LW1CONNU-Contract Law (NUIST-Reading Academy)

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: LW1JILSNU Jurisprudence (NUIST-Reading Academy) and LW1TORNU Tort Law (NUIST-Reading Academy)
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Cosmas Anyakudo
Email: c.anyakudo@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces students to the key aspects of Contract Law. It will focus on the formation of valid contracts, the construction of contract terms, implication of relevant legislation and remedies for breaches.

Aims:

The module aims to give students a through grounding in the Law of Contract and the relevance of agreements for promoting business efficacy. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be expected to be able to: 

• Demonstrate a substantive knowledge and understanding of the principles of contract law.


• Show evidence of the ability to apply techniques of ordered thinking and the skills required to analyse and solve legal problems.


• Communicate legal arguments clearly and succinctly, by means of presentations and written work and to draw appropriate conclusions. 

Additional outcomes:

• Those skills listed in the School of Law's ‘Core Skills Statement’.


• The development of research skills (both library and online) and the ability to make use of available recourse.


• An ability to understand legal academic texts, both written and spoken, more easily. 

Outline content:

The module will usually cover topics such as: • An introduction to the Principles of Contract and Formation of a Contract. A review of the principles relating to offer, such as distinguishing an offer from an “invitation to treat” and understanding when offers cease to be open for acceptance. Understanding the difference between bilateral and unilateral contracts. • Acceptance. A review of the law of acceptance in relation to bilateral and unilateral contracts. Gaining a n understanding of the general rules, exceptions and problems that arise in relation to acceptance. • Intention to create legal relations and Capacity to make contracts. Understanding the presumptions developed by the courts in relation to intention to create legal relations and understanding the limitations on capacity to contract in relation to minors, and others. • Consideration – a review of the law of consideration. Understanding the basic rules and the ways in which the cou rts have developed the principles of consideration by case law, with a review of the equitable doctrine of Promissory Estoppel. • The Content of a Contract. Incorporation of Term – Express and Implied and an introduction to Exclusion clauses. • Types of Terms, Conditions, Warranties and Innominate Terms; Exclusion Clauses; the effect of breach, the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015. • Misrepresentation - when does it remain a mere pre-contractua l statement and when might it be incorporated as a term of the contract? Why does it matter? Remedies for misrepresentation. 

• Remedies in Contract – Statutory and common law; the common law remedy of damages, and equitable remedies in detail – Injunction, Specific Performance, Rescission and Rectification 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be taught by way of 20 hours of lectures (in 1 hour or 2 hour blocks), spread across the Autumn and Spring Terms.  The lectures will be interspersed with 4 x 2 hour seminars (two in each term), for which students are expected to prepare by undertaking specific readings and preparing questions for discussion.  In addition, in the Autumn Term, students take part in a 2 hour group treaty negotiation exercise (practical class), led by the tutor. 

 < br />
Lecture – 2 hours per week Seminar – 2 hours per week - to include seminar problems and presentation Specialized Seminar – 2 hours per week – problem solving, homework discussion and review of the lectures and understanding of the principles taught previously

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	16
Seminars	78
Tutorials	2
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	20
Wider reading (directed)	20
Exam revision/preparation	10
Advance preparation for classes	10
Preparation for presentations	5
Preparation for seminars	5
Completion of formative assessment tasks	15
Group study tasks	5
Essay preparation	10
Reflection	4
Total hours by term		0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	75
Written assignment including essay	10
Set exercise	15

Summative assessment- Examinations:

One exam in summer term – 3 hours long which is worth 70% which is combined with Tort Law

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One assignment set in the Autumn term, to be submitted in the Spring Term which is worth 10%

Formative assessment methods:

Mid-term test in week 7 on the previous weeks across Contract and Jurisprudenc

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

• Re-examination.

• Essay to be resubmitted, on a new question

• Report on the practical exercise to be resubmitted, as improved by feedback from first submission. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 8 April 2021