Consumer Protection

This subject is not offered in 2016.

150 hours

Students are expected to log into the LMS and familiarise themselves with the subject, layout, navigation, activities, readings and assessment the week before formal teaching begins.

Students will not be expected to complete any set tasks or readings but will be encouraged to make a start on readings for the module if they so choose.

Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level.

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 use a computer, including read material on screen, to a competent standard;
• 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 Student Equity and Disability Support.

This subject will examine the policy objectives underpinning consumer protection laws, including the intersection between consumer and competition policies. Student will develop a clear understanding of the key areas of regulation, including various forms of misleading and deceptive conduct, guarantees and warranties, unfair contract terms and unconscionability, and product liability and safety. They will examine key enforcement tools and mechanisms for consumer redress, focussing particularly on the challenges posed by e-commerce, and explore the often complex institutional arrangements involving national and international bodies, as well as non-governmental organisations, in this field.

Highlights of the subject include:

• Critical examination of the policy objectives and priorities underpinning, and the approaches taken to the design and application of, consumer laws, including variations between developed and developing countries in this context;
• Case studies that illustrate the practical challenges associated with enforcing consumer laws, with particular emphasis on the issues that arise in the context of growing international trade and e-commerce;
• Insights and perspectives from leading stakeholders such as consumer enforcement authority officials, intergovernmental and nongovernmental officials and practitioners to assist students in developing a sophisticated appreciation of the issues facing the development and practice of competition law in the Asia Pacific region.

On completion of this subject, students will have developed:

• An advanced knowledge of the economic policies and principles, legal rules and enforcement approaches that apply to consumer protection laws;
• Sophisticated cognitive and technical skills that equip them to critically analyse and assess consumer protection policies, law and enforcement approaches; and
• A capacity to use the knowledge and skills students have gained in the subject in a way that demonstrates effective autonomy, judgment, adaptability and responsibility as an expert learner and practitioner in the field of international competition and consumer law.

• Participation in and contributions to discussion board and tutorials, Throughout term: weeks 1-8 (20%)
• Mid-term assessment task (practical exercise) (max 4000 words), Week 5 (30%)
• Final assessment task (reflective essay) (max 6000 words), Week 9 (50%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.