LLM LLM (Law)

The limited liability company is a core component of the modern business world, acting as a key commercial vehicle. With United Kingdom company law providing the basis of the legislative framework in many jurisdictions across the globe, the advanced study of the subject is an important step in understanding the global business environment. The development of company law from the nineteenth century to present day is important in understanding the current laws and regulations governing the operation of business, both in the United Kingdom and beyond. The module will explore and critically examine the law relating to companies in three broad themes: firstly the nature and implications of limited liability, with consideration as to the concept of the corporate veil and the circumstances in which it can be set aside; secondly the nature and purpose of the core organs of a company and the constitution that governs them; and thirdly the rights and duties of the participants in a company. The module will consider the statutory, common law and contractual arrangements underpinning each of these themes.

This module seeks to develop your understanding of how intellectual property rights protect “ideas” through an examination of how the law seeks to balance the granting of its rights against the need to maintain appropriate incentive for others to engage in similar innovative activities. Key concepts for determining an intellectual property right are investigated to explore the justification for differences in the nature of the protection afforded to registered and unregistered intellectual property rights. The module develops your understanding of this distinction through closer examination of patent protection for inventions, copyright protection of expression of ideas in original works and trademark protection of distinctive identifiers of goods or services.

In the modern world of commerce, business people and lawyers recognize that the legal environment of both business and regulation must reflect the increasing internationalization of business. A substantial amount of all business transactions is done across national borders.   This module aims to provide a framework for understanding both the structure of international business and the legal environment in which it operates.  Particular emphasis is paid to the economic, social and political forces which have and continue to influence the development of the law and the legal institutions which regulate international business transactions.  The module divides international business into three major forms: international trade through import and export; licensing agreements for the transfer of intellectual property rights such as copyright, patents and trademarks including franchising, and finally, foreign direct investment through mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures.  With respect to the latter, particular attention is paid to the control and regulation of multinational companies. The module examines the key issues involved in all of these forms of international business activity.

This module considers methods by which a registered company's efficiency can be protected and maintained by a system of both statutory and external (government)regulations. The module is concerned with the governance and regulation of large corporations. Systems of governance will be examined in the context of the UK and at an international level.

This module will cover key aspects relating to employment law in practice. This will include understanding the nature of an employee, becoming familiar with the formation and terms, both express and implied, of an employment contract and its variation. The module will also include consideration of the protection offered to employees in respect of dismissal, discrimination and rights when the ownership of the employer's business changes.

On successful completion of this module, students will – • Be able to critically appraise existing knowledge, research, new evidence and innovations in practice – • Have further developed their analytical skills to make reasoned creative and original judgements regarding the practical application of law in practice – • Be able to deal with complex and specialised legal norms, independently explore the current limits of legal knowledge and critically evaluate current research/advanced scholarship in the relevant practice or academic area – • Have further developed their intellectual autonomy to become independent learners – • Have developed their ability to critically reflect on their own professional or academic practice and manage their process of lifelong learning and professional development as a lawyer in practice or as an academic through research and teaching. This Level 7 module will be applicable to all students enrolled on a L7 Law course which has a dissertation module attached to it.