Graduate Diploma in Dispute Resolution

The specialisation in dispute resolution works from the principles that underpin dispute resolution and management. The subjects examine how these principles inform the theoretical and practical aspects of this rapidly changing area of law. The program is relevant to legal practitioners and will appeal to others working in the design, reform and practice of dispute resolution. Judges, legal practitioners and legal researchers teach a broad range of subjects spanning litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

The Graduate Diploma in Dispute Resolution focuses on:

• Identification and analysis of a range of techniques available for the resolution of disputes
• The theories underpinning alternative forms of dispute resolution
• The frameworks for selected forms of dispute resolution and how to work within them
• How selected forms of dispute resolution work in practice, including the significance of practical considerations
• Critical evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to dispute resolution
• Developments in the theory and practice of dispute resolution and a comparison between Australia and other countries.

Students must complete four subjects from the prescribed list.

Students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction or any prior legal studies or experience are also expected to complete the two-day preliminary subject Australian Legal Process and Legal Institutions.

None

2014 Subjects

• Advanced Civil Litigation LAWS70202
• Advanced Evidence LAWS70071
• Advanced Mediation LAWS70467
• Alternative Dispute Resolution LAWS70018
• Avoiding and Managing Construction Disputes LAWS70245
• Construction Dispute Resolution LAWS70133
• Expert Evidence LAWS70073
• International Commercial Arbitration LAWS70121
• International Investment Law and Arbitration LAWS70304
• Medical Litigation LAWS70225
• Negotiation Skills LAWS70468
• Proof in Litigation LAWS70178
• Sports Dispute Resolution LAWS70376
• Tax Litigation LAWS70266
• Written Advocacy (Formerly Effective Written Advocacy) LAWS70052
• WTO Law and Dispute Settlement LAWS70322

All Subjects

# Offered in 2014

• Advanced Civil Litigation LAWS70202 #
• Advanced Evidence LAWS70071 #
• Advanced Mediation LAWS70467 #
• Alternative Dispute Resolution LAWS70018 #
• Avoiding and Managing Construction Disputes LAWS70245 #
• Class Actions LAWS70019
• Commercial Conflict of Laws LAWS70409
• Constitutional Law in Practice (Formerly Constitutional Litigation) LAWS70222
• Construction Dispute Resolution LAWS70133 #
• Criminal Procedure and Human Rights: International and Australian Perspectives LAWS70337
• Current Issues in Family Law (Formerly Family Law) LAWS70014
• Expert Evidence LAWS70073 #
• Human Rights Litigation and Advocacy LAWS70186
• International Commercial Arbitration LAWS70121 #
• International Dispute Settlement LAWS70393
• International Investment Law and Arbitration LAWS70304 #
• Litigating before International Courts and Tribunals LAWS70426
• Mediation Theory and Practice 730714
• Medical Litigation LAWS70225 #
• Negotiation Skills LAWS70468 #
• Proof in Litigation LAWS70178 #
• Sports Dispute Resolution LAWS70376 #
• Tax Litigation LAWS70266 #
• Trial Advocacy 730774
• What is it that Judges Do? LAWS70379
• Written Advocacy (Formerly Effective Written Advocacy) LAWS70052 #
• WTO Law and Dispute Settlement LAWS70322 #

None

Available Breadth Tracks

• A degree in a relevant discipline and the equivalent of at least one year of full-time, documented, relevant professional experience; or
• A degree in law leading to admission to legal practice (LLB, JD or equivalent), at honours standard or equivalent; or
• A degree in law leading to admission to legal practice (LLB, JD or equivalent) and the equivalent of at least one year of full-time, documented, relevant professional experience.

The Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:

• The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis and critique of complex materials and debate;
• The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and to critically evaluate these;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
• The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
• The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

1. Advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the relevant area of law
   The specialist focus of the Melbourne Law Masters, the constant review and renewal of subjects and courses, the range and expertise of instructors from Australia and around the world, and regular advice from our advisory boards combine to ensure that courses and subjects reflect emerging knowledge and ideas
2. Ability to evaluate and synthesise existing knowledge in the area
   Small classes, a discussion-based environment and the emphasis on quality teaching and learning create an environment in which knowledge is exchanged, critically examined and adapted to current circumstances
3. Well-developed problem solving abilities, characterised by flexibility of approach
   Most subjects approach knowledge by reference to various issues or problems. Students are encouraged to critically analyse problems and identify and develop a range of appropriate solutions through class discussion, individual study and assessment tasks.
4. Advanced competencies in legal research and analysis
   Class preparation and class discussions are designed to enhance these skills, which are tested in all forms of assessment.
5. Capacity to communicate, orally and in writing
   Classroom discussion and formal presentations provide an opportunity to hone oral communication skills, and written assessment tasks are graded in part on written communication skills.
6. Appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research
   Research papers and other research tasks are expected to attain a degree of originality and discovery that befits a quality postgraduate program, and students are encouraged and assisted to publish work of a high standard in refereed journals.
7. Capacity to manage competing demands on time
   The demanding nature of graduate study requires effective time-management skills from all students. The rigour of our programs, whether undertaken part-time or full-time, ensures that all successful graduates have enhanced time-management skills.
8. Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, including the ethics of scholarship
   Some subjects have a substantive ethical component. All instructors have a respect for intellectual integrity and are skilled scholars or practitioners in their own right.
9. Appreciation of the way in which knowledge provides a foundation for leadership
   Instructors in the Melbourne Law Masters are leaders in their fields, and many subjects involve visiting academics, exposing students to a wider array of leaders in a range of legal fields. The Law School is committed to the significance of knowledge, which informs all regular programs and a wide range of additional activities.
10. Capacity to value and participate in teamwork
    Small class sizes and an intensive teaching format are valuable in encouraging group dynamics and teamwork.
11. Understanding of the significance and value of knowledge to the wider community
    Law and legal knowledge are a community resource. In some subjects, this perspective is covered explicitly by the syllabus and the manner in which issues are treated in class. In addition, our diverse student body ensures that a range of perspectives on the way law impacts on the community are identified and analysed.
12. Capacity to engage with issues in contemporary society
    Our programs focus on the most up-to-date legal knowledge, analysing current issues and problems through the curriculum design, classroom discussion and assessment tasks. International students are also invited to participate in extracurricular activities to aid understanding of Australian law and legal institutions.
13. Advanced working skills in the use of new technology
    The most advanced IT infrastructure is available to Melbourne Law Masters students in the Law Library, the Moot Court Room, classroom settings and for private study.