Module: The Law of Contract

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	The Law of Contract
Module Code	LAW1023 (ITS: LG316)
Faculty	Law & Government	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This course involves a detailed consideration of the role and substantive content of contract law in Ireland. Both common law principles and legislative intervention in contracts will be considered in detail.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the role which the law of contract plays in the legal regulation of private and commercial transactions
2. Identify the key rules and principles of the law of contract
3. Apply the rules and principles of the law of contract to common commercial and private problems
4. Critique the role which contract plays in the regulation of business affairs
5. Locate, classify and summarise relevant legal materials regarding contract law

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	101	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10889	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Ciara Fitzgerald	Module Teacher	John Quinn, Paul Maier, Ronan Condon, Tanya Ní Mhuirthile

Section Breakdown
CRN	12031	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Ciara Fitzgerald	Module Teacher	Paul Maier, Tanya Ní Mhuirthile

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	n/a	50%	Week 1
Formal Examination	End-of-Semester Final Examination	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction
Introduction to contract, contract distinguished from other branches of the law, contractual freedom

Formation
Offer, acceptance, intention to create legal relations, consideration, promissory estoppel

Formalities
The Statute of Frauds (Ireland) Act 1695

Terms
Express terms, mere representations, terms implied by the parties, terms implied by the law, customary terms, classification of terms, control and construction of exemption clauses.

Consumer Protection and Implied Terms
Sale of Goods Act 1890; Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980; EC (Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts) Regulations 1995; Consumer Protection Act 2007

Vitating and Voiding factors
Mistake, misrepresentation, undue influence, unconscionalbe bargain, illegality

Discharge
Discharge by performance, discharge by breach, discharge by operation of law

Damages
Damages for breach of contract, damages for emotional distress, remoteness of damage, the duty to mitigate

Indicative Reading List

Books:

R Clark: 2008, Contract Law in Ireland, 6th edn, Roundhall, Dublin,
E Peel: 2008, Treitel: Law of Contract, 12th edn, Sweet and Maxwell, London,
M Enright: 2007, Principles of the Law of Contract, Clarus Press, Dublin,
PA McDermott: 2001, Contract Law, Tottel, Dublin,

Articles:

0: Commercial Law Practitioner, 33043, 1
Irish Law Times: 33044, 1,

Other Resources

None