LW3COM: Commercial Law

Module code: LW3COM

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Mrs Elizabeth Conaghan, email: e.t.conaghan@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to introduce students to some of the fundamental principles of commercial law through a critical examination of, and engagement with, relevant case law, legislation, business practice, academic work, historical influences, economic drivers and public policy. It focuses primarily on the study of the law surrounding contracts for the sale of goods although students will also be introduced to the concept and law of agency. The module builds on module members' knowledge of contract law and it aims to equip students with a critical appreciation of some of the central themes and pillars of commercial law. The focus is on the law relevant to commercial transactions in England and Wales, although comparative and transnational perspectives will be drawn upon from time to time. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a critical knowledge and understanding of the operation of sale of goods contracts and the law relevant to sale of goods transactions;
2. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the concept and law of agency;
3. Apply precedents and statutory provisions to fact-based scenarios so as to reach clear and supportable conclusions.

Module content

Areas covered in this module will usually include (content may vary slightly year on year)  

• The nature and context of Commercial Law; 
• The nature of the contract for the sale of goods and the ambit of the Sale of Goods Act 1979; 
• The impact of the Consumer Rights Act 2015; 
• Obligations and rights of sellers and buyers; 
• Exclusion and limitation clauses; 
• Delivery obligations; 
• Remedies of buyers and sellers; 
• Passing of property and risk in goods; 
• Sales by non-owners (nemo dat quod non habet); 
• The concept and nature of agency. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars, with additional elements to support student learning being available on-line.  Students will be set assigned reading material in relation to each topic and in preparation for seminars. The module requires robust participation in seminars and requires a thorough understanding of the materials 

Study hours

At least 29 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs