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Contracts play a huge role in modern economic life, especially in capitalist economies where a laissez-faire, free market model dominates. This module looks at the law and policies that regulate such contractual activities.

Introduction to and contextualisation of contract in relation to other areas of law such as tort and property; formation of contracts (offer and acceptance, uncertain and incomplete agreements, intention to create legal relations, formalities, incapacity, consideration and promissory estoppel); terms of the contract (proof of terms, express terms, implied terms, conditions, warranties, innominate terms, interpretation, unfair terms, exemption clauses); factors affecting contractual liability (misrepresentation, duress, undue influence, unconscionability and public policy, mistake, illegality, frustration and force majeure); performance; breach; remedies for breach; third party rights.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1. demonstrate a broad understanding of the general principles of the law of contract, and an awareness of policy issues that impact on the law of contract (e.g. In relation to inequality of bargaining power, standard term contracts, exclusion and limitation clauses and consideration);
2. demonstrate an awareness and general knowledge of areas of difficulty or uncertainty in the law of contract and of proposed areas of contract law reform;
3. analyse well-defined contract-based problems to identify the relevant legal principles to be applied, apply the legal principles studied to these problems and present reasoned arguments and conclusions;
4. locate, read and study primary and secondary sources, using both hard copy and electronic materials as directed by staff, read and summarise content accurately and cite and reference source materials correctly;
5. communicate effectively both orally and in writing, using essential legal terminology correctly;
6. reflect on your own learning and make use of feedback.

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.