THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES
ST. AUGUSTINE
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES

MS27A BUSINESS LAW

Lecturer: Dr. Rajendra Ramlogan (Ph.D. Cambridge)

Lecture Hours: Thursdays 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Venue: Dudley Higgins

Office Hours: Wednesdays 3.00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. or by appointment

Notes: www.ecolegal2001.com/notes.htm

Email:rramlogan@fss.uwi.tt

RATIONALE AND BACKGROUND

As the Caribbean prepares the next generation of its citizenry to take their place in a commercial environment, it is increasingly becoming important to grasp the legal principles relevant to engaging in business activities. This course introduces the legal framework of business.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course is intended to familiarize the student with the legal framework of business. This course will allow the student to have a working knowledge about the following:

Ø Legal Systems

Ø Contract Law

Ø Form of Contract

Ø Tort Law

Ø Criminal Law

Ø Agency

Ø Consumer Legislation

Ø Payment Methods

Ø Internet Law

Ø Dispute Resolution

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1
Introduction to Legal Systems and Sources of Law

Ø The Common Law

Ø The Civil Law

Week 2
Law of Contract

Ø Offer and Acceptance

Ø Consideration

Ø Intention to Create Legal Relations

Week 3
Law of Contract (cont'd)

Ø Capacity

Ø Terms of the Contract

Ø Warranties

Ø Exclusion Clauses

Ø Misrepresentation

Ø Mistake

Week 4
Law of Contract (cont'd)

Ø Legality

Ø Privity

Ø Frustration

Ø Remedies

Week 5

Consumer Legislation

Ø Sale of Goods Act

Ø Hire Purchase Act

Ø Unfair Contract Terms Act

Ø Misrepresentation Act

Ø Consumer Protection and Safety Act

Ø Standards Act

Ø Trade Description Act

Week 6
Law of Tort

Ø Negligence

Ø Nuisance

Week 7
Law of Tort (cont'd)

Ø Negligent Misstatement

Ø Product Liability

Ø False Representation

Ø Passing Off

Ø Unfair Trading

Ø Injurious Falsehood

Ø Unlawful Interference with Trade (Conspiracy; Inducing Breach of Contract)

Week 8
Criminal Law and Business Activities
Agency

Week 9
Methods of Payment

Ø Cash Payments

Ø Cheques

Ø Credit Card

Ø Debit Card

Ø Wire Transfer

Ø Negotiable Instruments

Ø Letters of Credit

Week 10
Internet Law and Business

Week 11

Introduction to Dispute Resolution

Ø Mediation

Ø Arbitration

METHOD OF EVALUATION

Final Examination

The final examination will account for 80% of the student’s final grade. The student will be required to provide written answers to three (3) questions in two hours. Questions may have one or more parts.

Class Assignments

There will be four case studies conducted during the course of the semester at random times. These case studies will be done on an individual basis within the classroom and the assignment will be based on a case selected at random from the required text book. Students will not be advised as to the specific case prior to the assignment. The time period for completion of a case study shall be twenty minutes and each case study shall carry 5% of the marks for the student’s final grade. The four case studies will account for 20% of the student’s final grade. If a student misses a case study and produces a medical certificate, the student shall be entitled to complete a replacement case study.

CREDITS

This course will carry three (3) credits.

UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

Please consult Section V (especially sub section B which deals with cheating) of the University of the West Indies, Examination Regulations for First Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates for details of this policy.

CODE OF CONDUCT DURING CLASSES

The following guidelines facilitate the creation and maintenance of an effective learning environment. All students are expected to adhere to the following guidelines during class hours:

Ø All cellular phones and beepers are to be switched-off before and during class hours except where the prior permission of the Lecturer has been obtained for keeping on the cellular phones and beepers.

Ø Students are requested to read all assigned material before the start of each class.

Ø Class discussions and participation are particularly welcomed.

Ø It is disruptive to leave the classroom while lectures are in progress and students are asked to minimize such disruption by leaving the classroom at the scheduled lecture breaks.

REQUIRED TEXT:

Ramlogan, R and Persadie, N (2004) Commonwealth Caribbean Business Law, London: Cavendish Publishing.

REFERENCE TEXTS:

Ø Margaret Brazier & John Murphy, Street on Torts, London: Butterworths, 1999

Ø Winfield and Jolowicz on Tort, 16^th ed., London : Sweet & Maxwell 2002

Ø Treitel, Law of Contract, London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1995

Ø Legislation and additional Readings will be placed in Lecturer’s Box and indicated on worksheets.