Engineering Law

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. describe and explain the basic concept, sources and aspects of law; 2. describe and explain the major differences between the various categories of law, courts and legal jurisdictions; 3. describe and explain legal principles and their application in professional engineering design and management services and their professional liability implications; 4. develop reasoned analysis of real-life or hypothetical engineering scenarios using the legal principles; and 5. undertake critical analysis of reliable information to develop, and practically present technical reports for use in varying judicial/quasi-judicial settings including as an expert witness.

Common Law: Its history, definition, nature and division. Legislation, codification History, definitions, general principles of law; impact of laws on engineering practice & career; nature and divisions of law- contract, torts, common, company, labour and industrial; intellectual property, criminal, etc.(basic principles);legal jurisdictions(local, national, international);Nigerian legal system-origin, types and hierarchies of law courts; basic principles of legislation production and principles of interpretation. Contract law and equity: definitions and principles-offer, acceptance, communication, capacity, privity, legal personality, breaches, damages and remedies, termination. General principles of criminal law. Law of torts: definition, classification and liabilities/professional liability and indemnity. Patents, registered designs, intellectual property and copyrights: types, requirements, relevant regulations(local &international),application, and infringement; Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)-arbitration law, principles & systems of arbitration , arbitrators-functions, appointment, and awards, professional bodies, etc; expert witnessing and basic court/arbitration process; decided cases and precedence; case studies & reviews and practical demonstrations; Course must be Co-Taught by Engineering and Law Faculty.