70417 Corporate Law

Description

Corporations are an integral part of contemporary economies, through enabling individuals to manage their potential liabilities by incorporating business structures with separate legal personalities. As corporations may raise capital, borrow funds and enter into contacts, it is important for all law graduates to have a sound understanding of the key principles of corporate law. This subject provides students with a comprehensive overview of the key principles of Australian corporate law under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). It covers the formation and life cycle of Australian corporations; contractual, tort and criminal liability; corporate decision-making processes; the role of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in regulating companies, financial markets and financial services; corporate fundraising; corporate governance; the duties of directors and officers and members remedies.

Students progressively develop their skills in applying the relevant principles of Australian corporate law to hypothetical problems through their active participation in interactive tutorials, which also enhance their appreciation of the competing ethical, social responsibility and commercial factors that may impact upon the business of Australian companies. Through their completion of a critical evaluation essay, students are able to reflect upon the adequacy of Australia’s current framework of corporate law in balancing the interests of various stakeholders and the scope for reforms.

Throughout the subject students develop their appreciation of the involvement of indigenous peoples with Australian corporations. This includes indigenous Australians as stakeholders whose interests may be impacted upon by major corporate decisions, and as active participants in the governance of indigenous corporations regulated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth).