Professional Practice 1: Introduction to Law and Contracts

Description

This module enables students to develop their own, accurate understanding of the law which determines how firms and projects work in the construction industry today, This module introduces key principles, theories and institutions of English law, including the law of contracts and real property, focusing on project management and starting to explain the foundations of construction contract administration. This approach provides basic knowledge drawn from legal documents, case law and textbooks about the mechanisms which make it possible for multiple actors to contract to build safely and legally – as well as responsibly. It begins to build the technical legal vocabulary and appraisal skills that will help students be able to understand contract terms and ways of working. Lectures, seminars and discussions in class, are informed by selected reading tasks. Students are required to sit an open-book exam at the end of the module. The module leader provides formative feedback on quizzes, and students gain experience of reading legal and contractual documents – an important professional skills development opportunity. Aims: To provide students with a basic working understanding of: 1. English law and the legal system – principles, key terms and sources; 2. key legal requirements throughout the project process and stages; 3. how the above manifest themselves in common methods and procedures used by firms in the industry; and, 4. current debates about health safety and welfare practices and the challenges that projects managers need to address. NB: the development of professional skills is also covered elsewhere in the Year One syllabus (e.g. Industry 2: The Construction Professions). Also, to note that a more detailed module in respect of contract law and administration is located in the Year Two syllabus. Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of the module, students will be able to: • Describe the legal system, including the roles of legal professionals, case law and the civil and criminal courts (both English law and EC law will be included). • Explain in outline the major points of law which apply through the various stages of the project life-cycle. • Appreciate the nature of a project manager’s ‘duty of care’, negligence, professional negligence and legal obligations (including the Bribery & Corruption Act). • Discuss the position of health safety and welfare in the construction industry and the application of the law in this specific area. • Outline the areas of employment law which commonly affect the construction industry and its activities (including the Modern Slavery Act). • Apply this knowledge to critically appraise a range of common construction project scenarios.