AB1301 Business Law

AB1301 Business Law Course Outline

Academic Year AY2022/2023 Semester 1

Course Assoc Prof Harry Tan
Coordinator
Course Code AB1301
Course Title Business Law
Pre-requisites None
No of AUs 3
Contact Hours 39

A) Course Aims/ Description

The aim of this course is to provide you with the foundational and intellectual skills to
navigate the legal aspects of business. Specifically, this course provides a solid foundation on
the legal methodology and the main principles of law relating to business transactions. A
number of topics will be discussed in this course ranging from the formation of contracts,
terms of a contract, breach and termination of a contract, law of agency, business
organisations and torts.
At the completion of this course, you will gain foundational competencies in how commercial
law and business practices interrelate and often influence each other in shaping modern
commerce and industry. Key legal topics will be explained and illustrated from a business
perspective. At the completion of this course, you will also gain a deeper understanding of the
legal issues impacting on businesses.

B) Key Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Identify the key legal principles pertaining to contracts, agency, torts and business
organisations.

2. Describe how legal issues arise from contextual factors of a business scenario.

3. Explain the legal principles relevant to the resolution of legal issues.

4. Propose solutions to resolve legal issues relating to disputes/problems arising from a

business scenario.

5. Effectively communicate and present arguments, views and ideas (both oral and written)
by adopting appropriate presentation tools and techniques.

C) Course Content
This course will cover key topics pertaining to the law of contracts, agency, business
organisations and torts. Students will be exposed to common law, equitable and statutory
principles relating to each of the stated topics. Please see below for a detailed listing of topics
covered in this course.
D) Assessment (includes both continuous and summative assessments)

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 NBS Learning
ILO Goal (Refer to Team/ Assessment
Component Tested Appendix 1 Weightage Individual Rubrics
for list)
● Acquisition of
Final written knowledge
Examination 1-5 ● Critical thinking 60% Individual N.A.
● Written
communication
● Acquisition of
Class 1&5 knowledge 20% Individual Rubric 1
Presentation ● Oral
communication
● Acquisition of
Class knowledge
Participation 1-5 ● Problem solving 20% Individual Rubric 2
● Oral
communication
Total 100%

E) Formative feedback
Seminars will be highly interactive and student inputs will be highly encouraged and assessed
as part of Class Participation, and formative feedback will be provided during the class
discussions on the basis of student inputs. You will also receive formative feedback on your
Class Presentation.

F) Learning and Teaching approach

Approach How does this approach support you in achieving the learning
outcomes?

Seminar Discussions All seminars will be conducted in Seminar Rooms on campus (unless
the University requires the course to be continued online due to
unforeseen circumstances that prevents the use of the Seminar
rooms) .

All communications from your instructor to you will be made by email

via the NTULEARN platform.

Reading materials will be assigned prior to the seminar and you are
expected to complete the relevant mandatory readings before each
seminar. The conduct of the classes will depend on your instructor
who will basically adopt a problem-solving approach.
Each weekly seminar will be premised on hypothetical problems that
mimic real-life legal disputes/problems and you are expected to have
your personal points of view and prepared responses to the discussion
questions.

The seminars will allow ample opportunities to clarify your

understanding of legal principles and concepts.
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 Discussions will also provide you with the opportunity to gauge your
level of understanding of the subject matter and to learn from both the
instructor as well as your peers. In addition, one of the primary roles
of your instructor is to use the discussion time to clarify and deal with
student misconceptions and common errors of understanding relating
to complex rules.

The seminars will also provide your instructor with the opportunity to
assess your problem solving and critical thinking skills, as well as your
ability to formulate and present legal arguments coherently.

E-Learning Week 11 will be e-learning week. Reading materials, audio-visual

content and a hypothetical problem scenario will be made available in
NTULEARN. You will be required to resolve the hypothetical
problem having acquired the relevant knowledge by engaging with the
content made available. Students will be provided with feedback on
the hypothetical problem so that they can engage in a self-reflection
exercise.

G) Reading and References

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Core textbooks
- Benny S Tabalujan et al, Singapore Business Law (9th edition, 2021) [‘Tabalujan’]
- Ravi Chandran, Introduction to Business Law in Singapore (6th edition, 2020)
[‘Chandran’]
- Loo Wee Ling (ed), Principles of Singapore Business Law (3rd edition, Cengage
Learning, 2020) [‘LWL’]
- George TL Shenoy & Loo Wee Ling, Principles of Singapore Business Law (2nd edition,
2013). e-book (free access at NTU library) Please note that the book is quite dated
but may still be used with some caution. The e-book for the 2nd edition is available in
NTU Library database and is free of charge with unlimited access to all students. The
3rd edition, however, is limited to only 10 concurrent users for a 4-hourly loan
period., after which it is automatically returned to the system so another student can
access it.

