Contract Law 1

Overview

This unit aims to enable students, through the study of cases, statutes and other materials, to acquire a systematic and comprehensive introduction to the general principles of Australian contract law. It includes the elements for the formation of a contract, formalities, capacity, privity and assignment. It also includes contractual terms and construction, which focuses on express terms, implied terms, classification of terms, construction principles and exclusion clauses. Additionally, factors affecting the enforcement of contracts, including misrepresentation, misleading and deceptive conduct and mistake, are also covered in this unit. This unit lays a solid foundation for your subsequent study of the unit Contract Law 2.

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

1. Describe and evaluate Australian contract law and related policies
2. Identify relevant contract law principles in cases and statues
3. Apply those contract law principles to particular factual situations and effectively advise and communicate with clients and others about their contractual rights and obligations
4. Locate and interpret domestic legislation applicable to contract law
5. Conduct contract law related research independently and in groups and use the results of that research to reach well-reasoned conclusions

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Assessment

Content

•          The nature of contractual agreements
•          Formation of a contract
•          The requirement of certainty and completeness
•          Consideration and Equitable Estoppel
•          Capacity to contract
•          Formalities
•          Privity of contract
•          Content and construction of contractual terms
•          Assignment of contractual rights and liabilities
•          Avoidance of contracts