Module Details

Module Code: LAWS C1306
Module Title: Introduction to Law and Legal Research
Title: Introduction to Law and Legal Research
Module Level:: 6
Credits:: 10
Module Coordinator: Martin Meagher
Module Author:: Margaret Crowley
Domains:  
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.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# 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.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
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
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
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
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Reflective Journal % of Total Mark 30
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
The learner will complete a reflective piece of work for assessment with appropriate Oxford referencing
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 30
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
The learner will be required to prepare and deliver an oral presentation on a contemporary legal issue with appropriate Oxford referencing
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
In class or take home assessment concerning solving problem scenarios
No Project
No Practical
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.

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 Contact In Class activities 12 Weeks per Stage 6.00 72
Independent Learning Non Contact No Description 15 Weeks per Stage 11.87 178
Total Weekly Contact Hours 6.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Aine Keenan. (2021), Essentials of Irish Business Law,., 7th Ed. Boru Press.
  • Jennifer Schweppe, Ronan Kennedy, Larry Donnelly, Dr. Elaine Fahey. (2011), How to Think, Write and Cite, Round Hall Ltd, p.120, [ISBN: 9781858006314].
  • Laura Cahillane and Jennifer Schweppe. (2016), Legal Research Methods: Principles and Practicalities, Clarus Press, Dublin, [ISBN: 978-1-905536].
  • Anthony Thuillier and Catherine MacDaid. (2015), Business Law in Ireland, Clarus Press.
  • Kenneally & Tully. (2013), The Irish Legal System, Clarus Press, Dublin.
  • Eavan Murphy. (2014), Business & Company Law For Irish Students, Gill & Macmillan, Dublin.
  • Ruth Davenport. (2012), Fundamentals of Irish Law,, 2nd. Gill & Macmillan, Dublin.
  • Brian Doolan. (2011), Principles of Irish Law,, 8th. Gill & Macmillan.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Byrne & McCutcheon. (2021), The Irish Legal System, 7th. Bloomsbury, Dublin.
  • O’Malley, Thomas. (2001), Sources of Law- An Introduction to Legal Research & Writing, RoundHall.
  • Liam Thornton,Tanya Ni Mhuirthile,Dr. Catherine O'Sullivan. (2016), Fundamentals of the Irish Legal System, [ISBN: 9781858007120].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Westlaw. Westlaw Database, Irish Law Times, Dublin University law Journal, Irish Business Law Quarterly.
  • Annual Review of Irish Law, 1987 to present. Annual Review.
Other Resources
Discussion Note: