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Australian Legal System and Process - LAWS4272
Basser Steps

 
Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 8
 
 
EFTSL: 0.16667 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 2
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: Academic Program must be either 9220 or 5750
 
 
Fee Band: 3 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

This course provides a foundation for an intellectual understanding of the operation of the Australian legal system for graduates of disciplines other than law. It considers the Australian legal system in the context of Australian society, including its history. The core topics are the Australian Constitution, the court system, contract and tort law, equity and trusts, property law, regulation of business. The course content is flexible so that topics can be expanded or contracted to suit the academic and professional interests of the students.


Credited Programs

Legal Studies students only.

Recommended Prior Knowledge

None

Course Objectives

At the end of the course students will have a basic understanding of the Australian legal system.

Main Topics

  • The Australian Constitution
  • The principle institutions of the Australian legal system, including: the courts; the legislature; the executive arm of government; the judiciary; the legal profession
  • Sources of Australian law - the doctrine of precedent, statutory interpretation, recognition of customary law
  • The origins of the common law
  • Equity and trusts
  • The development of the law of torts
  • The law of contract
  • Corporate law and regulation
  • The law of property

Assessment

Class participation Participation and engagement in class. One class presentation to be given. 20%
Research essay 3,000 words, plus essay plan 80%
 

Course Texts

Prescribed
Law & Justice in Australia. Foundations of the Legal System by Prue Vines. Oxford University Press. First edition 2005

Recommended
Australia's Constitution. Published by the Australian Government Solicitor and Parliamentary Education Office, Canberra.

The recommended version is the booklet which has a short commentary at the beginning.

Resources

Refer to Course Outline provided by lecturer at the beginning of session.

URL for this page:

© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.