Business Law 1 (CML1001F and CML1004S)

This course is taught in Commerce, Humanities, Science and Engineering & Built Environment. 

Commerce Faculty

Business Law 1 is compulsory for all Commerce students ie. both BCom and BBusSci

EBE Faculty

Business Law 1 is compulsory for Construction Studies(EB015) and Property Studies (EB 017)

Humanities and Science Faculties

Business Law 1 is an elective course offered to both Humanities and Science Faculties

Convenor

CML1001F | Karin Lehman

CML1004S | Sinikiwe Mzezewa

Course lecturers

CML1001F | Jane Franco

CML1004S | Bongiwe Zungu                                               

Course Outline

The purpose of the course is to provide students with a general introduction to the South African legal system, with its main focus on the law of contract.  The course starts with an overview of the South African court structure, contemporary sources and branches of South African law, and also introduces students to the Constitution and the impact that it continues to have on legal development. 

The course then provides students with a general but comprehensive introduction to the general principles of contract, focusing on formation of contracts, the content of contracts, breach of contract and remedies for breach. The course also aims to provide students with an introduction to certain specific contracts, most notably contracts of sale, lease and agency. The general principles of contract are supplemented by a consideration of legislation, in particular the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, where relevant. 

Lecture times: The course is intensive with 5 contact periods per week for the full semester.  

DP requirements: Coursework is compulsory. Students who do not submit hand-ins or write a test will receive a mark of 0 for that assessment (unless granted an exemption). However, such students will be able to write the exam.

Assessment: Coursework 40%; final examination 60%.  

Accreditations

The Business Law 1 course is audited every three years by both Commerce and Engineering professional bodies.

Commerce:

SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) - every three years

ACCA (International version of SAICA) - every five years

Engineering:

Royal Institute of Chartered Quantity Surveyors - random auditing cycle

Department of Construction Economics and Management (part of EBE) - regular review