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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Law
The Law School at the University of Melbourne was founded in 1857. Since its inception it has been highly regarded for its scholarship and research. The Faculty continues to be dedicated to providing the highest standard of legal education and scholarship in a challenging intellectual environment. The Law School is proud of its contribution, through its many successful graduates, to the legal profession and to Australian society.
About 1500 students are enrolled in the LLB program. Most students at Melbourne choose to study for two degrees simultaneously, thus graduating with a degree in law and one in arts, commerce engineering, geomatics or science. Such combined degree programs are designed to equip students better to meet the challenges of a complex and changing world and to pursue a wide range of rewarding careers.
The Law School also offers a wide range of graduate and continuing education programs, with opportunities for specialisation in several areas of law. Enrolment in graduate diploma, masters, doctoral and continuing education courses now exceeds 550 students.
A special feature of the Melbourne Law School is its interest in the legal systems of other countries, pursued through the Asian Law Centre and the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies. As well, the Faculty has established the Centre for Corporate Law and Securities Regulation, the Centre for Natural Resources Law and the Centre for Media, Communications and Information Technology Law. Opportunities also exist for later-year students to enrol in exchange programs with several overseas law schools.
The Law Library is the central teaching and research tool of the Faculty. It contains about 140,000 volumes of legal materials. These include Australian and international law reports, legislation, journals, microforms and a book collection which is both current and historic. The library is also expanding its use of electronic media and has a growing collection of texts and databases on compact disc.
The law library makes every effort to ensure that information needs are met, and personal assistance is available to new students wishing to learn about the library's various services and the organisation of the legal material.
Another important facility in the Law School is the computer network and laboratory. All students receive basic training in computer skills to enable them to explore the rapidly growing legal materials to be found on the Internet and on databases. Later year options afford opportunities to develop these skills further.
Opportunities also exist for later year students to enrol in exchange programs with overseas law schools in Asia, Europe and North America.
The general objectives of the Faculty of Law are to:
Be the best centre for research, teaching and scholarship in law in Australia, and among the leading centres for research, teaching and scholarship in law in the world, judged by international standards.
Make a significant contribution to ideas, knowledge and learning in the University, Australia, and the rest of the world.
Be a vigorous, fearless and diverse community of legal scholars, as students, teachers and researchers.
Exercise its influence and discharge its obligations in the interests of the wider community, with a particular commitment to justice.
Maintain a strong commitment to affirmative action and equal opportunity.
Bachelor of Laws LLB
Bachelor of Laws with Honours LLB(Hons)
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws BA/LLB
Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws BCom/LLB
Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Laws BEng/LLB
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws BSc/LLB
Advanced Family Law
Asian Law
Corporations and Securities Law
Dispute Resolution and Judicial Administration
Finance Law
Government Law
Health and Medical Law
Insurance Law
Intellectual Property Law
International Law
Labour Relations Law
Media Communications and Information Technology Law
Natural Resources Law
Transnational Law
Master of Laws by Coursework LLM
Master of Laws by Coursework and Minor Thesis LLM
Master of Laws by Thesis LLM
Master of Taxation MTax
Doctor of Juridical Science SJD
Doctor of Philosophy PhD
Doctor of Laws LLD
For further information on graduate diplomas or degrees, contact the Research and Graduate Studies Office in the Law School, telephone +61 3 9344 6190.
The Law School Office houses the Program Manager (Undergraduate Studies) who is responsible for the administration of the LLB course and combined LLB courses within the Faculty, under the academic direction of the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies. The Program Manager is responsible for enrolment, re-enrolment, deferments and withdrawals, credit transfers, complementary enrolments, community access program enrolments and cross-institutional enrolments. The Program Manager also provides advice on course requirements, course planning, full and part-time study, leave of absence, exchange programs and HECS.
All matters regarding assessment are dealt with by the Program Manager, Undergraduate Studies, including extensions for assignments, special arrangements for examinations, special consideration applications, consideration for students from a non-English speaking background, supplementary examinations and additional assessment. The Program Manager will also assist students experiencing general study problems by referring them to appropriate support groups and learning programs, for example, the Learning Skills Unit. Students in the Faculty who have been admitted under the Tageted Access Program, Koori students, students with disabilities, and students from overseas are particularly invited to introduce themselves to the Program Manager to discuss any special concerns they may have, or their progress.
In addition to the Program Manager (Undergraduate Studies), the Faculty has appointed four members of academic staff as Liaison Officers to meet the needs of particular groups of students: Kooris, students with disabilities, those who have come in under the special entry scheme and international students. If you are a student from one of these groups and have any concerns or need information, the liaison officers are a good place to start.
Koori students have been part of the Law Faculty for nearly 20 years. There are currently around 20 Koori students enrolled at all levels of the LLB. course. In 1993 the Law Faculty appointed a Koori Liaison Officer to provide assistance to these students. Among other things, the Koori Students' Liaison Officer:
acts as an adviser for Koori law students;
liaises between Koori law students and members of academic staff where necessary;
arranges seminars and information sessions to sensitise academic staff to the issues involved in teaching Koori students;
helps to link Koori students with tutors under the ATAS (Aboriginal Tutoring Assistance) Scheme;
liaises between the Law Faculty and the University's Koori Student & Liaison Unit, which provides support services to all Koori students on campus;
provides advice to the Faculty on policies and projects relating to Koori students.
Students wishing to contact the Koori Liaison Officer may do so through the Law School Office, telephone 9344 6164.
