The course covers a number of aspects of contract law and associated doctrines which are either the subject of recent litigation or are in the process of change. The course is consequently flexible to a degree.

Topics to be covered include:

• Extra-contractual liability which may arise in the course of negotiating for a contract;
• The ability of parties to defer agreement on particular matters;
• The doctrine of privity of contract and means of overcoming its limitations
• The various remedies for breach - equitable, common law and self-help

A participant who has successfully completed this course should have:

• A deeper understanding of aspects of the law relating to a contractual relationship than is possible in an undergraduate degree;
• A rounded knowledge of specific areas of the law relating to a contractual relationship;
• A thorough grasp of those elements of contract law and related areas of the law that are relevant to commercial life.

Assessment is likely to comprise an 8,000 word assignment on a topic of the student's choice (subject to the lecturer's approval).

Students must rely on the Approved Assessment which will be posted to the course homepage on the ANU Law website, prior to the commencement of the course.

26 Contact Hours (Intensive Delivery)

Click here for the 2010 timetable

This course is also available online.

Assumed knowledge: Introduction to legal reasoning and Research and Fundamentals of Government and Commercial Law or an LLB.

Required skills: Ability to read and understand selected cases and statutes. 

LAWS8153 Introduction to Legal Reasoning and Research (non-lawyers); LAWS8568 Fundamentals of Government and Commercial Law (non-lawyers)

A set of reading materials will be prepared and made available electronically approximately one month before classes start.