American Business Law, 7,5 credits

The course is divided into five sections covering different areas of law. After an introduction to the legal system in the United States the law of contracts is introduced and analyzed. During this section agency rules, the formation of contracts, contract interpretation, breach of contract and sanctions are discussed. The second section is focusing on business association law followed by a third section on the legal rules governing the sale of goods. During this section special focus will be on the Uniform Commercial Code (USS). The fourth section is focusing on the tort rules. During this section product liability, vicarious liability as well as strict liability for business will be discussed. Finally, the last section of the course is focusing on choice of law rules. During this section special focus will be on foreign companies bringing suits as well being sued in United States courts as well as civil procedure rules regulating federal and state jurisdiction.

The legal system in the United States is divided into federal and state regulation. The key part of the rules and legal principles addressed during the course are regulated on the state level. With the fifty states this presents a problem. However, most states have similar rules when it comes to business law. During the course special focus will be on "model laws" developed in different areas of law as well as common law legal principles. When state law is analyzed a starting point is the law of the state New York (with the exemption of corporate law where the law of state of Delaware is discussed). The law of the state of New York is chosen because of the impact it has, particulary in business relations with Europe.

Language of instruction: English
Level: Master
Department offering the course: Department of Management and Engineering
Contact: Justyna Jonsson, Study Advisor, 013-284033, justyna.jonsson@liu.se
Annika Karlsson, Administrator, 013-282586, annika.karlsson@liu.se
Johannes Lerm, Director of Studies, 013-285862, johannes.lerm@liu.se

Specific admission requirements: Admission requirements for Law Students are included in the Swedish version of the Course Plan. Visiting exchange students are admitted to the course after approval of the Director of Studies.

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Syllabus