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SCHOOL OF LAW

Module Code: LAW5556 Module title: Corporate Finance and Securities Law

Provisional Assessed Essay – Semester 2 – 2023-2024

Submission Date: Thursday 6

th

June 2024 Word Limit: 3,000

INSTRUCTIONS

1. The assessment will count for 100% of your total marks for this module.

2. Your completed assessment must be submitted electronically to Turnitin through Minerva VLE

by 12 noon on Thursday 6

th

June 2024. To do this, you must log into Minerva Portal & VLE and

click on the ‘Modules’ tab. Select the appropriate module title (named at the top of this template),

then click on ‘Submit My Work’ in the Assessment and Feedback folder. Select the link to the

relevant assessment then upload your work. By submitting your assessed work through the

VLE you are accepting the Declaration of Academic Integrity, extending to a declaration that

the work is not plagiarised and that the word count is accurately stated.

3. You should complete an Assessed Coursework Cover Sheet with details of your Student ID

number, Module Code & Title and Declared Word Count and insert this at the beginning of your

assessment before uploading to Turnitin.

4. Work which is submitted after the deadline will be penalised in accordance with University rules as

follows: you will be deducted 5 marks for every 24 hour period or part thereof that your assessment

is overdue, up to 14 days. If your work is more than 14 days late, or if the deduction is larger than

the mark you receive, you will receive a mark of 0.

5. Extensions of the deadline for submission can only be granted in exceptional circumstances and

can only be obtained from Student Support Officers ([email protected]).

6. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have submitted the correct version of your work. If, after

making a submission, you claim that you mistakenly submitted a draft, the wrong version or a

different assessment, the original version, which was submitted by the deadline, will still be treated

as your submission.

7. You should obtain your digital receipt of submission. You are also required to keep an additional

copy of your work for your own reference. In addition you must keep your notes and draft copies of

the work.

8. You should ensure that you do not include your name anywhere on your assessment in

order that it remains anonymous for marking – however, you should include your Student ID

number, module code, module title and state the word count on the header of each page and

as the file name of your document.

9. The length of your work should not exceed 3,000 words (excluding footnotes, endnotes,

bibliography, and restatement of the assessment question). If you exceed the maximum by

less than 10% no penalty will be applied. However, if the total is 10% above the maximum or more

then you will be penalised in accordance with following School rules:

10% and over – 5 mark penalty

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20% and over – 10 marks

30% and over – 15 marks

40% and over – 20 marks

50% and over – a maximum of 0 marks would be awarded.

10. Plagiarism and Cheating

It is essential that your assessed work represents your own work and that it has not been

produced in collusion with any other party. Text and ideas derived from written sources

(including electronic sources) must be acknowledged by way of appropriate citation. If you are

not aware of the University’s rules on plagiarism and academic malpractice, please familiarise

yourself with the relevant regulations as set out on the secretariat website. You should also refer

to the Academic Integrity Handbook on Minerva VLE under Organisation/Law/Taught

Postgraduate/Handbooks/Academic Integrity.

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Criterion Distinction Merit Pass Fail

Research and

Understanding

Excellent grasp of

material and

understanding of

subject area.

Evidence of

detailed, thorough

and extensive

research.

Good

understanding of

the subject area.

Appreciation of

wider implications

and a serious

attempt to engage

with breadth of

relevant

scholarship

Satisfactory

understanding of

subject area.

Evidence of a

reasonably sound

engagement with

relevant

scholarship. May

contain minor

errors.

Superficial or

inconsistent grasp

of material.

Evidence of some

understanding of

subject area.

Limited research

and major errors in

accuracy.

Argument and

Analysis

Very high standard

of relevancy and of

critical thought and

argument. Clear

evidence of

informed,

independent

thinking. Provides

convincing reasons

for conclusions

reached.

Relevant and well-

focused material.

High level of critical

analysis. Evidence

of independent

thinking.

Mainly relevant

material, although

with a largely

descriptive focus.

Satisfactory critical

analysis and

reliance on a

narrow range of

sources.

Unfocussed and

descriptive.

Insufficient

engagement with

the question. Little

or no critical

analysis.

Structure and

Coherence

Excellent structure.

Very clear and

coherent

arguments. Strong

introduction and

conclusion. Flows

well.

Good structure and

planning. Clear and

coherent. Good

introduction and

conclusion.

Some evidence of

planning, but

argument does not

flow smoothly.

Satisfactory level of

coherence.

Organisation needs

significant

improvement. Lacks

coherence and

clarity.

Presentation,

Grammar and Style

Excellent grammar

and presentation.

Clearly and

effectively written in

academically

appropriate

language.

Good grammar

throughout. Clearly

presented. Good

style.

Satisfactory

presentation.

Competent

grammar and

written style.

Poor presentation,

grammar and

spelling need closer

attention.

Referencing and

Bibliography

References correct

and thorough.

Bibliography

complete, full and

properly laid out.

References

accurate.

Bibliography largely

complete and

properly laid out.

Referencing

generally correct.

Bibliography

incomplete and

needs some

attention.

Little referencing

and such

referencing as there

is displays errors.

Bibliography

inadequate in both

content and

accuracy.

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Deadline: Thursday 6

th

June 2024, 12 Noon (UK Time) Word Count: 3,000

Answer one of the following questions:

1. Insider dealing has always been considered a controversial topic. Critically examine

the legal and regulatory framework governing it in the United Kingdom.

OR

2. Critically discuss the legal and regulatory framework for the protection of investors,

paying particular attention to whether or not it is likely to deter or increase levels of

investments.

OR

3. Public companies which have a listing on a regulated exchange in the United

Kingdom can raise funds either by issuing shares or bonds. You are advising the

directors of ABC PLC (a fictional company) about the benefits and drawbacks of

using the different methods. Critically discuss the legal issues relating to these

different methods, including how they might impact the commercial decision of the

directors in choosing between them.

END.