Introduction to Law (Level 8)

This aspect of the module will provide learners with an understanding of the basic characteristics and functioning of the Irish legal system. This topic will be foundational for the module as a whole. This subject will help learners to develop their ability to evaluate, interpret and synthesise sources and build legal arguments. Learners will be encouraged to develop critical awareness of the social and political context in which law operates.

This topic aims to help learners with no prior knowledge of law in gaining a sound understanding of the operation of the rules of contract law. It focuses, in particular, on how binding contracts are made, and on the rules relating to the terms of a contract. It addresses the principles of agreement, the requirement for consideration, and the relevance of an intention to create legal relations in making a contract enforceable. It also deals with the formalities and rules of capacity that apply in order for a contract to be enforceable against a particular person. This topic, furthermore, explains the rules relating to how terms become part of a contract, in particular, express and implied terms, and exclusion and limitation clauses. At the end of this topic, learners will be able to recognise and identify the key elements required in forming a valid and enforceable contract, differentiate between different types of contractual terms and explain how terms are incorporated into a contract and assess how a contract may be vitiated.

The aim of this topic is to introduce learners into key concepts underpinning the law of tort. In particular, this topic will include an introduction to the law of negligence, duty of care, nuisance, defamation, personal injuries and passing off. Learners will be equipped with the knowledge to identify the various tortious stakeholders and the duty of care which rests on proprietors, occupiers and individuals.

This topic will build on some of the foundations established throughout the previous topics covered. This topic considers the various stakeholders in an employment context. This topic will also look at the various statutory protections afforded to both employers and employees in Ireland with a particular focus on equality, discrimination, the employment contract, unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal. Learners will be equipped with the skills to identify and appreciate the legislative and statutory framework of employment law in Ireland.

This topic aims to provide learners with an understanding of the law in relation to the incorporation and constitution of business associations in Ireland. In particular, this topic will concentrate on the different types of companies in Ireland, the duties of directors in executing their role, powers of a director, company formation, separate legal personality and capital maintenance. Focus will also be placed on methods of corporate insolvency inclusive of examinership, winding up and receivership.