct, enabling fast feedback from the tutors so that students can learn and improve for later assessment tasks. At least one task will be of the active variety such as a verbal presentation, group activity or similar. Formative feedback will be provided wherever possible.

Written Assignment weighted at 100%
Online submission
To assess learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, & 4

A study of Company Law not only demands a high level of academic understanding but also draws significantly on legal skills. The module is designed to provide the requisite knowledge and understanding and develop the legal skills deemed necessary for those students who wish to work in a trading environment.

Company Law

- The different mediums within which a business can be conducted
-The doctrine of separate legal personality
- Lifting the corporate veil
- Constitution of a company
- The legal nature of shares and class rights
- Company meetings
- Loan capital
- Share issues
- Capital maintenance
- Directors
- Minority protection
- Winding Up/Administration Orders

In this module, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of company law and commercial issues. It will cover essential topics such as company structure, corporate governance, incorporation, and the constitution. You will also explore the practical relationships between key players, including shareholders, directors, and other stakeholders. This module will build a solid foundation in company principles, which will be extremely beneficial if you are interested in the field of company and commercial law.

The learning strategy for this module is based on students committing a total of 200 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 39 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 161 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks.

Contact will include a mixture of small and larger group activities, much of it based on the principles of practice and problem-based learning. Learning will be organised into a series of sessions where students will be required to participate. Each session will be based around a problem or issue, and students will work towards a range of solutions by specifying objectives, identifying constraints, obtaining background information, applying related theory and knowledge based around the subject matter.

Large group sessions seek to establish an overview framework within which selected theories and rules of the subject matter can be more effectively developed. They will verify and consolidate knowledge and understanding and will engage in a more detailed exposition of selected theories, rules and constraints.

The guided learning will incorporate a mixture of activities, some of which will require group work and electronic interaction. The learning will be facilitated by the use of the VLE platform and discussions/interactions between students and tutors.

Students will be expected to be familiar with contemporary discussions in this area of law, and to bring a range of ideas to bear on the discussions. Thus, although there will be a framework of knowledge and understanding, students will be actively, rather than passively, engaged in the process of both learning about, and increasing understanding of, the subject matter.

The module will use a blend of teaching methods to enable different styles of learning to be facilitated. The differing methods will also be a platform for the development of essential skills such as intellectual skills, communication skills and problem solving, as well as research, teamwork, negotiation, presentation, referencing, argument, judgement and appropriate use of IT.

WHOLE GROUP SESSIONS

In these sessions, students will be introduced to the general concepts underlying the subject and be provided with an outline of the relevant legislative provisions and case law. Students will be given study packs and handouts. Some of the sessions will include collaborative activities to focus on skills such as team-work, presentation, and research. Students will also be instructed on the interactive use of blackboard to develop their research.

SMALL GROUP SESSIONS

These will be preceded by a period of independent student-centred learning. The module study guides contain indicative reading, problem solving and research-based exercises and direction to online exercises in the keeping of self-reflective journals as well as teamwork exercises. The purpose of the small group sessions is to help students assess their understanding of the subject, to develop skills of analysis, problem solving and application of the law to practical situations.

DIRECTED STUDY AND INDEPENDENT LEARNING

This will consist of preparation for the work to be undertaken in the workshops and also assessment. Students will be provided with guidance in their module study guide, lecture materials and via the VLE. A significant amount of on-line guided support will be provided via the VLE and this will include further reading, research exercises, and on-line collaboration to support workshop preparation. The independent learning activities encourage students to develop a critical understanding of the principles of company law and provide practice in preparation for assessments. Students will be expected to keep a self-reflective journal throughout the module.

Core-

French D, Blackstone’s Statutes on Company Law (27th edn, OUP, 2022)

Worthington S, Sealy and Worthington’s Text, Cases, and Materials in Company Law (12th edn, OUP, 2022)

Recommended-

French D, Mayson, French & Ryan on Company Law (38th edn, OUP,2023)

Wild.C., Weinstein.S., Smith and Keenan's Company Law, (18th edn, Pearson, 2019)

OUP Texts are available as digital textbooks on the Law Trove subscription service.

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