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Unit of study_

LAWS3484: Secured Transactions in Commercial Law

2025 unit information

The process of creating effective security interests in personal property to secure performance of contractual obligations is a critical component of commercial dealings and financings. This unit examines how security may be taken over common forms of personal property through a detailed analysis of the legislative regime established by the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth). The unit explores the rationale for the comprehensive legislation as well as its underlying general principles and assesses the policy choices reflected in its balancing of a range of interests. An international and comparative perspective is offered through references to the Canadian and New Zealand experience in applying equivalent statutory frameworks, with part of the course materials drawn from these jurisdictions.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney Law School

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
LAWS2012
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
LAWS5184
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. construct a conceptual and analytical framework for the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA);
  • LO2. evaluate how the PPSA is applied in various common commercial transactions;
  • LO3. apply principles of statutory interpretation in resolving issues arising under the PPSA, and appraise the role of statute in commercial law;
  • LO4. critically compare and contrast legislation related to personal property securities from selected jurisdictions with Australian legislation.

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 1 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2022
Normal evening Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2b 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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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.