70113 Legal Process and History

10cp; 6hpw, weekly, on campus; availability: this subject is only available to Law students
Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Subject coordinator: K Gould

Students in this subject gain a sound working knowledge of the Australian legal and constitutional environment including the Western legal tradition, the place of common law in that system and the ramifications of living under a Westminster parliamentary structure as well as a federal system. The skills of case analysis, statutory interpretation, legal problem solving and critical analysis – which are essential to the study and practice of the law – are also introduced in this subject.

Students begin their inquiry by considering what is law, who makes law, and how and why the law has developed in the way that it has. They then examine the institutions that make up our legal system – the legislature, the Crown and the executive, the courts and the 'legal players' (the judge, the jury and the legal practitioners) – and explore the principles and doctrines that underpin our legal system.

Against the background of this learning students then consider why our legal system is different from some of our regional neighbours and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the common law legal system.

Assessment: Court report (35 per cent), restricted open book exam (65 per cent).

Typical availability

Autumn semester, City campus
Spring semester, City campus

Fee information

2008 contribution for post-2008 Commonwealth-supported students: $1,770.62
Note: Students who commenced prior to 1 January 2008 should consult the Student contribution charges for Commonwealth supported students
Not all students are eligible for Commonwealth Supported places.

2008 amount for undergraduate domestic fee-paying students: $4,240.00

Note: Fees for Postgraduate domestic fee-paying students and international students are charged according to the course they are enrolled in. Students should refer to the Annual Fees Schedule.

Subject EFTSL: 0.208

Access conditions

Note: The requisite information presented in this subject description covers only academic requisites. Full details of all enforced rules, covering both academic and admission requisites, are available at Access conditions and My Student Admin.