The Law of Contract

Module title	The Law of Contract
Module code	LAW4006H
Academic year	2024/5
Credits	20
Module staff	Dr Chunping Bush (Lecturer)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	12

Number students taking module (anticipated)	20

Module description

On the module, you will examine the main elements of the law of contract in England and Wales. Contract law plays an important part of everyday life for individuals, businesses and even public agencies. It underpins many industries, including the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries. Knowledge and understanding of contract law is imperative in a variety of practical dispute resolution and problem-solving contexts. The module therefore places substantial emphasis on applying the rules, principles and concepts of contract law to real-life, industry-focused cases with practical consequences, and on contextualising the law in relevant legal practice, social and economic settings.

The module needs to be completed before progressing to the Exeter-based part of the HKUST-Exeter programme LLB in Engineering and Law.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to provide you with knowledge and understanding of different aspects of contract law in England and Wales. In particular, the module aims to enable you to:

(a) develop knowledge and understanding of the general principles and traditional approaches of contract law in England and Wales;

(b) develop independent and practical thinking in this field, and apply the legal rules and principles you have learned to specific situations;

(d) gain an analytical and critical approach to contract law, and an awareness of social, economic and other issues that can impact on contractual relations (including, for example, fairness, inequality of bargaining power, and public policy).

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the law on the topics covered by the module, using appropriate concepts, interpretative techniques and terminology;
2. identify and analyse (with guidance) the general concepts and principles relating to contract law, together with related theories and academic commentary;
3. research a legal question and demonstrate competence in applying contract law in order to formulate and evaluate a response to it
4. demonstrate competent understanding of some of the relevant legal practice, social, economic, political, historical, philosophical, ethical and cultural contexts within which contract law operates

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of legal rules, concepts, values and principles, and the ability to explain and discuss the relationships among them;
6. make an informed judgement about the merits and relevance of particular information and make reasoned choices between alternative solutions or arguments;
7. communicate technical legal information and argument effectively and concisely in writing, in a manner appropriate to the discipline

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

8. identify, retrieve and use efficiently a range of resources with some guidance;
9. manage time efficiently in preparing for learning activities and to work independently to complete a specified task.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

Introduction to learning in law
Introduction to contract law in England and Wales
Formation of contracts
Contractual terms and representation
Exemption clauses
Discharge of contract and damages

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
30	170

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities	18	12 x 1.5 hour workshops
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities	12	12 x 1 hour support sessions
Guided Independent Study	140	Preparation for scheduled learning and teaching activities, and further guided study
Guided Independent Study	30	Preparation for and completion of assessments

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Coursework (legal problem)	1,750 words in total	1-9	Individual written feedback (with oral feedback upon request)

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Coursework (legal problem)	100	1750 words	1-9	Individual written feedback (with oral feedback upon request)
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Coursework (legal problem3	Coursework (legal problem (1,750 words)	1-9	August/September reassessment period

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

All reading materials will be recommended by the course convenor and available online (e.g. via the University Library or Oxford Law Trove). Most assigned reading will be textbook chapters, academic papers, case reports and legislation.

Key words search

Agreement, Contract, Contractual Intention, Law, Engineering

Credit value	20
Module ECTS	10
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	Yes
Origin date	05/07/2021
Last revision date	16/02/2023