COMLAW 201 : Commercial Contracts

Business and Economics

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Explores ways in which contracts enable businesses to operate and flourish, how contracts are formed, and what happens when things go wrong. Examines common provisions in commercial contracts using real life examples and employs problem-solving skills in considering typical case studies in a business context.

Course Overview

Contracts are an essential part of most business transactions. This course is designed to teach the fundamental legal principles and rules on how contracts are formed and what factors  may affect their validity or enforceability.  Students will explore common contractual provisions, and analyse the consequences of a breach of contract.  

Using real-world examples and case studies, the course highlights the vital role of contracts in managing risk, fostering business relationships and protecting rights.  Emphasis is placed on problem-solving, equipping students with the skills necessary to navigate complex contractual issues and to make informed decisions in commercial contexts.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: COMLAW 101 or 191 or BUSINESS 114 and 115 Corequisite: BUSINESS 112 or 113

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Commerce

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain and apply the law relating to the formation, content and termination of legally enforceable contracts in a commercial environment. (Capability 3)
  2. Explore the ways in which contracts are used to facilitate business transactions. (Capability 3)
  3. Demonstrate a problem-solving approach in analysing commercial contract case studies to produce clear, well-structured written advice. (Capability 5 and 6.2)
  4. Critically evaluate situations where genuine consent to a contract is absent, and assess the implications on the validity and fairness of contractual agreements. (Capability 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Workshop Participation 10% Individual Coursework
Quizzes 10% Individual Coursework
Mid-Semester Test 30% Individual Test
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Workshop Participation
Quizzes
Mid-Semester Test
Final Exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect to participate in a 2-hour workshop each week, with approximately 5 hours of reading, workshop preparation and thinking about the content, as well as 3 hours of work on assignments, test and exam preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance on campus is required for all workshops, as well as for the mid-semester test and final exam.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Students' feedback is important for improving course delivery and content. The effect may not be apparent to the cohort providing the feedback, but will be shown in the course to be delivered next time. 

For 2025, the course has been redesigned for delivery in a team-based learning format, in response to student demand for more time spent on problem-solving and practical application of their legal knowledge.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 12/11/2024 08:55 p.m.