Description
The purpose of this course is to offer to the students a perspective of the main elements of International Contracting and Business from a legal point of view. The course will stress the practical questions rather than the theoretical ones. Given the students background, the lessons are aimed at providing to future professionals engaged in international commercial transactions the basic elements of international contracting and companies law, giving practical examples of different international contracts. Legally constituting your business is a fundamental decision to be made with far-reaching long-term consequences. Having the information necessary to make an informed decision is a distinct advantage. To know the basic concepts of the contracts, how to form a contract and to be able to identify the rights and responsibilities under a contract will make you start the career life one step ahead of the others because you will be capable of protecting your rights and be in control of what you are doing. The course will also provide the students with and overview of the different scenarios they may encounter in international contracting.
Type Subject
Primer - Obligatoria
Semester
Second
Course
1
Credits
2.00

Titular Professors

Previous Knowledge
Objectives

The objectives of this course are;

1. to learn the basic concepts of commercial law;
2. to summarize basic legal concepts and apply them to business issues;
3. to learn basic requirements of different types of contracts, and identify the rights and obligations of the parties;
4. to be able to discuss and argue about possible outcomes of a contractual situation; and
5. to be able to analyze the situations from a legal point of view.

COMPETENCES:

- Critical Thinking.
- Basic theoretical knowledge of the subject.
- Development of written and oral communication skills.
- Development of analytical skills.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Teamwork.
- Cross-cultural skills.
- Creativity.

Contents

AGENDA FOR THE SESSIONS: Below you can find a tentative schedule. Since commercial law is based on the needs in commercial life, it is practical. Therefore we will be having many discussions, and daily life cases, specifically to liaise with the intricacies of business law. According to the rthym we have in class, the schedule may be changed.

Week 1 Introduction to the Course
Welcome and Introduction to the Course

Week 2 Business Organizations
Forming a Registered Company

Week 3 Companies Law
Company Meetings and Shareholders

Week 4 Principles of Contract Law

Week 5 Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of Goods

Week 6 Incoterms Do´s and Do not´s

Week 7 Agency and Distribution Agreements

Week 8 Franchise Agreements

Week 9 Settling Your Own Organization in Foreign Countries
and Experience In Emerging Markets

Week 10 Companies Structural Changes

Week 11 Share and/or Business Acquisition

Week 12 Joint Venture Agreements

Week 13 Finance Agreements

Week 14 Dispute Resolution

Week 15 Presentations

Week 16 Revision in preparation for Final Exam.

Methodology

The learning experience is based on a range of teaching methods that seek to foster your understanding of the law and the development of your analytical skills. A hands-on approach is crucial throughout the course with out-of-class readings, assignments and exercises; in class activities and discussions.

Evaluation

REQUIREMENTS, EXPECTATIONS, AND ASSESSMENT

Pro-active participation is the key to success in this class. Since there will be times that we will be skipping a chapter with a few words or covering topics that are not included in your textbooks, the easiest way to learn the subjects, to prepare the assignments and to be successful in the exams is to attend to the classes regularly.

Please keep in mind that you are expected to respect the following rules;

Punctuality: Try to come to the classes on time. In case you come late, which shall not exceed 10 minutes in any case, make sure that you enter the class silently.

Deadlines: There is no excuse in real life to not to meet a deadline, nor in this class. If you have an extraordinary situation, it shall be communicated on time.

Academic integrity: When you are given an assignment, make sure that you make it with your own wording. You are not expected to use legal terminology, what is important is to show that you got the concept and able to discuss about it. Make sure that the references you have used are shown properly in your work if not, the assignment you have submitted will be disregarded.

Cell-phones: As a proof of respect please keep your mobiles in silent mode without vibration.

Coursework policy.
The completion of the coursework together with the quality of participation need to meet the minimum of 50% in order to be promoted in this subject. Coursework consists of:

In-class activities
Assignments
Readings
Presentations

Regarding presentations, you will provide an outline at the time you speak, give feedback to your classmate presentations.

Formatting for the assignments & exercises:

Times New Roman
1.5-spaced
Font 12
Justified
Margins: Top 2,5 cm; Bottom 2,5 cm; Left 3 cm; Right 3 cm.
Reference system

EVALUATION
The Course grade will be based on the following point breakdown:

20% Quality participation, attitude, daily in & out-of-class effort, rich feedback provided & proof of readings assigned.
20% Teamwork assignment.
20% Personal assignments.
40% Final Exam

Prerequisite to pass this course is to meet the minimum percentage of 50% total.

Point breakdown for the retake exam:

The percentage to pass the course after a retake exam is 60%. This will be the maximum grade achievable.

Evaluation Criteria
Basic Bibliography

Required Textbook
Title: Law for Business Students, 7th Edition.
Author: Alix Adams.
Publisher: Pearson Education Limited.
ISBN: 978-1-4082-8707-2
Edition: 2012
iChapters: http://www.mylawchamber.co.uk/adams
This site provides support and extra material for students to access and to check their progress.

The subjects that are not covered in the above written book, will be provided as additional material or requested as a reading assignment through university intranet.

Additional Material