Commercial Law and Practice (LLM)

Compulsory module

Corporate governance is a key part of law. You will be introduced to the fundamental and contemporary aspects of corporate governance. As part of this module, you will develop an understanding of the issues around governance and explore the need for more efficient governance whilst considering the interests of shareholders and stakeholders.

Topics will range from corporate governance theories, law, and practice as you develop your understanding of analysis. This will you to analyse various case studies of corporate failures, identify gaps and make recommendations for future change. You will also look at:

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Money laundering
• Criminal offences relating to breaches of obligations
• Rights of shareholders

This module is your opportunity to explore a practical introduction to all the main areas of commercial law and practice, building on principles of contract law. You will understand the importance of contractual relations and the use of agencies to create terms of the contract, marketing arrangements and issues relating to the sale of goods in both a commercial and consumer context.

In addition, you will develop your knowledge by offering legal advice and assistance for a relevant case in the YSJ Law Clinic. Therefore, acquiring an understanding of the practical and professional considerations in this area of legal practice.

Globalisation offers many benefits to us all. However, it also provides a risk for exploitation with international trading which requires monitoring. You will be introduced to the fundamental legal rules, methodologies, concepts, models, principles and institutions of international trade law. These include the trade of goods and services and the various contexts in which international trade law functions. You will be expected to research and develop an appreciation of the difficulties that exist relating to commercial transactions across borders, involving different jurisdictions and systems of law.

Compulsory modules

This is your opportunity to reflect on your studies and to collate your own research study of the law or legal issues. The previous modules you have studied will enable you to thrive in your independent research and study. At this stage, supported by a supervisory team of academics, as well as an industry-based advisor, you will develop your research project. You will be allocated a supervisor with appropriate expertise in your chosen field of research. The three key areas of focus for this module are:

• Research design
• Research methodologies
• Ethics

This project will bring everything you have learnt together. You will be expected to think critically, develop reasoned arguments and write in a professional academic style.

Social and political aspects play a significant role in employment law. The evaluation of employment relationships and their associated rights and duties will be analysed in detail in this module. We will provide you with a framework to understand and assess the various employment rights including historic rights and the development of these to the present day. This module addresses aspects of sustainability, ethical practice in employment law, equality, human dignity, and social justice.

You will be introduced to the law of intellectual property as it applies in the UK, the EU, and internationally. A key aspect of this module is understanding the intellectual property system alongside the laws of copyright, patents, passing off, trademarks and breach of confidence facilitating critical evaluation of current issues in this dynamic area of law.

On this module, you will understand how the law creates a resolution of commercial disputes in England and Wales as well as internationally. Although, there are a few complexities of the law relating to disputes, with a specific focus on arbitration, mediation and conciliation in commerce and trade.

You will create a portfolio on practical legal issues and dispute resolutions and the implications on commercial contracts for your assessment in this module.