LAW1112 · Public law and statutory interpretation

Overview

The unit will introduce the basic principles of public law, government and statutory interpretation in Australian law. The unit will investigate the range of legal devices whereby Australia is governed, and will introduce key ideas pertaining to public legal entities, including the Crown. Fundamental principles of public law will be considered, together with the broader contexts in which they arise and operate. So will fundamental, constitutional relationships between each of Parliament, the executive and the judiciary. The unit will also deal with statutory interpretation in depth, beginning with the fundamental constitutional principle of parliamentary supremacy, and exploring how the rules and principles of statutory interpretation flow from an understanding of the constitutional relationship between Parliament and the judiciary.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Second Semester: Explain and demonstrate an understanding of the public law principles and institutional arrangements that underpin the Australian system of government and shape the process of statutory interpretation, including representative democracy, the rule of law, separation of powers, constitutionalism, federalism and human rights. First Semester: Explain and demonstrate an understanding of the public law principles and institutional arrangements that underpin the Australian system of government and shape the process of statutory interpretation, including representative democracy, the rule of law, separation of powers, constitutionalism, federalism and human rights.
2. Second Semester: Critically examine the framework of Australian government with reference to a range of broader perspectives. First Semester: Critically examine the framework of Australian government with reference to a range of broader perspectives.
3. Second Semester: Demonstrate the capacity to critically examine, advise on and respond to specific legal problems by applying the legal principles and values that underpin Australia’s system of government, legal system, and process of statutory interpretation of legislation. First Semester: Demonstrate the capacity to critically examine, advise on and respond to specific legal problems by applying the legal principles and values that underpin Australia’s system of government, legal system, and process of statutory interpretation of legislation.
4. Second Semester: Demonstrate the capacity to locate and research legislation and legislative materials. First Semester: Demonstrate the capacity to locate and research legislation and legislative materials.
5. Second Semester: Demonstrate the capacity to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues. First Semester: Demonstrate the capacity to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues.
6. Second Semester: Collaborate and communicate effectively to a range of audiences.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.