Outline

Overview

All business conduct is regulated by the law. Every transaction and every relationship is governed by an increasingly complexmix of statutory and judge-made laws. General legal knowledge about the business environment and an understanding of theresponsibilities and risks are essential for business professionals. This unit introduces students to the legal system and thelegal and regulatory frameworks in which businesses and professional accountants operate in Australia. Different businessstructures and relationships are examined with the focus on company law and other legal issues relevant to business.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Accounting, Governance and Regulation
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	CLAW5001 or CLAW6002
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Benjamin Lay, benjamin.lay@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Benjamin Lay, benjamin.lay@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final Exam n/a	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Case Analysis Presentation In-tutorial group presentation	20%	Multiple weeks	10-15 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Written Assignment Legal problem written analysis	30%	Week 11 Due date: 24 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 03 Nov 2025	1,500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Written Assignment: This written assignment is a response to a legal problem question designed to test your critical, analytical and research skills in relation to content covered in allocated readings and classes. Simple extensions are available for this assessment task.
Case Analysis Presentation: Assessing your critical, analytical and research skills and your ability to collaborate with other students, this assessment involves a group presentation on a legal case or news article presented in tutorials.
Final Exam: The final exam gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the relevant topics and to critically analyse and apply this knowledge to resolve legal problems under formal examination conditions. The final exam will be open book and may cover all topics in the unit. The Final Exam has been designated as a hurdle task. Students who fail to achieve the minimum standard of 50% in the Final Exam, even if their aggregate mark for the entire unit is above 50%, will receive a Fail grade for the unit.

Students are advised to refer to Canvas for further information regarding these assessments.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	The Australian Legal System	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	The Sources of Law	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Business Structures and Relationships	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Contracts and Contract Law: Contract Formation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Contracts and Contract Law: Contents of the Contract and Ending the Contract	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Freedom of Contract and the Australian Consumer Law	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Business Innovation: Intellectual Property Law	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Tort Law and the Tort of Negligence	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Business Operation: Competition Law and Privacy Regulation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	The Corporation: Constitution, Governance and Financial Reporting	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	The Corporation: Board of Directors and Shareholders	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	The Corporation: Directors' Duties	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Revision	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: Lectures are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend as enrolled and participate in all classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Andrew Terry and Des Giugni, Business and the Law (Thomson Reuters, 7th ed, 2019).

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Describe and discuss the legal frameworks and explain the laws relevant to the business environment in Australia
LO2. Identify, analyse and assess legal issues arising in professional accounting contexts
LO3. Resolve legal problems by applying relevant laws, evaluating possible solutions and developing logical and coherent arguments to support conclusions
LO4. Locate, select, evaluate and use legal materials and information about business laws
LO5. Communicate about the law, orally and in writing, to a professional standard
LO6. Work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds with inclusiveness and integrity

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to student feedback on the unit, additional opportunities to practice legal writing and receive feedback have been provided. Quiz-style exercises have also been introduced to revise legal knowledge.

Additional information

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CLAW5214: Business Law

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links