Instructional

Area:
Business
Law
(BL)

Discuss the nature of law and sources of law in the

United States (SP)
Describe the United States' judicial system (SP)
Describe methods used to protect intellectual
property (SP)
Describe legal issues affecting businesses (SP)
Identify the basic torts relating to business
enterprises (SP)
Describe the nature of legally binding contracts (SP)
Describe the nature of legal procedure (SP)
Discuss the nature of debtor-creditor relationships
(SP)
Explain the nature of agency relationships (SP)
Discuss the nature of environmental law (SP)
Discuss the role of administrative law (SP)
Explain types of business ownership (CS)
Explain the nature of import/export law (SP)
Describe the nature of customs regulations (SP)

Discuss the nature of law and sources of law in the United States (SP)

Laws are enforceable rules of society that

reflect the culture and circumstances that
create them.
Law is created at the local,state, and federal
level by the legislative branch.

Describe the United States' judicial system (SP)

The judicial branch of the federal government interprets, applies, and administers the laws
of the US.
It consists of a network of courts at all levels of government.
Two types of courts are
Trial
Appellate courts.
Federal courts include district courts, federal courts of appeals, and the U.S. Supreme
Court.
The state court system also includes a state Supreme Court, associate circuit courts, city
or municipal courts, small claims courts, juvenile courts, and probate courts.

Describe methods used to protect intellectual property (SP)

Patent- invention
Design, utility, plant
Copyright- works of authorship
songs, books, movies, and works of art.
Trademark- brand names, slogans, and logos

Describe legal issues affecting businesses (SP)

Among the legal issues affecting businesses are the following:

Consumer protection issues
zoning laws
licensing for personal service providers (such as hairstylists and
electricians).
Employee protection issues
Laws Protecting Investors
Environmental Laws
Companies are also faced with legal standards that protect against anticompetitive mergers and business practices.
Laws also exist that regulate the distribution of products such as alcohol
and tobacco.

Identify the basic torts relating to business enterprises (SP)

Tort- a private or civil wrong against an individual or

organization.
3 Basic Torts

An intentional tort
Negligence
Strict liability

Describe the nature of legally binding contracts (SP)

LBC- clear outline of an agreement between 2+ parties.

A legally binding contract is valid and enforceable in a court
of law.
Define parties/terms, duration of contract, payment terms,
provisions protecting each.
Consideration, not coercion.

Describe the nature of legal procedure (SP)

Legal procedure refers to:

the method by which legal rights are enforced
the method for carrying on a lawsuit

Discuss the nature of debtor-creditor relationships (SP)

A debtor is a person or business that owes money,

goods, or services to another.
The one to whom the debt is owed is called the
creditor.

Explain the nature of agency relationships (SP)

An agency is a relationship between a principal and an agent

in which the principal confers his/her rights on the agent to
act on behalf of the principal. An agency relationship is
fiduciary in nature and the actions and words of an agent
exchanged with a third party bind the principal.
1.Buyers Agency
2.Sellers Agency
3.Dual Agency

Discuss the nature of environmental law (SP)

The goal of environmental law is to protect the

environment. Some examples of federal law
include: Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act
and Clean Water Act.

Discuss the role of administrative law (SP)

Administrative Law integrates several areas of law, which

include:
Administrative rules, regulations and procedures for
government agencies and bodies
The scope of agency authority, in particular individual
privacy
Enforcement powers of agencies.

Explain types of business ownership (CS)

Sole proprietorship
Partnership
Corporation
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Cooperative

Explain the nature of import/export law (SP)

Import is the purchase and shipment of goods into a country, whereas export is
the movement and shipment of goods out of the country.
This knowledge is key before you begin trying to import/export products, or
they may be subject to delays or even seizure.
You do not need a license to act as an importer. However, some items require a
license or permit from various government agencies in order to be imported.

Describe the nature of customs regulations (SP)

At any time up to the release of cargo from a

Customs Controlled Area, Customs has the
right to examine the imported goods to
determine the
nature
origin
condition
quantity
value of the goods declared to Customs.

Case Study

Case Study- Byrne v. Boadle

Byrne (P) was struck by a barrel falling from a window as he walked past Boadles (D) flour shop and sustained serious personal injuries. A
witness testified that he saw the barrel fall from Boadles window but had not seen the cause. Byrne did not present any other evidence of
negligence by Boadle or his employees.
Boadle moved for a nonsuit on the grounds that Byrne had presented no evidence of negligence.

Can liability for negligence lie solely on account of the type of accident that occurred, without direct evidence of negligence?

Byrne v. Boadle- Answered

Yes. Liability for negligence can lie solely on
account of the type of accident that occurred,
without direct evidence of negligence.