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Unit of study_
LAWS5001: 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. Particular topics on which the unit will focus include: (a) The relationship between torts and other branches of the common law including contract and criminal law; (b) The role of fault as the principal basis of liability in the modern law; (c) Historical development 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 action on the case for intentional injury; (f) Defences to trespass, including consent, intellectual disability, childhood, necessity and contributory negligence; (g) Development and scope of the modern tort of negligence, including detailed consideration of duty of care and breach of duty and causation and remoteness of damage with particular reference to personal and psychiatric injury; (h) Compensation for personal injuries, including special and alternative compensation schemes; (i) Injuries to relational interests, including compensation to relatives of victims of fatal accidents; (j) Defences to negligence; (k) Vicarious Liability and non-delegable duties; (l) Joint and several liability and contribution.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney Law School
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Law |
| Credit points | 6 |
|
Prerequisites:
?
|
None |
|---|---|
|
Corequisites:
?
|
LAWS5000 |
| Prohibitions:
?
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LAWS1010 or LAWS1012 or LAWS3001 |
| Assumed knowledge:
?
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. identify and describe 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 to explain the historical development of tort law
- LO3. apply problem-solving skills to develop solutions to hypothetical legal problems
- LO4. develop persuasive, logically-structured written legal arguments using plain, concise language
- LO5. communicate sound oral arguments and information 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 1 2024
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney | |
|
Semester 1 2024
|
Normal evening | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 1 2025
|
Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
|
|
Semester 1 2025
|
Normal evening | 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.
