Business Law Syllabus & Outline (Cil 318)

UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS
FACULTY OF LAW
BSC Programme (Faculty of Management Sciences)
Course code: CIL 318 Course title: Business Law
Lecturers- Dr Adekemi Omotubora
Dr Ihuoma Ilobinso
Mrs Folake Adewumi
Course Summary
This course aims to introduce students to comprehensive legal principles and frameworks that
govern business activities. The course covers a general introduction to the Nigerian legal
system and four specific areas of commercial law namely; contract, agency, sale of goods and
hire purchase.
Course objectives
The course aims to help students:
 Develop a fundamental understanding of the legal system and its relevance to
business operations.
 Raise awareness of the legal issues and challenges that businesses may encounter.
 Understand the legal processes involved in resolving business-related disputes.
 Understand the principles of contract formation, interpretation, and enforcement.
 Explore the legal aspects of commercial laws including agency contracts, contracts for
the sale of goods and hire purchase.
Scope
I. Introduction to the Nigerian legal system
This aspect of the course discusses the Nigerian legal system and its relevance to the business
environment. It introduces students to different definitions of law, the functions of law in
society and business, types and sources of Nigerian law and dispute resolution and the court
system.
Outline
1. What is law?
2. Functions of law
3. Why study law for business?
4. Types of laws e.g. Public and private laws, Criminal and civil laws
And Customary and international laws
5. Sources of Nigerian law
 Acts of the legislature
 The Received English law
 Customary and international laws
 Judicial precedents
6. Dispute resolution and the court system
II. Law of Contract

This aspect of the course introduces students to the general principles of contract law. It aims
to help students understand what contracts are, how they are formed and distinguish between
contracts that are binding in law and mere agreements that the law will not enforce.
Outline
1.Definitions
 What is contract?
 Forms and types of contracts
 Simple contracts and contracts under seal
 Express and implied contracts
 Unilateral and bilateral contracts
2. The Process of Agreement – offer, acceptance, consideration, intention to create legal
relations
 Presumptions relating to Commercial Agreements
 Presumptions relating to social or domestic agreements
 Collective agreements
1. Offer and acceptance
 what constitutes offer in law?
 Offer distinguished from Invitation to treat
 when is acceptance valid in law?
 Counter offer and cross-offer
 Revocation and termination of offer and acceptance
2. Rules governing Consideration
 Consideration need not be adequate
 Consideration must move from the promisee
 Consideration must not be past
 Consideration must not be illegal
3. Intention to Contract
4. Contractual Capacity
5. Privity of Contract
6. Terms of contract
 Terms and representations
 Express and implied terms
 Conditions and warranties
 Exclusion and limitation clauses
7. Vitiating elements of contract
 Mistake
 Misrepresentation
 Illegality
8. Discharge, Breach and Remedies
 Discharge by Performance, Breach, Agreement and Frustration
 Damages and mitigation of damages
 Equitable remedies - Specific Performance, Quantum Meriut, Restitution
III. Sale of Goods

This aspect focuses on the contracts where ‘Goods’ is the subject matter of the agreement.
It defines when property in goods transfers from the seller to the buyer. It provides for the
rights and liabilities of the parties. Sale of Goods is governed by State Sale of Goods
Law and Sale of Goods Act 1893 (for States that have not enacted an equivalent law).
Outline
1. Introduction and definition of Contract of Sale of Goods
2. Definition and Classification of Goods
3. Sale of Goods distinguished from other transactions
4. Formation of Contract of Sale
5. Implied Terms
6. Passing of Property
 Specific Goods
 Unascertained Goods
7. Reservation of the Right of Disposal
8. Transfer of Risk
9. Transfer of Title where Seller is not the Owner
10. Performance of the Contract
11. Acceptance
12. Remedies
IV. Law of Agency

The law of agency is concerned with the legal effect of the act performed through another.
The course will cover the differences between agency and similar relationships like trust,
creation and types of agency relationships, and agency agreements and the relevant terms and
conditions.
Outline
1. Definition and scope of Agency
2. Differentiating Agency and trust, servants and employment relationships
3. Types of Agents
4. Creation and legal effects of agency
5. Agency agreements
a. Agency by Agreement- Actual, Implied and Usual Authority
b. Agency by Estoppel
c. Agency by Ratification
d. Agency by Necessity
6. Rights and Duties of an Agent
7. Termination of Agency and Remedies
V. Hire Purchase
Hire purchase deals with agreements where the owner of the goods transfers possession of the
goods to the hirer for his use and enjoyment, in return for payment in regular instalments.
Upon completion of the payment, the hirer has the option to either purchase the goods or
return them to the owner.
Outline
1. Origin and development of hire purchase agreement
2. Features of hire purchase agreement
3. Hire purchase distinguished from other transactions
4. Legal framework for hire purchase agreements in Nigeria
5. Formation of hire purchase agreements
6. Duties and obligations of the owner at common law and under the Act
7. Duties and obligations of the hirer
8. Remedies
Mode of delivery
The course will be delivered by a combination of lectures and group assignments.
Where students are assigned group topics, all students are expected to engage in robust
discussions and participation in their respective groups. Grades will be assigned for any in-
class or other forms of presentations.
Course outcomes
At the end of the course, students are expected to:
 Acquire knowledge of the legal frameworks governing contracts and other essential
areas of business law.
 Demonstrate a good understanding of key legal principles relevant to business
operations.
 identify risks associated with business activities and the role of law in minimizing
business risks.
 Acquire the knowledge and skills needed for roles in business management,
consulting, entrepreneurship, or other professions requiring a strong understanding of
business law.
Assessment
 Assignments
 Continuous assessment tests
 Examinations
Recommended texts
E.O Akanki, (ed.) Commercial Law in Nigeria, University of Lagos Press, 2007, pp. 97-220
Abiola Sanni, Introduction to Nigerian Business Law, Malthouse Press Limited, 2005
Peter K. Fogam, Nigerian Law of Contract simplified, Malthouse Press Limited, 1997
Please note that the syllabus is subject to change during the semester to incorporate new
developments in law to meet students' learning needs.

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UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS

II. Law of Contract

III. Sale of Goods

IV. Law of Agency

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