LAW1054 : Introduction to Business Law
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Aris Christidis
- Owning School: Newcastle Law School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
1. To acquire familiarity with the main legal institutions and sources of English law
2. To achieve awareness of areas of substantive law relevant to the operation of Business.
3. To provide an understanding of the commercial purpose and operation of the areas of law under consideration.
This module is designed for non-law students to introduce them to the nature of law, legal institutions, and substantive private law. It covers the law of obligations, employment law, the law of business organisations and company law.
Outline Of Syllabus
A. An Introduction to Law and the English Legal System
- The Nature of Law
- The Sources of English Law
- The Court System and Alternative Dispute Resolution
B. General Principles of Contract Law (The law of obligations I)
- An introduction to Contract Law
- Formation of Contracts
- Terms and vitiating factors
- Discharge and Remedies
C. General Principles of Tort Law (The law of obligations II)
- An introduction to Tort Law
- The law of negligence and professional negligence
D. Employment Law
- Contracts of Employment
- Dismissal and Redundancy
E. The Structure and Management of Business
- Business Organisations
- Company Law I: Formation and Finance
- Company Law II: Company Running, Maintenance and Liquidation
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 26 | 1:00 | 26:00 | In person lectures on substantive class content (FLEX: can be moved to online material) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | Time for students to complete formative and summative coursework & assessments |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | 1 hour in-person seminars (FLEX: can be delivered as on-line ZOOM seminars) |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 8 | 0:15 | 2:00 | 8 MCQs intended to allow students to self-test |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 105:00 | 105:00 | Combination of own reading and revision of substantive module content. Directed seminar reading. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Q&A sessions placed throughout the module to allow for all students to be able to ask questions |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The teaching methods have been adapted for delivery in the post-COVID environment and are based on the presumption that in person lectures, seminars and in-person drop-in sessions will be possible but that this shall need to be supplemented by making alternative arrangements under ‘FLEX’ in case of the possibility of more limited possibilities for on Campus teaching.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 100 | Inspera Digital Exam. An examination of a particular style is necessary to meet accreditation requirements (PSRBs) for accounting and finance organisation |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | Formative MCQs/carry no weight . To be completed before or after class. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
An examination of a particular style is necessary to meet accreditation requirements (PSRBs) for accounting and finance organisations. A combination of MCQs (multiple choice questions), MSQs (Multiple Select Questions) and SAQs (Short Answer Questions). A mixed-methods examination, comprehensive of MCQs, MSQs, and SAQs, is a pedagogically robust strategy that ensures a multi-layered evaluation of student proficiency, moving from broad knowledge recognition to the nuanced application of professional judgment. It integrates theoretical frameworks with practical, real-world applications. This mixed method is also aligned with PSRB's way of assessing for accreditation purposes.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- LAW1054's Timetable