Corporate Law is a specialization offered to students who are interested in law and business at the same time. The course is offered either as a certificate, diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate major.
The course is very much in demand as it not only teaches about corporate law but also comprehensively covers taxation law, IT law, intellectual property law, contract law and other legal aspects of corporations. The students get benefit in learning about various specializations and increase their career scope and prospects.
It is offered as a specialization in courses such as BA LLB and LLM and deals with foundations of business norms as well as various procedures and laws related to corporate/ organizational challenges.
The syllabus of corporate law involves various subjects such as corporate governance & social responsibility, corporate liquidation, oppression, mismanagement and investigation, corporate incorporation and management etc.
For the three-year Bachelor of Legislative Law (LLB) in Corporate Law course: This program spans three years and delves into various aspects of corporate organization, incorporation, and management over six semesters.
Regarding the two years Masters of Legislative Law (LLB) in Corporate Law course: This two-year LLM degree hones in on specialized subjects such as Company Laws, Insolvency and Restructuring Laws, Corporate Finance Laws, and Corporate Governance.
For a quick summary of the Corporate Law course, consult the key points outlined in the table below:
Parameters | Specifications |
---|---|
Course Name | Corporate Law |
Eligibility | 10+2 or Graduation in Law |
Duration | 3-5 Years |
Admission Process | Merit+Entrance Based |
Average Fees | INR 50,000- INR 2,50,000 per annum |
Top Colleges | Indian Law Institute Delhi, OP Jindal Global University Sonipat, Symbiosis Law School Pune, Christ University Bengaluru, Gurugram University Haryana, Banaras Hindu University Varanasi, NALSAR Hyderabad etc. |
Career Opportunities | Corporate Lawyer, Corporate Counsel, Legal Consultant, Business Lawyer, Administrative Lawyer, Legal Journalist etc. |
Average Salary
| INR 3,00,000- INR 6,00,000 per annum |
Also Read: List of Integrated Law Courses In India
The Corporate Law curriculum combines theoretical and practical elements, utilizing presentations and case studies to cultivate cognitive, interpersonal, and critical abilities crucial for thriving in the legal profession. It provides students with the requisite skills to grasp both domestic legal frameworks and the global business landscape. Graduates emerge well-prepared to pursue esteemed careers in the field.
The Corporate Law syllabus varies across institutions and academic levels. Below are the primary topics of Corporate Law presented in a tabular format:
Law of Contracts | Company Law |
---|---|
Legal Method | Business Accounting |
Principles of Taxation | Law & Justice in a Globalising World |
Securities & Finance Markets | Corporate Governance |
Project Finance | Law & Finance |
Competition Law | Dissertation |
Bankruptcy Law | Corporate Reconstruction |
Comparative Public Law | Legal Reasoning |
Numerous colleges throughout India offer diverse core subjects within Corporate Law programs. Nonetheless, certain fundamental/common core subjects remain consistently offered across all Corporate Law colleges, as detailed below:
The Corporate Law syllabus encompasses a range of subjects. The table below provides a list of subjects along with their descriptions and key topics covered:
Subject Title | Subject Description | Important Topics |
---|---|---|
Corporate Incorporation & Management | This field encompasses the corporate processes necessary for establishing a business and overseeing its operations. |
|
Oppression, Mismanagement, and Investigation | It addresses subjects aimed at educating students on how to prevent mismanagement and oppression within an organization. |
|
Corporate Liquidation | It covers the principles associated with the dissolution of a company and its regulatory framework. |
|
Corporate Governance & Social Responsibility | It focuses on the principles of corporate governance and the responsibility of organizations towards the ecosystem and society. |
|
In many institutes offering Corporate Law courses, students are often required to study elective courses, allowing them to tailor their studies to their interests. These elective courses offer students the chance to develop specialized expertise in advanced legal techniques, enriching both their professional skills and academic pursuits. The Corporate Law syllabus is crafted to meet both professional and academic standards. Some common elective subjects within the Corporate Law curriculum include:
Subject Title | Subject Description |
---|---|
Labour Law | An overview of labor law, including regulations concerning wages, case precedents, appeals and revisions, social security, and industry-specific legislation. |
Laws Related to Banking | It provides a comprehensive look at banking law, encompassing information on Indian banks, evolving roles of banks in India, the role of the RBI, negotiation and endorsement practices, and emerging trends in banking laws. |
Consumer Protection Act | It provides an overview of the Consumer Protection Act, 2002, covering details on Dispute Redressal Agencies, procedures for filing consumer complaints, and more. |
IT Act | This subject introduces students to cyber laws, e-commerce, e-governance, cyber offenses, cyber jurisprudence, cyber crimes, and related topics. |
Corporate Finance Law | It provides an overview of corporate entities, SEBI guidelines, the Depositories Act of 1996, mutual funds, foreign investment regulations, and book building processes. |
