BSL305 Company Law Assignment 2026 | Murdoch University, Singapore

BSL305 Company Law Assignment

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Your answer to the two questions below must not exceed 1,500 (+/- 10%) words. You can divide the 1,500 words between the two questions however you like.

2. You may choose to format your assignment however you deem fit within the standard ‘longform’ answer formats, i.e. a memo, a letter, or an essay. Your response MUST include a visual diagram explaining the business structure you think best accomplishes the client’s goals. Your diagram may explain the overall structure, and/or the stages required to attain it.

3. Your advice to the client must be tailored to them and their specific commercial goals. You may choose to speak in a neutral manner or to the client directly. In any event, a certain level of legal depth and analysis is required beyond that which an ordinary client will understand.

You must evidence your understanding of the law and its applicability in an academic way. Do not use layman’s terminology, you will lose marks.

4. Your answer should be size 12 Times New Roman font with 1.5 spacing.

5. There is no need to provide a bibliography, provided that you use footnotes, endnotes or intext referencing to adequately reference the material used in your answer.

6. Follow the APA Referencing style or use AGLC 4. Refer to the Legal Materials section of APA for details about how to cite cases and legislation.

a. APA: https://libguides.murdoch.edu.au/APA

b. AGLC 4: https://libguides.murdoch.edu.au/AGLC

NOTE: Footnotes are not included in your overall word count.

7. Submit your answer online by Midnight, Friday 20 March 2026. Use the icon in the Assignment folder to submit your assignment electronically.

8. Print the total number of words you have used in your assignment on the front page of your submission.

9. When a paper is submitted after the due date without an extension granted, 10% is deducted from the mark first given for each day, or part thereof, it is late.

LEGAL PROBLEM-SOLVING QUESTION

Jordan Miles is a Perth-based software engineer who has developed “MindWave”, an artificial intelligence platform designed to create highly personalised learning experiences for university students. Using advanced neural network modelling and adaptive algorithms, the software can adjust content delivery in real-time based on individual learning behaviours.

Initial trials with two WA universities have produced excellent results, and Jordan believes there is strong potential for national rollout within three years. His primary objectives are to:

1. Maintain a high level of control in the early stages,

2. Commercially structure the platform’s business model to seek significant outside investment, and

3. Create and control a sustainable income stream for his two adult children, Ella and Max.

Ella is completing a PhD in Cognitive Computing at the University of Melbourne, specialising in human-computer interaction. While she has never worked in a commercial setting, her research could be highly valuable to the ongoing development of MindWave. She is eager to contribute now, with a view to taking on a more substantial role once she submits her thesis in about 18 months.

Jordan is supportive of Ella’s involvement but wants to ensure she can develop commercial skills without being placed in a position of major decision-making responsibility too soon. He is currently focused on testing MindWave in small, controlled markets to keep costs low and flexibility high.

Ella has been contacting potential strategic partners in an attempt to prove her commercial ability to her father. Without Jordan’s prior approval, she enters into discussions with NeuroCloud Solutions Pty Ltd, a Perth-based provider of high-security cloud computing for AI applications. After several meetings, she signs a two-year agreement for premium cloud hosting at a heavily discounted rate, in return for branding NeuroCloud as “MindWave’s exclusive AI hosting partner” across all MindWave promotional materials. The contract specifies that the first payment is due six months from signing. Ella then informs Jordan, stating that it will save the business considerable money and strengthen its credibility. Jordan is concerned by Ella’s unauthorised act but does see potential.

Separately, Jordan has been in discussions with Claire Thompson, a long-time friend and experienced investor in education technology ventures. Claire has indicated she may be prepared to invest once the platform has proven market traction. She has suggested that attracting larger investors will require a more formal governance and ownership framework, and has offered to assist in preparing for this transition when the time is right.

Jordan also intends, at a later stage, to put arrangements in place that would allow profits to be distributed to Ella and Max in a tax-effective way while ensuring major decisions remain under his control.

Jordan now seeks your advice on how best to:

1. Begin operations in a way that allows for early-stage testing and refinement,

2. Bring Claire in as an investor at the appropriate stage,

3. Transition to a structure that can accommodate outside investment while protecting his control and long-term family interests, and

4. Address any potential issues arising from Ella’s agreement with NeuroCloud.

QUESTIONS

1. Jordan asks you which type of business structure would be best for his situation. Compare and contrast the relevant options available and recommend an approach that addresses Jordan’s specific commercial goals. Your advice must include a visual diagram representing your recommended structure(s) or the stages to attain it. (20 marks)
2. Jordan is also concerned about the contract with NeuroCloud Solutions Pty Ltd, given it was signed before any formal business entity had been established. Jordan wants time to consider the agreement in full before seeking to cancel it or approve it. Advise Jordan whether this contract is already binding, whether it can be cancelled, and how much time he has to make a decision. (10 marks)

MARKING

The Assignment is compulsory and counts for 30% of your final mark.

Marche Bantum

January 2026