Details for LAW208 Corporations Law

Companies concentrate capital, risk and responsibility. Corporations Law unpacks how Australian companies are formed, governed and wound up, including directors’ duties, members’ rights, financing, disclosure and corporate liability. You’ll interpret the Corporations Act, advise on common law and ethical challenges facing directors, and evaluate corporate law as a tool of social and economic policy. You’ll finish ready to give clear advice on corporate fact patterns.

Quick Stats

• Currently offered by Alphacrucis: Yes
• Course code: LAW208
• Credit points: 10

Subject Coordinator

Prerequisite

LAW105 Contract Law 2; LAW205 Torts; LAW202 Constitutional Law 2   

Unit Content

Outcomes

1. Critically analyse basic elements of substantive company law (including the types of business association; the regulatory framework within which Australian companies operate; the process and effects of incorporation; internal rules for managing a company; the duties and liabilities of directors; company credit and security arrangements; the winding up of companies; and the rights and responsibilities of members).
2. Identify relevant facts and legal issues presented by hypothetical scenarios and reflect the role of lawyers to defend the principles of justice.
3. Interpret relevant provisions of corporate legislation demonstrating intellectual curiosity, independence and perseverance.
4. Appraise common law and ethical challenges presented to company directors and those who advise them.
5. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of corporate law as a tool of social and economic policy.
6. Provide prepared and spontaneous legal advice in response to various fact patterns.

Subject Content

1. Introduction: Course overview; Business organisations
2. Incorporation of companies; Company constitution
3. Promoters and pre-registration contracts
4. Companies, outsiders and corporate liability
5. Membership, members’ powers and dividends
6. Corporate governance and company management
7. Directors’ and officers’ duties (Part 1)
8. Directors’ and officers’ duties (Part 2)
9. Financing a company via equity or debt
10. Disclosure; members remedies
11. Receivership and Administration; Winding up.
12. Subject Review
13. Exam Week

This course may be offered in the following formats

Face to Face on site

Please check the timetable to see when this subject will next be offered at Alphacrucis University College.

Assessment Methods

1. Oral Legal Advice   (30%)
2. Memorandum of Advice   (20%)
3. Final Examination (50%)

Prescribed Text

• Ellie Chapple et al, Company Law: An Interactive Approach (Wiley, 3rd ed, 2023).  
• Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) from the Federal Register of Legislation, which is found at:  https://www.legislation.gov.au/  
• Melbourne University Law Review Association, Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne University Law Review Association, 4th ed, 2018) 

Check with your instructor before purchasing any textbooks