Introduction

All the taught modules and the dissertation are compulsory, except as noted. Following the programme involves attending classes, doing the prescribed or suggested reading, writing the prescribed coursework during the year and sitting the unseen examination.

Below are guides to the content of each module, but please note that every module varies in detail each year, as do the lecturers, the students taking the course and the law itself.

 

First Year

Module A (non-lawyers only): Introduction to Law (8 modular credits)

Sources and nature of law; the courts, common law and equity; law of contract, formation and terms; vitiated contracts and restitution; breach of contract and discharge; construction and rectification, assignment and novation; particular contracts and agency; negligence and other torts; vicarious liability; damages and other remedies; law of limitation; real property; status of parties; civil procedure.

Module A(L) (lawyers): Introduction to Construction Technology (8 modular credits)

The project cycle; construction in context; philosophy of design; loading; behaviour of soils and materials; principles of structural analysis; elements of buildings and civil engineering structures; construction methods; testing and investigation; project management; defects and their causes; environmental engineering.

Module B (all students): Construction Law I (8 modular credits)

Principles of construction contracts; functions of the engineer, architect and quantity surveyor; performance and right to payment; time, completion and liquidated damages; review of types of construction contract; variations, extras and adjustment of rates; sub-contracts; tort in construction; design liability in construction; settlement of disputes.

 

Between First and Second Years

Study Visit to London

This takes place over about 2 weeks in August/September at the start of the second year, combining classes at King's with the academic staff and visiting lecturers and visits to institutions and construction projects in the London area, with in 2006 a three-day intensive weekend based at Wadham College Oxford, shared with London programme students, as the first weekend in Module D. Students also visit organisations and construction projects and attend the Centre's Annual Update and (if available) the Annual Conference and Michael Brown lecture and any other public events scheduled within the visit period at King's College London.

 

Second Year

Module D (all students): Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (8 modular credits)

Principles of the law of arbitration; sources of arbitration law; Arbitration Acts; powers and jurisdiction; arbitration rules and status; multi-party disputes; remedies for dissatisfaction; other dispute processes, including ADR and adjudication; international arbitration, rules and conventions; arbitration in practice: pleadings and discovery, conduct of hearings and preparation of award.

Module C (all students): Construction Law II (8 modular credits)

Concepts in construction law and management; drafting of standard forms; new procedures and conditions; design responsibility and fitness for purpose; subcontracts; quality assurance; bonds and guarantees; remedies and damages; planning and property issues; developments in the law of tort; risk management; introduction to construction law and practice under major legal systems and the problems of projects with parties from more than one state.

Dissertation (all students) (8 modular credits)

At the end of the first year, all students draft a short synopsis for a proposed dissertation, giving a topic, their reasons for selecting it and how they propose to investigate it. These synopses are discussed at Dissertation Day. Most dissertations will be between 12,000 and 15,000 words; students and supervisors are given extensive printed guidance on the whole process

 

Auditing of Modules

Modules A and A(L)

These two modules are available for auditing, which enables a student to attend all the classes taught in the module and to obtain a set of the module's course materials, but without the option of taking the examination for the module. Prospective applicants to audit these modules should satisfy the admission requirements to the programme set out in section 6 of this Prospectus. The fee for auditing a module is S$4,500.00. It may also be possible to audit other taught modules: please contact Anita Teo-Russell, Programme Manager, to discuss this.