WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY

School of Business and Economics

BUSINESS 231 (BU231V)

Business Law
Course Outline

SPRING 2014
Professor:

Justin Safayeni, BBA, JD

Office
Hours:
By
appointment only
E-mail:
justin.safayeni@gmail.com
Office location: P2045/55
Phone:
647-963-5486 (emergencies only)
Faculty Assistant:
Margaret Dilworth SBE2201, Phone: 519-8840710 ext. 2041
Goals of the Course and Material to be Covered
The first class is an introduction/overview to the course and will also begin a
review of the substantive course content. DONT MISS IT!
The material to be covered is all that material shown in the course outline;
this material is drawn from the text: The Law and Business
Administration in Canada, (13th Edition), Smyth, Soberman, Easson
& McGill, Publisher - Pearson Canada Limited, Toronto. This text may
be obtained from the WLU Bookstore and is the required text for the course.
It is important to note that not all, of the chapters in the text are covered in
the course. The course outline gives the chapter numbers upon which the
individual lectures are based. Lectures WILL contain additional content and
will emphasize particular topics within the chapters. It is NOT sufficient to
simply read the text and/or the slides in this course.
Grades, Examinations and Assignments
The final mark will be determined by the results achieved on a group
assignment,
a mid-term examination and
a final examination. The
assignment will count for 10% of the final grade, the mid-term examination
will count for 40% and, the final exam for 50%. THE MIDTERM WILL BE ON
FRIDAY, JUNE 20th FROM 3-5 PM. The assignment, midterm and final
exams will be common to all sections of BU231. Class participation and
attendance are encouraged and may be considered when assessing your
final grade.
Website
The text material will be supplemented by a MyLearningSpace website,
which will provide additional content and links including the following:

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Federal and Provincial Statutes

Text website which provides practice quiz material;
Court case data bases and /or specific key cases
Some class handouts, assignments and some power points
Administrative information and relevant dates through the bulletin
board and calendar tools.
Grades
The Course Acknowledgement that must be completed before
the Tort Assignment is submitted or YOU WILL RECEIVE ZERO
ON THE TORT ASSIGNMENT.

To access the website go to https://mylearningspace.wlu.ca/ or the LAURIER

WEBSITE DROP DOWN MENU FOR RESOURCES (choose mylearningspace) .
Your login is your novell ID and password. Upon entry to the site all the
courses you are registered in that use the website will be shown in list
format. You then click on Business 231. If you have problems accessing the
site you should contact myls@wlu.ca .
The text also has online resources offered by Pearson at their website. The
course code you will need to access this material is mcgill53339.
Class Attendance
This course is taught using 3 hours of lecture time per week. Attendance at
all classes is expected. Class participation and attendance are encouraged
and may be considered when assessing your final grade. Optional review
classes and tutor sessions may be set during the week prior to examinations
and assignment due dates. Students may take advantage of these sessions
if they wish.
In the event a student misses the midterm examination because of illness,
or for some other major and unexpected event such as a death or a serious
illness in the family, then, upon evidence satisfactory to the instructor, that
weight will be transferred to a special 3 hour cumulative final exam.
Under no circumstances should students assume that special assignments
or deferred examinations will be set by the instructor. Only upon application
to the Petitions Committee will a special or deferred final examination be
set. Neither sun nor ski vacations are considered a sufficient excuse for
missing an examination. Notice of student illness must be given to the
instructor prior to the scheduled examination time. (An email to
justin.safayeni@gmail.com will suffice)
Ethical Behaviour and Cheating
Students should be familiar with the Code of Conduct adopted in the
Business 111/121 course. Business 231 subscribes to this code of conduct
and expects all students enrolled in this course to do the same. A copy of
the code of conduct may be viewed on the course website.

