Program Overview

Introduction to LAW504 Business and Corporations Law

This subject examines key Australian legal concepts and issues directly relevant to business operations. It covers the structure of the Australian legal system, sources of law, statutory interpretation, the court system, and the doctrine of precedent. The subject then examines substantive areas of tort, contract, agency, and the difference between various types of business organisations before focusing on corporations law.

Subject Outlines

The subject outlines the way in which corporations are formed, rules regulating internal relationships within corporations, relationships with outsiders, the duties of directors and other officers, fundraising, and the termination of corporations, with a particular focus on liquidation.

Availability

The subject is available in two sessions:

• Session 1 (30)
  • On Campus: CSU Study Centre Brisbane, CSU Study Centre Melbourne, CSU Study Centre Sydney, Port Macquarie Campus
  • Online: Wagga Wagga Campus
• Session 2 (60)
  • On Campus: CSU Study Centre Brisbane, CSU Study Centre Melbourne, CSU Study Centre Sydney, Port Macquarie Campus
  • Online: Wagga Wagga Campus

Subject Information

Grading System

The grading system for this subject is HD/FL.

Duration

The duration of this subject is one session.

School

The subject is offered by the School of Accounting and Finance.

Enrolment Restrictions

The subject is restricted to postgraduate students only and is not available to students who have completed LAW511 or LAW512.

Subject Relationships

The subject has similar content to LAW511 and LAW512.

Incompatible Subjects

The subject is incompatible with LAW511 and LAW512.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to appraise and discuss the Australian and other legal systems
• be able to analyse matters so as to evaluate which court has jurisdiction and differentiate between courts in applying the doctrine of precedent
• be able to analyse the rules of statutory interpretation and the law relating to torts, contracts, property, agency, partnerships, and corporations
• be able to distinguish between rules of law and exercise judgement in applying the law to complex legal problems

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:

• introduction to law; classification of legal systems, civil and criminal liability, Australian legal institutions, alternative dispute resolution methods
• sources of law, case law, and precedent
• legal research skills
• interpretation of statutes
• tort law, elements of negligence; damages and defences
• contract law, including formation, essential elements, international contracts, vitiating factors, terms, discharge, damages, and remedies
• statutory modifications of contract law - consumer protection
• property law
• the nature of different business organisations
• partnership
• the law of agency
• formation of corporations
• corporate liability in crime, tort, and contract
• corporate governance and the corporate constitution
• membership of a corporation - members' meetings and remedies
• Directors' duties
• corporate finance: shares and debentures
• fundraising
• external control - liquidation