This course aims to -

• provide student a strong foundation in the principles and doctrines of contract law;
• critically analyse the doctrinal and policy tensions which shape contract law; 
• marshal the law to solve practical problems;
• examine the linkages between contract law, tort law and the law of unjust enrichment; and
• lay the foundation for study of subject areas grounded in contract law e.g. banking law, corporate law, insurance law.

Examination:

- Students' understanding and mastery of the foundational principles and their interaction inter se.

- Students' ability to muster her legal knowledge to address hypothetical problems.

- Students' ability to critique and evaluate the rules and principles.

The use of Generative AI tools is not allowed.

Grading of Student Achievement: Standard (A+, A, A-...F).

Applicable to students admitted from Semester A 2022/23 to Summer Term 2024

To pass this course, student must obtain an aggregate mark of 50% and a minimum of 50% in each of the continuous assessment and the examination elements of the assessment.

Applicable to students admitted before Semester A 2022/23 and in Semester A 2024/25 and thereafter

To pass this course, student must obtain an aggregate mark of 40% and a minimum of 40% in each of the continuous assessment and the examination elements of the assessment.

To do well in the course, students need to go beyond knowing the legal propositions; a mastery of the subject matter requires an understanding of the potential for further shaping the legal rules and principles and how this can be accomplished. This involves knowing the theoretical underpinnings as well as the policy rationale for the diverse legal rules and principles. As such, the "knowing about" law that comes from reading the textbook is insufficient for scoring good grades; to do well, students need to read the primary material analytically and to develop a deep understanding of the material; it is by reflecting on the material that one appreciates the theoretical and policy dimensions and thereby develop an appreciation for how the law evolves. As the topics which constitute contract law are inter-related, students need to look out for the many linkages between them.

Good preparation involves first, reading the material, second, appreciating how and why the law is shaped the way it is, and third, considering how one may meaningfully apply the law and argue for the adjustment of its contours. Quality class participation and written work should demonstrate deep understanding and thoughtful assessment of the law.

The current plan is for the final examination to be 2-3 hours (TBC). An open book format will be adopted.