LAW5019 · Principles of private law and legal reasoning

Overview

In this unit you will explore how private law shapes the world around us. Moving beyond abstract theory, you will navigate ten critical themes that bridge the gap between legal doctrine and everyday reality. From the mechanics of buying, working, and owning to the complexities of the gig economy and climate change, the legalities of inheritance and startups, you will analyse how law responds to modern disruptions and societal shifts. You will build foundational knowledge in core areas, including contract, tort, property, and corporations law, alongside specialised topics like intellectual property and consumer protection. Beyond content, you will examine essential legal reasoning methods from issue spotting and precedent reasoning to law reform and policy analysis, as well as the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate a complex legal landscape. Importantly you will closely examine indigenous perspectives on private law.

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. Demonstrate advanced understanding of private law topics, reasoning approaches and their context(s) in the broader Australian legal system, including detailed reference to the impact of these laws on indigenous Australians.
2. Reflect honestly and convincingly upon and respond to ethical issues of professional responsibility likely to arise in professional private law contexts.
3. Identify and articulate complex private law issues and apply compelling legal reasoning and research to generate robust and appropriate responses.
4. Research, convincingly evaluate and expertly synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues relating to private law from a broad range of sources to create compelling interpretation of legal conclusions and professional decisions.
5. Collaborate purposefully and effectively in order to persuasively communicate on private law issues to a range of audiences.

Workload

36 contact hours per teaching period (either intensive, semi-intensive or semester long, depending on the Faculty resources, timetabling and requirements). Students will be expected to do reading set for class, and to undertake additional research and reading applicable to a 6 credit point unit.

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