Table of Contents

PART 1: INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS LAW1. The Australian Legal SystemIntroductionThe nature and functions of lawBusiness and the lawSources of lawLaw in a global context: the influence of international lawCourts and tribunals in AustraliaAlternative dispute resolution2. The Australian ConstitutionFederationAustralia Act 1986 (Cth)The Bill of Rights debatePART 2: CONTRACT AND TORT LAW3. Tort Law and BusinessIntroductionIntentional and unintentional tortsPrinciplesTort law reformDuty of careDefencesVicarious liabilityRemediesLiability for negligent misstatementsLiability of auditors4. Introduction to Contract LawIntroductionContract: meaningKinds of contractSources of contract lawThe essential elements of a valid contract5. FormationIntroductionDefinition of a valid contractElements of a valid contract.Intention to create legal relationsOfferTo whom can offers be made?Invitation to treatTermination of an offerThe element of acceptanceConsiderationCertainty of terms6. The PartiesIntroductionCapacity to contractConsequences of incapacityPrivity7. The TermsIntroductionTerms versus representationsExpress versus implied terms and the parol evidence ruleConditions, warranties and innominatetermsExclusion clauses8. DischargeIntroductionDischarge by consentDischarge by operation of law: frustrationDischarge by breach of contractDischarge by performance9. Vitiating Factors and RescissionIntroductionVitiating factorsKey terms: void and voidable contractsMistakeMisrepresentationUndue influenceDuressUnconscionable conductRescission10. Consumer and Business Protection: Misleading and Deceptive ConductIntroductionApplication, administration and enforcement of the AustralianConsumer LawThe ACL as an application lawAdministration and enforcement—‘the regulators'Pre-conditions to liabilityThe definitions of ‘person’ and ‘corporation’In ‘trade or commerce’‘Engaging in conduct’Ancillary liability‘Mislead or deceive’Impact of s 18 on the common lawRemedies11. Consumer and Business Protection: Statutory UnconscionabilityIntroductionOverview of legislative provisionsAdministration and enforcementThreshold elementsSection 21: unconscionable conduct in connection with goods or servicesSection 22: factors to consider regarding ‘unconscionable’Section 20: unconscionable conduct within the meaning of the unwritten lawUnconscionability and business transactions: backgroundThe ACCC small business guideRemediesUnfair contract terms12. Remedies for Breach of Contract, Statutory Consumer Guarantees and Implied TermsIntroductionRemedies for breach of contract: damagesEquitable remedies for breach of contractStatutory consumer guarantees: Australian Consumer LawStatutory implied terms: states and territories13. AgencyIntroductionTypes of agency relationshipsOther types of relationshipsAuthority of agentsRatificationAgents’ rights and dutiesPrincipal’s rights and obligationsThird-party liabilityTermination of agencyPART 3: BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS AND COMMERCIAL LAW14. Choice of Business StructureIntroductionLegal forms of associationChoice of business structureUnincorporated business structuresIncorporated business structures: companies15. Introduction to Company LawIntroductionFormation of a companyTypes of companiesEssential features of a companyCorporate contracting: Corporations Act assumptionsCompany’s internal rulesMeetingsShares and transactions affecting share capitalDirectors’ and other officers’ dutiesLiability of directors and officersMembers’ rights and remedies16. Competition and Consumer LawIntroductionOverview of competition law in AustraliaCompetition law and policyProhibited conduct under Part IV17. Property and Intellectual Property LawIntroductionDefining propertyPossession and adverse possessionTorrens systemCaveatsPriorities under Torrens titleEasements and covenantsAcquisition of property by saleAcquisition of property by giftTrustsFixturesGeneral law prioritiesLicences and leases37What is intellectual property?CopyrightTrade marksPatent lawRegistered designs18. Employment and Industrial Relations LawIntroductionEmployer–employee relationshipTypes of employment relationshipsDuties of employers and employeesWorkplace harassment, discrimination and bullyingTermination of employmentAppendix A: Learning Effectively in Business Law Subjects Appendix B: A Guide to Legal Terminology

About the Author

Tony Ciro is a Professor in the Faculty of Law and Business at Australian Catholic University Vivien Goldwasser is an Associate Professor and Reader in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at La Trobe University Reeta Verma is an accredited mediator and lecturer in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, La Trobe University