Module Identifier LA31710  
Module Title COMMERCIAL LAW 1  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Miss Elizabeth Macdonald  
Semester Semester 1  
Pre-Requisite LA10110 or LA30110 or LA15710 and LA15830 or LA35830  
Course delivery Seminar   4 Hours Four one hour seminars during the semester  
  Lecture   20 Hours Two one hour lectures per week  
Assessment Exam   2 Hours Students may take into the examination an unmarked copy of Blackstoness Commercial and Consumer Law statutes.   100%  
  Resit assessment   By Examination.    
Professional Exemptions Not Required for Professional Purposes  

Module description


Commercial Law forms the background against which society functions. It is essential to the operation of the business world. The study of Commercial Law will provide the student with an insight into a vital area of modern legal study.


The Commercial Law 1 module deals extensively with what is probably the most fundamental commercial transaction ? sale of goods. It deals with all aspects of that particular type of contract from the quality of the goods, their delivery, passing of property, to the remedies which are available to the injured party. Some of these matters will be of obvious immediate relevance, concerning problems which students encounter in everyday life. The statutorily implied terms as to the quality of goods may be immediately helpful when consumer goods, such as a hi-fi system, are purchased and prove to be unsatisfactory; breach even giving the purchaser a right to reject the goods. However, the course also deals with legal problems which are more commonly only encountered in the business world. In considering the law relating to the sale of goods we not only have to consider contractual rights but also property rights. Particularly at times when insolvency rates are high, it will be vital to know which party is the owner of the goods at each stage of the transaction. Retaining title to the goods after delivery is an important way for the seller to protect himself against the buyer?s insolvency if he allows the buyer to take possession of the goods before they have been paid for. Questions always arise as adaptation of a well established body of law to technological developments, such the issue of whether the supply of software should fall within this legal regime and the consequences of whether it does or does not do so. The module aims to familiarise the student with the relevant principles of the substantive law. However, it also aims to further develop the student?s skills in handling statutory material and case law. In particular, the lectures emphasise the development of the law through the decisions of the courts. The seminars aim to develop the student?s critical approach to the subject and further enhance their skills in presenting a legal argument.

Aims


To give the student a good understanding of the law relating to the sale of goods and, in doing so, to further the development of an awareness of the need for, and use of accurate language; a logical approach to problems; legal and analytical skills; effective communications skills and a critical approach to law and legal argument.

Module objectives / Learning outcomes


To give the student a good understanding of sale of goods law. To further develop the student?s understanding of the use of statute and case law. To develop the student?s skills in applying the law to particular questions/ problems.


In particular, on completion of the module the student should
? Have enhanced their understanding of the use of case law
? Have enhanced their ability to use case law as part of a legal argument
? Have understood the scope of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the significance of its borderlines, particularly in relation to contracts concerned with the provision of software.
? Have understand the property rules and their significance, particularly in relation to the insolvency of the other party to the sale transaction
? Have understood the implied terms as to the `quality? of the goods and their significance and the remedies available for their breach.   

Syllabus


Sale of Goods


(a) Introduction - History - Definitions


(b) Implied terms - Description - Satisfactory Quality - Fitness for purpose - Correspondence with Sample


(c) Passing of Property


(d) Risk, frustration and mistake


(e) Delivery


(f) Remedies - rejection and acceptance - damages for the buyer - real remedies of the seller - damages for the seller


Teaching:

Teaching


The course is taught by lectures and seminars. It is intended that the lectures will introduce the student to the essential elements of the subject and encourage the further development of the student's understanding of the functioning of the law. Seminars should then build upon the lectures and the student's own reading. Seminars are intended to further develop the student's ability to analyse problems and present a reasoned argument.


Students are expected to complete one piece of non-assessed written work.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
Bradgate. Commercial Law. 3rd.
Blackstone. Statutes in Commercial and Consumer Law.