Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

This unit explores the nature, function and regulation of companies in Australia, with a view to understanding and being able to apply corporations law principles arising at common law, in equity and under statute. Students engage with corporate governance principles, comparative perspectives and recent developments in the law to critically study the internal structure and governance of the company, placing emphasis on duties owed by directors to the company and rights and remedies available to members. In the context of ongoing debate concerning the role and theory of the corporation, students consider the relationship between corporations and the outside world in the form of corporate liability in contract, tort and criminal law. Through class discussion, students develop appreciation of the ethical issues confronting company directors and their advisers and hone their skills of analysing legal issues, advising as to the application of corporations law to hypothetical problem scenarios and effectively debating policy issues. Students refine their research, analytical and communication skills by preparing a research assignment based on a corporations law problem or policy scenario. They then carry out a critique of their own work to identify how they can further improve these key skills so as to become effective participants in the practice and policy development of corporations law.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 2UWA (Perth)Face to face
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) apply principles of corporations law to solve hypothetical legal problems and demonstrate understanding; (2) evaluate ethical issues raised by the separate legal entity and limited liability doctrines, and faced by company directors and their advisers; (3) analyse a complex corporations law problem or policy issue using advanced legal research and reasoning; (4) critique aspects of corporations law with a view to creating appropriate and justified recommendations for change; (5) create clear, concise and persuasive legal arguments using correct and plain English, both verbally and in writing; and (6) critically evaluate the quality of research, problem-solving, communication and argument substantiation skills by reviewing a submitted corporations law assignment..

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) research assignment (including critique); (2) tutorial participation; and (3) examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Rebecca Faugno and Ian Murray
Unit rules
Prerequisites
For Juris Doctor (JD) students
Successful completion of
level 4 Unit(s) LAWS4101 Foundations of Law and Lawyering
and LAWS4103 Contract
and LAWS4104 Property Law
and LAWS4106 Torts
and LAWS4110 Legal Interpretation
and level 5 Unit(s) LAWS5103 Equity and Trusts For MLP students
Successful completion of
level 4 Unit(s) LAWS4101 Foundations of Law and Lawyering
and LAWS4103 Contract
and LAWS4104 Property Law
and LAWS4106 Torts
and LAWS4110 Legal Interpretation and level 5 LAWS5103 Equity and Trusts as recommended prior study for the MLP students
Advisable prior study
recommended prior study: LAWS5103 Equity and Trusts for MLP students.
Contact hours
up to 4 hours per week
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.