Module Details
Module Code: |
LAWS C1306 |
Module Title:
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Introduction to Law and Legal Research
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Title:
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Introduction to Law and Legal Research
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Module Level:: |
6 |
Module Coordinator: |
Martin Meagher
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Module Author:: |
Margaret Crowley
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Module Description: |
The aim of this module is to introduce learners to the sources and fundamental aspects of Irish law (in a business context) and to provide them with a thorough grounding in legal research and communication skills, enabling them to gather, assemble and competently communicate legal information.
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Learning Outcomes |
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
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Learning Outcome Description |
LO1 |
Demonstrate an increased awareness of the general legal environment in which business is carried out and how the law influences decision making in a business context. |
LO2 |
Demonstrate an understanding of the key principles of the main areas of business law and to apply this knowledge to modern business situations. |
LO3 |
Gather, comprehend and analyse legal information from various sources and properly communicate that comprehension in written and verbal form both individually and as part of a team. |
LO4 |
Correctly apply relevant legal theories to problem scenarios/case studies through research, critical analysis and reasoning. |
Dependencies |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
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No recommendations listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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No Co-requisite modules listed |
Additional Requisite Information
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No Co Requisites listed
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Indicative Content |
Legal Research - Sources of Law
Locating the various sources of law -The Constitution -Legislation - The Irish Statute Book – Acts of the Oireachtas and Statutory Instruments -Locating and Understanding
Legislation - Common Law/Case Law - Proper use of citation -Finding a case from a citation - Reading and analysing a case -
Unreported cases -Determining whether a case has been affected by later authority - EU law - International Law - Scholarly
Writings/Journals/Articles, including citation of cases/articles -Electronic sources of law
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Legal Communications
Latin and French Terms Commonly Used in Legal Writing. • Writing Letters, Essays, Assignments & Case Notes • Addressing Problem Scenarios • Organization and Presentation of Written Work • Referencing including citations, bibliographies, footnotes, endnotes and plagiarism. • Style of Writing: Accuracy, Relevance & Brevity • Oral and Non-Verbal Communication Skills including presentations
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Introduction to Law
Introduction to the Law of Torts
• The Nature of Tort. • Causation and Remoteness • Negligence and Contributory Negligence • Vicarious Liability • Product Liability • Occupier’s Liability • Defamation • Defences
Introduction to Contract Law
• The nature and formation of a contract. • Agreement, intention and consideration. • Form of a Contract. • Terms and exemption clauses. •Capacity to contract. • Electronic Contracts
Sale of Goods and Consumer Law
• Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 o Main Implied Terms o Effectiveness of Exclusion Clauses • Consumer Protection Act 2007 / 2014 o Main Features o Role of Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
Introduction to Employment Law
• Contracts of employment – Formation and Terms • Duties of employer and employee. • Protective legislation (maternity leave, parental leave, etc) • Health & Safety Legislation • Employment Equality Legislation • Termination of employment contracts (including unfair dismissal and entitlements on redundancy) • Remedies for breach. Role of the Workplace Relations Commission
Data Protection Law
• The Data Protection Act 2018 o GDPR and Privacy of Personal data o Rights of Data Subject o Duties of Data Controllers o Role and Powers of Data Commissioner o Offences and Penalties for Breach, • Introduction to Company law, nature of a company, separate legal personality and advantages/disadvantages of incorporation
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Module Content & Assessment
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Assessment Breakdown | % |
Continuous Assessment | 100.00% |
AssessmentsFull Time
No End of Module Formal Examination |
Reassessment Requirement |
Exam Board
It is at the discretion of the Examination Board as to what the qualifying criteria are.
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SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
Workload: Full Time |
Workload Type |
Workload Category |
Contact Type |
Workload Description |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
Hours |
Lecture |
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Contact |
In Class activities |
12 Weeks per Stage |
6.00 |
72 |
Independent Learning |
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Non Contact |
No Description |
15 Weeks per Stage |
11.87 |
178 |
Total Weekly Contact Hours |
6.00 |
Module Resources
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Recommended Book Resources |
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Aine Keenan. (2021), Essentials of Irish Business Law,., 7th Ed. Boru Press.
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Jennifer Schweppe, Ronan Kennedy, Larry Donnelly, Dr. Elaine Fahey. (2011), How to Think, Write and Cite, Round Hall Ltd, p.120, [ISBN: 9781858006314].
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Laura Cahillane and Jennifer Schweppe. (2016), Legal Research Methods: Principles and Practicalities, Clarus Press, Dublin, [ISBN: 978-1-905536].
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Anthony Thuillier and Catherine MacDaid. (2015), Business Law in Ireland, Clarus Press.
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Kenneally & Tully. (2013), The Irish Legal System, Clarus Press, Dublin.
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Eavan Murphy. (2014), Business & Company Law For Irish Students, Gill & Macmillan, Dublin.
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Ruth Davenport. (2012), Fundamentals of Irish Law,, 2nd. Gill & Macmillan, Dublin.
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Brian Doolan. (2011), Principles of Irish Law,, 8th. Gill & Macmillan.
| Supplementary Book Resources |
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Byrne & McCutcheon. (2021), The Irish Legal System, 7th. Bloomsbury, Dublin.
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O’Malley, Thomas. (2001), Sources of Law- An Introduction to Legal Research & Writing, RoundHall.
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Liam Thornton,Tanya Ni Mhuirthile,Dr. Catherine O'Sullivan. (2016), Fundamentals of the Irish Legal System, [ISBN: 9781858007120].
| Recommended Article/Paper Resources |
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Westlaw. Westlaw Database, Irish Law Times, Dublin University law
Journal, Irish Business Law Quarterly.
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Annual Review of Irish Law, 1987 to
present. Annual Review.
| Other Resources |
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Subscribed Database: Justis.ie and
Westlaw.ie – for all relevant cases and
journals.. Subscribed Databases.
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Oscola Ireland. website: Oscola Ireland 2011, Oscola
Ireland Referencing Guide, Dublin
http://www.legalcitation.ie/page5/files/
OSCOLA%20Ireland%202011.pd.
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www.irishstatutebook.ie for all relevant
legislation. Irish Statute Book.
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website: OireachtasOireachtas Eireann. Oireachtas Website,
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website: UK GovUK Legislation. UK Legislation,
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Courts of Ireland Website. Courts of Ireland,
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British and Irish Legal Information
InitiativeBaillii. BAILII,
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CCPC 2015, Competition and Consumer
Protection Commission. CCPC Website,
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Workplace Relations Commission 2015, WRC. WRC Website,
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Data Protection Commissioner. DPC Website,
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Website of the Irish Government. Irish Government Online Information
Portal, including summaries of law,
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