Summary - Rundown of all Law Jcu Subjects PDF

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JCU LAW STUDENTS' SOCIETY

Subject Guide 2018

Past students give you their insights into your subjects so you can get ahead from the start.

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Core!Subjects!.........................................................................................................!1! 1st Year ................................................................................................................................. 1 Legal Institutions and Processes (LA1101) (SP1) ............................................................. 1 Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis (LA1102) (SP1) ..................................................1 Contract Law 1 (LA1105) (SP1) & Contract Law 2 (LA1106) (SP2) ..............................1 Contemporary Practice: The New Lawyer (LA1107) (SP2) ............................................. 2 Public International Law (LA1022) (SP2) ........................................................................2 Human Rights Law (LA1027) (SP2) ................................................................................. 2 2nd Year ................................................................................................................................ 2 Personal Property and Land Law 1 (LA2021) (SP1) & Land Law 2 (LA2016) (SP2) .....2 Criminal Law A (LA2017) (SP1) & Criminal Law B (LA2018) (SP2) ............................ 3 Torts Law A (LA2019) (SP1) & Torts Law B (LA2020) (SP2) .......................................3 3rd Year ................................................................................................................................3 Commercial and Personal Property Law (LA3011) (SP1) ................................................3 Equity (LA3013) (SP1)......................................................................................................4 Company and Partnership Law (LA3106) (SP1)............................................................... 4 Evidence (LA3004) (SP2) .................................................................................................4 Administrative Law (LA3006) (SP2) ................................................................................ 5 Law of Trusts (LA3014) (SP2) .......................................................................................... 5 Constitutional Law (LA3105) (SP2) .................................................................................5 4th Year ................................................................................................................................. 5 Civil Procedure (LA4022) (SP1) .......................................................................................5 Legal Ethics & Trust Accounting (LA4038) (SP1) ...........................................................6

Law!Electives!..........................................................................................................!7! Succession Law (LA4007) (SP7) ......................................................................................7 Public International Law (LA4012) (SP2) ........................................................................7 Law of Corporate Investigations (LA4013) (SP2) ............................................................7 Clinical Legal Studies (LA4014) (SP1, SP2) ....................................................................7 Conveyancing & Drafting (LA4019) (SP2) ...................................................................... 8 Employment, Workplace and Industrial Relations Law (LA4020) (SP2) ......................... 8 Taxation Law (LA4023) (SP1) ..........................................................................................8 Human Rights Law (LA4027) (SP2) .................................................................................8 Health Law (LA4031) (SP1) ............................................................................................. 9 Family Law (LA4032) (SP1) .............................................................................................9 Alternative Dispute Resolution (LA4034) (SP3, SP10) .................................................... 9 Native Title Law & Policy (LA4035) (SP2)...................................................................... 9 Bankruptcy & Insolvency (LA4037) (SP7) .....................................................................10 Advocacy & Criminal Sentencing (LA4039) (SP8) ........................................................10 Legal Placement (LA4041) (SP1, SP2, SP6, SP10) ........................................................ 10 Maritime Law (LA4042) (SP3) ....................................................................................... 10

First!Year!Electives!...............................................................................................!12! Effective Writing (CU1010) (SP1, SP2, SP3) ................................................................. 12 Effective Speaking (CV1200) (SP8) ...............................................................................12 Alternative Dispute Resolution (LA4034) (SP3, SP10) .................................................. 12 Business Law (BU1112) (SP2)........................................................................................ 13 Deviance, Crime & Society (CY1001) (SP2) .................................................................. 13

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Core!Subjects! 1st!Year! Legal Institutions and Processes (LA1101) (SP1) When should I start work on this? Most of the assessment is only able to be started after a certain amount of content has been taught. Although you can't start overly early, read up on what is needed for the assessment and pick topics early. This way you will know what content and topics to look out for and take more specific notes on. How badly do I need the textbook? A good amount of needed information is taught during the lectures. Jamie is good with telling you exactly what you need which will mean much less reading of the prescribed texts. Because of this, it would be much better to save your money and not buy the books recommended and prescribed and rather borrow them from the library if it is really needed. But, more times than not, you won’t use the textbooks. Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis (LA1102) (SP1) When should I start work on this? Most of the assessment in this course is quite short and not as time consuming as the others. I recommend staying on top of the study and understanding all of the topics being taught during lectures and tutorials. How badly do I need the textbook? The AGLC is not optional, you will need it, and most likely use it for every subject you undertake in the course of this degree. However, it's not a great investment to buy the other textbooks prescribed. Some past students have utilised them, but most had no use for them and regretted buying them from the start. Contract Law 1 (LA1105) (SP1) & Contract Law 2 (LA1106) (SP2) When should I start work on this subject? Your first assessment piece will be a tutorial portfolio, so make sure you go to all your tutes from the start, and take the best notes you can. If possible, try to do a proper, submissible answer week by week after the tute. For essay style assignments, most of the information needed for assessment will be covered in a more practical sense during tutorials, so as soon as you have enough information for the assignments, you should make the most of your chance to get them done early to save yourself that last minute struggle when everything else is due. How badly do I need the textbook? That depends on your learning style. Some past students absolutely recommend getting the textbook, especially the textbook with cases. This helps you get in front and know what cases are needed for each term that you will need to memorise in class. However, lecturer Rachel breaks everything down to its simplest concepts during tutorials, and you should leave each tute with a complete and comprehensive answer. For some students, this negates the need for a textbook. !

