LAWS6010
10 units
6000 level
Course handbook
Description
This course provides students with an advanced and integrated understanding of the body of legal rules that regulate companies in Australia. Topics covered include the management and control of companies; the process by which companies transact; and the process by which companies are both initiated and brought to an end. Detailed consideration is also given to the notion of corporate personality; the means by which companies can be financed; and the rights of creditors, shareholders and other stakeholders.
In addition to detailed knowledge of this complex area of law, this course also provides students with advanced understanding of the principles and concepts that underlie the way companies are regulated in Australia and the way changes to those principles can lead to law reform. For example, the course explores debates regarding the extent to which corporate law influences the impact companies have on economic development, human rights, social justice and environmental issues such as climate change.
Availability2024 Course Timetables
Newcastle City Precinct
- Semester 2 - 2024
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge of the body of legal rules that regulate companies in Australia.
2. Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the theoretical assumptions that underlie the way companies are regulated in Australia and the way changes to those principles have led to corporate law reform in the past and may do so in future.
3. Identify and articulate complex legal issues that arise in business practice and demonstrate advanced analysis of statutory provisions and case-law; sophisticated legal reasoning; and well-developed skills in creative thinking to identify appropriate legal and practical responses to those issues.
4. Interpret and critically analyse statutory provisions, including alternatives to the existing provisions.
5. Critically assess legal and policy analysis in academic journals and other secondary sources regarding the legal rules that regulate corporations.
6. Synthesise your critical assessment of the information and analysis found in relevant sources in order to interpret, critique and justify propositions about legal and policy issues relevant to the rules governing corporations.
Content
Topics in this course include:
- Corporations, markets, lawyers and power
- The process of incorporation, corporate personality and piercing the corporate veil
- Governing the corporation
- Duties of directors and officers
- Corporate finance
- External administration
- Binding the corporation in contract
- Members remedies
Requisite
Students must be active in either the
Juris Doctor/Grad Dip Legal Practice program [12334];
Juris Doctor [50016];
or the Master of Laws [12333]
to enrol in this course.
Assessment items
Essay: Research Essay
In Term Test: Online Multiple-Choice Test
3 hr Formal Examination: Formal Exam
Contact hours
Semester 2 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct
Self-Directed Learning-1
- Self-Directed 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1
- Blended online learning module for two hour equivalent per week for the full term (in addition to set reading).
Seminar-1
- Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1
Seminar-2
- Face to Face On Campus 6 hour(s) per week(s) for 4 week(s) starting in week 1
Course outline
Course outline not yet available.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.