Students

LAWS1200 – Contracts

2023 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lisa Spagnolo
Ilija Vickovich
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

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Problem Question 30% No Monday 4 September 2023 11.55PM (Sydney time)
Class Participation 20% No Weeks 1-13
Take Home Test 50% No Monday 6 November 2023 10:00AM-1:00PM (Sydney time)

Problem Question

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Monday 4 September 2023 11.55PM (Sydney time)
Weighting: 30%

 

The Assignment in this unit will be a hypothetical problem question.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the legal principles relating to contract law.
  • Demonstrate research, writing and referencing skills appropriate to students undertaking a 100 level unit.

Class Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Weeks 1-13
Weighting: 20%

 

Students will participate in a one-hour tutorial every week that will provide the opportunity to explore, analyse and apply the principal doctrinal rules covered in lectures.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the legal principles relating to contract law.
  • Explain the main competing philosophies underpinning contract law and describe the role of contracts in a historical and social context.
  • Formulate, present and evaluate oral and written arguments about contract law, drawing upon relevant precedent and policy considerations.

Take Home Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Monday 6 November 2023 10:00AM-1:00PM (Sydney time)
Weighting: 50%

 

Students will complete a time limited take home test based on material covered in the unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the legal principles relating to contract law.
  • Explain the main competing philosophies underpinning contract law and describe the role of contracts in a historical and social context.
  • Formulate, present and evaluate oral and written arguments about contract law, drawing upon relevant precedent and policy considerations.
  • Analyse hypothetical fact situations, identify legal and factual issues involving the law relating to contract law, and apply relevant principles to solve legal problems.
  • Demonstrate research, writing and referencing skills appropriate to students undertaking a 100 level unit.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Unit Schedule

 

Week

 

Beginning

Lecture Topic

Tutorial Topic

1

24 July

Introduction to Contracts; International Contract Law Aims, Applicability & Interpretation; Agreement - Offer Part 1

Introduction to Contract; International Contract Law Applicability; Offer Part 1

 

2

31 July

Agreement – Agreement - Offer Part 2 and Acceptance; Consideration

Agreement – Offer Part 2 and Acceptance

 

3

7 August

Equitable Estoppel; Intention; Certainty & Completeness; Capacity

Consideration; Equitable Estoppel; Intention

4

14 August

Express Terms

Certainty and Completeness; Capacity; Capacity

5

21 August

Implied Terms; Construction of Terms

Express Terms;

6

28 August

Discharge by Agreement; Discharge by Performance

Implied Terms (including ACL Consumer Guarantees); Construction of Terms; Exclusion clauses

 

 

7

4 September

Discharge by Termination for Breach Part 1

 

Discharge by Agreement; Discharge by Performance;

 

11-22 Sept

Mid-Session Break

 

 

8

 

25 Sept

Discharge by Termination for Breach Part 2; Discharge by Frustration

 

Discharge by Termination for Breach

9

2 October

Mistake; Misrepresentation; Misleading or Deceptive Conduct; Unfair Terms

Discharge by Termination for Breach; Discharge for Frustration

 

10

9 October

Duress; Undue Influence; Unconscionability

Misleading or Deceptive Conduct; Misrepresentation

11

16 October

Writing Requirements; Illegality

Duress; Undue Influence; Unconscionability; Unfair Terms

12

23 October

Privity

 

Writing Requirements; Illegality

 

13

30 October

Contract Theory & Context;

Exam Preparation

 

Privity

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.


Unit information based on version 2023.02 of the Handbook