Juris Doctor

The Melbourne JD is a fully graduate law degree. Applicants must have either an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than law or a degree in law from a different legal system. The JD leads to admission to the legal profession in all Australian jurisdictions and can be used as a basis for seeking admission in many overseas jurisdictions as well.

Melbourne Law School aims to produce intellectually engaged graduates who are well equipped to use their legal training in a variety of professional settings, including legal practice, and to make a contribution to the community. Melbourne Law School will select students from a broad range of backgrounds who have a record of academic excellence, and are intellectually rigorous, motivated and engaged with the study of law. Melbourne Law School believes that a diverse student body enriches both the learning and practice of law, and for this reason we encourage applications from graduates with a range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, as well as from a variety of academic disciplines, geographical locations, careers and life experiences.

Selection into the JD is based on academic results in all tertiary study undertaken; the score received in a legal aptitude test (LSAT); and a short personal statement. In addition, Melbourne has a Graduate Access program for students who have been disadvantaged, and a guaranteed pathway to the degree for some high achieving school leavers. As a result of these selection criteria, the Melbourne JD student body will be diverse, motivated and highly talented. JD students will bring to the study of law a wide range of knowledge and experience gained from their undergraduate degrees, and the Melbourne JD is designed to respond to the exciting challenge of teaching law to such a group. The curriculum has been developed specifically for graduates and the course is structured and taught in a way that is suitable for graduates. Usually the maximum class size is 60 and in many subjects it is smaller, to enhance the opportunities for interaction between students and teachers and amongst students themselves.

The normal length of the course is three years, taught over six semesters. Acceleration is possible, by taking subjects in the summer and winter breaks, subject to the approval of the School. The teaching year begins in February. Applications for admission are assessed in the latter part of the preceding year.

The Melbourne JD comprises 24 subjects. Seventeen are compulsory, enabling the School to provide its students with cumulative learning, by integrating both subject matter and skills across and between semesters. Students normally remain in the same cohort to complete the compulsory subjects. This enhances the collegial experience of students during their time in the School and establishes bonds that will continue long after graduation. The remaining subjects are chosen by students from a wide range of optional subjects offered by the School. These vary from year to year, enabling the School to respond to changes in the law and legal thinking and giving students access to the latest developments in research by some of the leading scholars in the School.

The School has offered the Melbourne JD since 2000. It has been an outstanding success. It set a benchmark for legal education in Australia and was welcomed by students and teachers alike. The degree is highly commended by employers for the quality of the graduates that it produces. The degree that will be offered from 2008 builds on that experience, adapting it to the needs of a larger and more diverse student body. The School is confident that it will be equally successful.

The objectives of the degree are to ensure, as far as possible, that every graduate with a Melbourne JD has the following attributes and skills:

• Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship and legal practice;
• Highly developed cognitive, analytic and problem-solving skills;
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning;
• Intellectual curiosity and creativity including understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of research activity;
• Extensive knowledge of the discipline of law, including legal knowledge and skills, and informed respect for the principles, disciplines, values and ethics of the legal profession;
• Ability and self-confidence to comprehend complex concepts, to express them lucidly, whether orally or in writing, and to confront unfamiliar problems;
• Awareness of advanced communications technologies and modalities, sound working skills in the application of computer systems and software, and receptiveness to the expanding opportunities of the ‘information revolution’;
• International awareness and openness to the world, based on understanding and appreciation of social and cultural diversity and respect for human rights and dignity;
• Leadership capacity, including a willingness to engage in constructive public discourse, to accept social and civic responsibilities and to speak out against prejudice, injustice and the abuse of power;
• Ability and confidence to participate effectively in collaborative learning as a team-member, while respecting individual differences; and
• Ability to plan work and to use time effectively.

The Melbourne JD comprises 24 subjects. It is a full-time law degree taught on a semester basis, with a normal duration of three calendar years. The course may be accelerated by undertaking subjects in the summer and winter breaks, with the approval of the Faculty. A combined course, with the Melbourne Business School’s MBA program, is also available.

Compulsory subjects
The compulsory subjects, in the order in which they are usually taken, are:

Legal Method and Reasoning
Principles of Public Law
Obligations
Dispute Resolution
Constitutional Law
Contracts
Torts
Legal Theory
Administrative Law
Trusts
Property
Criminal Law
Corporations Law
Remedies
Evidence and Proof
Legal Ethics
Legal Research

The subjects are organised so as to ensure a balanced range in each semester, between which linkages can be made. In addition, subjects in both private and public law build progressively over the semesters, contributing to the effectiveness of the learning experience.

Elective subjects
A vibrant and exciting optional program will be offered by the School each year. Many of the actual subjects will vary from year to year, in response to demand and emerging trends.

To view current electives listings please visit the Melbourne JD website.

Standard course structure - three years
In its standard form, the degree is taken over three years. This format enables students to take advantage of other educational, professional and social opportunities during the summer and winter breaks, including seasonal clerkships, international exchanges, internships, mooting and Law Review editorial work.

