MA Commercial Legal Practice

Contracts, disputes, and a structured advice note

Online or on campus

18 months36 creditsEnglish

Overview

You read a contract, spot the clause that does the work, and write an advice note a client manager can use. You are not admitted to practise by completing it. Crownshire University teaches this award online and, where a cohort is formed, on campus. The 36 credit hours on this page are the sum of the modules listed in the curriculum, so the transcript and the prospectus describe the same load. MA Commercial Legal Practice is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 18 months, and the credit total is 36. Students move from The Operative Clause through The Operative Clause; Plain Risk; If it Goes Wrong; Advice Note, and finish on Advice Note. Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read. Reading is a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. The artefact a marker expects is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Identify the operative clause Explain a risk in plain language Outline a dispute path Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree. The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.

Assessment is coursework on each taught module plus the final project named in the curriculum. Results are recorded as credit hours against each module. Fees are the figures published by Crownshire University for this award; this page does not add a separate tuition claim.

Who This Program Is For

Practitioners who need a named postgraduate award in this subject
Career-changers with a first degree and relevant work
Specialists moving from delivery into design or management of the work
Applicants who can study alongside a job

Faculty spotlight

School of Law and Business at Crownshire University supervises the modules and the final project. Supervision is assigned from that school, not from a visiting name shared with another institution.

How you can study

Study options & delivery

Online pathway· Flexible remote

Complete your MA Commercial Legal Practice fully online from anywhere in the world with faculty-led modules and flexible scheduling.

On-campus pathway· £4,100 / $5,200/year

Attend seminars and access facilities in person at Crownshire University. Campus tuition and campus examinations are charged.

Apply online →Apply for campus →View fee schedule

What You Will Learn

Identify the operative clause
Explain a risk in plain language
Outline a dispute path
Write an advice note

Curriculum

Stage 1 — Subject foundations

Code	Course	Credits · hours
CLP501	The Operative Clause The Operative Clause (CLP501) is a 9-credit course on MA Commercial Legal Practice, with 90 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using The Operative Clause as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree. CLP501-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — The Operative Clause CLP501-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — The Operative Clause CLP501-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — The Operative Clause CLP501-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — The Operative Clause CLP501-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — The Operative Clause CLP501-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — The Operative Clause	9 · 90 h
CLP502	Plain Risk Plain Risk (CLP502) is a 9-credit course on MA Commercial Legal Practice, with 90 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using Plain Risk as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree. CLP502-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Plain Risk CLP502-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Plain Risk CLP502-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Plain Risk CLP502-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Plain Risk CLP502-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Plain Risk CLP502-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Plain Risk	9 · 90 h

Code

Course

Credits · hours

CLP501

The Operative Clause

The Operative Clause (CLP501) is a 9-credit course on MA Commercial Legal Practice, with 90 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using The Operative Clause as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.

CLP501-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — The Operative Clause
CLP501-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — The Operative Clause
CLP501-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — The Operative Clause
CLP501-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — The Operative Clause
CLP501-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — The Operative Clause
CLP501-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — The Operative Clause

9 · 90 h

CLP502

Plain Risk

Plain Risk (CLP502) is a 9-credit course on MA Commercial Legal Practice, with 90 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using Plain Risk as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.

CLP502-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Plain Risk
CLP502-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Plain Risk
CLP502-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Plain Risk
CLP502-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Plain Risk
CLP502-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Plain Risk
CLP502-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Plain Risk

9 · 90 h

Stage 2 — Applied practice and project

Code	Course	Credits · hours
CLP503	If it Goes Wrong If it Goes Wrong (CLP503) is a 9-credit course on MA Commercial Legal Practice, with 90 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using If it Goes Wrong as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree. CLP503-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — If it Goes Wrong CLP503-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — If it Goes Wrong CLP503-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — If it Goes Wrong CLP503-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — If it Goes Wrong CLP503-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — If it Goes Wrong CLP503-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — If it Goes Wrong	9 · 90 h
CLP504	Advice Note Advice Note (CLP504) is a 9-credit course on MA Commercial Legal Practice, with 90 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using Advice Note as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree. CLP504-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Advice Note CLP504-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Advice Note CLP504-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Advice Note CLP504-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Advice Note CLP504-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Advice Note CLP504-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Advice Note	9 · 90 h

Code

Course

Credits · hours

CLP503

If it Goes Wrong

If it Goes Wrong (CLP503) is a 9-credit course on MA Commercial Legal Practice, with 90 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using If it Goes Wrong as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.

CLP503-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — If it Goes Wrong
CLP503-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — If it Goes Wrong
CLP503-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — If it Goes Wrong
CLP503-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — If it Goes Wrong
CLP503-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — If it Goes Wrong
CLP503-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — If it Goes Wrong

9 · 90 h

CLP504

Advice Note

Advice Note (CLP504) is a 9-credit course on MA Commercial Legal Practice, with 90 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using Advice Note as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.

CLP504-M1 · Forum, rule, and parties — Advice Note
CLP504-M2 · Claim, counterclaim, and the facts that would change the result — Advice Note
CLP504-M3 · A clause, briefing, or policy note for a named audience — Advice Note
CLP504-M4 · Sources, revision, and the strength of the authority — Advice Note
CLP504-M5 · Institutions and the limit of the award — Advice Note
CLP504-M6 · A supervised paper: question, sources, argument, and defence — Advice Note

9 · 90 h

Career Paths

Paralegal
Contracts administrator
Commercial manager
In-house legal assistant

Program Highlights

4 assessed modules whose credits sum to the award total
A final project marked against a published brief
Live seminars with recordings for students in other time zones
A transcript that lists every module credit

Assessment

Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.

Admission requirements

Academic entry

A bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, or equivalent professional standing considered by admissions

English language

English sufficient for postgraduate study, or evidence of prior English-medium study

Documents

A statement of about 500 words on why this award fits your work
Two references, academic or professional
A CV showing study and relevant work

Programme questions

How long is the MA Commercial Legal Practice?

The published duration is 18 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.

Can I study this from my country?

You may study this award fully online from your country, or — where published — on campus at Crownshire. Online study does not require a student visa. Campus study may.

What does it cost?

Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.

What are the entry requirements?

Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.

How is the programme assessed?

Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.

Will this award be recognised where I live?

Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Crownshire University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.

How do I apply?

Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@crownuni.com.

Recognized & Accredited

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