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Contemporary Practice: The New Lawyer (LA1107) (SP2) What is the workload like in this subject? This subject prescribes a lot of lengthy readings, and concepts from the readings will come up in the final quiz, so it is recommended that you actually do them. It would also be helpful to keep them downloaded and on hand for the quiz at the end of semester. Do I need the textbook? Nope! Public International Law (LA1022) (SP2) What’s involved in this subject? The assessment for this subject is comprised of a research essay, a multiple choice quiz, and a final exam. Making sure you keep your notes up to date will help you with the quiz, and then exam at the end of semester. It is also recommended that you start your assignment early, as the topics are released on the subject outline, and you will need to demonstrate a wide breadth of research if you want a good grade. Do I need the textbook? If you take good notes through the semester, not particularly. Public international law is soft law, so you’re assessment is largely based on your ability to form an opinion and back it up rather than a strict application of the law. Knowledge of events that could be used as evidence for your arguments, however, is vital. Human Rights Law (LA1027) (SP2) Why should I do this subject? Past students have enjoyed this subject, especially lecturer Malcolm Barrett’s easy-going lecture style. The only downside is that Malcolm is based in Cairns, and lectures are video linked to Townsville. However, all topics covered were interesting with a lot of information easily available, so don’t let that stop you if it’s an area you’re interested in. Do I need the textbook? Past students have not considered the textbook necessary.

2nd!Year! Personal Property and Land Law 1 (LA2021) (SP1) & Land Law 2 (LA2016) (SP2) When should I start work on this subject? Don’t wait for your chosen assignment topic to be covered in class before you start writing your essay. Not all topics will be covered in time, and you will need to do your own research regardless of whether you’ve addressed it in class. Read ahead in the lecture notes, and go from there. How badly do I need the textbook? Don't even bother with the prescribed text. Instead, get the Property Law Guidebook. This little yellow book was written by your Personal Property and Land Law 1 and Land Law 2 lecturer Chris Davies and covers everything you need in class, including case summaries. Bonus points for being way cheaper than the prescribed text.

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Please note: Personal Property and Land Law 1 is being offered for the first time this year, in place of Land Law 1. All statements are based on Land Law 1, and should be taken with caution. Criminal Law A (LA2017) (SP1) & Criminal Law B (LA2018) (SP2) When should I start working on the assessment for these subjects? Tutorial participation is 10% of your final grade, so make sure you attend them all from the start, and don’t be afraid to contribute for those extra points. As for the assignment, start early, but give yourself enough time to wrap your head around the subject. The burdens and standards of proof are important. What about the textbook? While only listed as recommended reading, rather than a prescribed text, if you want a textbook (which admittedly isn’t 100% necessary) you’re best off getting Carter’s Criminal Law of Queensland. It’s a little pricey, but it includes the Criminal Code 1899 (Qld), the Drugs Misuse Act 1986, the Drugs Misuse Regulation 1987, and the Evidence Act 1977 (Qld), which you will need for Criminal Law A, Criminal Law B, and Evidence (in third year) respectively. Torts Law A (LA2019) (SP1) & Torts Law B (LA2020) (SP2) How early should I start working on these subjects? Like in Criminal Law, tutorial participation is worth 10% of your grade, so start in Week 2, just by showing up and contributing to your classes. Regarding the assessment, get your partner sorted ASAP. This is because an outline of argument is such a different style of writing to what you have completed in the past, so you’ll need to give yourself time to make sure you get it right. For Torts B in second semester, you’ll need this sorted early because by the time the moot comes around, you should know all of the cases you cited fairly well, and if you can, any cases cited by the other party that you didn’t refer to. How badly do I need the textbook? The prescribed text was written by Mandy Shircore, who teaches this subject in Cairns, so it is on point for the learning in this subject. However, many people also managed to complete this subject without the textbook without any issues. If you’re buying second hand, just note that anyone who did the subject prior to 2016 had a different prescribed textbook. If you have extra money to spend, Cases On Torts by McDonald & Anderson may also be useful in preparing for your moot.

3rd!Year! Commercial and Personal Property Law (LA3011) (SP1) When should I start studying for this subject? ASAP. Right now. Last week. Commercial and Personal Property Law does not have any assignments, it has a 30% closed book class test, and a 70% closed book final exam. Ideally, you should have started studying by around three weeks before the test, but at least a week will do to pass. This isn’t a subject you can smash out in a couple of days and pull out with a Distinction.

