MC161 - Juris Doctor

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Plan: MC161P14 - Juris Doctor
Campus: City Campus

Program delivery and structure

Approach to learning and assessment
Work integrated learning
Program structure
Program transition plan

Approach to learning and assessment

Over the duration of your program, you will experience a variety of approaches to teaching and learning. The approaches used in each course will be appropriate to the core curriculum areas and graduate capabilities. It is designed to develop, and to assist you in developing skills as an independent and lifelong learner.

The major styles of teaching and learning you will experience throughout your program will include:

Classroom teaching: utilises a range of teaching and learning techniques including lectures, guest lectures by legal practitioners, class presentations, group discussion and student-led discussion. This style of learning is designed to maximise your understanding of the curriculum content and skills. It is designed to provide an environment where you can ask questions and seek feedback as well as contribute to class discussion with your peers. Classes may be offered in intensive mode over weekends or in week long blocks.

Problem-based learning: you may be in a small legal practice group or team, or work individually to apply knowledge to solve problems and examine case studies. This technique is designed to simulate the experiences you will encounter working as a lawyer.

Assignments and projects: these may be either research or problem based, and may be undertaken in teams or individually. They will provide you with experience at undertaking legal research and legal reasoning, to write effectively and to present your findings and advice to a range of audiences; and may also require you to provide oral presentations. Assignments and projects are also designed to provide a way to receive feedback on your skills development and be able to utilise this feedback to improve your skills and further develop your capabilities in the relevant area.

Moots: you will be requested to participate in moots (mock courts), in which you may play the role of a solicitor, barrister, expert witness or negotiator. These moots will develop your capabilities in relation to substantive lawyer writing and drafting legal research and legal reasoning, judgment and strategy and oral communication in advocacy and negotiation solutions.

Flexible Delivery: The program will incorporate extensive use of online teaching resources; in the provision of support resources to you the students, and for accessing research sites of relevance to the course content. myRMIT will be used to provide your work to a range of resources for online learning, as set out below:

Learning Resources: On enrolment in each course you will be provided with a folder of course materials described above. These materials will also be accessible on the myRMIT and will include:

  • Lecture notes and presentation slides which can be used as either preparation or revision materials.
  • Staff and Guest lectures digitally recorded, and provided online as audio-stream files for access from a computer, or in format compatible with personal music players.
  • A number of courses have been developed as fully integrated online resources able to be studied during the Summer School. Courseware delivered via myRMIT may comprise fully online, media rich content (HTML, animations, audiovisual, etc), or text-based resources designed for on-screen viewing or printing.
  • Legal research activities: Legal research is a key store to becoming a lawyer and extensive online materials will be provided, both through the RMIT Library’s database subscriptions to case law and journals, and through individual course research references.

Legal cases can be browsed online at the Australian Legal Information Institutes website  (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
You will be directed to legal case studies prepared to illustrate specific principles and made available via myRMIT.

Assessment and Feedback Tools: A range of assessment tools will be provided online to assist with course content and to produce immediate feedback.

  • Discussion boards will be used as a forum to discuss and analyse readings, theories, events etc.
  • Quizzes will be used for formative assessment and self-tests, incorporating a range of designs and feedback options.

Assessment is designed to provide you with opportunities to demonstrate the extent to which you have developed your capabilities and achieved specified learning outcomes in a given area. Methods of assessment will vary between courses, as it is appropriate to the objectives, learning outcomes and capabilities to be developed in each course.

Assessment may take the form of:

Formal examinations: which provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding and application of fundamental legal principles to either practical or theoretical issues.

Assignments, case studies and projects: may be completed individually or in teams. They will provide you opportunities to develop your abilities in legal communications, research and reasoning, and problem solving.

Research projects: which assess your ability to fixate, assimilate, analyse and critically reflect on information.

In-class tests: provide you with feedback on your early understanding within a course and allow feedback to assist you in further developing your skills and abilities.

Reflective papers: where you reflect on what you have learnt and the methods you have utilised to enhance your learning, and develop your judgment and strategy capabilities.

Presentations: which provide you opportunities to develop your research, legal reasoning and oral communication skills.

Moots: which provide you with opportunities to demonstrate advocacy, negotiation, problem solving, leadership, judgment, legal reasoning and communications skills.

Additional Information

Please note that this program’s courses (whether core, option, or university elective courses) may have mandatory in-person attendance or assessment to pass the course. 

If you are choosing to enrol in a course which has mandatory in-person attendance or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption. 

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus

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Work integrated learning

As a student enrolled in this RMIT University program you will be provided with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice. The designated Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course in this program is LAW1031 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (12 credit points). This course will provide you with opportunities to apply your academic skills to a work-based context. 