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The University has an established policy with respect to academic

misconduct addressing cheating on assignments and examinations which
the student is required to know. It can be found in the WLU calendar on
the WLU website. The instructor has discretion to impose a sanction deemed
appropriate. Students are cautioned that in addition to a failure in the
course, a student may be suspended or expelled from the University
for any breach and the offence may appear on transcripts. In this event,
the offence can have serious consequences for one's business or
professional career. Academic misconduct may make a student ineligible for
co-op and my also trigger criminal charges.
Privacy and Intellectual Property Issues
One important goal of this course is to offer a positive educational
experience for the student through lectures, in class debate, group work,
presentations and assignments. Therefore, NO recording, posting,
uploading, copying or broadcasting of the contents of any of the
lectures, ppts, or presentations by lecturers or other participants is
allowed. Students are authorized to save a copy of the ppts posted on the
website for the purposes of class use only. During the course, it may be
necessary to divulge students names, ID numbers, clicker information,
marks or other personal information to other members of the class. Every
reasonable effort will be made to keep the personal information of the
student private and secure. The following measures have been put in place
to balance the requirements of the course with the need to protect personal
information:
1. Exams and assignments will only be released to the student who
submitted them. If a student is uncomfortable with their name being
called in class, he or she should contact the instructor the day before
the assignment is to be returned see mylearningspace calendar for
notice of this date.
2. Marks will only be released through mylearningspace website.
3. The individual circumstances or performance of a student will not be
discussed in the lecture hall before, during or after class. A student
wanting to review their performance or discuss personal
circumstances affecting their performance should make an
appointment to speak to the instructor in private during office hours.
4. Group work is a necessary component of this course. This will involve
disclosure of some personal information to other class members in
order to assign topics, arrange groups, submit, evaluate and return
work. Enrolment in the course is deemed to be consent to such
necessary disclosure.
5. Class participation is a vital component of this course. This may
involve the use of class lists, name tags, posting on mylearningspace
bulletin boards, chat rooms, in class discussion etc. If a student is
uncomfortable with his or her name being disclosed in these formats,
he or she should bring this matter to the attention of the instructor

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Spring 2014 Course Outline

during the first week of class so that alternate arrangements can be

made.
Student email will only be responded to if it is from the students
WLU account. Students should not contact the instructor from any
other email.
Peer evaluations may be used in this course. These evaluations will be
held in confidence and will only be disclosed to the student whose
mark is affected. Such disclosure will be in an aggregate form.
Individual peer evaluations will not be disclosed. If this is unacceptable
to the student, prior alternate arrangements must be made with the
instructor.
The record of the students progress throughout the course will be
maintained by the instructor for a period of one year after completion
of the course. Some instructors may retain students records for a
longer period of time.
Sign in sheets will be used to record attendance at the midterm. If a
student does not wish to sign the sheet, he or she should bring this
fact to the attention of the proctor before the start of the exam.

If a student is concerned or needs to make special arrangements to

accommodate specific privacy issues, he or she must bring these matters to
the attention of the instructor within the first week of classes so that
reasonable accommodations can be made or an alternate course can be
selected by the student.
**Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Laurier Special Needs
Office for information regarding its services and resources. Students are encouraged to
review the Calendar for information regarding all services available on campus.

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COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION TO LAW AND RISK MANAGEMENT First Class
TOPIC I - INTRODUCTION TO THE LAW OF TORTS
Scope of Tort Law
- Intentional Torts
- Professional Liability
- Negligence
- Fiduciary duty and Ethical Responsibility
- Professional Organizations and Discipline
- Role of the Code of Conduct
Reading - Chapters 3 and 4
Tort Assignment 10% Due Friday May 30 th 2014 @ 3:45 pm SBE
2201

Mylearningspace Course Outline Acknowledgement must

be completed in order to receive credit for the Tort
Assignment
TOPIC II - INTRODUCTION TO THE LAW OF CONTRACTS
The Role of Contract Law
The Formation of a Contract
- Offer/Acceptance
- Consideration
- Intention to Create Legal Relations
- Capacity
- Legality
Reading - Chapters 5, 6 and 7
TOPIC III - GROUNDS UPON WHICH A CONTRACT MAY BE IMPEACHED
AND THE REQUIREMENT OF WRITING
Equitable Grounds upon which a Contract may be Impeached
- Mistake (Terms, Assumptions, Innocent Third Parties,
Performance)
- Misrepresentation (Innocent and Fraudulent)
- Undue Influence and Duress
- Independent Legal Advice and the Matrimonial Home
Writing Requirements
- The Statute of Frauds
- Essentials of a Written Memorandum

