ACCT156-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026

Legal Structures and Foundations of Business

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 July 2026
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 26 July 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 27 September 2026

Description

A strong understanding of legal principles is essential for success in any business environment. This course provides a foundational knowledge of the legal structures and rules that regulate business and society in New Zealand, equipping students with the ability to navigate legal challenges in their professional careers. Beyond acquiring legal knowledge, students will develop critical analytical skills, learning to apply legal rules and principles to complex business scenarios, interpret case law and legislation and support well-reasoned conclusions. Whether pursuing careers as directors, managers, employees, contractors or business owners, students will gain essential legal insights that enhance decision-making, mitigate risk and ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks.

Learning Outcomes

The objectives of the course are:
1. Apply legal principles from statutes, common law, and equity to business contexts, demonstrating an understanding of the legislative process and judicial system.
2. Explain the foundations of business organisations, such as partnerships and companies, and being able to evaluate their significance for business activity and governance.
3. Analyse the development of legal rules in business, considering historical development, Te Tiriti o
Waitangi | the Treaty of Waitangi implications and the role of government in law-making.
4. Develop well-reasoned legal solutions to business law issues, integrating statutory interpretation and case law analysis to solve complex legal problems.
5. Communicate legal arguments effectively, using precise legal terminology and ethical reasoning in
both written and oral forms while demonstrating independent thought

Restrictions

ACCT152

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 10:00 - 12:00 A1 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 15:00 - 16:00 K1 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Tutorial A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 11:00 - 12:00 Psychology - Sociology 411
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
02 Tuesday 12:00 - 13:00 Psychology - Sociology 411
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
03 Tuesday 13:00 - 14:00 Psychology - Sociology 411
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
04 Tuesday 14:00 - 15:00 Psychology - Sociology 411
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
05 Tuesday 16:00 - 17:00 Psychology - Sociology 411
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
06 Wednesday 15:00 - 16:00 Psychology - Sociology 411
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
07 Wednesday 16:00 - 17:00 Psychology - Sociology 411
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
08 Wednesday 14:00 - 15:00 Psychology - Sociology 411
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
09 Tuesday 09:00 - 10:00 Psychology - Sociology 411
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
10 Monday 09:00 - 10:00 Psychology - Sociology 411
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
11 Monday 16:00 - 17:00 Psychology - Sociology 411
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
12 Wednesday 11:00 - 12:00 Rehua 427 Technology Workshop
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
13 Wednesday 13:00 - 14:00 Karl Popper 612
20 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct

Examinations, Quizzes and Formal Tests

Test A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 18:30 - 20:30 A1 Lecture Theatre
17 Aug - 23 Aug
02 Tuesday 18:30 - 20:30 A2 Lecture Theatre
17 Aug - 23 Aug
03 Tuesday 18:30 - 20:30 C3 Lecture Theatre
17 Aug - 23 Aug

Course Coordinator

Simone Schwoerer

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Term Test 40%
Research Assignment 15%
Tutorial Attendance 5%
Final Exam 40%

Textbooks / Resources

Required Texts

Barber, M., Long, B., Masselot, A., Schwoerer, S., & Todd, C; Understanding Commercial Law ; 10th; LexisNexis NZ, 2026.

Barrett, J; Understanding Company Law ; 5th; LexisNexis NZ, 2025.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,003.00

International fee $4,538.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Department of Accounting and Information Systems on the departments and faculties page .

All ACCT156 Occurrences

  • ACCT156-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026