Skip to main content
Unit outline_

LAWS6987: Fundamentals of Commercial Law

Semester 2a, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This introductory unit provides an overview of commercial law focusing on the broad but fundamental concept of commercial dealings. Areas for analysis include sources and function of commercial law, the legal basis of dealings in contract and property law, dealings by principals and agents, dealings in tangible goods through leasing and sale, dealings in intangibles such as receivables through assignment sources and methods of financing, dealings protecting dealings through insurance regulating, dealings through statute and common law restraints and discharging dealings through a range of common payment methods and instruments.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
LAWS3400 or LAWS2012 or LAWS5008
Assumed knowledge
? 

This unit assumes no previous knowledge and is available to non-lawyers and to lawyers who have not previously studied or practised in the area. Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in law from a common law jurisdiction must either have completed or be concurrently enrolled in LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ross Hodgson, ross.hodgson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Ross Hodgson, ross.hodgson@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Short release assignment Executive Report
Advise one or more parties on a problem question hypothetical
50% Week 05
Due date: 29 Aug 2023 at 09:00

Closing date: 05 Sep 2023
4,000 words / 10 working days
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Short release assignment Final Assignment
2 problem scenarios
50% Week 08
Due date: 22 Sep 2023 at 09:00

Closing date: 29 Sep 2023
4,000 words / 72 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3

Assessment summary

Executive Report (50%): 

The Executive Report (Assignment) has a completion time of 10 working days as follows: the assessment is released on Tuesday 15 August 2023 at 9:00am and is due on Tuesday 29 August 2023 by 9:00am (Sydney Australia time). It involves one problem based question, covering the first half of the Unit, and has a word limit of 4,000 words.

This task will satisfy the Unit Learning Outcomes as follows: LO1 will be satisfied by the students demonstrating in their answers an analysis of the relevant legal issues involved in key commercial relationships. LO2 will be satisfied by students explaining in their answers the relevant legal concepts and principles that underpin common commercial dealings. LO3 will be satisfied by students correctly applying the relevant statute law and general law principles to the fact situations in the problem question. 

Final Assignment (50%):

The Final Assignment covers the whole unit and involves two problem-based questions.

This short release assignment has a word limit of 4,000 words and has a completion time of 3 days (72 hours) as follows: the assignment will be released on Tuesday, 19 September 2023, at 9:00am and is due on Friday, 22 September 2023, by 9:00am (Sydney, Australia time).

This task will satisfy the Unit Learning Outcomes as follows: LO1 will be satisfied by the students demonstrating in their answers an analysis of the relevant legal issues involved in key commercial relationships. LO2 will be satisfied by students explaining in their answers the relevant legal concepts and principles that underpin common commercial dealings. LO3 will be satisfied by students correctly applying the relevant statute law and general law principles to the fact situations in the problem question.

Word limit penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for written assessments will exclude all footnotes and any bibliography (if required). 

Use of editors or proof-readers: The use of assistance in preparing and editing assessment tasks in this unit of study is strictly prohibited. Assistance includes human and automated writing tools (not including spell checking). The use of Studiosity does not breach this rule, but must be acknowledged.

Special consideration: Where a student has been granted Special Consideration, alternative tasks may be set (as appropriate).

Assessment requirement to pass a unit of study

A student must attempt all the assessment tasks as set out for this Unit of Study; otherwise, the student's result will be recorded as "Absent Fail".

In order to successfully complete this Unit of Study, a student must achieve a total of at least 50 marks (50%) overall gained by attempting all the assessment tasks as set out for this Unit.

Important: although not an Assessment, students must note the Attendance requirements for this Unit (see Attendance and class requirements below) which, if not satisfied, can lead to the result of "Absent Fail" being recorded.

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

• Completely answers the question.
• Contains striking originality of approach or analysis.
• Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research
required).
• Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed.
• Is otherwise exceptional in some way.

Distinction

75 - 84

• Completely answers the question.
• Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues.
• Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument.
• Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented
argument.
• Generally well expressed and free from errors.
• Has a clear structure and is well articulated.

Credit

65 - 74

• Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question.
• Contains no significant errors
• Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues.
• Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues.
• Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.

Pass

50 - 64

• Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument.
• Contains some significant errors.
• Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues.
• Offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question.
• Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase.
• Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis.
• Adequate expression.
• Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and
satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject
area.

Fail

0 - 49

• Does not answer the question.
• Contains significant or numerous errors.
• Few or no identifiable arguments.
• Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant.
• Lack of research or analysis.
• Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or
structure.
• Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the
assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Assignment: The late submission of a piece of assessment, without an approved extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per calendar day or part thereof. For example, a submission after 9am but by 11:59pm on the due date for submission will attract a 10% penalty. A submission after midnight of the due date for submission will attract a 20% penalty. A submission on the following day after midnight will attract a 30% penalty, and so on. This will be strictly enforced, so students are encouraged to submit their assessments at least 15 minutes before the due time to ensure there are no technical or internet problems in submission.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Class 1 (Wed 09/08/23): introduction and key concepts; principal and agent Seminar (6.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Class 2 (Wed 16/08/23): dealings with goods; Sale of Goods Act 1923 (NSW); consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL); bailment Seminar (6.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Class 3 (Wed 23/08/23): obtaining finance for dealings by giving security; general law concepts of security; Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) Seminar (6.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Class 4 (Wed 30/08/23): contracts of guarantee and indemnity; electronic commerce Seminar (6.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend at least 70% of the set classes in order to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study. Attendance requirements must be satisfied by in-person attendance (as distinct from participation) at the set classes (each student's attendance will be recorded for every class). Failure to meet this requirement can result in a student being precluded from submitting the Final Assignment, whereby the student's result for the Unit will be recorded as "Absent Fail".  

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects students to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018: "AGLC4") for referencing protocols (i.e. footnotes and bibliography) in assessment submissions: 

https://law.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/4625792/AGLC4-2021-v1.pdf  

This is set out comprehensively in the Library website:

https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476376

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The prescribed textbook is:

Clive Turner & John Trone, Australian Commercial Law (Thomson Reuters, 34th ed, 2023) - available in hard-copy and e-book formats

The following books are highly recommended additional resources:

Samantha Traves, Commercial Law (LexisNexis, 5th ed, 2020)

G Pearson, E Peden, GJ Tolhurst, J Paterson, S McCracken, A McNaughton, R Catterwell & A Silink, Commercial Law Commentary and Materials (Thomson Reuters, 4th ed, 2019)

Other required readings are found in the Reading Guide which will be posted on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. identify legal issues in key commercial relationships
  • LO2. explain legal concepts and principles underpinning common commercial dealings
  • LO3. apply principles of statute law and general law to fact situations involving commercial relationships and dealings

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.