Key facts

UNE unit code: LSSU251

*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 1 - On Campus
  • Trimester 1 - Online
  • Trimester 2 - On Campus
  • Trimester 2 - Online
Campus
  • Armidale Campus
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • Yes
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

UNE student studies on a laptop on her lounge at home

This unit available to all students, other than Bachelor of Laws students, subject to degree rules.

It introduces you to the legal principles relating to business and commercial relationships and covers a wide range of topics and approaches to examine real-world business law issues.

The unit explores the Australian legal system and business structures, an overview of the law of torts, negligence and negligent misstatement, contracts, consumer law, electronic commerce, finance law and bankruptcy, and insurance law.

In doing so, you will learn how legal principles affect business practice and decision making and apply the knowledge to a wide range of career paths.

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 1On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 1Online
Trimester 2On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 2Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Restrictions
AFM251 or LSSU451

Notes

Legal Studies unit available to all students, other than Bachelor of Laws students, subject to degree rules. Due to accreditation requirements [TPB and ASIC(FASEA)], students must sit an independent invigilated assessment/supervised examination.

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of Lisa Ward
Lisa WardLecturer - Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law; School of Law

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate a broad understanding of the Australian legal system and its operations in specific commercial areas; the range of business organisational options; and be able to describe and explain the legal rights, duties and responsibilities of parties in a business context;
  2. use initiative and judgement to identify and demonstrate an understanding of the application of the law regulating business relationships (negligence, contract, sale of goods, consumer protection) to recommend and communicate resolutions to fact based problems;
  3. use cognitive and communication skills to demonstrate an ability to communicate coherently an independent opinion on a legal issue relevant to business; and
  4. understand the application of data protection and privacy regulations when collecting, generating, storing, accessing, using or sharing data and information.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
AssignmentYes30%All offerings

Written Assessment

No. Words: 2000

Final Invigilated Examination - Assurance TaskYes50%All offerings

Open Book Examination.

There is a supervised exam at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The exam will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit. 

To pass this unit, you must achieve at least 50% in this task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. 

No. Words: 2000

Online Quiz 1No10%All offerings

Online Quiz 1

Online Quiz 2Yes10%All offerings

Online Quiz 2

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Business and Law in Australia

ISBN: 9780455247441

Parker, D. and Ward, L., Thomson Lawbook Co. 4th ed. 2024

Note: The above details refer to a hardcopy textbook. Students are permitted to purchase the e-text version of the textbook if it is available. If this unit has an open-book online examination and the exam instructions allow you to refer to the hardcopy textbook, you will also be permitted to refer to the e-text version during the online supervised exam. The e-text can be used only if it is on the same device upon which you are sitting your exam. The use of a separate device is not permitted for accessing e-texts.

Text refers to: All offerings

Note: Recommended material may be held in the University Library — purchase is optional.

Australian Commercial Law

ISBN: 9780455248912

Turner, C. and Trone, J., Thomson Reuters 35th ed. 2025

Note: The above details refer to a hardcopy textbook. Students are permitted to purchase the e-text version of the textbook if it is available. If this unit has an open-book online examination and the exam instructions allow you to refer to the hardcopy textbook, you will also be permitted to refer to the e-text version during the online supervised exam. The e-text can be used only if it is on the same device upon which you are sitting your exam. The use of a separate device is not permitted for accessing e-texts.

Text refers to: All offerings

Business Law

ISBN: 9780655708513

Gibson, A., Pearson 12th ed. 2023

Note: The above details refer to a hardcopy textbook. Students are permitted to purchase the e-text version of the textbook if it is available. If this unit has an open-book online examination and the exam instructions allow you to refer to the hardcopy textbook, you will also be permitted to refer to the e-text version during the online supervised exam. The e-text can be used only if it is on the same device upon which you are sitting your exam. The use of a separate device is not permitted for accessing e-texts.

Text refers to: All offerings

Note: Referenced material may be held in the University Library — purchase is optional.

Concise Australian Legal Dictionary

ISBN: 9780409358186

Finkelstein, R. and Hamer, D., LexisNexis 7th ed. 2025

Note: The above details refer to a hardcopy textbook. Students are permitted to purchase the e-text version of the textbook if it is available. If this unit has an open-book online examination and the exam instructions allow you to refer to the hardcopy textbook, you will also be permitted to refer to the e-text version during the online supervised exam. The e-text can be used only if it is on the same device upon which you are sitting your exam. The use of a separate device is not permitted for accessing e-texts. For Trimester 1 2026, students are also permitted to use Finkelstein, R. and Hamer, D., 'Concise Australian Legal Dictionary' (ISBN: 9780409352917), 2020, 6th ed.

Text refers to: All offerings

Nutshell: Business Law

ISBN: 9780455228471

Gibson, A. and Fraser, D., Thomson Lawbook Co 3rd ed. 2011

Note: "The eBook (ISBN: 9780455228471, 3rd ed.) is also acceptable and available online through the UNE Dixson Library. The above details refer to a hardcopy textbook. Students are permitted to purchase the e-text version of the textbook if it is available. If this unit has an open-book online examination and the exam instructions allow you to refer to the hardcopy textbook, you will also be permitted to refer to the e-text version during the online supervised exam. The e-text can be used only if it is on the same device upon which you are sitting your exam. The use of a separate device is not permitted for accessing e-texts.

Text refers to: All offerings

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