At least 20 per cent of law students are from overseas or have English as a Second Language (ESL). Many of these students have particular educational needs, such as understanding the legal language used in texts, Australian teaching methods, and Australian historical or social events which other students may take for granted. The International and ESL Liaison Officer is the member of the academic staff to whom such students may come for assistance and advice in their studies. His or her role includes: acting as a mentor for overseas and ESL students; liaising with the ESL Centre to provide language assistance and with the International Office; assisting students to make applications for special consideration or to the Progress Committee; giving feedback from international and non-English speaking background students to academic staff, especially in relation to teaching and curriculum content; liaising between the Law Faculty and the Overseas Law Students Society. The International/ESL Liaison Officer is Sean Cooney: Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law, Baldwin Spencer Building, telephone 9344 8109.
The faculty comprises many queer students and staff. The appointment of two academic members of staff as Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers is a recognition of the special interests and needs of queer law students. The primary role of the officers is to provide the gay and lesbian student body with assistance and support in academic and academic related matters. This includes acting as mentors to the lesbian and gay law students and members of academic staff. The officers also assist in the organisation of queer law research interest group sessions led by staff, students and guest speakers, as well as organising more social occasions.
The Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers are Kris Walker: Room A-06, phone 9344 8138 and Ian Malkin: Room 2-10, telephone 9344 6594.
Each year, approximately 35-40 students are admitted to the Faculty of Law through one of the Faculty or University Special Entry schemes. Broadly speaking, students accepted under these schemes have suffered a disadvantage of a social, economic or like nature, and include students from schools under-represented at the University of Melbourne. One of the schemes provides for the admission of mature age students who have not completed VCE.
In 1993, the Law Faculty appointed a Special Entry Liaison Officer to assist these students with their study and related needs. One of the Officer's most important responsibilities is to direct students to appropriate University services, ranging from the Learning Skills Unit to the English as a Second Language Program. The Officer is intended to act as mentor to special entry students, liaise between them and members of academic staff, assist them in making applications for special consideration (if necessary), and help establish a network of special entry students.
The Liaison Officer's responsibilities are to all Special Entry students, not just those admitted to first year.
Admission to the first year of the LLB program is governed by the General and Special Principles of Selection for Entry, to which applicants should refer for detailed information. Selection is based primarily on academic merit. For most applicants, academic merit is judged on results obtained in the VCE examination and represented as a Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) score, following the formula used by the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) and the special rules published by the Faculty. A committee of faculty identifies and ranks in order of merit those applicants who are likely to complete the LLB course successfully. Places are offered to applicants in the order of ranking until the places available are filled. There is strong competition for admission to the Melbourne Law School. In 1996 candidates required a TER score of 99.10 to be admitted. It is not possible to predict what the TER cut-off score will be in 1997.
The minimum requirements for admission to the LLB course are that an applicants 'best four' VCE subjects include English Units 3 and 4 (with a minimum grade of C) and three other subjects (with a minimum grade of D) from the following prerequisite list: Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Societies & Cultures, Economics, Geography, Geology, History, Information Technology, International Studies, Legal Studies, Literature, Language other than English, Mathematics, Music Craft, Physics, Political Studies, Psychology, either Religion and Society or Texts and Traditions.
In selecting VCE subjects, you should ascertain the prerequisites for any non-law subjects which you may wish to take during your degree course. This is especially important if you are thinking of a combined degree program. Bonuses may apply in the calculation of a VCE score and students should consult the VTAC guide for details.
Certain qualifications other than the VCE are recognised as meeting university entrance requirements. These include interstate and overseas qualifications. Candidates should present the relevant documentation to VTAC for assessment.
Students who have graduated in another discipline, or who have not yet completed their studies in another course, may also apply for admission to the Law School. Intending applicants should refer to the special requirements listed in the current VTAC guide.
Generally, the likelihood of an applicant succeeding in the LLB course is judged by reference to his or her academic record but in certain cases the General and Special Principles for Entry allow additional factors to be taken into account on a discretionary basis. The University's general principles of selection provide that, in appropriate cases, and provided the applicant meets the ordinary requirements for admission, the selection committee may take the following circumstances into account when assessing an applicants likelihood of successfully completing a course:
the age of an applicant when attempting any qualifying examinations;
any illness, war or military service, or serious hardship, as a result of which the studies or examination performance of an applicant have, in the opinion of the committee, been adversely affected;
physical handicaps or disabilities;
school principals reports, where those reports may assist the selection committee in evaluating the effect of factors referred to in paragraph (b) or (c);
any work experience which, in the opinion of the selection committee, may be relevant to the proposed course of study.
When applying through VTAC for admission, applicants should bring any such relevant special circumstances to the attention of course selection authorities, following the instructions in the VTAC guide and the VTAC application form.
The Law School reserves a limited number of places for applicants whose academic record has been adversely affected by disadvantage of a social, economic or like nature and for mature age applicants (that is, applicants who are at least 25 years of age or who have not attended a secondary school as a full-time student during the 10 years immediately preceding the year for which selection is sought, nor previously commenced tertiary study). The scheme has the objective of ensuring that applicants from groups which may be under-represented among undergraduates are selected in greater numbers, while ensuring that high academic standards are maintained.
For further information about targeted access, including eligibility, application procedures and application forms, contact the University's Course and Careers Unit, telephone (03) 9344 6686. The special entry schemes are advertised in the Melbourne Age and Herald-Sun in late August and early September.
All special entry applications should be returned to the Course and Careers Unit, but an application for entry to the LLB must also be made through VTAC.
