BUSINESS LAW 100 – ASSIGNMENT TWO (2026)

Assessment Overview

Assessment Type: Case Study Analysis using the Four Step Process

Weighting: 30%

Word Limit: Minimum 500 words and Maximum 2,500 words

Due Date: Friday, Week 10, 1:00 PM (WST)

Format: Word or PDF document submitted through Blackboard

Assessment Purpose

This assessment requires students to demonstrate a practical understanding of the Australian law of contract by analysing a realistic legal problem. Students must apply the structured four step problem-solving method to evaluate whether a legally enforceable contract has been formed. The task assesses knowledge of core legal principles, ability to apply those principles to factual situations, and competence in clear legal writing and referencing.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• Explain the essential elements required for the formation of a valid contract.
• Identify legal issues arising from a factual scenario.
• Apply relevant case law and statutory principles to practical problems.
• Communicate legal reasoning in a logical and professional manner.
• Use correct legal referencing and academic writing standards.

Background to the Task

Students must rely solely on the course textbook, lecture materials, e-tutorials, and seminar resources provided for Topic 3. No external research is required or permitted. The fact scenario supplied is fictional and designed for educational purposes only. All answers must be developed using the four step process taught in this unit.

The Four Step Process

Each question in this assignment must be answered using the structured method below:

1. Step One – Identify the Legal Issue: Clearly state the legal question that arises from the facts.
2. Step Two – Explain the Rule of Law: Describe the relevant legal principles with reference to legislation or case authority.
3. Step Three – Apply the Law to the Facts: Analyse how the legal rules operate in relation to the specific facts of the scenario.
4. Step Four – Reach a Logical Conclusion: Provide a reasoned outcome based on the analysis.

Case Study Scenario

Students must carefully read the Isabella and Siena scenario provided in the unit materials. The facts describe communications between Isabella and Siena regarding travel arrangements and raise issues about contract formation when electronic communications are involved.

Assignment Questions

Question One – Agreement

Using the four step process, determine whether the element of agreement required for the formation of a legally enforceable contract has been satisfied between Isabella and Siena. Your answer must consider the rules relating to offer, acceptance, and communication of acceptance.

Question Two – Intention and Consideration

Using the four step process, determine whether the remaining elements necessary for contract formation, namely intention to create legal relations and consideration, have been satisfied in the scenario.

Marking Rubric

Each question is worth 15 marks. The total assignment mark is out of 30.

Criteria for Each Question

• Step Two: Explanation of relevant legal rules with authority – 8 marks
• Step Three: Application of law to facts – 6 marks
• Overall structure, use of the four step process and referencing – 1 mark

No separate marks are allocated for Step One or Step Four, but these steps must be present to achieve a logical and complete answer.

Formatting Requirements

• Font size 12 point, Arial or similar
• 2.5 cm margins on all sides
• Pages numbered
• Appropriate paragraph spacing
• Consistent headings and sub-headings
• Formal academic language
• Cover sheet attached

Referencing Requirements

Students must acknowledge all sources using the referencing style prescribed in the unit outline. References should be drawn from course materials. Failure to reference correctly may result in academic integrity penalties.

Submission Instructions

The assignment must be submitted electronically via the Blackboard Assignment Two submission link. All submissions will automatically be processed through Turnitin. Draft submissions may be uploaded prior to the due date for originality checking.

Penalties

A penalty of 10 percent will apply to assignments exceeding the word limit. Submissions over 3,500 words will not be marked and will receive a mark of zero.

Sample Answer Guidance

The formation of a contract in Australian law requires clear evidence of offer and acceptance communicated between the parties. Acceptance must be communicated in the manner required by the offer and within any time limits specified. Electronic communications are generally governed by the postal acceptance rule and by modern statutory provisions dealing with the time of receipt of electronic messages. In the scenario, Isabella attempted to accept Siena’s offer by email before the deadline, raising questions about whether that acceptance was effectively communicated. The law recognises that an agreement may be formed even where a message is not immediately read, provided it is received in the ordinary course of business (Electronic Transactions Act 1999 (Cth), s 14, https://www.legislation.gov.au). Consideration is also present because Isabella agreed to pay money in exchange for travel services. These factors together assist in determining whether a binding contract existed between the sisters.

 References

Paterson, J., Robertson, A., & Duke, A. (2020). Principles of Contract Law. Thomson Reuters. https://legal.thomsonreuters.com.au

Latimer, P. (2022). Australian Business Law. CCH Australia. https://www.wolterskluwer.com.au

Carter, J. (2019). Contract formation and electronic communications in Australian law. Australian Law Journal, 93(4), 245-260. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3344556

Clarke, J. (2021). Intention to create legal relations in family agreements. University of New South Wales Law Journal, 44(2), 601-620. https://doi.org/10.53637/unswlj.44.2.12

Martin, E. (2023). Consideration and modern contracting. Australian Business Law Review, 51(1), 33-48. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4022119

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