Students

ACCG6014 – Business and Company Law

2025 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Monica Rouvellas
monica.rouvellas@mq.edu.au
Johannes Dumay
john.dumay@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces students to the Australian legal system, relevant commercial legal principles, and corporate law and regulation. At the beginning of the unit students will identify core aspects of rights and liabilities, and the characteristics of business organisations generally. Thereafter, the unit focuses on Australian company law. Students develop an understanding of the nature and function of a company and will analyse important issues concerning the duties of directors, shareholder rights, takeovers and share market regulation, and corporate insolvency. Classes will include consideration of relevant legal issues, case law, and important sections of the Corporations Act. Completing this unit will equip students with relevant insights into the regulation of the commercial environment and the ability to critically assess and appraise the rights and obligations arising in the formation, management and functioning of a company.

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 nature of the Australian commercial legal environment and recognise and evaluate the principles of the law of contract and tort
  • ULO2: Identify and evaluate corporate characteristics including articulating and critically analysing the role and obligations of directors
  • ULO3: Appraise and evaluate how shareholders rights are protected and how the Corporations Act regulates acquisition and disposal of shares.
  • ULO4: Compare corporate mechanisms for dealing with insolvency and critically assess the nature of corporate insolvency in the current regulatory environment.
  • ULO5: Produce and deliver written and oral material suitable for the purposes of engaging and informing an academic audience

General Assessment Information

In Class Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours Due: Week 7 in class Weighting: 20%

 

The online quiz will be held during class in Week 7. The duration and details of the quiz will be advised on iLearn. The quiz may be either multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, short answer style questions, or a combination thereof.

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Describe the nature of the Australian legal system, how to find, understand and use the law, and recognise and evaluate the principles of the law of contract, tort, and consumer law.

 

Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Case Study Indicative Time on Task 2: 28 hours Due: Friday 23 May 2025 at 11.55pm Weighting: 30%

 

Students will be assigned a topic/question and be required to submit a written response. Maximum length 1,200 words excluding references. The submission must be clear and concise, make reference to relevant law, show evidence of research and address the issues central to the topic/task. The case study will cover a topic from weeks 7 to 10.

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Describe the law and practices of businesses in Australia.
  • Identify and evaluate key legal principles including articulating and critically analysing existing laws and how they apply to businesses in Australia.
  • Appraise and evaluate how the Corporations Act and other laws regulate businesses and their operations within Australia.
  • Produce and deliver written and oral material suitable for the purposes of engaging and informing an academic audience

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours Due: Formal University Exam Period Weighting: 50%

 

A two-hour open book exam will be held during the University Examination Period.

 

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Describe the nature of the Australian commercial legal environment and recognise and evaluate the principles of the law of contract, tort, consumer law and privacy law, as well as the common business structures.
  • Identify and evaluate corporate characteristics, including articulating and critically analysing the role and obligations of directors.
  • Appraise and evaluate how the Corporations Act and other laws regulate businesses and their operations within Australia.
  • Discuss the ways in which businesses recover debts, pay taxes, employ workers and come to an end in Australia. 

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

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Formal and observed learning: Test 20% No In-Class Friday Week 7
Formal and observed learning: Exam 50% No Exam Period
Professional practice: Legal Case 30% No Friday 23 May 2025 at 11.55pm

Formal and observed learning: Test

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: In-Class Friday Week 7
Weighting: 20%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of key topics from the unit covered in Weeks 1-5.   You will participate in a formal test. Feedback on this test will help you assess your progress through the unit content.   Deliverable: Test Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the nature of the Australian commercial legal environment and recognise and evaluate the principles of the law of contract and tort

Formal and observed learning: Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 50%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to formally demonstrate the expertise you have gained in this unit.