Applicants who do not meet ordinary admission requirements
Special admission may be granted under Statute 11.1.5 to applicants who lack the ordinary requirements for admission. The Academic Board has declared certain disadvantaged applicants, particularly Koori students, to be eligible for selection under this provision. Prospective Koori applicants should contact the Koori Student and Liaison Unit before making application to the Registrar.
Applicants who have completed the equivalent of the first-year law subjects in a law degree course at another university may apply for admission as a later year entrant. Applicants for later year entry must have already completed subjects equivalent to the Law School's first-year compulsory subjects at their previous institution; that is, the equivalent to Torts and the Process of Law, and History and Philosophy of Law. In exceptional circumstances, History and Philosophy of Law may be waived as a prerequisite; under these circumstances, History and Philosophy of Law must be taken as a co-requisite with Contracts, and Constitutional and Administrative Law.
Later year applicants should apply for admission by writing to the Selection Officer (Law) requesting admission and the granting of credit for subjects previously completed. It should be noted that the Faculty will not grant credit transfers to students from another institution for more than half of the subjects required for a University of Melbourne law degree. Successful later year applicants may not defer taking up the offer of a place. If an offer is declined by an applicant who wishes to be considered for entry in a subsequent year, it will be necessary to reapply and be re-selected in competition with all other later year applicants for that year.
The Law School welcomes applications from international students. A certain number of places are available for full fee-paying students from overseas. The tuition fee payable by overseas students in 1997 will be $12,000 for the LLB, BA/LLB, and BCom/LLB and $16,000 for the BSc/LLB and BEng/LLB. Accommodation and living expenses are not included in this fee. Students who wish to apply for admission under this scheme must have obtained academic results at least equal to the VCE cut-off score currently applying in the Law School. Results will be assessed on application to the Law School. It will be an advantage if applicants have studied subjects which are the equivalent of those prescribed for VCE students (see under Admission to the LLB program above).
Candidates are also required to demonstrate proficiency in English. This requirement can be satisfied by obtaining a minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5, or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 580.
Australian Development Cooperation Scholarships (ADCOS) may be available to students from developing countries who wish to undertake undergraduate studies in Australia. The scheme is part of the Australian Governments International Development Assistance Program and is normally advertised early in the year. Your nearest Diplomatic Mission or Australian Education Centre can give you full details.
International students should make initial enquiries and lodge applications for admission to the Law School with the International Office at the University of Melbourne before the end of December. International students who are residents of Australia should apply through VTAC for admission.
The Faculty may, in accordance with the powers granted by Statute 11 of the University, grant such credit as it thinks fit to a candidate who enrols in the course for the Degree of Bachelor of Laws and who has passed such subjects in another institution which, in the opinion of the faculty, are equivalent to subjects prescribed in the course for the degree of Bachelor of Laws; provided that no candidate may be granted credit for more than 150 law points in an LLB course; and provided that credit transfers shall be granted in accordance with the guidelines approved by the faculty from time to time for that purpose.
A candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Laws who holds a degree from a recognised tertiary institution but not in the study of law may be exempted from the requirement of obtaining 100 non-Law points. The Faculty may also determine that a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Laws who does not have a tertiary qualification may be exempted from some or all of the 100 non-Law points normally required of such candidates. Details of the application procedure, and of the criteria employed in determining such applications, may be obtained from the Program Manager, Undergraduate Studies.
Candidates who enrol in an LLB course may be granted credit for any non-law subjects previously completed by that candidate while enrolled in another faculty, to the extent that such subjects are the equivalent of non-law subjects prescribed for the LLB.
Applications for credit transfers shall be made to the Program Manager, Undergraduate Studies, in the manner and form determined by the Program Manager in consultation with the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies. The Program Manager, Undergraduate Studies, shall convey all requests for credit transfers to the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, for decision.
The Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies is empowered by the Faculty to consider all applications for credit transfers for all subjects of an LLB course and to grant such credit transfers as he or she deems fit, subject to the requirements of these guidelines.
Subject to the following rules, credit for law subjects in an LLB course may be granted to applicants who have been admitted to a university course in another institution and who have passed the final examinations in one or more of the subjects prescribed by that institution for a degree.
For the purposes of these guidelines the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, must be satisfied before granting a credit transfer that the other institution concerned is generally recognised as a tertiary level institution and that the standards of teaching and examination are substantially similar to those in The University of Melbourne Law School.
For the purposes of these guidelines the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, must be satisfied before granting a credit transfer that the subject for which credit is sought is substantially similar to the content of the subject for which credit will be given or, the subject is of such academic quality as to justify the granting of credit.
No applicant will be granted credit transfers in more than 150 of the 300 law points prescribed for a University of Melbourne law degree. Subject to this limit, applicants should, as a general rule be granted the maximum possible credits. In particular, credit transfers may be given not withstanding that the credits concerned have been counted towards a degree previously conferred by another University.
Students enrolled in the LLB course who participate in an approved exchange program and who obtain credit in the other institution for any approved subject in that institution's LLB curriculum will be given equivalent credit towards his or her University of Melbourne LLB degree. Scales of equivalent credits will be determined in advance for specific exchange programs.
Some students who enrol in the LLB course may already have completed some subjects at another university. It is possible for credit to be given towards a University of Melbourne law degree in appropriate cases. This applies equally to subjects completed overseas as well as at Australian universities. For example, in recent years students have been credited with subjects completed in Japan and Thailand. Enquiries about credit transfers should be addressed to the Program Manager, Undergraduate Studies.
