Units / BTW1042
BTW1042 · Business law
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 1Department of Business Law and Taxation
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
This unit is designed for non-lawyers and its emphasis is on general legal principles that underpin business activities. It teaches you how to conclude enforceable contracts, mitigate unnecessary legal risks, avoid negligence when giving professional advice, and set up an appropriate business entity. The unit also covers other essential topics like the basic principles of the Malaysian legal system, consumer protection, and agency law. While the topics are discussed with reference to Malaysian laws - given the jurisdictional nature of the law, comparative aspects with other common law jurisdictions are also made to highlight notable legal developments. The unit’s emphasis is on critical thinking and problem-solving skills, without which you will not be able to solve the authentic, problem-based assessments inspired by real-life scenarios.
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
| Malaysia | October intake teaching period, Malaysia campus | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
| Malaysia | Second semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 - Written | Written | 45% | — |
| 2 | 2 - Quiz / Test | Quiz / Test | 15% | — |
| 3 | 3 - Examination | Examination | 40% | — |
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
Learning outcomes
- identify the salient features of the Malaysian legal system, with a focus on its law making institutions, the interpretation of statutes and the various dispute resolution techniques
- apply the principles of contract law, tort law, and agency law to hypothetical legal problems
- examine the legal differences between partnerships and corporations
- demonstrate basic legal research using primary and secondary sources
- analyse the comparative aspects of Common Law within the context of business law topics
Workload
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. You are expected to complete all pre-class activities prior to your scheduled class, and post-class activities should be completed after your scheduled class. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed, peer directed and online engagement activities.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | 24 hours |
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