  You will participate in a 2-hour exam held during the University Examination period. Important information about the exam will be made available on the unit iLearn page. You should also review the MQ Exams website for general tips.   Deliverable: Formal exam Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and evaluate corporate characteristics including articulating and critically analysing the role and obligations of directors
  • Appraise and evaluate how shareholders rights are protected and how the Corporations Act regulates acquisition and disposal of shares.
  • Compare corporate mechanisms for dealing with insolvency and critically assess the nature of corporate insolvency in the current regulatory environment.
  • Produce and deliver written and oral material suitable for the purposes of engaging and informing an academic audience

Professional practice: Legal Case

Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Friday 23 May 2025 at 11.55pm
Weighting: 30%

 

The purpose of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of key topics from the unit. .   You will prepare a legal submission on a specified topic   Skills in focus: - Critical Thinking - Problem Solving - Discipline Knowledge - Communication   Deliverable: Legal submission [max: 1,200 words] Individual assessment

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify and evaluate corporate characteristics including articulating and critically analysing the role and obligations of directors
  • Appraise and evaluate how shareholders rights are protected and how the Corporations Act regulates acquisition and disposal of shares.
  • Compare corporate mechanisms for dealing with insolvency and critically assess the nature of corporate insolvency in the current regulatory environment.
  • Produce and deliver written and oral material suitable for the purposes of engaging and informing an academic audience

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

Delivery and Resources

Classes will progress through the various Lecture Areas referred to in this Unit Guide. There may be some reorganisation, overlapping, and/or integration of areas to accommodate assessment, holiday scheduling, unit structure, delivery or class management. 

The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/

Required Text: Nickolas James and Timothy Thomas, Business Law, 6th Edition, Wiley (Referred to as BL)

BL will be available in the Macquarie University library. It can be can be purchased from the publishers Wiley via their website https://www.wileydirect.com.au/blog/buy/business-law/

LexisNexis practical guidance. Cybersecurity, data protection & privacy. (n.d.). Chatswood, N.S.W: LexisNexis. This accessible online through the Macquarie University Library: https://multisearch.mq.edu.au/permalink/61MACQUARIE_INST/1c87tk9/alma99244638810102171 

The following is not required but may be useful:

Lipton, Herzberg and Welsh, Understanding Company Law, Thomson Reuters (Lawbook Co.). 

Rouvellas, M. (2003). "Privacy and Data Protection" in Quilter, M., & Rouvellas, M. (2023). Company law perspectives (Fifth edition.). Pyrmont, NSW: Thomson Reuters Professional Australia Limited.

Note that certain relevant sections of the Corporations Act as well as other legislation, are set out in BL. Legislation may be viewed in full at www.austlii.edu.au

Useful websites

Useful databases

Students should be ready to allocate at least 150 hours during the session (in total) to ACCG2051. This includes all classes, assessment, personal study and other learning activities.

Technology Used and Required: 

Technology: learning management system (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/index.php). Students have to frequently access this Unit's iLearn site (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/ index.php) for relevant unit material (if any), announcements and detailed information regarding the Unit.

Unit Schedule

Unit Schedule

Note that Lectures start in Week 1

 

Week  

Topic              

1

 

Unit Introduction, Business and the Law, Introduction to the Australian Legal System

BL Chpts 1 and 2

2

 

Understanding the Judicial System, How to Fiind, Understand and Use the Law

BL Chpts 3 and 4

3

 

Torts

BL Chpts 5 and 6

4

 

Contracts 1 Formation of Contracts and Terms of the Contract

BL Chpts 7 and 8

Quiz 1 - in class

5

 

Contracts 2 Enforcement of Contracts and Working with Agents

BL Chpts 9 and 10

6

 

Australian Consumer Law

BL Chpts 11 and 12

7

 

Protecting IP and Privacy Law

BL Chpts 13

LexisNexis Practical Guidance: Cybersecurity, data protection & privacy

In-Class Quiz

8

 

Managing a Business Start-Up, Business Ownership

BL Chpts 14 and 15

 

9

 

Companies, Funding, and Corporate Governance

BL Chpts 16

Corporations Act 2002 (Cth) available via Austlii

10

 

Payments and Recovering Dets, Insurance and Taxes

BL 17 and 18

11

 

Employing Workers

BL 19

12

 

Restructuring and Closing Down a Business

BL 20

 

13

 

Written Assessment Feedback and Exam Practice

Summary and Revision for the final exam

 

 

 

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2025.04 of the Handbook