LLB(Hons) The LLB degree may be awarded with honours to students whose performance in final assessment is of the required standard. The Faculty publishes the regulations governing the award of honours in its LLB Course and Subject Guide.
Honours points for exchange students will be calculated primarily by reference to law subjects undertaken at The University of Melbourne. Thus, actual honours points will not be attributed to subjects undertaken at the other institution by an exchange student. Instead, that student's honours points will be calculated in accordance with the formula laid down for the award of the Bachelor of Laws with Honours for candidates who qualify for the degree having passed in scoring subjects which carry a total of credit points other than 300, i.e.
(Honours points x 300) / n
where n = the number of credit points in scoring subjects passed by the candidate. However, the Honours Board shall have a discretionary power to take account of the performance of a student in an exchange program for the purposes of ranking that student and making an honours award.
If you enrol in a combined degree, you can obtain honours in the other discipline by taking an extra honours year in the fourth year of study. This adds an extra year of study to the combined degree.
It is possible for LLB students to undertake their studies on a part-time basis. Because part-time students take longer to complete all the subjects required for admission to the degree, it can take a long time, especially in the case of combined degrees. Many part-time students endeavour to do at least one or two years of full-time study.
If you are contemplating part-time study, you should discuss your intended program with the Program Manager, Undergraduate Studies. Part-time students should be able to attend scheduled day-time classes as there are generally no evening classes. Although the Law School attempts to schedule classes conveniently, and from 1997 will offer intensively taught subjects during January and February, it is not always possible to devise a timetable which suits individual part-time students.
A number of subjects will be offered in January and February 1997. They will include Civil Procedure, Evidence, Professional Conduct (including Trust Accounts), Insolvency Law and Restitution. These subjects may be taken as part of the LLB degree. Where the subjects are not taken as part of the LLB degree, a Community Access Program fee will be payable in respect of each subject taken. A timetable for the summer program may be obtained from the Law School Office. Further information on the summer program may be obtained from the Program Manager, Undergraduate Studies.
The Faculty has resolved that:
leave of absence should not be granted for a total of more than three years during the enrolment of a student for the LLB;
leave of absence should be granted only for one year on each application;
no more than two years deferral before initial enrolment for first year studies should be permitted;
deferral before initial enrolment should count as leave of absence for the purpose of computation of three years;
leave of absence should not be given to a student for the current year after a date to be fixed in each year corresponding with the end of the period of provisional enrolment for the following year; unless the most compelling and unusual circumstances are demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Faculty.
Applications for leave of absence must be made in writing to the Program Manager, Undergraduate Studies.
It is possible to enrol as a Community Access Program student in single subjects offered by the Law School. Special rules apply. Interested students should apply for information about undergraduate and graduate subjects to the Program Manager, Undergraduate Studies, and the Program Manager, Research and Graduate Studies, respectively. Overseas practitioners seeking admission to practise in Victoria are permitted to enrol on a Community Access Program basis in those subjects required by the Council of Legal Education.
National policy encourages multi-lingual professionals in Australia and there is an increasing demand for law graduates with language skills. The Law School strongly encourages the development of language skills among its students. Combined Arts/Law degrees with language majors have been established for over 20 years, but less well known are the opportunities to use foreign languages in the LLB curriculum itself.
Among the optional subjects offered in the LLB are some exciting new comparative law subjects covering Europe and Asia. Students may do written research assignments as part of their assessment in these (and other) subjects and students with the necessary language skills are encouraged to work with the primary sources of law. Research Project is a subject in the curriculum which also provides an opportunity to work on topics drawn from Europe or Asia, with the assistance of specialist Law School Staff. If you have, or are developing, skills in a European or Asian language, please ask about opportunities to use those skills in your course.
The Law School is continuing to develop opportunities for student exchanges in Europe, North America and Asia. At present, exchange schemes operating include those with the University of British Columbia and McGill University in Canada, the University of Texas at Austin and Duke University in the USA, Amsterdam University in the Netherlands, Universite Jean Moulin - Lyon III in France, University College in Ireland and Leuven University in Belgium. The Asian Law Centre can advise you about the many opportunities in Asia. Credit for The University of Melbourne degree can be obtained for subjects completed during an approved exchange visit. A leaflet on exchange programs is available from the Undergraduate Studies Office. Students interested in participating in an exchange program should see the Program Manager, Undergraduate Studies, who will, where appropriate, refer them to academic staff qualified to advise on legal study in other countries.
The admission of barristers and solicitors in Victoria is regulated by the rules of the Council of Legal Education administered by a board of examiners appointed by the Supreme Court. Students proposing to seek admission should make themselves familiar with them in due course.
The academic requirements for admission are satisfied by passing the compulsory subjects of the degree, and the following: Civil Procedure, Corporations Law, Evidence and Professional Conduct.
A candidate who has obtained the degree of Bachelor of Laws is required to serve for one year in articles or complete the legal practice course at the Leo Cussen Institute.
The Council of Legal Education introduced revised requirements for admission to practice law in Victoria from 1994. The following are required areas of knowledge for admission from 1994.
After completing an LLB degree, and before applying for admission to practise, certain practical training is required. You can either serve a 12-month period as an articled clerk in a solicitors office, or do a full-time practical training course at the Leo Cussen Institute from March to October.
Students should be aware of their rights and obligations while at the University. Essential information on matters such as enrolment, assessment, special consideration in the event of illness or other difficulties etc., is contained in the Student Diary, issued to every student on enrolment.
