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Study masters degree online with RMIT University through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

The Juris Doctor program is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) in Victoria as meeting the educational requirements for admission to practice as an Australian lawyer. You will be able to be admitted to practice after completing a recognised Practical Legal Training course (6 months), or supervised workplace training with a law firm (12 months). You will possess a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the Australian legal framework and fundamental legal principles, an understanding of comparative and international legal systems, an understanding of the ethical framework in which the Australian legal system operates, and a fundamental knowledge of the extra-legal factors impinging upon the substantive law. Learning activities and experiences in this program include case-based learning with students encouraged to engage in critical discussion in seminars and online forums, supplemented by active, authentic experiential learning opportunities in various simulations that develop legal skills. These simulations include writing briefs and other legal documents, mooting, interviewing, negotiation and mediation skills. These are integrated into most substantive law courses to ensure that students develop the skills in close connection with the legal knowledge. Clinical legal education and industry placement opportunities are also provided. A capstone experience will be provided in the subject OJD416 (LAW2413) Legal Practice Management &amp; Professional Conduct which will give you the opportunity to critically reflect on this degree’s curriculum. The subject promotes the integration and synthesis of a range of knowledge and skills gained in the program and the application of these in discipline related real-world scenarios. Students can determine their own study load each session – perfect for those wishing to fast-track but also flexible for those wishing to combine study with work and family commitments.

Designed for non-law graduates, this law degree opens doors to a range of professional opportunities where legal qualifications are sought. Gain comprehensive knowledge of the Australian legal system whilst choosing from many electives to suit your goals.

Juris Doctor

This subject introduces you to the Australian legal system and a number of foundational legal skills. You will acquire knowledge and skills in the historical, doctrinal and philosophical perspectives that have influenced the development of law. You will critically compare and assess key theoretical positions that provide critique and commentary on the role and practice of law and the justice system. This course will primarily explore the Constitutional framework, legislation and case law, legal institutions and processes, legal theory, legal research, legal analysis and law in practice. This subject runs over three weekends. It will be taught to Melbourne on-campus students on the Saturday of each weekend, and an equivalent online class will run for OUA students on the Sunday of each weekend. OUA students are welcome to attend the on-campus class with Melbourne students if they wish.

Build your understanding of the Australian legal system. Study the constitutional framework, legislation and case-law (sources of law), statutory interpretation, institutions and processes, legal theory, research and analysis, and the law in practice

Introduction to the Australian Legal System and Legal Methods

In this subject, you will study areas of constitutional law that are essential for an understanding of the fundamental concepts and the unique complexion of the Australian constitutional system. You will explore constitutional conventions, federalism (both the division of powers and implied inter-governmental immunities), the separation of powers, implied rights and, at State level, restrictive legislative procedures.

Interrogate constitutional conventions, federalism (the division of powers and implied inter-governmental immunities), the separation of powers and the restrictive legislative procedures at State level. 

Federal and State Constitutional Law

This subject explores lawyers’ professional obligations, the work that lawyers do, the history and ongoing changes in the Australian legal profession. The rules of Ethics and Professional Conduct of the legal profession in Victoria will be studied, together with issues such as trust account management, handling conflicts of interest, client confidentiality, client illegality, ethics in the adversary system and accountability.This course provides you with a capstone experience, which will give you the opportunity to integrate, critically reflect on and consolidate what you have learnt in your program.

Know your professional obligations by studying ethics and professional conduct in the legal profession in Victoria. You’ll cover managing trust accounts, handling conflicts, confidentiality, client illegality, and ethics in the adversary system. 

Legal Practice Management and Professional Conduct

This subject examines legal issues arising from the application of the rules of evidence, and considers the introduction of uniform evidence laws in Australia, with a particular focus on Victoria.

