Topics in Legal History
LAWS5192
This course aims to reintroduce an appreciation of legal history as both substantively important (with a particular focus on commercial law), and a necessary skill for students in a deeply historical, precedential system of courts and law. The course does not assume training in history; law has its own commitment to the topic. The course is structured around "Topics in Legal History", addressed in essays prepared by Judges (from the High Court, Federal and Supreme Court), Academics and Barristers specifically for this course. Some authors will present their essays to the class and, accordingly, the course will be taught at the Philip St Building. The essays focus on a topic of historical importance and of continuing significance today, with the general aim of adding to the general syllabus that which students 'ought to know' for practice or further study. The course will touch on the origins of common law; the traditional structure of courts and the writ; the development of trial and evidence; possession & ownership; real property (from 1066-Mabo); trespass, actions on the case, assumpsit, contract and tort; crime in the colony; colony to nation; 'precedent'; the 10 most important statutes; why equity?; and seek to introduce important thinkers in the law, from Glanville and Bracton to Sir Owen Dixon.
Unit of study details
Unit of study level: Postgraduate
Credit points: 6
Commencing semesters: 2
Further unit of study information
Unit of study handbook: LAWS5192
Costs and scholarships information: Costs and Scholarships
Final dates to withdraw from units of study: Census Dates
Available for study abroad and exchange: Yes