Course Title: Legal process
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2011
Course Code: LAW5187
Course Title: Legal process
School: 650T TAFE Business
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6106 - Advanced Diploma of Legal Practice
Course Contact : Doug Gourlay
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5944
Course Contact Email:doug.gourlay@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Robyn Lang
Ph: 99251565
robyn.lang@rmit.edu.au
Joanne Mackay
Ph: 99255540
joanne.mackay@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 51
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
The purpose of the module is to provide detailed knowledge and skills of the Australian legal system as might be relevant for a person working in a legal office, or associated fields in the public or corporate sectors. Knowledge of the Australian legal system will enable analysis and evaluation of the institutions in the legal system, investigation and classification of the sources of Australian law and discussion and evaluation of the concepts underlying the application of law.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VU20111 Legal process |
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:
Learning Outcome 1 - Report on the constitutional structure of government and the sources of law in Australia. Evaluate the functions of the three main institutions, parliament, governments and the courts.
Assessment criteria
1.1 Identify the structure of government in Australia:
• Main institutions of government
- Parliaments - Governments - Courts
• Commonwealth and State constitutions
• Federal system of government
1.2 Present diagrammatically and outline the hierarchal structure of government in Australia as noted in 1.1.
1.3 Outline and evaluate the functions of government, and provide an example of each.
1.4 Define and trace the developmental sources of Australian Law.
1.5 Assess rules for resolving conflicts of laws.
Learning Outcome 2 - Analyse and evaluate devision of the functions of government between the Commonwealth and the States in Australia, and determine the limits on the powers of each level of government.
Assessment criteria
2.1 Assess the reasons for and purposes of Federation.
2.2 Identify the legislative powers of the Commonwealth with reference to specific powers, exclusive powers and concurrent powers.
2.3 Determine the limits on the legislative powers of the Commonwealth with reference to implied limitations-specific powers, express prohibitions and referenda.
2.4 Analyse the extent and influence of the Legislative powers of States with reference to territorial limitations, concurrent powers and residual powers.
2.5 Evaluate the relationship between the legislative powers of the Commonwealth and States. Consider the following aspects:
• Exclusive powers of the Commonwealth
• Inconsistency between Commonwealth and State Law
• External affairs power and the role of the High Court
Learning Outcome 3 - Evaluate the differences in the law and procedure which distinguish civil and criminal proceedings, determine and outline which court(s) would hear particular cases.
Assessment criteria
3.1 Use a case study to evaluate Criminal Law with specific reference to:
• Summary offences
• Indictable offences
• Mens Rea
• Strict Liability
• Penalties
3.2 Evaluate Civil Law with specific reference to areas of law and remedies.
3.3 Analyse and distinguish between the aspects of Criminal and Civil actions.
3.4 Identify and present diagrammatically the jurisdictions of Victorian and federal courts.
Learning Outcome 4 - Evaluate the adversary system of trial used in Australian courts.
Assessment criteria
4.1 Identify the main features of the adversary system of trial and compare with the inquisitorial system used in civil law countries in relation to:
• Role of the parties
• Role of the judge
• Use of juries
4.2 Determine and outline the pre-trial procedures required in the adversary system.
4.3 Outline and evaluate the role of trial procedures with specific reference to a criminal trial and civil hearing.
Learning Outcome 5 - Determine evaluate and apply alternative dispute resolution procedures. Compare alternative dispute resolution procedures with the legal process of dispute resolution.
Assessment criteria
5.1 Determine reasons why a person may not wish to take legal action to resolve a dispute in a particular case study.
5.2 Propose ways of using alternative dispute resolution procedures in a particular example.
5.3 Evaluate alternative dispute resolution procedures and compare with legal actions in relation to:
• Costs
• Time involved
• Formality of procedures
• Likelihood of disputes being resolved to the satisfaction of all parties
• Confidentiality
5.4 Evaluate how alternative dispute resolutions are used within the court system.
Learning Outcome 6 - Outline and evaluate the role of judicial law making. Analyse a precedent, identify the ratio decidendi and obiter dicta and apply to case study material.
