Students
LAWS1200 – Contracts
2020 – Session 1, Intensive attendance, North Ryde
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ilija Vickovich
Tutor
Frank Carrigan
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
LAWS1000 or LAW115
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
The law of contracts is a fundamental area of study for an undergraduate degree in law and serves as the basis for a variety of later core and elective units. This unit equips students with a knowledge of essential doctrinal principles of contract law and the capacity to apply legal problem solving skills to the resolution of contractual disputes. It covers the formation of contracts, the contents and interpretation of contractual terms, the vitiating factors affecting contract formation, the discharge of contractual liabilities and other related issues such as formal requirements, illegality and privity of contract. In addition, the unit conveys an understanding of the main competing philosophies of contract and the practical role of contracts in a broader social and historical context. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Describe the legal principles relating to contract law.
- ULO2: Explain the main competing philosophies underpinning contract law and describe the role of contracts in a historical and social context.
- ULO3: Formulate, present and evaluate oral and written arguments about contract law, drawing upon relevant precedent and policy considerations.
- ULO4: Analyse hypothetical fact situations, identify legal and factual issues involving the law relating to contract law, and apply relevant principles to solve legal problems.
- ULO5: Demonstrate research, writing and referencing skills appropriate to students undertaking a 100 level unit.
Assessment Tasks
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
Delivery and Resources
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.
Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
Prescribed Texts
- P Radan, J Gooley & I Vickovich, Principles of Australian Contract Law, 4th ed, LexisNexis, Sydney, 2018
- P Radan, J Gooley & I Vickovich, Principles of Australian Contract Law: Cases & Materials, 4th ed, LexisNexis, Sydney, 2018
- Notes and other additional materials available on iLearn and Leganto.
Recommended Texts
- J W Carter, Contract Law in Australia, 7th ed, LexisNexis, 2018
- N Seddon & R Bigwood, Cheshire & Fifoot Law of Contract, 11th ed, LexisNexis, 2017
- J D Heydon, Heydon on Contract, Thompson Reuters, 2019
- J Robertson & A Paterson, Principles of Contract Law, 6th ed, Thompson Reuters, 2020.
Unit Schedule
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
LECTURE SCHEDULE
Session 1, 2020
|
Week
|
Week Commencing |
Lecture Topic |
Tutorial Topic |
|
1 |
24 Feb |
Introduction to Contracts; Overview of Contract Remedies |
Legal Problem Solving Model
|
|
2 |
2 Mar |
Agreement – Offer and Acceptance |
Introduction to Contracts; Overview of Contract Remedies
|
|
3 |
9 Mar |
Consideration; Equitable Estoppel; Intention |
Agreement – Offer and Acceptance
|
|
4 |
16 Mar |
Certainty and Completeness; Capacity; Requirement of Writing |
Consideration; Equitable Estoppel; Intention
|
|
5 |
23 Mar |
Express Terms |
Certainty and Completeness; Capacity; Requirement of Writing |
|
6 |
30 Mar |
Implied Terms; Construction of Terms; Exclusion Clauses |
Express Terms
|
|
7 |
6 Apr |
Misrepresentation; Misleading or Deceptive Conduct; Mistake
|
Implied Terms; Construction of Terms; Exclusion Clauses
|
|
|
|
Mid-Semester Break [On Campus Session 14-15 Apr]
|
|
|
8
|
27 Apr |
Duress; Undue Influence; Unconscionability |
Misrepresentation; Misleading or Deceptive Conduct; Mistake |
|
9 |
4 May |
Discharge by Agreement; Discharge by Performance |
Duress; Undue Influence; Unconscionability |
|
10 |
11 May |
Discharge by Breach; Discharge by Frustration |
Discharge by Agreement; Discharge by Performance
|
|
11 |
18 May |
Illegality |
Discharge by Breach; Discharge by Frustration
|
|
12 |
25 May |
Privity of Contract; Contract Theory
|
Illegality
|
|
13 |
1 Jun |
Contracts in Context; Exam Preparation
|
Privity of Contract
|
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
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Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
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