Corporate Law syllabus as undergraduate/ 3-years LLB course is divided into three years further subdivided into six semesters and under a master degree it is for a duration of two years divided into four semesters. The detailed semester wise syllabus along with elective and core subject distinction and subject description is presented in the table below:
Semester & Core/ Elective | Subject Title | Subject Description |
---|---|---|
Semester I- Core | Corporate Law | It offers an introduction to company law, covering topics such as company membership, shares, partnership features, shares and dividends, partner relations, limited liability partnerships, and related concepts. |
Semester I- Core | Law of Contracts | This provides a summary of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, covering concepts such as void agreements, free consent, capacity to contract, quasi contracts, discharge of contracts, bailment and pledge, and related topics. |
Semester I- Elective | Laws Related to Banking | This subject covers fundamental aspects of banking law, encompassing details on the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), its roles and functions, evolving functions of banks, negotiation and endorsement practices, emerging trends in banking law, and other relevant topics. |
Semester I- Elective | Consumer Protection Act 2019 and Competition Act 2002 | This subject provides an introduction to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the Competition Act, 2002. It also covers details on topics such as the Competition Commission of India, the process for filing consumer complaints, and related aspects. |
Semester II- Core | Corporate Restructuring Law | This subject elucidates the significance of corporate restructuring and its implications. It delves into the intricacies of takeover, demerger, merger, and amalgamation, as well as financial restructuring, cross-border restructuring, joint ventures, business reorganization, corporate governance, due diligence, and corporate debt restructuring. |
Semester II- Core | Dispute Resolution Law | This subject offers an introduction to fundamental dispute resolution methods. It covers details on topics such as arbitration, arbitral tribunals, negotiation, mediation, conciliation, civil procedure mediation rules, and other relevant concepts. |
Semester II- Core | Insolvency & Bankruptcy Laws | This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of insolvency and bankruptcy. It explores key topics including the Committee of Creditors, liquidation, insolvency processes for individuals and partnerships, corporate insolvency resolution processes, and relevant authorities and enforcement mechanisms. |
Semester II- Elective | Corporate Finance Law | This subject offers an introduction to SEBI and corporate entities, along with detailed discussions on the Securities Contract Act, 1956, SEBI guidelines for pricing issues, the Depositories Act, 1996, securities listing, and other related concepts. |
Semester III- Core | Corporate Governance | This subject provides an overview of corporate governance, covering topics such as corporate boards, corporate reputation, majority rule and minority protection, corporate social responsibility, and other relevant concepts. |
Semester III- Core | Labour Law | This subject introduces students to labor laws and covers concepts such as laws pertaining to wages, industrial relations, equality and empowerment of women, social security, employment and training, as well as offenses and penalties under GST regulations. |
Semester III- Core | Intellectual Property Law | This subject delves into intellectual property rights, covering concepts such as The Paris Convention, The Berne Convention, Indian Patent Law, Indian Copyright Law, and Indian Trademark and Industrial Design Law. |
Semester III- Elective | IT Act | This subject provides an introduction to cyber laws, covering concepts such as cyber laws from Indian and international perspectives, intellectual property in cyberspace, and the intersection of constitutional rights with cybercrime. |
Semester IV- Core | Taxation Law | This subject offers an introduction to the taxation system in India, covering topics such as direct and indirect taxes, determining residential status, the Income Tax Act of 1961, GST (Goods and Services Tax), and tax collection mechanisms in India. |
Semester IV- Core | Research Methodology | This subject provides an overview of research methodologies and their applications in Corporate Law. Key concepts covered include research design, scientific methods, data collection and measurement techniques, sampling methods, survey methods, scaling techniques, attitudes, and other relevant concepts. |
Also Read: How is Business Law Different from Corporate Law?
Specializations in Corporate Law are available at all levels, including integrated courses offered by various colleges in India. A detailed overview of specialization courses along with their syllabus in Corporate Law is provided below:
Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Laws (BBA LLB) with Honors in Corporate Law:
This specialization combines business administration and corporate law, covering subjects such as Legal Method, Business Mathematics, Moot Court Fundamentals, Business Economics, Torts and Consumer Protection Law, Human Resource Management, Financial Management, Law of Contract, Constitutional Law, Intellectual Property Rights, International Trade Law, Corporate Finance and Securities Market, Taxation Law, Competition Law, and more.