Assessment criteria
6.1 Assess judicial law making with reference to:
• Sources of precedent
• Reporting of case law
• Binding precedent
• Ratio decidendi
• Obiter dicta
6.2 Outline the means by which precedent changes with reference to:
• Applying and extending
• Distinguishing
• Reversing
• Overruling
• Disapproving
• Abrogating and inconsistency with legislation
6.3 Analyse a precedent and identify and apply the ratio decidendi and obiter dicta in relation to case study material.
6.4 Outline and evaluate the process of judicial law making and list its advantages and disadvantages.
Learning Outcome 7 - Analyse outline and assess the process of enactment of legislation by Parliament and the making of delegated legislation.
Assessment criteria
7.1 Outline and present diagrammatically the passage of legislation through Parliament.
7.2 Identify and assess the elements of an Act of Parliament.
7.3 Determine the classifications of Acts of Parliament.
7.4 Analyse the process of making delegated legislation.
Learning Outcome 8 - Evaluate the approaches to the interpretation of legislation applied by the courts.
Assessment criteria
8.1 Determine and outline the reasons why interpretation of legislation is required.
8.2 Evaluate the approaches to the interpretation of legislation applied by the courts.
8.3 Illustrate the application of the approaches to the interpretation of legislation in relation to particular provisions of legislation and case study material.
8.4 Outline and evaluate the role interpretation of legislation in the content of judicial law making.
Learning Outcome 9 - Outline sources of legal information, search primary sources of law and identify an Act of Parliament and a reported case.
Assessment criteria
9.1 Determine and outline the primary sources of law.
9.2 Identify secondary sources of law.
9.3 Search primary sources of law and identify given examples of laws with reference to Act of Parliament, regulation and reported decision.
Details of Learning Activities
Students will study Legal Process skills and theory in class sessions and through prescribed exercises and assessment work. These concepts will also be explored through the investigation of appropriate real world and simulated environments.
Teaching Schedule
| Week Beginning - Full Time Students (Part time see below) | Topic | Assessment |
| Week 1 – 7 Feb | Overview of Course (Orientation Sessions) | |
| Week 2 – 14Feb |
Sources of Legal Information
|
Online Ex 1 5% |
| Week 3 – 21 Feb | Sources of Law |
Online Ex 2 5% |
| Week 4 – 28 Feb | Australian Constitution |
Online Ex 3 5% Court Report Assignment to be assigned during class |
| Week 5 – 7 Mar | Criminal versus Civil |
Online Ex 4 5% |
| Week 6 - 14 Mar | Court Jursidiction and Hierarchy (court visit) |
|
| Week 7 - 21 March | Alternative Dispute Resolution |
Online Ex 5 5% |
| Week 8 – 28 Mar | Court Jurisdiction and Hierarchy |
Court Presentations and Reports (15%) to be conducted during class |
Week 9 – 4 April |
The Doctrine of Precedent Application |
Online Ex 6 5% |
| Week 10 – 11 April | The Parliamentary Process |
Online Ex 7 5% |
Week 11 – 18 April and 28 April |
Understanding Legislation |
Online Ex 8 5% |
| 21-27 April | Mid Semester Break | |
| Week 12 – 2 May |
Interpretation of Legislation
|
Mock Court Cases to be assigned. |
| Week 13 – 9 May | Open book Test (2 hours) |
Class Test -open book (30%) |
| Week 14 – 16 May | Law Week Activity | See Class Participation |
| Week 15 – 23 May | Preparation of Cases |
|
| Week 16 – 30 May | Mock Court Cases |
Mock Case hearings (15%) |
| Week 17 – 6 June | Outcome of Mock Court Cases, Feedback and Assessment Review |
|
Part Time Students |
Topic | Assessment |
| Week 1 – 7 Feb | Overview of Course | |
| Week 2 – 14Feb | Sources of Legal Information | Online Ex 1 5% |
| Week 3 – 21 Feb | Sources of Law | Online Ex 2 5% |
| Week 4 – 28 Feb | Australian Consititution | Online Ex 3 5% |
| Week 5 – 7 Mar | Independent Learning- Court Report Research | |
| Week 6 - 17 Mar | Criminal versus Civil | Online Ex 4 5% |
| Week 7 - 24 March | Court Jurisdiction and Hierarchy |
Court Presentations and Reports (15%) to be conducted during class |
| Week 8 – 31 Mar | Alternative Dispute Resolution | Online Ex 5 5% |
| Week 9 – 7April | The Doctrine of Precedent Application |
Online Ex 6 5% |
| Week 10 – 14 April | The Parliamentary Process | Online Ex 7 5% |
| 21-27 April | Mid Semester Break | |
| Week 11 – 28 April | Understanding Legislation |
Online Ex 8 5% |
| Week 12 – 2 May | Interpretation of Legislation |
|
| Week 13 – 12 May | Revision |
|
| Week 14 – 19May | Open book Test (2 hours) |
Class Test -open book (30%) |
| Week 15 – 26May | Preparation of Cases |
|
| Week 16 – 2 June | Mock Court Cases |
Mock Case hearings (15%) |
| Week 17 – 9 June | Outcome of Mock Court Cases, Feedback and Assessment Review |
This outline is subject to variation please check the learning hub reguarly for changes.
