Legal Institutions and Methods

Course aim

This course examines key legal institutions, the process of law making, and legal theory. It also seeks to impart skills in communication, critical thinking, legal analysis, argument and problem solving

Course content

• Introduction to legal institutions
• Outline of the history of Australian legal institutions
• Sources of law including an introduction to parliamentary process, the Federal system, the role of courts in interpreting statutes, reading cases, international and comparative factors
• Interpretation of law including interpretation of case law, the doctrine of precedent, interpretation of legislation, other relevant considerations such as policy and international perspectives.

Textbook(s)

C Cook et al 2015, Laying Down the Law, 9th edn, LexisNexis Butterworths, Chatswood, NSW

Finkelstein, R; Hamer, D 2014, LexisNexis Concise Australian Legal Dictionary, 5th edn, LexisNexis Butterworths, Chatswood, N.S.W

Prerequisite(s)

Nil

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Component	Duration
INTERNAL, CITY WEST
Lecture	3 hours x 10 weeks
Tutorial	1 hour x 10 weeks

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Research assignment, Research paper, Tutorial work

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 3)
To determine the fee for this course as part of a Commonwealth Supported program, go to:
How to determine your Commonwealth Supported course fee. (Opens new window)

Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
Non-award tuition fees are set by the university. To determine the cost of this course, go to:
How to determine the relevant non award tuition fee. (Opens new window)

Not all courses are available on all of the above bases, and students must check to ensure that they are permitted to enrol in a particular course.

* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.