Contract Law
Overview
This unit enables students, through the study of cases, statutes and other materials, to acquire a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of, and competence in, Australian contract law. Students are introduced to the law relating to contractual agreements including formation, scope, content, avoidance, performance, discharge and remedies. Its focus is on the underlying principles and rules of law that apply to all contracts, unless otherwise provided by statute or the common law. As such, its study is a prelude to embarking upon those areas of law that have contractual agreement at their core.
Requisites
09-February-2025
01-June-2025
08-June-2025
05-October-2025
08-February-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Describe and evaluate Australian contract law and related policies
- Identify relevant contract law principles in cases and statues
- Apply those contract law principles to particular factual situations and effectively advise and communicate with clients and others about their contractual rights and obligations
- Locate and interpret domestic legislation applicable to contract law
- Conduct contract law related research independently and in groups and use the results of that research to reach well-reasoned conclusions
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Class | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Online Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 8.50 | 12 weeks | 102 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 11.50 | 12 weeks | 138 |
| Live Online Class | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Individual | 40 - 60% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Online Quiz | Individual | 10 - 20% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Presentation and Report | Group | 30 - 40% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Content
Topics will include:
- The nature of contractual agreements
- The role of contracts in market economies
- Formation
- Capacity to contract
- Formalities
- Privity
- Content and construction
- Avoidance of contracts
- Performance and discharge
- Remedies
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.