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Business: Business Law

A guide with resources for conducting secondary business research.

What is Business Law?

Business law, also known as commercial or merchantile law, describes the rules, conventions, and agreements that govern commercial dealings between two parties (Britannica, 2019). Quite broadly, this definition/concept includes legislation relating to every aspect of business, including bankruptcy and insolvency, creditors, sales and mergers, intellectual property, contracts, and more. 

This page provides a general overview of resources that may be of use to the business student who is hoping to learn more about business law. 

If you have any questions, feel free to stop by the library!

Introduction to Business Law

Law Dictionaries for the Business Student

Dictionary of Law
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law
Hopkins' Nonprofit Law Dictionary

Searching Tips

How do you make sure that you are using the right terms or techniques to search the catalogue or database to ensure that you find everything you need? Here are a couple of handy tips:

  • Follow subject suggestions (for e-resource searches). When you initially enter a term in the database search bar it will likely show you other suggested search terms. It is sometimes useful to try those suggestions, as they indicate what others have tried before and perhaps found useful. 
  • Follow the subject trail (both catalogue and e-resource searches). Use this strategy once you find a book in the catalogue that seems useful. Subjects will be listed under a "subjects" or "categories" heading. When you click on these subjects it returns a list of results that also have that subject. 

Here are some search terms that you might find helpful. If you click on the term, it will take you to a pre-formulated search page. If you click on "Advanced Search," you can then add more words (or combine concepts) to the search to fine-tune your results!

Employment Law

Employment Law
Introduction to Employment Law
The Church and Employment Law

Starting and Buying Businesses

Practical Guide to Mergers, Acquisitions and Business Sales
Legal Guide for Starting and Running a Small Business
Starting and Managing a Nonprofit Organization
Small and Medium Enterprises, Law and Business

Core Statutes series

Core Statutes on Contract, Tort & Restitution 2022-23
Core Statutes on Employment Law 2022-23
Core Statutes on Property Law 2022-23

Additional Business Topics and Resources