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Unit of study_
LAWS1012: Torts
2025 unit information
This is a general introductory unit of study concerned with liability for civil wrongs, with particular emphasis on torts protecting personal integrity, safety and freedom from personal injury. The unit seeks to examine and evaluate, through a critical and analytical study of primary and secondary materials, the function and scope of modern tort law and the rationale and utility of its governing principles. It also aims to build students' skills in problem solving and applying the law to hypothetical or real life situations. Particular topics on which the unit will focus include: (a) The role and impact of tort law in modern society, in comparison with other fields of law; (b) The role of fault as the principal basis of liability in the modern law; (c) Historical development of the action of trespass and the action on the case and the contemporary relevance of this development; (d) Trespass to the person (battery, assault, and false imprisonment); (e) The modern action on the case for intentional injury; (f) Defences to intentional torts; (g) Development and scope of the modern tort of negligence, including detailed consideration of the principles underpinning a duty of care in a range of common situations, the determination of breach of duty and the issues of causation and scope of liability or remoteness of damage, with particular reference to personal and psychiatric injury; (h) Compensation for personal injuries, including special and alternative compensation schemes; (i) Defences to negligence; (j) Vicarious liability for the torts of others and non-delegable duties; (k) Joint and several liability for personal injury and contribution between wrongdoers; (i) Injuries to relational interests, including compensation to relatives of victims of fatal accidents; survival of actions following death; and actions by employers for injury to employees.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney Law School
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Law |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
LAWS1006 |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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LAWS5001 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Identify and describe the theories and policies underpinning the operation of tort law and demonstrate a systematic understanding of the law of torts in its social context
- LO2. Apply case analysis and statutory interpretation skills, drawing on the historical development of the law, to explain current legal principles
- LO3. Apply problem-solving skills to develop solutions to hypothetical legal problems
- LO4. Develop persuasive, logically structured legal arguments using plain, concise language
- LO5. Communicate information and arguments about tort law to a range of audiences
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 2 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