In particular you will:

  • undertake and be assessed on structured activities that allow you to learn, apply and demonstrate your professional or vocational practice; and
  • be involved in authentic engagement with partner organisations that includes industry feedback.

These learning opportunities may be in the form of industry-based projects, simulations or placements.

 

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Program Structure

To graduate you must complete the following. All courses listed may not be available each semester.
 

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Year One of Program

Complete the following One (1) Commencement Course:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Introduction to the Australian Legal System and Legal Methods 12 LAW1019 City Campus
AND
Complete the following Three (3) Courses:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Fundamentals of Contract Law 12 LAW2524 City Campus
Law of Torts 12 LAW1020 City Campus
Criminal Law 12 LAW2394 City Campus
AND
Complete the following Three (3) Courses:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Jurisprudence 12 LAW1046 City Campus
Advanced Contract Law 12 LAW2527 City Campus
Negotiation and Dispute Resolution 12 LAW1031 City Campus
AND
Select and Complete One (1) Course from the list of Approved Law Option courses at the end of this program structure.
 
AND

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Year Two of Program

Complete the following Four (4) Courses:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Administrative Law 12 LAW1023 City Campus
Australian Property Law 12 LAW1024 City Campus
Australian Company Law 12 LAW1026 City Campus
International Law 12 LAW1029 City Campus
AND
Complete the following Three (3) Courses:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Federal and State Constitutional Law 12 LAW1027 City Campus
Civil Procedure 12 LAW1030 City Campus
Law and Technology 12 LAW1042 City Campus
AND
Select and Complete One (1) Course from the list of Approved Law Option courses at the end of this program structure.
 
AND

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Year Three of Program

Complete the following Three (3) Courses:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Equity and Trusts 12 LAW1025 City Campus
Evidence 12 LAW2395 City Campus
Innovative Justice 12 LAW2551 City Campus
AND
Select and Complete One (1) Course from the list of Approved Law Option courses at the end of this program structure.
AND
Complete the following One (1) Capstone Course:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Legal Practice Management and Professional Conduct 12 LAW1037 City Campus
AND
Select and Complete Three (3) Courses from the list of Approved Law Option courses listed at the end of this program structure.
 
AND

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Approved Law Options List:

List of Approved Law Option Courses:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Australian Taxation Law 12 LAW1028 City Campus
Intellectual Property Law 12 LAW1022 City Campus
Clinical Legal Education 12 LAW2434 City Campus
Advocacy Skills and Training 12 LAW2436 City Campus
Wills and Succession 12 LAW1043 City Campus
International Business Law 12 LAW1034 City Campus
Human Rights Law in Australia 12 LAW2432 City Campus
Insolvency 12 LAW1045 City Campus
Acquisitions, Takeovers and Mergers 12 LAW1050 City Campus
Labour Law 12 LAW1039 City Campus
Introduction to Family Law in Australia 12 LAW2531 City Campus
Environment and Planning Law Practice 12 LAW2529 City Campus
Competition and Consumer Law 12 LAW1033 City Campus
Health Law 12 LAW2549 City Campus
External Legal Competition 12 LAW2607 City Campus
JD Study Tour (CIJ): Innovative Justice and Court Innovation 12 LAW2533 City Campus
Postgraduate Legal Internship 12 LAW2554 City Campus
Discrimination Law 12 LAW2565 City Campus
Business and Human Rights 12 LAW2564 City Campus
Legal Research Project 12 LAW1040 City Campus
Asian Law and Management Issues 12 LAW2627 City Campus
 

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Program transition plan

PROGRAM CHANGE FROM SEMESTER 1, 2021
From Semester 1, 2021, the Juris Doctor program structure will comprise of 6 law approved electives. This means that the 3 university elective spaces in the current program structure will be removed. This change will only to apply to new students who enrol in the program for 2021 onward. Any students who commenced the Juris Doctor program prior to 2021 and have already successfully completed up to 3 postgraduate electives courses or wish to do so in the future, will still have them counted toward your program.

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PROGRAM CHANGES FROM SEMESTER 1, 2020
In Semester 1 2020, the Juris Doctor program will undergo a minor change and all students will be transitioned to the new structure.  All course credits that have already been obtained will be recognised in the new structure.  Students who commenced prior to Semester 1 2020 should refer to the transition rules below.

- LAW1042 Law and Information Technology is changing course title to LAW1042 Law and Technology and will change from an “Approved Law Elective” to a core course of the program structure.

LAW2551 Innovative Justice will replace LAW1040 Legal Research Project as the core research project course. 

