The University of New South Wales

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Postgraduate Handbook

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Elements of Contract - LAWS4029
Law Books

 
Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 4
 
 
EFTSL: 0.08333 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 2
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: Academic Program must be either 9220 or 5750
 
 
Fee Band: 3 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

This course is an introduction to the basic elements of contract law in Australia. The core topics are formation, performance and breach of contract, and an overview of the impact of legislation on contract law. The course content is flexible so that topics can be expanded or contracted to suit the academic and professional interests of the students. The course has a practical approach. Students learn about the sources and development of contract law by reading cases which illustrate the relevance of the principles of contract law in students' own workplaces and experiences.


Credited Programs

Legal Studies students only.

Recommended Prior Knowledge

None

Course Objectives

At the end of the course:
  • Students will have a basic understanding of aspects of contract law in Australia
  • Students will be familiar with the academic environment of UNSW and be able to participate in their other postgraduate law courses
  • Students will have developed their understanding of legal language, and will be able to apply skills needed for legal research and analysis
  • Students will have developed their network among fellow students, and their understanding of the application of the law to other disciplines

Main Topics

  • The essential elements of contract formation. What are the essential elements of a contract? Who is bound by the contract? What are the terms of the contract?
  • The content and performance of the contract. What happens if there has been a misrepresentation? Does the law regard all breaches of performance as equally serious?
  • Termination of a contract and the issue of damages. What are damages and how are they assessed?
  • The doctrine of promissory estoppel - an equitable principle that, strictly speaking, operates outside the area of contract law, and has a great impact on contract law itself.

Assessment

Class participation Presentations (case notes) and participation 20%
Essay 3,000 words 80%
 

Course Texts

Prescribed
Introduction to the Law of Contract by Stephen Graw, Fifth Edition, Thomson Lawbook Company.

Recommended
None

Resources

Students will receive supplementary materials, including topic outlines and cases, in class.

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.