LAWS1030: Torts
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Unit of study_

LAWS1030: Torts

2025 unit information

This unit aims to provide students with a foundational understanding of Australian tort law, a subject fundamental to legal practice and crucial for later core and specialist subjects. Through a critical study of cases and statutes within their historical and social contexts, students will gain a deep understanding of the development of tort principles, the function and scope of modern tort law, and the rationale and utility of its governing principles. The unit will analyse the interactions between common law and significant legislation, enhancing students’ skills in statutory interpretation, problem-solving, and applying the law to hypothetical and real-life situations. The unit is designed to enable students to build their understanding of various aspects of tort law. It covers the contemporary relevance of the historical development of the actions of trespass and the action on the case. Students will explore trespass to the person, which includes battery, assault, and false imprisonment, as well as trespass to land and nuisance. The curriculum delves into the development and scope of the modern tort of negligence. This includes a detailed examination of the principles underpinning duties of care related to physical and psychiatric injury or damage, pure economic loss, the determination of breach of duty, and issues of causation and the scope of liability or remoteness of damage. Additionally, students will learn about various defenses, the assessment of damages, and actions involving multiple wrongdoers, including the vicarious liability of employers. The unit also covers claims arising after the death of the tort victim and explores some alternative systems of compensation.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney Law School

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
LAWS1025
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
LAWS1012 and LAWS1017
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

The learning outcomes for this unit will be available two weeks before the first day of teaching.

Unit availability

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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
There are no availabilities for previous years.

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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