COMMON LAW AND THE AUSTRALIAN LEGAL SYSTEM
LAW5CLM
2018
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: Sara Smyth
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 LMLAW 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 | TBA | TBA |
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, 2018, Week 10-11, Blended
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Sara Smyth
Class requirements
Lecture/SeminarWeek: 10 - 11
Five 6.0 hours lecture/seminar per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 11 and delivered via blended.
"9-11 14-15 March 2016 Only"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class participation | Students will be advised in the start of the semester how this will be assessed. | 10 | 01, 02, 03 |
| One 4,000 word take-home examination | 60 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| One 2,000 word essay | 30 | 01, 02, 03 |