This module is designed to introduce students to areas of civil law relevant to business activities and to provide a foundation for further study in the law. Business frameworks are studied. Students are introduced to contract law, the law relating to consumers, law of tort and data protection.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
LO1
Describe the legal rules relating to the formation and breach of a contract by reference to relevant case law.
LO2
Compare and contrast the various types of business entity in Ireland.
LO3
Explain the legal protections available to Irish and European Consumers.
LO4
Classify how data is protected under Irish Law.
LO5
Describe, by reference to case law, the legal rules governing either negligence, defamation or nuisance.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named CIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
It is recommended that students should study Introduction to the Irish Legal System before taking this module.
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
Not applicable
Module Content & Assessment
Indicative Content
Introduction to Contract Law
Legal requirements for valid contracts. Contractual terms. Contract examples e.g. contract of employment, establishing whether a worker has a contract of or a contract for service, statutory employment rights. Remedies for breach of contract.
Introduction to Company Law
Sole traders. Partnerships. Companies Limited by Shares. LTD Versus DAC. Guarantee Companies. Public Limited Companies.
Introduction to Consumer Law
The Sale of Goods Act, 1893 and the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980. The Unfair Terms Regulations 1995. The Consumer Protection Act 2007. EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive.
Introduction to Data Protection
Introduction to Data Protection Law in Ireland. Role of Data Protection Commissioner.
Tort Law
An outline of the rules governing one area of Tort - e.g. Negligence, Defamation or Nuisance.
Assessment Breakdown
%
Course Work
30.00%
End of Module Formal Examination
70.00%
Course Work
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Short Answer Questions
Short answer questions on contract and/or company law.
1,2,3
30.0
Week 9
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Formal Exam
End-of-Semester Final Examination
1,2,3,4,5
70.0
End-of-Semester
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
Workload: Full Time
Workload Type
Workload Description
Hours
Frequency
Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture
Presentation of Topic in Lecture
3.0
Every Week
3.00
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact)
Reading and Research
4.0
Every Week
4.00
Total Hours
7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload
7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours
3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type
Workload Description
Hours
Frequency
Average Weekly Learner Workload
Directed Learning
Reading and research
5.0
Every Week
5.00
Lecture
Presentation of Topic in Class
2.0
Every Week
2.00
Total Hours
7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload
7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours
2.00
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
Thuillier and MacDaid 2015, Business Law in Ireland, Clarus Press [ISBN: 9781905536771]
Supplementary Book Resources
Brian Doolan 2011, Principles of Irish Law 8 Edition, Gill & Macmillan [ISBN: 9780717149896]
Faulkner 2013, Essentials of Irish Labour Law, Gill & Macmillan [ISBN: 9780717152629]
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
Website: Data Protection CommissionerData Protection Commissioner