Course Title: Apply the principles of contract law

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2020

Course Code: LAW5730C

Course Title: Apply the principles of contract law

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6164 - Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing

Course Contact: Callie Harvey

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5772

Course Contact Email: callie.harvey@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

John Sutherland

john.sutherland@rmit.edu.au 

 

Judith Curtain

judith.curtain@rmit.edu.au 

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources and supply solutions to contractual issues in a legal environment.

It applies to individuals who provide support in a range of legal service settings with a degree of responsibility to plan and complete investigations.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBLEG415 Apply the principles of contract law

Element:

1. Determine nature and meaning of contract

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Access sources of legal information on nature and meaning of contract

1.2 Distinguish between common law and legislation in contract

1.3 Assess significance of contracts and contract law in business, and document outcomes of this assessment

Element:

2. Determine principles of contract law

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Define legal principles governing simple contracts

2.2 Identify and document key elements of a simple contract matter

Element:

3. Enhance professional practice through application of relevant principles of contract law

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Assess a legal matter involving contractual issues by applying principles of contract law

3.2 Analyse and evaluate key issues

3.3 Review analysis with designated person

Element:

4. Distinguish between a contract being discharged or breached

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Specify procedures for discharge of contracts

4.2 List available remedies for breach of contract

4.3 Apply procedures for discharge of contracts to workplace legal matter

4.4 Apply identified remedies to a relevant workplace legal matter

Learning Outcomes


The student will obtain a working knowledge of the law of contract in the context of conveyancing.


Details of Learning Activities

This semester we will be learning remotely through Collaborate Ultra Sessions.

A range of learning activities are planned for this course including self-paced and discussion activities.

The self-paced activities will be delivered through various technology platforms and may include your contribution to wikis and discussion threads, reflective journals, quizzes and interactive sessions.

The collaborative activities will include group discussions, group problem-solving activities and opportunities to practice your skills in a simulated/real workplace environment. We expect you to participate and contribute in all scheduled learning activities.

This course will be delivered via our existing learning management system, Canvas.  This means that, for the foreseeable future, there will be no face-to-face classes in any of the units for which you are enrolled.

Classes in each of your units will still take place in their normal scheduled time-slots, but instead of being conducted in a face-to-face mode, your teachers will utilise the Collaborate Ultra platform to deliver ‘live’ online classes.  These classes delivered online will not only provide you with the required learning materials for those sessions, but they will also enable interactions with your teachers and fellow students via forums or discussion boards.

This course guide contains information that describes course aspects that don’t change and are locked in well ahead of the semester. Any information that differs due to changes of delivery is a consequence of COVID-19. Your course coordinator will advise you as to the correct details via Canvas.

 


Teaching Schedule

This course is comprised of a single competency: BSBLEG415 Apply Principles of Contract Law

 

Induction Session

Prior to training commencement a program level induction session will be conducted that comprises the following:

  • Program overview and requirements
  • MyRMIT/Canvas
  • Overview of assessment requirements
  • Pre-Training Review including:
    • Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfers
    • Assessment of current skills and knowledge
  • Competency/Grading Criteria
  • Plagiarism
  • Appeals
  • Extensions
  • Feedback
  • Privacy
  • Submission requirements
  • Resubmission policy
  • Where to get support
  • Student responsibilities 

The Teaching Schedule for this course is as follows.

Please note that this schedule is subject to change.

Course Schedule:  Apply Principles of Contract Law, Semester 2, 2020

Week

Topic

Assessment

Week 1

July 6

1. Introduction

  • When classes are held, and what topics are covered each week (including the relevant Unit of Competency and associated Elements/Performance Criteria);
  • What learning materials and activities need to be completed; and,
  • What assessments are due

2. Intent to create legal relations

 

 

Week 2

July 13

 Offer and acceptance

 

 

Week 3

July 20

Consideration

 

Week 4

July 27

1. Privity

2. Capacity

3. Parties

  

Week 5

August 3

1. Terms

2. Conditions

3. Warranties

4. Exclusion Clauses

  

Week 6

August 10

1. Mistake

2. Misrepresentation

3. Misleading or deceptive conduct

  

Week 7

August  17

1. Duress, undue influence

2. Unconscionability

 

Week 8

August 24

1. Illegality 

2. Discharge of contract

 
Mid-Semester Break

Week 9

September 7

Remedies

Assessment Task 1 due

Week 10

September  14

Misrepresentation

 

Week 11

September  21

Assessment Task 2 due

Week 12

September 28

 Unfair Contracts  

Week 13

October 5

 Revision  

Week 14

October 12

 Revision Assessment Task 3 due

Week 15

October 19

 Resubmissions  

Week 16

October 26

Resubmissions

 

Week 17

November 2

Grade Entry

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Online learning materials can be accessed by going into the RMIT website's Online Learning Hub.

