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Practice of Commercial Transactions - LAW00084M

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  • Department: The York Law School
  • Module co-ordinator: Mrs. Mhairi Morter
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This module will develop students' knowledge, skills and professionalism in the field of providing legal advice to business organisations on a range of commercial transactions, including company formation, standard terms and conditions, and franchising. Students will work in one or more small group "law firms", supervised by a tutor with practice experience, on a number of simulated transactions, using standard form legal documents and associated know-how. Student law firms will work together, using PBL approaches, to analyse client instructions and objectives; develop strategies for research; and provide client advice.

Students will develop and apply a range of practice-focused legal skills, including writing, drafting, interviewing, negotiation and practical legal research, as well as technical skills in problem- and document-analysis, and problem-solving. Client transactions may run concurrently during the module, requiring students to manage these as would be the case in practice.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

The aim of the module is to develop students' knowledge, skills and professionalism in the field of providing legal advice on, and facilitating, commercial transactions. This will include the development and application of a range of technical and practical legal skills aligned with competencies required by solicitors in practice.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students should be able to, in the context of commercial transactions and matters:

  • work independently and collaboratively to manage and progress client matters and transactions
  • analyse client instructions and supporting legal and factual documentation, to identify legal and practical issues
  • undertake research into legal issues raised by client instructions
  • apply research outcomes and understanding of current professional and commercial issues, and critical reasoning, to solve client problems and develop solutions aligned with client interests
  • practise and demonstrate the application of a range of technical legal skills, including oral and written communication, in the context of advising on commercial matters and transactions
  • reflect on learning gained through advising on commercial matters, and identify areas for further development

Module content

Within the context of the specified commercial simulated transactions, students will develop their understanding of, and apply, relevant contract, commercial, tort, company and consumer law.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Coursework : Reflective Learning Portfolio		 N/A 80
Practical
Contribution/Participation		 N/A 20

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The reflective learning portfolio will require students to demonstrate and critically evaluate, using evidence from transactional and matter outputs, and a reflective learning journal, how they have met the module learning outcomes. The individual feedback provided on individual outputs and skills development will be formative in nature.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Coursework : Reflective Learning Portfolio		 N/A 80
Essay/coursework
Essay/Coursework : Contributions Essay		 N/A 20

Module feedback

Students will receive regular individual feedback from their supervisor on individual outputs created in the context of the simulated client transactions and matters on which they will work throughout the module. They will also receive feedback on their practical and technical legal skills.

Indicative reading

Due to the PBL nature of this module, there are no set key texts.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.