Module description
What is the module about?
This course introduces the student to Company Law and provides students with an understanding of how and why companies are formed and how the law controls the way they operate.
The aims of this course are:
- To provide students with an understanding and appreciation of the core principles of company law.
- to encourage the development of student’s skills in legal reasoning and analysis through case law and statutes
On completion of the module students should:
- be able to distinguish between different types of business structures and give a reasoned opinion on their applicability to given hypothetical/real scenarios
- have knowledge and understanding of major core topics in Company Law including
- Formation of a company,
- separate corporate personality,
- Company constitutions
- Corporate liability
- the role of the board of directors of a company and their duties and powers,
- the relationship between a company and its shareholders
Who should do this module?
This module is available to students in the Business School who might be interested in examining the nature and context of company law. It develops critical skills, problem solving and communication skills. Given the nature of the subject there is a considerable amount of reading. It might be particularly of interest to students considering embarking on a career in accounting and finance as company law is part of the core education for such a role.
Assessment details
Online Examination 80%
Online Test 80%
Educational aims & objectives
Provisional Lecture Outline
Lecture 1: Introduction Lecture 2: Corporate Personality and Limited Liability Lecture 3: Lifting the Corporate Veil and Behind the Corporate Veil Lecture 4: Promotion and pre-incorporation Contracts; Agency and Company Officers Lecture 5: Registration and The Company Constitution Lecture 6: Corporate Activity and Corporate Liability Lecture 7: Directors and Directors Duties Lecture 8: Majority and Minority rule Lecture 9: Corporate Governance Lecture 10: Concluding Thoughts and Revision
Teaching pattern
1 hour weekly lecture
1-hour weekly tutorial
Suggested reading list
Mayson, French & Ryan on Company Law 35th Edition 2018 -19, Oxford University Press