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Andy Gibson and Douglas Fraser Business Law (Pearson, 5ed,2011) |
|
Sara Dehm and David Heaton (eds) Australian Guide to Legal Citation (Melbourne University Law Review Association, 3ed,2010) |
References
Cook, et al. Laying Down the Law ( Aust:Butterworths:most recent edition) |
Other Resources
Australian Legal Sites (www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/just5010)
Australasian Legal Information Institute (www.austlii.edu.au)
CCH Online (To access this database RMIT University students should go to the RMIT library’s Search it page at http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/searchit, click on the Databases link and logon with their student login.)
ComLaw (www.comlaw.gov.au)
Lawbook Online (To access this database RMIT University students should go to the RMIT library’s Search it page at http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/searchit, click on the Databases link and logon with their student login.)
LexisNexis AU (To access this database RMIT University students should go to the RMIT library’s Search it page at http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/searchit, click on the Databases link and logon with their student login.)
Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents (www.dms.dpc.vic.gov.au)
High Court of Australia (www.hcourt.gov.au)
Federal Court of Australia (www.fedcourt.gov.au)
Family Court (www.familycourt.gov.au)
Federal Magistrates Court ( www.fmc.gov.au)
Supreme Court of Victoria (www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au)
County Court of Victoria (www.countycourt.vic.gov.au)
Magistrates’ Court of Victoria (www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au)
Administrative Appeals Tribunal (www.aat.gov.au)
Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (www.vcat.vic.gov.au)
Overview of Assessment
To pass, a student must demonstrate the achievement of all the learning outcomes. Assessment will be by various methods and is stated against each learning outcome. Assessment methods are designed to measure satisfactory achievement of all of the learning outcomes and may include:
• Case study analysis
• Short answers questions
• Written assignment/reports
• Oral presentations
• Project (s)
Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
Assessment Tasks
To pass this course students must satisfactorily complete all assessment and have a total mark of not less than 50%.
Assessment will be by means of:
Online Exercises 40%
Class Test (open book) 30%
Court Report & Presentation 15%
Mock Court Case 15%
Assessment Matrix
| Learning Outcomes | Online Exercises |
Court Report & Presentation. | Test | Mock Court Case |
| Report on the constitutional structure of government and the sources of law in Australia. Evaluate the functions of the three main institutions, parliament, governments and the courts. | x | x | ||
| Analyse and evaluate division of the functions of government between the Commonwealth and the States in Australia, and determine the limits on the powers of each level of government. | x | x | ||
| Evaluate the differences in the law and procedure which distinguish civil and criminal proceedings, determine and outline which court(s) would hear particular cases. | x | x | x | |
| Evaluate the adversary system of trial used in Australian courts. | x | x | x | |
| Determine evaluate and apply alternative dispute resolution procedures. Compare alternative dispute resolution procedures with the legal process of dispute resolution. | x | x | x | |
| Outline and evaluate the role of judicial law making. Analyse a precedent, identify the ratio decidendi and obiter dicta and apply to case study material. | x | x | x | |
| Analyse outline and assess the process of enactment of legislation by Parliament and the making of delegated legislation. | x | x | ||
| Evaluate the approaches to the interpretation of legislation applied by the courts. | x | x | ||
| Outline sources of legal information, search primary sources of law and identify an Act of Parliament and a reported case. | x | x | x |
Course Overview: Access Course Overview