Statutes
- Application of English Law Act (AELA Cap 7A)
- Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act (CRTA Cap 53B) [‘Cap’ is shorthand for
Chapter]
- Electronic Transactions Act 2010 (Act 16 of 2010)
- Frustrated Contracts Act (FCA Cap 115)
- Limited Liability Partnerships Act (LLPA Cap 163A)
- Limited Partnerships Act 2008 (LPA Cap 163B)
- Minors’ Contracts Act (MCA Cap 389)
- Misrepresentation Act (MA Cap 390)
- Partnership Act (PA Cap 391)
- Unfair Contract Terms Act (UCTA Cap 396)

Statutes may be accessed via https://sso.agc.gov.sg

[For e.g., to retrieve the “Application of English Law Act” simply type the chapter number
“7A” (or the title) in the search box] Case law
Cases may be accessed via the legal databases (such as Westlaw and LawNet) available on
the NTU Library website.
H) Course Policies and Student Responsibilities
Your responsibilities include attendance, punctuality, preparation and participation.
Punctuality: You are expected to turn up at the designated seminar rooms before each
seminar starts, as late arrivals will be disruptive to class activities and are considered
disrespectful to the instructor and your fellow students.

Preparation: You are expected to prepare for each seminar by reading the assigned
materials, viewing the instructor’s slides (if any, made available before the seminar) and
attempting the hypothetical problems. The quality of your and your peers’ learning will
largely depend on how well prepared you are for class.

Participation: You are expected to contribute to class discussions and exercises, as well as
ask questions whenever in doubt. You are also expected to observe respectful behaviour such
as raising your hand before speaking), not interrupting other students and not using electronic
devices (except when permitted by the instructor for learning purposes).

I) Academic Integrity
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Good academic work depends on honesty and ethical behaviour. The quality of your work as
a student relies on adhering to the principles of academic integrity and to the NTU Honour
Code, a set of values shared by the whole university community. Truth, Trust and Justice are
at the core of NTU’s shared values.

As a student, it is important that you recognize your responsibilities in understanding and

applying the principles of academic integrity in all the work you do at NTU. Not knowing
what is involved in maintaining academic integrity does not excuse academic dishonesty.
You need to actively equip yourself with strategies to avoid all forms of academic
dishonesty, including plagiarism, academic fraud, collusion and cheating. If you are
uncertain of the definitions of any of these terms, you should go to the academic integrity
website for more information. Consult your instructor(s) if you need any clarification about
the requirements of academic integrity in the course.

You must observe and comply with the University’s Academic Integrity Policy. The Policy
can be accessed via the following link below:
https://www.ntu.edu.sg/docs/default-source/tlpd-documents/academic-integrity-
handbook_julyhttps://www.ntu.edu.sg/docs/default-source/tlpd-documents/academic-
integrity-handbook_july-2017.pdf?sfvrsn=fc5a5b24_22017.pdf?sfvrsn=fc5a5b24_2

J) Course Instructors
Instructors Office Email
Location
Corinne Tan S3-B2C-111 [email protected]
Steven Ang S3-B2B-60 [email protected]
Claire Tan NA [email protected]
Dennis Ong S3-01B-48 [email protected]
Erin Goh S3-01B-57 [email protected]
Harry Tan S3-01C-102 [email protected]
Melvyn Chew NA [email protected]
Althaf Marsoof S3-B1A-26 [email protected]
Lim Yee Fen Hannah S3-B2B-62 [email protected]
Fernandez Navprakash S3-B1C-106 [email protected]

K) Planned Weekly Schedule

Seminar Topic ILO Readings
1 Introduction: Society, business and 1-5 Tabalujan, Ch 1 & 2;
the law Chandran, Ch
1;
Shenoy & Loo, Ch 3; LWL,
Ch 3.

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2 Formation of contracts I 1-5 Tabalujan, Ch 3; Chandran,
⎯ Intention to contract Ch 6; Shenoy & Loo, Ch 7;
⎯ Offer LWL, Ch 7.
⎯ Acceptance
⎯ Electronic contracts
3 Formation of contracts II 1-5 Tabalujan, Ch 4; Chandran,
⎯ Consideration Ch 6; Shenoy & Loo, Ch 8;
⎯ Promissory estoppel LWL, Ch 8.
⎯ Privity
4 Contract terms I 1-5 Tabalujan, Ch 5; Chandran,
⎯ Parol evidence rule Ch 7; Shenoy & Loo, Ch 10;
⎯ Terms & representations LWL, Ch 10.
⎯ Express & implied terms
⎯ Conditions, warranties,
innominate terms
⎯ RDC Concrete Case

5 Contract terms II 1-5 Tabalujan, Ch 5; Chandran,

⎯ Exemption clauses Ch 7; Shenoy & Loo, Ch 11;
LWL, Ch 11.

6 Vitiating factors 1-5 Tabalujan, Ch 6;

⎯ Misrepresentations Chandran, Ch 8; Shenoy &
- Contracts in restraint of trade Loo, Ch 13 & 15; LWL,
Ch13 & 15.