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If all of the assessment is made up of closed book exams, do I even need the textbook? Frankly, no. Note: This subject is not compulsory for all students. To be admitted as a solicitor, you must have completed the requisite personal property elements through your degree. Therefore, if you completed LA2021 instead of LA2015, you don’t need to worry about this subject. Otherwise, you’re out of luck! Equity (LA3013) (SP1) When should I start work on this subject? Tutorial participation is worth 10%, so attend and contribute to all of your tutorials from the start. The assessment is a moot, placed late enough in the semester that working on it should fit fairly flexibly around your other subjects. Just allow yourself enough time to know your cases. Do I need a textbook? Past students have largely found the textbook to be mostly unnecessary, as equity has been addressed in some form or another since the start of the degree, which promotes understanding without the additional aid of readings. This is also benefited by Tina’s workshop style lectures, which take a more practical look at how the concepts work. Company and Partnership Law (LA3106) (SP1) When do I start working on this subject? Subject co-ordinator Justin Dabner likes to have the assignment question out early. Third year’s a big one, so minimise your workload by starting as soon as you can. There are a lot of textbooks for this subject and I don’t want to buy all of them. Which one/s should I get? Well that’s really up to you and the way you learn, so have a look through them in the library and see what works for you. If you’re still not sure, based on in-class mentions in previous years, your best bet is ‘Understanding Company Law’ by Lipton, Hertzberg & Welsh. It is also recommended that you get ‘Corporations Legislation’ published by Thomson Reuters, so you’ll have access to the Corporations Act in the exam. Evidence (LA3004) (SP2) When should I start working on the assignment? That depends on whether you choose to do the court report or the essay topic. If you plan on doing the court report, make sure you allow yourself enough time to switch to the essay in the event that there are no trials you can attend. If you choose to do the essay, don’t wait for the topic to be addressed in class before you start writing. Read ahead in your notes if necessary, and you will absolutely need to do your own research, but be aware that the topic might not be addressed in class before the due date of the assignment. Do I need the textbook? Nope! Chris provides you with a comprehensive set of notes for the subject. Just make sure you keep up with facts of the cases and you’re good to go.

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Administrative Law (LA3006) (SP2) When should I start working on this subject? This depends on when you sign up to do your tutorial presentation. Past students recommend that you aim to do it as early as possible, so your time won’t be stretched between too many assignments at once. How important is it that I have the textbook? The prescribed text for this subject is comprehensive, simplistic, and includes full case summaries. If you have the money to spare, and you’re the type to use the textbooks, then it’s definitely worth it. However, many past students have indicated that they completed the subject without it, without feeling hindered or disadvantaged. Law of Trusts (LA3014) (SP2) Ditto Commercial and Personal Property Law (LA3011). As lecturer Tom Middleton prefers to set closed book exams, the study required for all his subjects will be largely identical. The only difference is, this subject is compulsory for everyone! Constitutional Law (LA3105) (SP2) When should I start the assignment? Start researching to decide on a case in Week 1. There will be a lot of cases to choose between, and some of them are quite lengthy, so internet research is the way to go. Between researching to choose a case, reading the case, then doing further research to meet the longest word limit you’ve had yet, this assignment is a fairly hefty time commitment, so it’s not wise to leave this one to the last minute. Do I need the textbook? If you take good notes and read up on the cases, you should be fine without it, but it may be beneficial in clarifying concepts for the exam. If you want a textbook, but you don’t want to fork out for the prescribed text, past students recommend the Constitutional Law Guidebook by Bede Harris, from the same textbook series as Chris Davies’ Property Law Guidebook. Be careful with this one though – it does touch on some cases that aren’t covered in class.

4th!Year! Civil Procedure (LA4022) (SP1) When should I start work on this subject? Tutorial answers are due every week in class, and you will be called out to answer questions, so your best course of action is to be prepared from the start. Tutorial answers are incredibly helpful in the final exam as well, though the exam is closed book. The assignment may be time consuming, or it may not be, depending on your own experience. If you don’t have experience drafting legal documents, it is better to start early, to give yourself time to get used to the different style.

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Should I get the textbook? There are no prescribed textbooks, only recommended. Past students have managed to navigate the class confidently without the aide of a textbook, so save your money! Legal Ethics & Trust Accounting (LA4038) (SP1) When should I start work on this subject? This subject is comprised of two parts: ethics, which is run via lectures and tutorials per your timetable from Weeks 1-8, and trust accounting, which is run on the weekend of Week 1. The assignment is entirely based on the trust accounting portion of the class, and so cannot be started before that weekend; however, it is time consuming, so it is recommended that you do begin at that time. The final exam is entirely on legal ethics, and as long as you’ve been keeping up with your tutorials, you shouldn’t need to put too much time in at the end. Do I need the textbook? There is a prescribed text for the legal ethics component of the course, though past students have not found it necessary.

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Law!Electives! Succession Law (LA4007) (SP7) What did past students think about this subject? The subject is presented in a way that each lecture develops on what was taught in the previous lecture, and material is outlined clearly, and often comes with an example. The assessment is a 30% multiple choice quiz and a 70% final exam. Multi choice sounds great, but it is closed book, which can be stressful in a block mode subject given the condensed nature of the learning. Do I need the textbook? Not particularly, every...