The online learning materials listed include:

  • Course outlines
  • Power point Presentations
  • Supporting Reading material
  • Industry relevant articles
  • Activities.

 


Overview of Assessment

In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must provide:

Performance Evidence
Evidence of the ability to:

  • apply principles of contract law
  • demonstrate the steps for discharge of a contract.

Knowledge Evidence
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, you must:

  • define commonly used legal terminology, institutions and main features of Australian legal system
  • outline methods used to identify appropriate information sources of Australian law
  • explain nature, aims and rationale of contracts, including agreements, intention to create legal relations, consideration, and capacity to contract
  • explain remedies for breach of contract
  • describe illegal and void contracts
  • explain privacy of contract and assignment of contract.

Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the legal services administration field of work and include access to:

  • office equipment and resources
  • legislation and regulations relevant to contract law
  • sources of information about contract law.       

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Feedback
Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.
 


Assessment Tasks

In order to achieve competency in this unit, you must satisfactorily complete the criteria for each of the three assessments in this course.

 

Assessment Task 1: Reflections 

Due: 11:59PM Sunday 13 September 2020

The purpose of this assessment is to provide you with an opportunity demonstrate their ability to apply the principles of contract law using two reflection activities.  

Assessment Task 2: Online Assessment

Due: In-class during Week 11, 22 September 2020

The purpose of this assessment is to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and skills on discharge of contracts and remedies and apply it to several case studies.

 

Assessment Task 3: Online Assessment

Due: 11:59PM 18 October 2020

The purpose of this assessment is to allow you to research and apply your knowledge around misrepresentation and misleading or deceptive conduct and exclusion clauses under the Australian Consumer Law in a case study based scenario.


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix that maps all the assessments is available on CANVAS.

Other Information

Submission Requirements

  • Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
  • Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
  • When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use the Assessment task document that includes a declaration and statement of authorship.
  • Each page of your assessment should include a footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers.

 

Resubmissions (VET Programs)

If you are found to be unsuccessful (Not satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission.  Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission.

If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

 

Penalties for Late Submission 

Late submissions of assignments without special consideration or extension will automatically be considered a re-submission (see above).

 

Extensions, Special Consideration and Adjustment to Assessments

Extensions:

Extensions are available for unforeseen circumstances of a short-term nature.

An application form must be submitted to the school at least one working day before the due date of the assessment.

Extensions can be approved for a maximum of one week (seven calendar days) past the due date for an assessment. (Where students need an extension exceeding one week they must instead apply for special consideration.)

 

Special consideration:

Special consideration is available for unexpected circumstances outside students’ control. These include but are not limited to: unexpected short-term ill health, and unavoidable family, work, cultural or religious commitments.

An application for special consideration is made in advance of an assessment wherever possible but will normally be accepted within five working days after the assessment date

For more information, see the Special Consideration page of the RMIT website.

 

Adjustments to Assessment:

RMIT provides several adjustments to assessment for students experiencing ongoing or long-term circumstances. Find the right one for your circumstances here.

 

Changes to the Assessment Scheme

Where a change to assessment approved by the Dean/head of school changes an assessment due date, students will be given at least five working days’ notice of the new due date.

 

Feedback

You can expect to receive marks and feedback on in-course assessment work in time to improve your performance in related assessment tasks later in the course.

 

Academic Integrity and Misconduct

Students demonstrate academic integrity in their assessment practices by:

  • engaging with assessment activities in an honest way;
  • providing accountability for the authorship and originality of work submitted;
  • acknowledging the work of others and the re-use of original work.

Academic misconduct is addressed in accordance with the Student conduct policy

Assessment involving research with human participants, their information or their tissue, or animal subjects is carried out in accordance with the Staff ethics and integrity policy.

For further information see the Academic Integrity website.

 

Review and Appeal

A student may request a review of an assessment result or appeal a final course grade in accordance with the Conduct of assessment and appeals section of the Assessment Processes.

 

Grade Criteria

You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.

The following grades are available for this course.

Vocational education grades:

CA - Competency Achieved

NYC - Not Yet Competent

DNS - Did Not Submit for assessment

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview