Master of Construction Law

Melbourne Law School's graduate program in construction law has been tailored to give construction lawyers and professionals in building, construction, engineering and associated industries the specialised legal knowledge to take the next step in their careers. Working with teachers who are leaders in their fields, and fellow students from throughout Australia and around the world, you will have an unrivalled opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of this specialised area of law and its interaction with the commerce and practice of the industry.

The graduate programs in construction law focus on:

• Common law principles and statutory regimes that impact upon construction and related projects in Australia and the relationship of such laws with the technical and commercial underpinnings of the industry
• International aspects of construction law and practice, including comparisons with that applicable in Australia
• The principles underpinning the drafting of construction contracts and amendment of standard-form construction contracts
• Avoidance, management and resolution of construction claims and disputes
• Ongoing debates relating to construction law and practice.

Students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must complete Fundamentals of the Common Law as well as seven subjects from the prescribed lists. Students with a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must complete at least seven subjects from the prescribed lists and may choose an eighth subject from those available in the Melbourne Law Masters (excluding Fundamentals of the Common Law).

Subject selection

From 2010, there are no compulsory subjects in the Master of Construction Law (applies also to students who enrolled prior to 2010).

Principles of Construction Law is strongly recommended for students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction and recommended for law graduates without substantial construction law experience. These students should take the subject before any other construction law subjects but (if applicable) after Fundamentals of the Common Law.

It is also recommended that students without a technical background undertake Construction: Principles into Practice early in their course.

Note: Rights and Liabilities in Construction is no longer offered in the Melbourne Law Masters program.