All law students are automatically members of the Law Students' Society, an incorporated student association which provides important services, publications and events for students. The officers and committee members of the Society are elected annually, and include representatives from all year levels. The Law Students' Society is generously sponsored by law firms and other employers of law students, and also receives some funding from the Law Faculty and the Melbourne University Student Union Inc. The Law Students' Society has four sub-committees: Education, Careers, Activities and Equality. These committees meet regularly to discuss issues of concern to students, and to organise the provision of services and events. These initiatives include educational services such as the Taped Lecture Service and the Student Tutorial Program, guest speakers and debates, Careers Fair, Work Experience Program and a vast range of publications which are free to students. The hectic social calendar includes an Orientation Week Program, Law Camp, Law Ball, Law Revue, Valedictory Dinner and lunchtime BBQs. The mooting, witness examination, client interview and letter writing competitions are run by the Law Students' Society and are a valuable practical complement to the LLB curriculum. Through these competitions students are able to acquire and enhance their oral presentation skills. Teams of competitors are sent to the Annual ALSA Conference each July, to compete with law students from throughout Australasia.
LSS representatives also play an important role in liaising with the Law Faculty. The executive meets regularly with the Dean and staff on matters of immediate concern to students and elected students sit on the Faculty and each of its sub-committees. The Society thus represents student interests on matters such as curriculum, study conditions, assessment, course design and library facilities. The Society also maintains links with the legal profession and the wider community. It provides career information to students, and represents student interests to the profession on matters such as articles guidelines and professional admissions requirements. For further information about the Law Students' Society, or for assistance on any matter from the LSS representatives, contact the LSS office, room G-12, telephone 9344 6179. ALSA
The Australasian Law Students' Association (ALSA) is the peak body of law students in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Currently, law students at 33 law schools are ALSA members. Through membership of the LSS, all University of Melbourne law students are members of ALSA. ALSA is best known for its Annual Conference, featuring Australasian Championships in mooting, witness examination and paper presentation, and its publications, the ALSA Reporter and the ALSA Careers Journal. All students are encouraged to involve themselves in ALSA activities. In 1993, the Australasian President for ALSA was located at the University of Melbourne. The LSS has two ALSA Council Representatives.
The Overseas Law Students' Society (OLSS) is an affiliated body of the Law Students' Society. It was established to promote and assist the welfare, status, social, educational and cultural activities of international students, foster a common bond among them and assist the interaction of international students and Australians. The Society has an active program of social and educational activities. A student mentor program assists new students adapt to the Law School, the University and Australia. All international students are automatically members of the Society. However, the OLSS accepts as members any other students who show an interest in our goals and activities.
The University of Melbourne Law School offers graduate and continuing education programs designed to meet the particular needs of both busy practitioners and those pursuing more scholarly traditions.
Graduates may obtain a masters degree (LLM) by writing a thesis on a research topic, by completing a specified number of postgraduate subjects or by completing a lesser number of postgraduate subjects and a minor thesis. The Master of Taxation by coursework is also available.
Alternatively, specialist graduate diplomas are available in Advanced Family Law, Asian Law, Corporations and Securities Law, Dispute Resolution and Judicial Administration, Finance Law, Government Law, Health and Medical Law, Intellectual Property Law, International Law, Labour Relations Law, Media, Communications and Information Technology Law, Natural Resources Law and Transnational Law.
Higher degrees include the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), based on submission of a major thesis prepared under close supervision, and the Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), based on coursework subjects and a major thesis. The degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) may be conferred on someone who submits a particularly distinguished or important piece of writing which makes a significant contribution to the field of law.
For further information on graduate diplomas or degrees, contact the Program Manager, Research and Graduate Studies, in the Law School.
Law is a versatile qualification which provides an excellent basis for a wide range of careers. For those students combining law with another degree, options are expanded. Career outcomes will be dependent on particular interests as well as opportunities available at the time. For instance, students combining law with studies in economics and commerce may find that they are more interested in pursuing a career in business than in the law. In this case studies of law and legal principle will provide an excellent background and basis for engaging in commercial transactions.
Practising lawyers: Once admitted to practise law, you are both a barrister and solicitor, although most choose to practise as one or the other.
Solicitors work directly with clients, such as members of the public, companies and banks. Some firms specialise in the work they do, while others maintain general practices. They offer advice on legal matters; negotiate and represent clients in criminal prosecutions and civil actions; and prepare and process contracts, agreements and other documents relating to companies, land transactions, and a wide variety of business and family matters. Solicitors assist people with divorce or adoption or with immigration or social security problems. They also draw up wills; handle people's estates; and prepare and administer trust deeds; or work with companies on commercial or tax matters.
Barristers, on the other hand, are engaged by solicitors and do not deal directly with clients. They usually write opinions for solicitors on doubtful points of law or procedure; draft documents involving difficult legal issues or the pleadings which prepare a case for trial; and appear in court in criminal prosecutions or civil trials.
Government lawyers: Many opportunities exist in government service. You can draft Acts of Parliament in the Parliamentary Counsel's Office; give advice to government departments in the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office; and prepare criminal cases for trial and prosecute them in court in the Director of Public Prosecution's Office. You could work on environmental protection problems in the Environment Protection Authority; help the Guardianship and Administration Board look after the interests of people in institutions; work on occupational health and safety problems; or help administer the Family Court.
