Fundamentals of the Common Law

Subject LAWS70217 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 7 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: The total class time is between 24 and 26 hours.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

Students who are required to undertake this subject are advised to undertake it as early as possible in their course.

Students who have a degree in law from, or are admitted to practise in, a common law jurisdiction are not permitted to enrol in this subject except with the permission of the Associate Dean Melbourne Law Masters.
Corequisites: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Core Participation Requirements: Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

Coordinator

Ms Erica Grundell

Contact

For more information, contact the Melbourne Law Masters office.

Email law-masters@unimelb.edu.au or phone +61 3 8344 6190.

Alternatively, visit our website:

www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject provides an examination of the history, principal legal concepts and institutions of the common law. Topics will be chosen with a view to providing a basis of knowledge and understanding for areas of law covered elsewhere in the Melbourne Law Masters.

Principal topics will include:

  • Evolution of the common law, the division between law and equity, theories of law, basic concepts, and values and assumptions
  • Sources of law in common law systems
  • Institutions and procedures of the common law
  • Substantive principles of the common law
  • The interpretation of statutes.
Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Have a sound general understanding of the history, principles, legal concepts and institutions of the common law
  • Understand the principal points of similarity and difference between common law and civil law systems
  • Be aware of the tendencies of the main legal systems to borrow from each other and understand the principal reasons for this
  • Have developed skills in legal analysis, research and writing.
Assessment:

Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date

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