LAW1040 Legal Research Project will change from a core course to an “Approved Law Elective” course

- There will be an addition of two new Approved Elective courses: LAW2565 Discrimination Law and LAW2564 Business and Human Rights

- The discontinuation of the elective course LAW1032 Transnational Law 

Pre-requisites

From Semester 1, 2020, enforced pre-requisites have been applied to the following courses: 
- LAW2524 Fundaments of Contract Law
- LAW1020 Law of Torts
- LAW2394 Criminal Law 
- LAW2527 Advanced Contract Law 
- LAW1023 Administrative Law
- LAW1024 Australian Property Law 
- LAW1026 Australian Company Law 
- LAW1027 Federal and State Constitutional Law 
- LAW1030 Civil Procedure 
- LAW1025 Equity and Trusts
- LAW2395 Evidence
- LAW1037 Legal Practice Management and Professional Conduct 
Please refer to the relevant course guide for futher information. 

Transition rules:
Transition rules will apply to students who started prior to Semester 1 2020 and are on the plan code MC161P14.  These transition rules ensure that no student is required to complete more than 288 credit points. Please refer to the relevant information below that reflects your stage in the program to determine how this program structure change will affect you. Students can utilise a Transition Map by clicking here

- If you have completed LAW1040 Legal Research Project prior to Semester 1 2020, you are not required to take LAW1042 Law & Technology as a core course. You may choose this as an elective if you wish.

- If you have not completed LAW1040 Legal Research Project prior to Semester 1 2020, you may choose either LAW1040 Legal Research Project or LAW1042 Law & Technology as a core course, although please refer to the important note below to ensure you are meeting all requirements for the program.

- If you have completed LAW2551 Innovative Justice and have not yet completed LAW1040 Legal Research Project prior to Semester 1 2020, you must complete LAW1040 Legal Research Project as a core course; please refer to the important note below to ensure you are meeting all requirements for the program.

- Your elective courses can include any of the new courses that are being introduced.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In order satisfy the TEQSA research component of a Masters level program, you must have completed LAW1040 Legal Research Project prior to Semester 1 2020, or LAW2551 Innovative Justice after Semester 1 2020.  Please be aware that the completion of LAW2551 Innovative Justice prior to Semester 1 2020 does not satisfy the TEQSA research component and you are required to complete Legal Research Project. Failure to comply with these transitions rules may result in you being ineligible to graduate and may prevent you from being admitted to legal practice. 
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INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS WHO STARTED ON OR AFTER SEMESTER 2, 2014 (plan code MC161P14):
If you started on, or after, Semester 2 2014, are an on-campus student and your Plan Code is MC161P14, these changes will apply to you. 
The updated program structure table is provided at the end of this document for your reference.


Transition Rules
All students on the MC161P14 plan will be transitioned to the new program structure, and all course credits that have already been obtained will be recognised in the new structure. 

The transition rules below ensure that no student is required to complete more than the 288 credit points.  Please refer to the relevant table that reflects your stage in the program to determine how this program structure change will affect you.

If you have completed 6 or fewer electives prior to Semester 1 2018

  • If you HAVE completed LAW1037 Legal Practice Management prior to Semester 1 2018: 
    1. You will be required to complete 18 core and 6 elective courses.
    2. LAW1037 Legal Practice Management will be considered a core course.
    3. You will be required to complete LAW2551 Innovative Justice as one of your core courses.
     
  • If you HAVE NOT completed LAW1037 Legal Practice Management prior to Semester 1 2018: 
    1. You will be required to complete 18 core and 6 elective courses.
    2. You will be required to complete LAW1037 Legal Practice Management as one of your core courses.
    3. You will be required to complete LAW2551 Innovative Justice as one of your core courses.

If you have completed 7 electives prior to Semester 1 2018: 

  • If you HAVE completed LAW1037 Legal Practice Management prior to Semester 1 2018:
    1. You will be required to complete 17 core and 7 elective courses.
    2. LAW1037 Legal Practice Management will be considered a core course.
    3. You will be required to complete LAW2551 Innovative Justice as one of your core courses.
     
  • If you HAVE NOT completed LAW1037 Legal Practice Management prior to Semester 1 2018:
    1. You will be required to complete 17 core and 7 elective courses.
    2. You can choose to do either LAW1037 Legal Practice Management or LAW2551 Innovative Justice as one of your core courses.
    Please note: LAW1037 Legal Practice Management is required if you wish to be admitted to practice

If you have completed 8 electives prior to Semester 1 2018:

  • If you HAVE completed LAW1037 Legal Practice Management prior to semester 1 2018:
    1. You will be required to complete 16 core and 8 electives, as per your original program structure.
    2. LAW1037 Legal Practice Management will be considered as one of your 8 elective courses.
    3. Do not complete LAW2551 Innovative Justice as one of your core courses.
     
  • If you HAVE NOT completed LAW1037 Legal Practice Management prior to semester 1 2018:
    1. You will be required to complete 16 core and 8 electives, as per your original program structure.
    2. You must complete LAW1037 Legal Practice Management OR LAW2551 Innovative Justice if you wish to be admitted to practice.
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