Community lawyers: Many lawyers now look for ways of using their special skills to help less privileged people in the community. In the 1970s a number of community legal services sprang up to offer free legal advice and practical help to people in trouble with the police, their landlords, their employers, their families, etc. These services now often have full-time lawyers. Many lawyers also work with the Legal Aid Commission, providing legal services to those who cannot afford to meet the full cost. You will find opportunities in immigration advisory services, citizens advisory services, adoption and foster care agencies, consumer credit services and the Council of Social Services.
Corporate lawyers: Most major banks and companies have their own legal departments. If you work for an oil company, you may be called on to do anything from negotiating major joint ventures for exploration to buying service stations and writing leases for their operation. If you work for a bank, you could put together large international financial deals or draft standard overdraft or mortgage documents. Invariably such lawyers eventually find themselves involved in developing policy and often move into management positions.
Policy formulation: Policy analysis and planning are developing areas of independent study. There are more opportunities for lawyers with these skills and interests than there are trained people to fill them. Opportunities exist in Law Reform Commissions, as Ministerial advisers, as consultants to or employees of government, in universities, and in industry or commercial lobby groups.
Research and teaching: Good graduates often look forward to doing postgraduate work overseas. Melbourne law graduates have great success in obtaining scholarships (the most recent Rhodes Scholar in 1995!) and are highly regarded in Britain and North America. Law graduates are also highly sought after in secondary schools because of the popularity of commercial and legal studies subjects. There are always opportunities for qualified researchers in the University of Melbourne Law School and the Faculty is also keen to involve good graduates in its teaching program, at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level, either as full or part-time teachers.
Other careers: Law graduates have successfully developed careers in areas such as merchant baking, accounting, management consultancy, industrial relations, the media, and editing and publishing. Many diplomas have law degrees. Some corporations recruit law graduates and give them specialist training. The same is true of statutory authorities and public services.
The Course and Careers Unit at the University offers a career information and counselling service to students. Information on part-time and vacation employment, clerkships and career opportunities for law students is available from the Unit, which is located on the first floor of the Baldwin Spencer Building, telephone (03) 9344 6543.
The Faculty of Law teaches a number of subjects offered by the Faculty of Economics and Commerce. For more information Business Law
The Faculty of Law teaches a number of subjects offered by the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education. For more information Legal Studies (Arts) and Legal Studies (Education) respectively.
The Law School offers students a wide range of law subjects. Students who enrol in an LLB course must complete the compulsory subjects and a specified number of optional subjects. The subjects you choose depend on your own interests and on what you hope to do when you have completed your degree. If you want to become a legal practitioner, certain optional subjects must be chosen; otherwise you will not be eligible for admission to practise. The length of time it takes to complete a degree depends on the structure of the degree course. Basically, there are three courses leading to an LLB degree: the five and six year combined degrees, the four year LLB degree and the graduate LLB degree.
A feature of the law course at Melbourne is the seminar format of teaching in first-year subjects. Students are taught in small groups, which allows the maximum degree of student-teacher and student-student interaction.
This course has as its objectives that graduates:
understand, and can identify, use, and evaluate rules, concepts, and principles of law, their derivation, and the various theories that attempt;
have acquired the techniques of legal reasoning and argument, in oral and written form;
understand the institutions of the law, and their social, economic and political context;
have learnt to find the law, to carry out independent research and analysis, and to think creatively about legal problems;
have a continuing interest in law and obtain satisfaction from its study and practice;
develop a critical interest in the reform of the law;
can appreciate the responsibilities of lawyers to the courts, the legal profession, the community and individuals within it;
are committed to promote justice.
If you do not wish to do a combined degree, and you do not already have a degree, you can enrol in a four year LLB course. You will need to study the same compulsory and optional law subjects as in a combined degree. In addition to these law subjects, you must complete a specified number of approved non-law subjects. On completing the required subjects successfully you are admitted to the LLB degree.
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If you already have other tertiary qualifications you may enrol for an LLB as a graduate student. You are required to complete the same law subjects as in the four-year degree but you are not required to complete any non-law subjects. This course can be completed in three years.
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Students may substitute 20 points of optional subjects for either Contracts, Constitutional and Administrative Law or Property in their first year of study, subject to the approval of the Programme Manager, Undergraduate Studies and the lecturers concerned.
Five and six-year combined degrees
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (BA/LLB)
Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws (BCom/LLB)
Bachelor of Engineering/Bachelor of Laws (BEng/LLB)
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (BSc/LLB)
The majority of our students choose to study law in combination with another degree. Combined degrees can be completed after five or six years of study. Students study a combination of subjects from both faculties during the first three years. During this initial period you will complete most of the compulsory law subjects and most, if not all, of your non-law subjects. During the last two years of the course, you complete the remaining compulsory law subjects and the required number of optional subjects. When you have completed all the required subjects you are admitted to the two degrees.
The objectives of this combined course can be gleaned by referring to the objectives for both the LLB and the other degree forming part of the combined course. For the objectives of the LLB LLB course objectives. For the objectives of the BA Course objectives.
Refer to Arts Faculty entry The Arts/Law degree.
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The objectives of this combined course can be gleaned by referring to the objectives for both the LLB and the other degree forming part of the combined course. For the objectives of the LLB LLB course objectives. For the objectives of the BCom Course objectives.
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The BCom/LLB courses can be combined over five years of full-time study. Students already enrolled in the Commerce course may apply for entry to the combined course and should consult the General Manager (Law) for complete details. As well as the prescribed Law subjects, students must pass at least 200 points of approved Economics and Commerce subjects. Two non-Commerce Level 1 subjects (25 points) may be taken in the first year of the course, to count as two Economics and Commerce subjects. (Students who take a foreign language worth 37.5 points in first year may count the language as equivalent to three Economics and Commerce subjects). The approved order of subjects is as follows.
