HA6002 - Business Law and Practice

The module will be taught through a combination of lectures recorded on Panopto (available in advance) and workshops. The lectures will be used to introduce you to the major principles of each topic as well as placing the principles in context by considering them against factual scenarios. The workshops will utilise an experiential teaching and learning strategy through using practical scenarios to expand on the material covered in the lectures. The workshops will be an interactive session in which you will need to consider the law surrounding business law and practice in a practical context.

In addition you will carry out independent learning to build on the areas covered in the lectures and workshops. You will also have directed learning to prepare for tasks in the workshops.

You will be supported in the module through formative self test and multiple choice questions through the dedicated online learning system, Blackboard.

Importantly, you will also learn at work, through reflecting on your experiences and applying your knowledge to your practice in the workplace. The seminars and lectures will introduce you to theories and concepts and allow you to discuss with the tutors and your peers how these relate to your own work based experiences and practice.

You will be building a portfolio of evidence that illustrates your development as a solicitor throughout the programme. This portfolio will enable you to demonstrate how you have applied your learning from across all modules into your workplace practice.

The University will support you in learning and research with an excellent library and teaching facilities; access to on-line databases and resources and appropriate software.

This Module is designed by, and will be managed by, the Module Tutor who will be responsible for guiding you in your engagement and learning on the Module. Material will be provided to you by lecture and through the eLP. The Module has a dedicated eLP site which includes Workshop instruction briefs, PowerPoint slides and links to resources, such as documentaries, and newly published articles. This is in addition to the electronic reading list.

As well as contact with the lecturer you will also be taught by your Workshop Tutor. Should you have queries you may speak to the lecturer or your Workshop Tutor or e-mail your query to either member of staff. Support will include oral feedback from Tutors during small group Workshops. Your Workshop Tutor will also be available to answer queries by e mail or in person, provided an appointment has been arranged. You are encouraged to make contact with your Tutor if you encounter any difficulties relating to any aspect of the Module.

The Programme Administration and Student Liaison teams are responsible for the non-academic administration of the Module, such as receiving your completed exam, returning your marked exam and recording your marks.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
At the end of the module you will have:

• Demonstrated that you have an in depth and systematic knowledge and understanding of the legal, practical, and taxation implications of setting up and running different types of business and of typical transactions and developments arising during the life and development of a business.
• Developed an understanding of legal principles and the place of law in its social, ethical, economic, and business context as well as an awareness and understanding of the commercial and business environment and how this is applied to the practice of business law and practice.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
At the end of this module you will be able to:

• Through the study of this module you will be able to systematically apply your knowledge and understanding of business law and practice to complex client problems in a professional context including identifying where additional information is required, in order to advise a client.
• Interpret and apply primary source materials, constitutional documents and other relevant sources as well as numerical data through considering business accounts and tax

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
At the end of the module you will have:

• Developed an ability to exercise initiative and self-manage, and an ability to plan and implement tasks such as being able to advise clients on the critical elements of business law and practice and be aware of how to conduct yourself in an ethical manner.

Formative assessment will be provided by oral feedback in Workshops on the formative tasks that are required for effective Workshop participation. Formative feedback will also be provided through the tasks set on the eLP.

Summative assessment will be through a 1 hour closed book multiple choice question paper and a 3 hour open book written paper. The written paper will be based on advance materials and will be practical in nature.

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This module will give you a good grounding in the essentials needed for commercial practice as well as providing you with an opportunity to develop your practical legal skills. By the end of this module, you will have a good understanding of the most common types of business media solicitors work with in practice and how to progress basic business transactions bearing in mind the legal, commercial and taxation implications. Exposure to realistic business scenarios and simulations will enhance your business and commercial awareness, as well as your understanding of a solicitor’s ethical and regulatory obligations, thereby helping you to prepare for practice. The module learning outcomes will be achieved through the use of a variety of learning technologies and simulated case studies to introduce you to the world of business law and practice.