COMMON LAW AND THE AUSTRALIAN LEGAL SYSTEM
LAW5CLM
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject students who are not graduates in Australian law are introduced to Australia's fundamental legal institutions, the basic methods of Australian lawyers, and the central substantive principles of Australian law. Students will examine Australia's legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, federalism, the Australian legal profession, and selected principles of Australian public, private and procedural law. Students will also practise basic legal skills in reading case law, interpreting statutes, answering legal problems, and researching and citing the law.
School: La Trobe Law School
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Gordon Walker
Available to Study Abroad Students: No
Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters
Exchange Students: No
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in LMLC or LMGB or LMLGBL or LMLI or LMCL or LMIBL or LML or LMGBL or have permission of Law School.
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: LAW1LIM, LAW5IAL
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: Not available to students who have studied common law.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Concise Australian Legal Dictionary | Prescribed | Butt, P (Ed) | LEXIS NEXIS BUTTERWORTHS |
| Readings | Laying Down the Law, 7th Edition | Prescribed | Cook, C. | LEXIS NEXIS BUTTERWORTHS |
| Readings | Supplementary Unit Materials | Prescribed | N/A | N/A |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Be able to describe the central substantive principles of Australian Law.
- Activities:
- Lectures and discussion.
02. Be able to identify the basic methods of Australian lawyers.
- Activities:
- Lectures and problem solving activities.
03. Employ the basic legal skills in reading case law, interpreting statutes and answering legal problems.
- Activities:
- Team presentation/scenarios on Common Law and the Australian Legal System problem solving activities.
Melbourne, 2015, Week 22-23, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Gordon Walker
Class requirements
Lecture/WorkshopWeek: 22 - 23
Five 8.0 hours lecture/workshop per study period on weekdays during the day from week 22 to week 23 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class participation | 10 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| One 6,000-7,000-word take-home examination | 90 | 01, 02, 03 |