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Gain the skills to read, interpret, and draft commercial contracts.
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An understanding of commercial and contract law is crucial to doing business in South Africa. Commercial law focuses on the purchase and sale of goods and services, including intangible entities such as intellectual property rights. Contract law, on the other hand, underpins private enterprises and provides the legal framework within which people and legal entities transact and exchange resources.
This online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT) will provide you with an overview of the South African legal system, an introduction to contract law, and a nuanced understanding of the Consumer Protection Act. You’ll learn the requirements of contractual validity, as well as the obligations and terms of a contract. Develop the skills and knowledge to recognize, address, and offer solutions to problematic areas in contracts. You’ll avoid expensive mistakes and be able to negotiate better results for your company, in your personal life, or for your clients.
This online short course is suitable for anyone working with contracts in the business world, as the knowledge gained can be applied across a wide range of sectors and professions. Bankers, insurance brokers, asset managers, publishers, employment agents, and business owners will all benefit from exploring the legal frameworks that shape the way organizations operate in South Africa. This course can also help paralegals broaden their legal knowledge, ensure business leaders and management understand what contractual decision making entails, and allow professionals to add further value in their existing role through an up-to-date knowledge of the commercial legal landscape.
Explore the essential elements of commercial contracts as you work through the weekly modules of this online short course.
Orientation module: Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1: An introduction to contract law and the South African legal system
Module 2: Requirements for the formation of a valid contract
Module 3: Terms of a contract and contractual obligations
Module 4: The Consumer Protection Act
Module 5: Contracts of sale and contracts of lease
Module 6: Contracts of insurance and agency contracts
Module 7: Contracting with businesses
Module 8: Civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution procedures
Module 9: Basic contract drafting skills
Enhance your understanding of commercial and contract law, and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
The amount Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa was fined for contravening the Consumer Protection Act.
South African Government (Nov, 2019).
"Contracts, either written or oral, not only govern the relationship between parties at various stages of the relationship, but they also provide a degree of protection should things not go according to plan.”
SME South Africa (Feb, 2019).
GetSmarter, an edX partner, delivers career-relevant, fully supported, and expert-led online courses from the world's leading universities and institutions. As an online learning expert with over 15 years' experience, GetSmarter leverages long-standing expertise in market research, data analysis, and business insights to ensure that you gain the skills critical to career growth.