AB107 BUSINESS LAW

(Semester 1 2010/2011, Aug - Dec 2010)

Course Description and Scope

The aim of this course is to instill a keen understanding and appreciation of the legal aspects of
business. This course will provide an understanding of legal methodology and the main principles of law
relating to business transactions. The course will also demonstrate how commercial law and business
practices inter-relate and often influence each other in shaping modern commerce and industry. In
particular, key legal topics will be explained and illustrated from a business perspective.

Proposed Lecture Schedule

Week No. Lecture Topic Readings

1 SOCIETY, BUSINESS & THE LAW
2 A. Overview of AB107 T&D, 1 & 2
(Week B. Definition & function of law L&T, 1, 12, 13
beginning 6 C. Scope of law L&Y, 1
Sep) D. Structure of the Singapore Government
E. Sources of law
F. Classifications of law
G. Singapore legal system

3 2 Ethical Reasoning (e-Learning Week) Please check Edventure

(Week Video stream of Prof Michael Sandel’s lecture for details of video stream
beginning 13 (Written Assignment will be on this topic) & Written Assignment
Sep)
3 FORMATION OF CONTRACT I
4 A. Concept of Assent T&D, 3
(Week B. Offer L&T, 8
beginning 20 C. Acceptance L&Y, 2
Sep) D. Electronic Contracts

4 FORMATION OF CONTRACT II
5 A. Intention to Create Legal Relations T&D, 4
(Week B. Consideration L&T, 8
beginning 27 C. Promissory Estoppel L&Y, 3 & 14
Sep) D. Privity of Contract
E. Form of Contract

5 CONTENTS OF CONTRACT (TERMS)

6 A. Terms & Representations T&D, 5
(Week B. Types of Terms L&T, 9
beginning 4 C. Statutory Implied Terms (SOGA) L&Y, 4
Oct) D. Parol Evidence Rule
E. Exemption Clauses

6 ENFORCEABILITY OF CONTRACT (VITIATING

7 FACTORS)
(Week A. Introduction to vitiating factors T&D, 6
beginning 11 B. Illegality (Common law and Statutory) L&T, 9
Oct) C. Incapacity L&Y, 4-9

AB107 Business Law Semester 1 – 2010/2011 1

 Week No. Lecture Topic Readings
D. Misrepresentation
E. Other vitiating factors

8
(Week RECESS
beginning 18
Oct)

7 DISCHARGE OF CONTRACT
9 A. Discharge v Rescission T&D, 7
(Week B. Performance L&T, 9
beginning 25 C. Breach L&Y, 10 & 11
Oct) D. Agreement (Novation; Waiver)
E. Frustration

8 REMEDIES FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT

10 A. Distinction between Common Law and T&D, 8
(Week Equitable Remedies L&T, 9 & 13
beginning 1 B. Action for damages. Causation, and L&Y, 12
Nov) remoteness, assessment; mitigation and
liquidated damages
C. Equitable Remedies: specific performance
and injunction

9. AGENCY
11 A. Existence of Agency Relationship
(Week B. Relationship between Principal & Agent T&D, 16
beginning 8 C. Relationship between Principal & Third Party L&T, 7
Nov) D. Relationship between Agent & Third Party L&Y, 1
E. Termination of Agency Relationship

10. TORT
12 A. Overview of the law of tort
(Week B. Tort of Negligence T&D, 18
beginning 15 C. Negligent Misstatement L&T, 10
Nov) D. Other Torts
E. Vicarious Liability

13 11 BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS T&D, 9

(Week A. Overview of Types of Legal Forms for L&T, 3
beginning 22 Business
Nov) B. Sole Proprietorships T&D, 10 & 11
C. General Partnerships L&T, 7
D. Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP)
E. Limited Partnerships (LP)
F. Companies

14 12. Revision Lecture

(Week

AB107 Business Law Semester 1 – 2010/2011 2

 Week No. Lecture Topic Readings
beginning 29
Nov)

READING LIST

SINGAPORE TEXTS

T&D Benny S Tabalujan & Valerie Du Toit-Low, Singapore Business Law (5th edition, 2009) (Call
No. KPP7.3.B87T112 2009)
RC Ravi Chandran, Introduction to Business Law in Singapore (4th edition, 2010) (Call No.
KPP7.3.B87C456 2010)
L&T Low Kee Yang & Benny S Tabalujan, The Executive’s Guide to Business & The Law (2nd edition,
2002) (Call No. HF5351.L912 2002)
WW Walter Woon, Basic Business Law In Singapore (2nd edition, 2000) (Call No.
KPP7.3.B87W873 2000)
L&Y Lum Kit-Wye & Victor Yeo, Contract Law (1st edition, 1998) (Call No. K840.L957)
GS1 George Shenoy & Toh See Kiat (Editors), Legal Aspects of Doing Business in Singapore (1st
edition, 1996) (Call No. K1005.4.S56L496)
GS2 George Shenoy (Editor), Law of Rights and Obligations of Business in Singapore (1st edition,
1996) (Call No. KPP7.3.B87L415)

ENGLISH TEXTS

JB J Beatson, Anson’s Law of Contract (28th edition, 2002) (Call No. KD1554.A622 2002)
RU Robert Upex, Davies on Contract (8th edition, 1999) (Call No. KD1554.U66 1999)
C&J Card & James, Law for Accountancy Students (5th edition, 1994) (Call No.
KD665.A25.C266.1994)

STATUTES (Singapore and English statutes applicable in Singapore are available online at
www.agc.gov.sg)

Application of English Law Act (AELA Cap 7A)

Civil Law Act (CLA Cap 43)
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act (CRTA Cap 53B)
Electronic Transactions Act (ETA Cap 88)
Frustrated Contracts Act (FCA Cap 115)
Limited Liability Partnerships Act (LLPA Cap 163A)
Limited Partnerships Act 2008 (LPA 2008) Act 37 of 2008
Minors’ Contracts Act (MCA Cap 389)
Misrepresentation Act (MA Cap 390)
Sale of Goods Act (SOGA Cap 393)
Unfair Contract Terms Act (UCTA Cap 396)

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

Lecture : One lecture of two hours each per week

Tutorial : One tutorial of two hours each per week

Lectures commence in Week 2 and end in Week 14.

Tutorials commence in Week 3 and end in Week 14.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

AB107 Business Law Semester 1 – 2010/2011 3

Written Assignment : 20%
Class Participation and Seminar Presentation : 20%
Final Examination (open book) : 60%
100%

Lecturer Office Room No. DID

Assoc Prof Dennis Ong ** S3-01B-48 6790 5749
Assoc Prof Valerie Du-Toit-Low S3-01A--28 6790 4763

** Course Co-ordinator

AB107 Business Law Semester 1 – 2010/2011 4