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Essential Information

Offered:

  • SP1, 2010
  • SP2, 2010
  • SP3, 2010 (TBA)

Core Unit for:

Elective Unit for:

Assessment:

  • Assignment 25%
  • Examination 75%

Pre-Requisites:

  • None

UNIT 202: BUSINESS LAW


Overview

This unit aims to develop a knowledge of the legal system and an understanding of the many laws which impact on the work of engineers and other technology-based professionals in both the public and private sectors. Laws such as contract and tort are covered, with specific reference to contractual responsibility, risk, liability and the detailed administration of contracts. In addition, the very important laws of trade practices, intellectual property and employment are covered, thus developing skills in application of the principles and practice of managerial law in the workplace.

Aims

After studying this unit you should be able to:

  • explain what law is and the role law plays in wider society and the business environment
  • analyse some basic concepts used in law and how their application is changing over time
  • identify the applicability of a significant range of laws and explain their impact on those carrying out professional and managerial duties
  • identify the role of contract law in commercial activity and analyse the particular terms of different contracts including consumer contracts, insurance contracts, employment contracts and contracts for the sale of goods
  • explain the nature of the law of torts and define the tort of negligence and the elements that must be proved to bring a successful claim in this tort
  • identify and define the different types of property including intellectual property and analyse how the law protects property
  • explain the different ways a business may be carried on and the factors that will influence the choice of business structure
  • define an agency relationship and the legal implications of such a relationship
  • analyse the range of options to resolve commercial disputes
  • apply your knowledge of the law to a range of situations.

Topics

  • Introduction to the law in Australia
  • Contract law—Part 1
  • Contract law—Part 2
  • The law of torts
  • Property law
  • Trade practices legislation
  • Business organisations
  • Employment and workplace relations law
  • The law of agency
  • Commercial dispute resolution

Unit Chair & Study Guide Author

Paula Meegan
LL.B, GDLP

Paula is the Practice Manager of the Adelaide Magistrate’s Court Legal Advice Clinic, established jointly by the University of Adelaide and Flinders University to provide law students with the opportunity to obtain legal education and experience in a clinical educational setting. She has also undertaken sessional teaching at the Law Schools of Flinders University and the University of South Australia.

Previously, Paula practiced in commercial litigation in firms in Adelaide and Sydney. For three years she practiced in Darwin at the Northern Territory Attorney General's Department, mainly in the area of civil litigation. Here she undertook training and education of public servants in various government departments in relation to the statutory regimes which those departments were responsible for administering. From 1997 to 2000 she was an in-house legal advisor for Angel Trains, London, an asset finance lessor of rolling stock. More recently she has practiced in the area of Local Government law in Adelaide.