Torts and the Process of Law
History and Philosophy of Law
A total of six Commerce semester subjects (75 points) including:
Introductory Macroeconomics, Introductory Microeconomics, Quantitative Methods 1 or Business Statistics, plus approved 100-level non-Commerce subjects (maximum 37.5 points)
Constitutional and Administrative Law
Contracts
A total of six Commerce semester subjects (75 points) including:
Quantitative Methods 2 or Introductory Econometrics
Additional approved Commerce subjects
Property
Criminal Law
50 points of 300-level Commerce subjects
Equity
Law options
Law options
Note: Combined Commerce/Law students do not take any of the Commercial Law subjects taught within the Faculty of Economics and Commerce. Students are eligible for admission to the degree of Bachelor of Commerce on completion of the first four years of the combined course.
This combined course has as its objectives that graduates will:
have a sound fundamental understanding of the scientific principles underlying technology;
have acquired the educational and professional standards of the professional institutions and boards with which the faculties' courses are accredited;
possess a broad knowledge-base of each of their chosen disciplines and of other disciplines so as to facilitate effective communication with those other professionals with whom engineers and lawyers routinely communicate;
understand the basic principles underlying the management of physical, human and financial resources;
have acquired the mathematical and computational skills necessary for the solution of theoretical and practical problems, for further development professionally, and for meeting future changes in technology;
think critically, analytically, and creatively when seeking to develop solutions to professional problems whilst displaying an understanding of the dynamic economic, social, political and physical environments in which they occur;
have acquired a sense of professional ethics and responsibility towards their chosen professions and the community;
understand, identify, use and evaluate rules, concepts and principles of law, their derivation, and the various theories that attempt to systemise them;
have acquired the oral and written communication skills necessary to develop legal reasoning and argument as well as contribute to society;
develop a continuing critical interest in law and its reform and obtain satisfaction from its study and practice;
be committed to promote justice.
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Year long subjects 730-104 20.0 730-105 20.0
Semester one 411-102 Chemical Process Analysis 1 610-121 14.2 or 610-141 14.2 618-171 Mathematics 1P or 618-181 Mathematics 1R
Semester two 411-103 Chemical Process Analysis 2 610-122 14.2 or 610-142 14.2 618-172 Mathematics 1Q or 618-182 Mathematics 1S
Semester one 411-202 Process Engineering 2 421-303 Mathematics for Engineers Unit 3.1 610-033 Chemistry 3 (Chemical Engineering) 619-001 Statistics for Engineers Law subjects as required
Semester two 411-206 Reactor Engineering 1 411-308 Process Engineering 3 411-309 Process Equipment and Design 2 411-310 Chemical Engineering Projects 2 Electives 14.2 Law subjects as required
Semester one 411-301 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 411-302 Transport Phenomena 2 411-303 Fluids/Solids Processing Law subjects as required
Semester two 411-305 Heat Transfer 411-306 Separation Processes 1 411-307 Process Dynamics and Control 1 Law subjects as required
Law subjects as required
Semester one 421-203 Mathematics for Engineers Unit 2.1A (Advanced)2 or 421-204 Mathematics for Engineers Unit 2.1B (Basic)2 421-230 Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer 421-250 Management for Engineers 1 421-276 Mechanics of Solids 1 421-278 Materials 421-280 Geomechanics 1 Law subject(s) as approved by course coordinator
Semester two 421-205 Mathematics for Engineers Unit 2.2 421-281 Mechanics of Solids 2 421-231 Fluid Mechanics 451-216 Surveying (Eng Cse) Law subject(s) as approved by course coordinator
Semester one 421-277 Computer Applications and Numerical Analysis 421-303 Mathematics for Engineers Unit 3.1 421-320 Applied Hydraulics 421-321 Engineering Hydrology 421-350 Management For Engineers 2 Law subject(s) as approved by course coordinator
Semester two 421-105 Design of infrastructure 421-279 Design Philosophy and Applications 421-260 Economics for Engineers 421-380 Geomechanics 2 Law subject(s) as approved by course coordinator
Semester one 421-310 Structural Analysis 1 421-313 Concrete Theory and Design 421-340 Transport Engineering Law subject(s) as approved by the course coordinator
Semester two 421-311 Structural Analysis 2 421-312 Structural Steel Theory and Design 619-001 Statistics for Engineers Law subject(s) as approved by the course coordinator
Details on fifth and sixth years are available from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
The combined BE/LLB course in Electrical Engineering and Law must satisfy the following requirements:
All requirements of the chosen stream of the BE course must be satisfied, except that the requirement for second year physics is waived. The requirement for 28.5 points of non-technical content is considered to be satisfied by the Law component. The minimum requirement is then 343 points of Engineering and Science. The remaining optional subjects to make up 400 points for the award of the Engineering degree are credited from the Law subjects undertaken.
A minimum of 280 Law points must be completed.
The structure of the combined course is flexible, depending on the Law subjects chosen. A representative example of a course structure is shown below. The electrical engineering subjects listed are those prescribed for the standard BE in Electrical, Computer or Software Engineering. Timetabling may impose restrictions which require different combinations of subjects than those shown.
