The following reading list is common for the courses taught at bachelor’s and master’s level. Note that there are different achievement requirements:
- Master’s level (15 credits): A good understanding is required
- Bachelor’s level (10 credits): A general understanding is required
Course content
The course focuses on selected aspects of English contractual law. These aspects include the central rules on formation of contracts (i.e., rules on offer, acceptance, consideration and intention to create legal relations), rules on defining the express and implied terms of a contract, agreements to modify terms, and certain defences to contract formation (primarily rules on misrepresentation).
The course deals also with rules on breach of contract, the remedies available for breach, the law relating to damages, and the doctrine of frustration. Some consideration is also given to the rights of third-party beneficiaries to a contract.
Achievement requirements
Achievement requirements for master’s level (15 credits):
The purpose of the course is to give a basic introduction to the peculiarities of the English Law of Contract. Prior knowledge of the contract law of another state is essential. A good knowledge of the following topics are required:
- Formation of contract, including consideration
- Misrepresentation and non-disclosure
- Privity, assignment and agreements for the benefit of a third party
- Performance and discharge of contracts
- Remedies for breach of contract
- How to read and use cases in argument
Knowledge of the following topics is required:
- The Common Law method
- Equity in current law
- The English Court system
- Legal research in common law, including finding cases in a library
Achievement requirements for bachelor's level (10 credits):
The purpose of the course is to give a basic introduction to the peculiarities of the English Law of Contract. Prior knowledge of the contract law of another state is essential.
Knowledge of the following topics is required:
- Formation of contract, including consideration
- Misrepresentation and non-disclosure
- Privity, assignment and agreements for the benefit of a third party
- Performance and discharge of contracts
- Remedies for breach of contract
- How to read and use cases in argument
- The Common Law method
- Equity in current law
- The English Court system
- Legal research in common law, including finding cases in a library
Introductory literature (innføringslitteratur)
Philip S. James, James’ Introduction to English Law (London: Butterworths / LexisNexis, 1996, 13th revised edition), particularly chapters 1–4, 8–10.
Michael Zander, The Law-Making Process (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004, 6th edition), pp. 265–303, 330–338. This book is recommended reading in its entirety, but the pages referred to explain the core of the common law method.
Basic literature - required reading (hovedlitteratur)
Jill Poole, Textbook on Contract Law (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008, 9th edition), chapters 1–12, 14. This book has a companion website at which there are made available updates, questions and answers, etc.: see http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/law/.
Jack Beatson QC, Anson’s Law of Contract (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002, 28th edition), pp. 27–204, 236–275, 421–653. This book is an alternative to Poole. Though slightly old, it constitutes one of the classic expositions of English contract law.
Materials, etc:
Jill Poole, Casebook on Contract Law (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008, 9th edition). This book has a companion website at which there are made available updates, questions and answers, etc.: see http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/law/.
Supplementary reading (støttelitteratur)
Mindy Chen-Wishart, Contract Law (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007, 2nd revised edition). This book has a companion website at which there are made available updates, questions and answers, etc.: see http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/law/.
Michael P. Furmston, Cheshire, Fifoot and Furmston’s Law of Contract (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006, 15th edition). This book is one of the classic expositions of English contract law, and is a good alternative to Anson’s Law of Contract.
Guenther H. Treitel QC, Treitel on the Law of Contract (London: Sweet & Maxwell, 2007, 12th edition). This book is one of the classic expositions of English contract law, and is a good alternative to Anson’s Law of Contract.
Stephen A. Smith, Atiyah’s Introduction to the Law of Contract (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006, 6th edition). This book is relatively continental and provocative in approach.
Ewan McKendrick, Contract Law: Text, Cases, and Materials (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005, 2nd edition). This book has a companion website at which there are made available updates, questions and answers, etc.: see http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/law/.