EBC Learning and NALSAR University of Law: M.A. in Corporate Law (2 Year Degree Programme)

Semester I

1.1.1. Introduction to Law and Legal Methods

Module I: Introduction to Legal Systems

• Common Law
• Civil Law
• Mixed Systems
• Public Law
• Private Law

Module II: Sources of Law

• Understanding the Sources of Law
• Primary Sources of Law
• Secondary Sources of Law
• Hierarchy of Law

Module III: Getting Familiar with Sources of Corporate Law

• Framework of Corporate Law
• Corporate Law Regime

Module IV: Legal Research and Writing

• Selecting your Topic and Identifying Legal Issues
• Literature Review
• Undertaking Comparative and Interdisciplinary Research
• Editing and Refinements

1.1.2. Fundamentals of Corporate Law

Module I: Corporate Form

• Separate Legal Identity
• Limited Liability
• Corporate Veil

Module II: Kinds of Business Entities

• Partnership, LLP, Cooperative Societies, Sole Proprietorship
• Public, Private, Limited, Unlimited, Guarantee Companies
• OPC, Small Companies, Producer Companies
• Section 8 Company

Module III: CSR, Corporate Sustainability and ESG

Module IV: Incorporation and Winding-up of Business Entities

• Incorporation and registration
• Conversions
• Winding up under the Companies Act

1.1.3 Administration of Company

Module I: Directors, KMP, & Promoters

• Directors - Kinds, Power & Duties, Appointment, Removal, Disqualification, Resignation
• Related Party Transactions
• Loans to Directors and Inter-corporate Loans
• Promoters and KMP

Module II: Shareholders and Meetings

• Members and Shareholders of a Company
• Shareholders and Board of Directors Meetings
• Statutory Committees
• Notice, Quorum, Proxies, Agenda
• Resolution, Minutes, Annual Report

Module III: Shareholder Litigation & Class Action

• Majority v. Minority Shareholder Conflict
• Oppression and Mismanagement
• Class action

Module IV: Corporate Governance

• Development of Corporate Governance Norms in India
• Comparative Analysis of Corporate Governance
• Corporate Fraud
• Insider Trading

Semester II

1.2.4. Law of Contract

Module I: Formation of Contract

• Offer
• Acceptance
• Consideration

Module II: Free Consent, Illegality & Public Policy

• Coercion, undue influence and fraud
• Misrepresentations
• Mistakes

Module III: Performance, Discharge of Contracts, Specific Relief

• Contingent Contracts, Privity,
• Performance
• Discharge of Contracts
• Specific Relief and Specific Performance

Module IV: Quasi-Contracts & Specific Contracts

• Indemnity and Guarantee
• Bailment and Pledge
• Agency

Module V: Contract Drafting

• Language and Style in Contract Drafting
• Pre-contractual Instruments
• Parts of an Agreement
• Remedies for Contractual Breaches
• Dispute Resolution Clauses
• Common Corporate & Business Agreements

1.2.5. Law of Investment and Foreign Exchange

Module I: Securities

• Shares, Debentures, Hybrid Instruments
• Derivative, Option, and Forward Contracts
• Declaration and Payment of Dividends
• Transfer and Transmission of Shares

Module II: Private Equity

• Private Placement and Preferential Allotment
• The rights issue, Process of Reduction and Buy-back
• Introduction to Different Kinds of Funds Operating in India

Module III: Foreign Transactions

• FEMA, FCRA, PMLA, Powers and Function of RBI
• FDI, Overseas Direct Investment, Non-Debt Instruments, and External Commercial Borrowing Transactions

Module IV: International Trade Law

• WTO
• Bi-lateral Investment Treaties

1.2.6. Capital Markets

Module I: Regulation of Indian Capital Market

• Development and Growth of the Indian Capital Market and Stock Exchange
• The Intermingling of Markets and the Idea of Unified Regulation

Module II: Powers and Functions of SEBI

• Jurisdiction of SEBI and Exercise of Powers by SEBI
• SEBI as the Sectoral Regulator
• Regulation of Capital Market Intermediaries

Module III: Resource Mobilization in Indian Capital Market

• Listing and Delisting of Securities
• Rights Issues, Bonus Issues, Sweat Equity, and Employee Benefit Schemes

Module IV: Takeover Code

• Concepts and Case Studies

Semester III

2.3.7. Mergers, Amalgamations and Acquisitions

Module I: Understanding M&A Transactions

• Role of Lawyers in Transactions
• Corporate Transaction, M&A Transactions
• Leverage Buyouts and Management Buyouts