Accelerated course structure
The degree can also be accelerated, at varying speeds, with the approval of the School.

JD/MBA - 3 year course
The Melbourne JD is also available as a combined course with the MBA program offered by the Melbourne Business School. Students must take 15 subjects from the MBA (10 compulsory subjects and 5 elective subjects) and 22 subjects from the JD (17 compulsory subjects and 5 optional subjects). Details, including course structure and selection criteria, are available online at: http://jdmba.unimelb.edu.au/

Melbourne JD - Course Structure

The Melbourne JD is a three-year course, taught over six semesters and delivered only on a full-time basis. Acceleration is possible by taking subjects in the summer and winter breaks, subject to approval, leading to completion of the course in just over two years. The teaching year begins in February.

The course comprises 24 subjects, of which 17 are compulsory. The remaining subjects are chosen by students from a wide range of options available for the Melbourne JD and the Melbourne Law Masters.

Standard Course Structure – Three Years
The standard three-year course format enables students to take advantage of other educational, professional and social opportunities during the summer and winter breaks, including seasonal clerkships, international exchanges, internships, mooting and Law Review editorial work.

Accelerated Course Structure
The Melbourne JD can also be accelerated, at varying speeds, with approval from the School.

Standard Course Structure: Year 1 - Foundation Subject

Standard Course Structure: Year 1 - Compulsory Subjects

Standard Course Structure: Year 2 - Compulsory Subjects

Standard Course Structure: Year 2 - Elective Subjects

2 elective subjects are undertaken in Semester 2.

Standard Course Structure: Year 3 - Compulsory Subjects

Standard Course Structure: Year 3 - Elective Subjects

2 elective subjects are undertaken in Semester 1.

3 elective subjects are undertaken in Semester 2.

Accelerated Course Structure

Below is an example accelerated course structure. The JD offers flexibility in its structure with a wide variety of electives being available from both the JD and the Melbourne Law Masters programs both during standard semesters and as intensives during the summer semester and winter recess. Students wishing to vary their accelerated course structure should discuss proposed changes with a Course Director prior to applying to enrol in elective subjects.

Accelerated Course Structure: Year 1 - Foundation Subject

Accelerated Course Structure: Year 1

Please note Evidence and Proof is offered at the end of Semester 1 as a winter intensive. Students may take an elective instead of Evidence and Proof in the winter recess. Students may also take an elective in November in year 1 or year 2.

Accelerated Course Structure: Year 2

Students take:

• 2 elective subjects during the Summer Semester
• Evidence and Proof and Legal Ethics are offered at the end of Semester 1 as winter intensives. Students may take an elective instead of Evidence and Proof during the winter recess.
• 1 elective subject in Semester 2.
• Students may also take an elective in November in year 1 or year 2.

Accelerated Course Structure: Year 3

2 elective subjects are undertaken in the Summer Semester.

In selecting applicants for admission to the JD, the School seeks to determine whether applicants are suited to the graduate study of law and whether they are likely to succeed.

The Law School will select students from a broad range of backgrounds who have a record of academic excellence, and are intellectually rigorous, motivated and likely to be engaged with the study of law. The Law School believes that a diverse student body enriches both the learning and practice of law, and for this reason we encourage applications from graduates with a range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, as well as from a range of academic disciplines, geographical locations, careers and life experiences.

Applicants must have either an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than law or a degree in law from a different legal system.

The three criteria for selection are:

• The score in the LSAT test;
• Academic results achieved in previous tertiary studies;
• The applicant’s personal statement.

No single one of these criteria is determinative. Additional considerations become relevant for students who fall within the Graduate Access Melbourne Scheme.

English requirements for the JD

Applicants who have not obtained a university degree from an institution in which English is the language of instruction and assessment must have obtained a score of 610 or more in the American TOEFL, including an Essay rating score of 5.0 in the TWE; or a score of 253 in the computer-based TOEFL; or an overall band score of 7.0 or more in the IELTS, with a minimum band score of 7.0 in the Academic Writing Module.

Detailed information about the application and selection process for the Melbourne JD is available on the website at http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/jd

The Melbourne Law School welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Law School policy to take all reasonable steps to enable the participation of students with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the School’s programs.

The inherent academic requirements for the study in the Melbourne Law School are:

1. The ability to attend classes and actively engage in the analysis of complex materials and debate;
2. The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
3. The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
4. The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
5. The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
6. The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from participating in tasks involving these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/.

For information about graduate attributes, please refer to the Melbourne JD website at http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/jd/future-students/why-choose-the-melbourne-juris-doctor/skills-development

At the completion of the JD course all students are able to demonstrate competence in a range of core skills essential to many career paths in law. The cumulative nature of the course curriculum allows for the development of skills throughout the course.

For more information about Generic Skills and Cognitive Legal Skills for the Melbourne JD please visit the website at http://www.law.unimelb.edu.au/jd