Examine the rules of evidence, putting your learnings to test in a mock trial in Melbourne. Consider the  introduction of uniform evidence laws in Australia, and the ethical issues of advocacy. Develop your collaboration and communication skills

Evidence

This subject provides a theoretical and practical introduction to various dispute resolution processes. It will provide an introduction to the principles of dispute management and resolution used by lawyers, with particular emphasis on negotiation, mediation and litigation. Issues, such as communication techniques, conflict escalation, competitive versus cooperative approaches, and non-adversarial practice will be discussed. The subject assists in the development of reflective practice and self-management.
This subject includes a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where feedback from industry and/or community is integral to your experience.

Gain a theoretical and practical introduction to the dispute resolution process. Examine negotiation, mediation, litigation, communication techniques, conflict escalation, competitive versus cooperative approaches and non-adversarial practice.

Negotiation and Dispute Resolution

This subject studies the origins, development and adoption of administrative law principles into the Australian legal system, the role of delegated legislation, merit and judicial review. Associated remedies and other areas of administrative law including the ombudsman and free of information legislation will be explored.

Study the origins, development and adoption of administrative law principles into the Australian legal system. Appreciate the role of delegated legislation, merit and judicial review, the ombudsman and freedom of information legislation. 

Administrative Law

This subject provides an overview of the fundamental principles of the law relating to equity and trusts. It first examines the history and nature of equity, the nature and creation of equitable interests and equitable priorities and relationships of trust are examined, as well as unconscionable conduct, assignments, estoppel, equitable property rights, the institution of the trust, trust classification, trust constitution, statutory formalities applicable to trusts, certainties of intention, trust property and object, trustees’ rights and duties, beneficiaries’ rights and equitable remedies generally. Students are given the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue further studies in the Juris Doctor.

Research the nature and classification of trusts. Examine fiduciary obligations and participatory liability, statutory formalities, trust certainties and powers, the rights, duties and defences of trustees and rights and remedies of beneficiaries.

Equity And Trusts

In this subject, the fundamental principles and elements of international public law are examined. International public law is traditionally distinguished from other forms of international law on the basis that it primarily deals with the legal relations between nation states. Students will develop an appreciation for the general principles, rules and institutions that facilitate orderly intergovernmental relations. How and why international legal obligations are increasingly forming part of Australia’s domestic law and therefore of relevance to the legal practitioner is also discussed.
The subject will introduce students to the sources of international legal materials as well as develop research and analytical skills that draws upon judicial interpretation, identification and analysis of customary international law and the important of international treaties and agreements as a source of international legal principles and norms.

Appreciate the principles, rules and institutions that enable relations between nation states. Integrate your understanding of treaty based international law, the United Nations Security Council's role and other international courts and tribunals

International Law

Jurisprudence is the study of the phenomenon of law. While it is primarily law’s self-understanding, it involves interdisciplinary study of law as well. The subject analyses and considers the implications of the different understandings and approaches.
The subject will introduce the student to the great thinkers and ideas about law. It provides a survey of their ideas and approaches and critical analysis of those ideas and approaches. It also provides in depth analysis of contemporary and popular ideas and critiques of law. As law is a global phenomenon the degree will examine thinkers and ideas from a variety of countries and eras.
At the conclusion of this subject, students will have developed a deeper, critical and more comprehensive appreciation of the nature of law and the legal system, as well as a better understanding of the role of law (and hence lawyers) in society. The subject will provide an opportunity for students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as communication skills through class/online activities, as well as learning and assessment tasks.

Contemplate the phenomenon of law. Integrate your understanding of the political, social, historical, philosophical and economic impacts of laws. Be introduced to great thinkers and ideas to be able to formulate your own critical interpretations.

Jurisprudence

This subject is an examination of the principles and elements of the criminal law. The subject examines the requirements for criminal liability, the offences of homicide and assault, sexual offences, property offences, the law of attempts and complicity in crime, criminal defences and procedural aspects of the criminal law. Students will develop an appreciation of the substantive criminal law and procedural aspects such as classification of offences, process to compel appearance, bail, preliminary examination and trial of indictable offences.

Consider the requirements for liability, homicide, assault, sexual and property offences, attempts and complicity. Comprehend procedural aspects such as offence classification, compel to appear, bail and preliminary trial of indictable offences.

Course results for RMIT University Postgraduate Law Degrees

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