Master in Law (LLM) in Corporate Law:
This master's degree program focuses on corporate legal knowledge and typically includes subjects such as Research Methodology, Corporate Governance, Securities and Finance Markets, Competition Law, Corporate Reconstruction, and Dissertation.
LLM in Corporate Law and Securities Law:
This dual-degree program covers laws related to securities and corporate issues, the syllabus includes Comparative Corporate Law, Corporate Governance, Securities Law, and more.
LLM in Corporate and Commercial Law:
This postgraduate degree combines aspects of both Corporate and Commercial Law, syllabus covering Company Law, International Trade Law, Competition Law, and more.
LLM in Corporate and Business Law:
This master's degree program provides in-depth knowledge of business and corporate law tactics, including subjects like Corporate Law, Law of Banking and Insurance, Securities Law, Competition Law, and more.
Post Graduate Diploma in Corporate Law:
This diploma program covers topics such as Business and Commercial Law, Corporate Accounting, Corporate Taxation, and Company Law and Practice.
Post Graduate Diploma in Business and Corporate Law:
This diploma program includes topics such as Law of Contracts, Corporate Restructure Law, Corporate Finance Law, Intellectual Property Law, and more.
These specialized programs equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in the field of Corporate Law.
Typically, the Corporate Law syllabus is organized into core and elective subjects. Students typically engage in practical training under a senior attorney as a junior during the last semester of their third year to acquire exposure and hands-on experience. Internships play a significant role in the education of law students. The course structure includes:
Law subjects are often taught through a role-playing learning approach, allowing both teachers and students to simulate real-world scenarios to better grasp legislative processes. Various teaching methods and approaches employed in the Corporate Law syllabus include:
When Corporate Law principles are applied to a project, they become more comprehensible. Projects play a crucial role in fostering expertise in robust Corporate Law research, case studies, and legal methodologies.
Books on Corporate Law, offered by various publishers and available in both online and offline formats, provide comprehensive coverage of key topics, offering background insights into various aspects of the field. These reference materials are often available for free download in PDF format.
Given that textbooks for Corporate Law students may differ based on edition, it's wise to conduct thorough research before investing in reference materials.
The fundamental books for the Corporate Law syllabus typically remain consistent across all levels of study. Therefore, students pursuing Corporate Law course should prioritize studying from the latest editions of these essential texts to enhance their learning experience.
Topics Covered | Name of Book | Author/ Publisher |
---|---|---|
Corporate Governance and Management | The Interaction Between Competition Law and Corporate Governance | Florence Thepot |
Corporate Law | Business Organisations Law | James Cox |
Corporate Law | The Failure of Corporate Law | Kent Greenfield |
Corporate Law | Global Issues in Corporate Law | Franklin Gevurtz |
Corporate Law | Understanding Corporate Law | Arthur Pinto and Douglas Branson |
Also Read: List of Law Courses in India
If you want to pursue corporate law as a specialization under your masters degree, then you definitely need a LLB for corporate law course.
The most common and popular major that can help individuals while studying corporate law courses includes subjects like political science, history, economics, english, business, communication etc.
Some of the top recruiters for corporate law course include topping firms like AZB & Partners, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, Trilegal, Khaitan & Co., Luthra and Luthra Associates, Talwar Thakore & Associates etc.
After completing a corporate law course, depending upon one’s interest, one can pursue LLM, MBA or even PhD.
Job opportunities that are offered to corporate law course graduates include job profiles like corporate lawyer, legal consultant, compliance officer, legal analyst, in-house counsel etc.
Some of the best leading national law universities offering corporate law courses include NLSIU Bengaluru, RGNUL Patiala, WBNUJS Kolkata, NLU Jodhpur, NLU Trichy etc.
Some of the popular private national law universities offering corporate law courses include Indian Law Institute, New Delhi, OP Jindal Global University Sonepat, Symbiosis Law School Pune, VIT Law School Chennai, School of Law- GITAM University, School of Law Christ University etc.
The duration of a corporate law course depends upon the level of the courses, if it is an undergraduate course, it will take three years to complete as you will need to complete six semesters, however, if you have taken in corporate law course as a specialization under your post graduate degree, then the duration will be of two years divided into four semesters.
Some of the entrance exams that offer admission to corporate law course include CLAT, AILET, LSAT India, MH CET Law, AP LAWCET, TS LAWCET, CUET LLB etc.