BE (Electrical, Computer, Software)/LLB
First year Law subjects - Torts & the Process of 40.0 Law, History & Philosophy of Law BE first year subjects - Mathematics, Computer Science, Electrical & Computer Engineering 57.1 Sub-total points 97.1 Second year Law subjects - Contracts, Constitutional & Admin Law 40.0 Remaining BE first year subjects - Physics 28.6 BE second year subjects - Computer Science, Mathematics for Engineers3 28.6 Sub-total points 97.2 Third year Law subjects - Property, Criminal Law & Procedure 40.0 Remaining BE second year subjects excluding Physics 64.3 Sub-total points 104.3 Fourth year Law subjects - Equity, legal theory subjects, Law options 60.0 BE third year subjects - Mathematics for Engineers, Statistics, BE third year options 55.9 Sub-total points 115.9 Fifth year Law options 80.0 Remaining BE third year subjects 28.6 Sub-total points 108.6 Sixth year Law options 20.0 BE fourth year subjects 78.5 Sub-total points 98.5
Year long 730-104 20.0 730-105 20.0
Semester one 618-171 Mathematics 1P or 618-181 Mathematics 1R 421-103 Engineering Statics 433-161 Introduction to Programming A 610-141 14.2 or 610-161 14.2
Semester two 618-172 Mathematics 1Q or 618-182 Mathematics 1S
* Any of the first or second semester engineering subjects may be postponed till third year to suit timetabling and maximum workload requirement. Students should take into account pre-requisites for the following subjects in making these choices.
Third year
* Any of the first or second semester engineering subjects may be postponed till fourth year to suit timetabling and maximum workload requirement. Students should take into account pre-requisites for the following subjects in making these choices.
Fourth and fifth years
Engineering and Law subjects deferred from earlier years
Sixth year
For details of sixth year contact the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Details of this course structure are available from either the Faculty of Law or the Faculty of Engineering.
Semester one 433-161 Introduction to Programming A 436-241 Introduction to Manufacturing Processes 619-001 Statistics for Engineers Compulsory Law subjects as required
Semester two 436-205 Computational Mechanics and Programming 436-204 Engineering Economics and Statistical Applications Compulsory Law subjects as required
Note: For Manufacturing and Environmental stream subjects (Refer to BE).
Fifth year
Remaining Law subjects
Sixth year (Mechanical)
Law subjects as required.
Sixth year (Manufacturing)
Law subjects as required.
Sixth year (Environmental)
Law subjects as required.
The objectives of this combined course can be gleaned by referring to the objectives for both the LLB and the other degree forming part of the combined course. For the objectives of the LLB LLB course objectives. For the objectives of the BSc Science.
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A minimum of 200 science points are required, which must include:
at least 50 points at the 100-level;
at least 50 points at the 300-level.
Note that:
A maximum of 125 points can be counted at the 100-level
There are no specific requirements at the 200-level
Science points are awarded for the completion of a vast majority of the subjects that are listed in the Science section of this Handbook. Exceptions include: some of the subjects offered by the Department of Information Systems; some of the geomatics subjects, engineering mathematics, engineering physics, and engineering chemistry subjects.
The Faculty of Science offers a Bachelor of Science (Honours) program. It involves advanced research and coursework and results in the award of an Honours qualification. Refer to the Faculty of Science section of the Handbook for more information.
Students are able to undertake any science subjects for which they have satisfied the prerequisites. Note, however, that a quota applies to some science subjects as demand for the subject is greater than the number of places available. Selection into quota subjects is largely determined by academic performance in science subjects (refer to the Quota Subject entry in the Faculty of Science entry for further detail).
Prerequisites are stated in the subject entries.
General Manager (Law): Ms Penny Swain
Program Manager (Undergraduate Studies): Mr Norbert Hrouda
Program Manager (Research and Graduate Studies): Ms Kaye Nankervis
All postal enquiries should be addressed to:
Law School Office, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052.
Contact numbers for the LLB program are:
Contact numbers for the graduate program are:
1. Alternative subjects: Students who have completed 618-171/172 Mathematics IP/IQ in first year will take 421-203 Mathematics for Engineers 2.1A. Others will take 421-204 Mathematics for Engineers 2.1B.
2. Alternative subjects: Students who have completed 618-171/172 Mathematics IP/IQ in first year will take 421-203 Mathematics for Engineers 2.1A. Others will take 421-204 Mathematics for Engineers 2.1B.
3. Alternative subjects: Students who have completed 618-171/172 Mathematics IP/IQ in first year will take 421-203 Mathematics for Engineers 2.1A. Others will take 421-204 Mathematics for Engineers 2.1B.
4. Alternative subjects: Students who have completed 618-171/172 Mathematics IP/IQ in first year will take 421-203 Mathematics for Engineers 2.1A. Others will take 421-204 Mathematics for Engineers 2.1B.
5. The approved Legal Theory subjects are: Australian Legal History, Comparative Constitutional Law, Current International Legal Problems, Feminist Legal Theory, Human Rights Law, Introduction to European Civil Law, Introduction to Law and Society in China, Islamic Law, Issues in Chinese Law, Jewish Civil Law, Jurisprudence, Law and Artificial Intelligence, Law and Civil Society in Asia, Law and Cultural Diversity, Law and Discrimination, Law and Economics, Law and Indigenous Societies in Australia, Law and Sexuality, Law and Society in Japan, Law and Society in Korea, Law and Society in Malaysia, Legal History Workshop, Legislation, Rethinking Australian Democracy: History Politics and the Law, Roman Law, Sex Discrimination Law, Socio-Legal Research.
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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Law
Status: OFFICIAL 1997 Last Modified: Wednesday March 12 3:36 pm SGML to HTML Conversion: Information Technology Services Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email Enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1997.