LAW42210 Theory and Practice of Commercial Relations

Academic Year 2022/2023

The module explores commercial relations in their practical and theoretical dimension. The first part of the module introduces students to the function of the contracts as tools for structuring legal relations. Students will examine the processes of contract drafting in relation to different scenarios, such as purchase-sell agreements, joint ventures and leases. The in-depth examination will include the various stages of contract design and management, including precontractual liability, basic contract formation, key terminology used in contracts and the different between the law in theory and in practice. This part of the module will be supplemented with selected case-studies, which have in the past been presented by practicing lawyer on topics such as joint venture transactions and share purchase transactions. The second part of the module will look at theoretical aspects of contractual relations against the background of network theory. Students will explore advanced and critical theories on the dynamic relation between law and business and the specific features and their legal and practical implications of contractual networks.
This is a core module for students on the MSc in International Law and Business.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module students will able to:

• Critically discuss the law and practice of contractual processes
• Understand and use context-specific legal contractual terminology
• Asses the risks of pre-contractual liability
• Discuss critically the different contractual remedies and dispute resolution options

• Apply relational contract theory to a Varity of different scenarios
• Examine business networks through the lens of contractual network theory
• Appreciate the effects of concepts such as good faith and legal transplants for the law and practice of business relations.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

20

Autonomous Student Learning

180

Total

200

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is primarily taught by interactive seminars, which will build upon guided independent study. Full details are given in module handbook. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Presentation: Group Presentation Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

20

Portfolio: Based on seminar discussions Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

40

Assignment: Research Paper Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

40


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Mr Brian Hutchinson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Colin Scott Lecturer / Co-Lecturer