Module II: Due Diligence

• Due Diligence in M&A Transactions
• Relevance of Due Diligence and Due Diligence Request List
• Identifying Key Issues for inclusion in Due Diligence Report
• Preparation of DDR

Module III: M&A Agreements

• Pre-deal Agreements
• Acquisition Agreements
• Negotiating Deals

Module IV: M&A Taxation

• Overview of Restricting Strategies from Taxation point of view
• Demerger
• Slump Sale and Asset Sale

Module IV: International Commercial Arbitration

• Legal Framework and Governing Laws
• Arbitral Institutions and Rules
• Enforcement of foreign arbitration award

2.3.8. Law of Taxation

Module I: Fiscal Federalism

• Constitutional Design and Arrangement to Levy Tax
• Interpretation of Tax Laws
• Difference between Tax, Fee, Cess and Surcharge
• Tax and Supreme Court: Retrospective Taxation

Module II: Direct Taxation

• Definition of Income and other Basic Concepts
• Income from Various Sources
• Computation and Procedural Compliances
• Corporate Taxation

Module III: Indirect Taxation

• GST Regime in India
• Customs

Module IV: International Taxation

• Tax Planning vs. Tax Avoidance vs. Tax Management
• Constitutional basis of Treaties (Double Tax Avoidance Agreement)
• General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR)

2.3.9. Competition Law and Economics

Module I: Competition Economics

• Economic Approaches in Competition Law
• Concepts: Market Power, Relevant Market
• Abuse and Vertical Restraints
• Collusions and Cartels

Module II: Competition Policy and Law

• Market and Market Power
• Role and Importance of Competition
• Objectives of Competition Law
• Role of Competition Regulator

Module III: Anti-competitive Agreements and Abuse of Dominance

• Horizontal and Vertical Agreements
• Cartels
• Dominance
• Abuse of Dominant Position
• Competition Law in the Digital and E-Commerce Markets

Module IV: Regulation of Combinations

• Combinations
• Reasons for Regulation
• Mechanism for Notice
• CCI and Combinations

Module V: Practice and Procedure

• Orders of CCI
• Powers and Functions of DG and CCI
• Issues of Jurisdiction

2.3.10. Insolvency Law and Bankruptcy

Module I: Introduction to Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

• Report of the Bankruptcy Law Reforms Committee
• Insolvency and Bankruptcy Ecosystem
• Important Definitions; Institutions under IBC
• Key challenges to the implementation of the IBC
• Individual Insolvency

Module II: Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP)

• CIRP by Financial, Operational, Corporate Creditors
• Withdrawal of Application

Module III: Conducting Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process

• Initiation of CIRP by Insolvency Resolution Professional (IRP)
• Moratorium and its Effect
• Constitution of Committee of Creditors and its Power
• Resolution Applicant, Process of Bidding, Implementation

Module IV: Liquidation of companies

• Initiation of Liquidation Process
• Procedural Compliance
• Powers of NCLT and NCLAT
• Misc. Provisions

Semester IV

2.4.11. Banking and Finance Law

Module I: Banking Structures in India and the RBI

• Overview of the Banking System in India
• Regulatory Framework and Compliances
• Legal Aspects of Banking Operations

Module II: Kinds of loans and securities

• Classification: Fund-based and non-fund based Loans
• Securities: Mortgages, Hypothecation, Pledge, Other kinds of securities,
• Security trustee, Guarantee and Letter of Comfort

Module III: Understanding debentures

• Introduction to Debentures
• Difference between Loan and Debentures
• Issuance of Debentures
• Listing of Debentures

Module IV: Negotiable Instruments

• Kinds of Negotiable Instruments
• Holder and Holder in Due Course and Payments in Due Course
• Transfer of Negotiable Instruments
• Dishonor of Negotiable Instruments

2.4.12. Labour and Employment Laws

Module I: Labour laws and the Constitution

• Constitution and Labour Laws
• ILO
• Labour Codes in India

Module II: Industrial Relations

• Industrial Dispute Act, 1947
• Indian Trade Union Act, 1926
• The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946
• Factories Act, 1948
• Contract Labour Act, 1970

Module III: Wages and Wage Code

• The Minimum Wages Act, 1948
• The Payment of Wages Act, 1936
• The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965
• The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

Module IV: Social Security and Code

• The Employees' State lnsurance Act, 1948
• The Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
• The Employee's Compensation Act, 1923
• The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
• POSH