Module Catalogue 2024/25

LAW8564 : Internet and E-Commerce Law (Inactive)

LAW8564 : Internet and E-Commerce Law (Inactive)

  • Inactive for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Lilian Edwards
  • Owning School: Newcastle Law School
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The legal framework for electronic commerce is now well established, but the role of law in the ‘digital economy’ (and the EU’s ‘digital single market’) continues to be the subject of discussion. This course includes (a) traditional legal issues surrounding business (particular consumer transactions) in an electronic format, (b) challenges and strategies relating to disputes, (c) selected legal topics in relation to emerging technologies and new business models, and (d) a discussion of wider issues regarding law, technology and the global Internet. Through careful to the work of regulatory bodies and the way in which industry and stakeholders articulate their positions in relation to controversial legal and political issues, the practical elements of e-commerce law are set alongside discussions on law reform and international co-operation.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Law, technology and the digital economy
2. Jurisdiction and regulation
3. Internet Transactions 1: contracts and signatures
4: Internet Transactions 2: consumers and payments
5: Fraud and dispute resolution
6: Data and privacy
7: Intermediaries
8: Current issues

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
•       basic legal principles, concepts and perspectives in respect of e-commerce, and a more advanced knowledge of selected areas;
•       the impact of EU law, public and private international law, and other instruments (e.g. model laws);
•       wider debates on law and technology, including a range of perspectives on the rule of law in relation to technological and commercial change.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Subject specific skills:
•       Students should be able to apply relevant legal principles and provisions to different scenarios in relation to e-commerce, including emerging technologies
•       Students should be able to read material from related fields (especially business and technology) and identify the points of most relevance to a legal discussion.
•       Students should be able to understand and explain the interaction of different regulatory regimes, including self-regulation and control through hardware and software
•       Ability to write and speak with care and precision in the analysis and synthesis of the law
•       Ability to structure legal argument and analysis

Cognitive Skills

•       Analysis. Identifying and ordering issues by relevance and importance
•       Synthesis of materials from diverse sources
•       Critical judgement. Discernment between the merits or otherwise of particular arguments
•       Evaluation. Making a reasoned choice between competing solutions or arguments

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching102:0020:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery51:005:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1751:00175:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students are expected to read a range of materials, and in some cases to become more familiar with actual and emerging commercial practices on the Internet (e.g. digital signatures, means of signifying consent). Seminars will include small-group activities.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M1002000 words
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Essay1M1000 words
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The exam will include a problem (applying the law to a scenario drawn from realistic issues in e-commerce) and essays (with more of a focus on wider issues e.g. law reform, theoretical perspectives).

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.