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- Electronic Registration and the Real Estate Conveyance

- The Doctrine of Part Performance in Real Property Law
- Consumer Protection Act
Reading - Chapters 8 and 9
TOPIC IV - THE INTERPRETATION OF CONTRACTS, PRIVITY OF
CONTRACT, THE ASSIGNMENT OF CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS
The Interpretation of Contracts
- The Relationship between Formation and Interpretation of
Contracts
- The Interpretation of Express Terms
- The Parol Evidence Rule
- Implied Terms as a Method of Interpretation
Privity of Contract and the Assignment of Contractual Rights
- Privity of Contract
- Real Property Law
- Vicarious Performance
- Trusts
- Exceptions to the Privity of Contract Rule
- The Nature of an Assignment of Rights
- Equitable and Statutory Assignments
- Assignment and Assumption in Mortgage Transactions
- Negotiable Instruments
Reading - Chapters 10 and 11
MID-TERM EXAMINATION (40%): FRIDAY, JUNE 20th, 3-5 PM (LOCATION
TBD)
TOPIC V DISCHARGE OF A CONTRACT, THE EFFECT OF BREACH OF
CONTRACT AND REMEDIES FOR BREACH
The Discharge of Contracts
- The Ways in Which a Contract May be Discharged
- Discharge by Performance
- Discharge by Agreement
- Discharge by Frustration
- Discharge by Operation of Law
The Effect of Breach of Contract
- Implications of Breach
- Repudiation
- Failure of Performance
- Exemption Clauses

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Remedies for Breach

- Types of Remedies
- Damages
- Measurement of Damages
- Equitable Remedies
- Specific Performance & Real Estate Transaction
Reading Chapters 12 and 13
TOPIC VI Review of the Midterm
TOPIC VII - BAILMENT, AGENCY AND THE CONTRACT OF
EMPLOYMENT
Bailment

Agency

- Bailment
Liability of a Bailee
sub bailment standard of care
Remedies of a Bailee for the Value of Services Rendered
Storage and Safekeeping
Work on a Chattel
Transportation
Pledge or Pawn

The Nature of Agency

Creation of an Agency Relationship
Typical Real Estate Transaction
The Duties of an Agent to the Principal
The Duties of the Principal to the Agent
Liability of Principal and Agent
Terminating an Agency Relationship

The Contract of Employment

- Development of the Law Governing Employment
- Relationship of Employer and Employee
- The Employer's Liability
- Notice of Termination of Individual Employment Contracts
- Cause for Dismissal Without Notice
- Wrongful Dismissal
- Employee Welfare Legislation and Human Rights
Reading - Chapters 15, 17 (Note: Omit Leasing& Franchising) and 18
(Omit Collective bargaining / Labour Disputes / Trade Unions)
TOPIC VIII - SOLE PROPRIETORSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS AND
CORPORATIONS
Note: A basic understanding of chapters 24 and 25 is assumed

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Introduction to Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships and Corporations

- Choosing the Appropriate Form of Business Organization
- Sole Proprietorships
- Partnerships General, Limited, Limited Liability
- Corporations Public, Private, Professional, Not for Profit
Corporate Governance: The Internal Affairs of Corporations
- Management of the corporation
- Board of Directors, function, duties, liability, appointment and
removal
- Rights and duties of shareholders
- Protection of minority rights
- Corporate Governance and Ethical Responsibility
Corporate Governance: The External Responsibilities of
Corporation
- Liability of a Corporation for acts of its agents
- Pre-incorporation contracts
- Protection of creditors, investors and the public interest
- Nature of Corporate liability
- Environmental Legislation and the Corporation
Reading - Chapters 24, 25, 26 and 27
TOPIC IX - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS AND
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
International Business Transaction
- Canadian Business in a Global Economy
- Law and International Business
- Foreign Trade
- Foreign Investments
- Contemporary Issue: Pros and Cons of FDI
- The Resolution of International Business Disputes
Electronic Commerce
- The Growing Importance of Electronic Commerce
- What is E - Commerce?
- Establishing an Online Business
- Regulating E - Commerce
- International Aspects of E - Commerce
- Privacy Legislation
- Intellectual property issues
Reading - Chapters 31 and 32

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