ACCT3161: Corporate and Business Law

• None

• None

• ACCT1131 Business Law for Accountants; ACCT1137 Business Law; ACCT2041 Principles of Business Law

• This is a law module for non-law students on accounting and accounting-related programmes.
• It is important for students studying in accounting and accounting-related fields to have an understanding of the legal framework within which businesses operate, and the requirements and restrictions imposed on a business by the different aspects of the law of England and Wales that are relevant to the operations of a business.

• The English Legal System
• The law of obligations (contract and tort)
• Agency law
• Employment law
• Business organisations (sole traders, partnerships and companies)
• Company law (formation, constitution, financing, management, administration and regulation)
• Insolvency law
• Corporate criminal behaviour

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Significant aspects of the Law of England and Wales as they appertain to the operation of a business, e.g.
• Essential elements of the legal system including the main sources of law, structures, features, regulatory framework
• Legal principles relating to the law of obligations (contract and tort), agency situations, and employment relationships
• Similarities and differences between alternative forms and constitutions of business organisations
• Types of capital and financing of companies
• How companies are managed, administered and regulated
• Processes relevant to and the legal implications of insolvency
• Criminal behaviour concerned with corporate entities

Subject-specific Skills:

• On completion of this module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate understanding of the English legal system
• Demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge, understanding and coherent application of legal principles to businesses operating within the jurisdiction of the Law of England Wales
• Analyse and offer advice on common legal issues facing a business
• Identify and analyse issues/problems arising in areas of law under study Identify and apply relevant legal principles to those issues/problems, reaching valid conclusions
• Synthesise knowledge and application into arguments that are reasoned, sound and supported evidentially
• Show alertness to competing arguments, grey areas and nuance

Key Skills:

• Skills of enquiry, analysis, judgement and problem solving
• The ability to communicate complex issues, ideas, analysis and judgement orally and in writing
• The ability to think critically and to argue coherently

• Learning takes place through attendance at, preparation for, and participation in workshops, and independent study.
• Formative assessment is by means of a practice test.
• Summative assessment is by means of an in-person, timed, invigilated written examination.

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our FAQ webpages, Help page or our glossary of terms. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the FAQ, or a query about the on-line Undergraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.