7 Discharge of Contracts 1-5 Tabalujan, Ch 7;

⎯ Performance Chandran, Ch 9; Shenoy &
⎯ Breach Loo, Ch 16 & 17; LWL,
⎯ Frustration Ch 16.
⎯ Discharge by agreement

RECESS WEEK

8 Remedies for breach of contract 1-5 Tabalujan, Ch 8; Chandran,

⎯ Damages Ch 10; Shenoy & Loo, Ch
⎯ Liquidated damages vs 18; LWL, Ch 18.
penalties
⎯ Equitable remedies
9 Law of 1-5 Tabalujan, Ch 16; Chandran,
Agency Ch 13; Shenoy & Loo, Ch
⎯ Relationship between 20; LWL, Ch 20.
principal and third party
⎯ Relationship between agent
and third party
⎯ Relationship between
principal and agent
Termination of agency
relationship

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 10 Business organisations 1-5 Tabalujan, Ch 9; Chandran,
(e-Learning Week) Ch 2; Shenoy & Loo, Ch 21;
⎯ Sole proprietorship LWL, Ch 21.
⎯ General partnership
⎯ Limited partnership
⎯ Limited liability partnership
⎯ Companies
11 Torts I 1-5 Tabalujan, Ch 18; Chandran,
⎯ Duty of care/Spandeck Ch
⎯ Breach of duty 14;
⎯ Damages (Causation and Shenoy & Loo, Ch 6; LWL,
remoteness) Ch 6.
⎯ Defences
⎯ Vicarious liability
12 Torts Pure economic loss 1-5 Tabalujan, Ch 18; Chandran,
II Negligent misstatements Ch
⎯ Psychiatric loss 14;
⎯ Shenoy & Loo, Ch 6; LWL,
Ch 6.

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FOR MAKE UP DUE TO
PUBLIC HOLIDAY
OR
REVISION AT INSTRUCTOR’S
DISCRETION

* Please note that the order of topics may be changed in order to take into account unforeseeable
circumstances, etc.

ANNEX B: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR RUBRICS

Rubric 1: Class Presentation Rubrics

Assessment 1 2 3 4 5
Traits
Knowledge • Presenter does not • Extensive and complete knowledge of
of topic and demonstrate an topic, while also demonstrating knowledge
the law 50% understanding of the topic of the broader implications.
and the legal principles • Most of what is contributed is accurate,
relevant to the topic. thorough, directly on point and supported
• Most of what is contributed with legal principles. Consistently exhibits
is erroneous, irrelevant or depth and insight of the law.
unsupported with legal • Accurately answered questions posed,
principles and sound logic. while expanding further on the
• Majority of the questions information/arguments made in the
posed by the audience presentation.
remained unanswered with
incorrect
information/arguments.

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 Communication • Reading a script instead of • Presents without a script.
and presenting. • Regular/constant eye contact and spoke
presentation
skills, Image • Minimal eye contact with to every member of the audience.
50% audience. • Perfect grammar, excellent pronunciation
• Grammar, pronunciation and and choice of words that enhanced clarity
word choice are deficient. of expression.
• Delivered the presentation • Engaged the engaged and responded with
too quickly (or was too slow) questions and comments.
or too softly, making it • The presenter held the audience’s
difficult to understand. attention for the full duration of the
• The presentation lacked a presentation.
proper structure. • Appropriate speaking volume (heard by
• Presentation aids (if the entire audience) and pace, with
permitted) are not used complementary body language.
appropriately. They contain • The presentation was structured in a
either too much or too little systematic manner, with each part of the
information. presentation identifying and addressing a
• Sloppy or tardy behaviour. particular aspect of the topic.
• Lacking in confidence. • The presentation used the beginning,
• Performance reflected lack of body and end of the presentation
effort both in preparation
effectively.
and delivery of presentation.
• Visual or other aids (if permitted)
• Inappropriate/disinterested contained clear and concise information,
body language.
with no linguistic blemishes, and are used
• Inappropriate attire creatively in an appealing manner to
(expected of a business
complement the information/arguments
professional conducting a
presented.
business presentation).
• Dressed as a business professional in
smart attire and outstanding poise,
exuding confidence.

* Where necessary or appropriate, the above rubrics may be adapted to suit the virtual online presentation platform.

Rubric 2: Class Participation Rubrics

Assessment 1 2 3 4 5
Traits
Level Student NEVER contributes Student proactively and consistently
of in class contributes in class on the issues arising from
Engagement • by offering ideas, the Seminar Worksheets
50% • presenting arguments, • by offering ideas,
• or asking questions, • presenting arguments
• not paying attention, • asking relevant questions
listening or following the
discussion (including
being distracted by
computing devices),
• does not contribute
towards discussions
and/or presentations.

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 Quality Student shares ideas/raises Student shares ideas/raises questions that are:
Of questions that: ● Relevant to on-going discussions and the
Contribution ● Distract (i.e., takes the topic
50% discussion off topic) ● Enhances discussion
● Do not advance the ● Demonstrates an excellent grasp of the
discussions or topic topic discussed. For e.g., the student will
● Show a lack of ask key questions, synthesise information,
understanding of the make pertinent connections between
topic discussed issues or topics and clarify doubts raised
by peers.
Student is almost never:
• prepared for class;
• make the effort to do the
requisite reading or
• appears to not read or
prepare answers in the
seminar worksheet.

* Where necessary or appropriate, the above rubrics may be adapted to suit the virtual online presentation platform.

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