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Juris Doctor (MC-JURISD) // Course structure
About this course
Coordinator
Associate Professor Jeannie Paterson, Associate Dean (Juris Doctor)
Contact
Melbourne Law School
Currently enrolled students:
• General information: law.unimelb.edu.au/students/jd
• Contact Stop 1
Future students:
• Further information: law.unimelb.edu.au/study/jd
• Make an enquiry
Course structure
The Melbourne JD comprises 24 subjects.
Compulsory Subjects
Seventeen are compulsory, enabling the School to provide its students with cumulative learning, by integrating both subject matter and skills across and between semesters. These subjects are organised so as to ensure a balanced range in each semester, between which linkages can be made. In addition, subjects in both private and public law build progressively over the semesters, contributing to the effectiveness of the learning experience.
In the first of the JD students are grouped into cohorts for compulsory subjects. This enhances the collegial experience of, and learning communities forged between, students during their time in the School and establishes bonds that will continue long after graduation.
Elective Subjects
The remaining 7 subjects are chosen by students from a wide range of optional subjects offered by the School. These vary from year to year, enabling the School to respond to changes in the law and legal thinking and giving students access to the latest developments in research by some of the leading scholars in the School.
Standard course structure - 3 years
In its standard form, the degree is taken over three years. This format enables students to take advantage of other educational, professional and social opportunities during the summer and winter breaks, including seasonal clerkships, international exchanges, internships, mooting and Law Review editorial work.
Flexible course structures - 2.5, 3.5, or 4 years
The Melbourne JD can also be accelerated by students with outstanding results with approval from the Law School, by utilizing the summer and winter break periods to complete additional JD subjects. The Melbourne JD can also be extended up to four years, subject to Law School approval. This flexibility enables students to take advantage of other educational, professional and social opportunities during the summer and winter breaks, including seasonal clerkships, international exchanges, internships, mooting and Law Review editorial work. These opportunities are necessarily more limited for accelerating students.
Subject options
Melbourne JD - Course Structure
The below subjects are structured based on the 3 year JD course structure. For students completing the JD in 2.5, 3.5, or 4 years, alternative course structures can be found on the Melbourne Law School website.
The Standard 3 Year Course Structure
Year 1 - Foundation Subject
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS50023 | Legal Method and Reasoning | Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Year 1 - Compulsory Subjects
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS50024 | Principles of Public Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50026 | Obligations | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50027 | Dispute Resolution | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50028 | Constitutional Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50029 | Contracts | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50025 | Torts |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
November (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50031 | Legal Theory | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Year 2 - Compulsory Subjects
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS50032 | Administrative Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50033 | Trusts | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50030 | Property | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50034 | Criminal Law and Procedure | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50035 | Corporations Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50036 | Remedies |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
November (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Year 3 - Compulsory Subjects
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS50037 | Evidence and Proof |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Winter Term (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50038 | Legal Ethics |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Winter Term (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50039 | Legal Research |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
JD Electives Available in 2017
During the JD, students must complete 87.5 credit points of elective study.
Students following the Standard 3 Year Course Structure would generally complete:
- 2 electives in Year 2 (one in Semester 1 and one in Semester 2)
- 5 electives in Year 3 (two in one semester and three in the other, depending on the semester in which Legal Research is completed)
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS50055 | Advocacy |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Winter Term (On Campus - Parkville)
November (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS90059 | Commercial Law in Practice | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50115 | Commercial Restitution | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50063 | Competition Law |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50084 | Construction Law | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90074 | Copyright and Designs | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90078 | Corporate Governance | November (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50050 | Cross-Border Litigation | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50051 | Deals | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90004 | Disability Human Rights Clinic | November (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90037 | Economic and Business Law in Asia | November (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50064 | Employment Law |
February (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS90079 | Entertainment Deals | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50078 | Environmental Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50068 | Equality and Discrimination Law | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50067 | European Civil Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50047 | Family Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90109 | Histories of International Law | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50093 | Insolvency Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50045 | Institutions in International Law | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50128 | Intellectual Property & Popular Culture | Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50094 | International Commercial Law & Disputes | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90060 | International Criminal Justice Clinic | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50049 | International Human Rights Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50042 | Jessup Moot |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
August (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS90006 | Law and Legal Practice in Asia | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50121 | Law and Literature | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90033 | Law Apps | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90036 | Legal Drafting | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50059 | Legal Internship |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Winter Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
November (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50096 | Media Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90039 | Mediation | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50060 | Melbourne Journal of International Law |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50058 | Melbourne University Law Review |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50108 | Mergers, Acquisitions & Capital Markets | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50106 | Murder | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50131 | Negotiations |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
July (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50114 | New Ideas in Legal Scholarship | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90107 | New Technology Law | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90077 | Not for Profits and the Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90075 | Patents and Trade Secrets | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50127 | Philosophical Foundations of Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50116 | Public Interest Law Clinic |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50041 | Public International Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50101 | Refugee Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90108 | Start-Up Law | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50102 | Street Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50126 | Sustainability Business Clinic | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50046 | Taxation Law and Policy |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS50075 | Trade Mark Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50071 | Global Lawyer | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Optional: Melbourne Law Masters (MLM) Elective
Information on how to apply for this opportunity can be found on the Melbourne Law School website.
JD students can apply to take 1 of their electives from the below MLM subjects available in 2017:
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS90080 | Advanced Dispute Intervention | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90081 | Advanced Payment Devices and Fintech | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90083 | Appropriation, Art and the Law | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70206 | Banking and Secured Finance | June (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70081 | Capital Gains Tax: Problems in Practice |
February (On Campus - Parkville)
November (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS70293 | Climate Change Law | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70011 | Commercial Applications of Equity | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70230 | Commercial Law in Asia | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70336 | Commercial Law: Issues and Policies | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70009 | Comparative Corporate Tax | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90084 | Comparative Foreign Affairs Law | November (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90057 | Comparative Health Law | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90058 | Comparative Human Rights Law | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70353 | Comparative International Tax | April (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70410 | Comparative Tax Avoidance | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90046 | Competition and New Technologies | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90085 | Competition in the Healthcare Industry | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90086 | Conducting Workplace Investigations | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70133 | Construction Dispute Resolution | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90014 | Construction Law and Projects in Asia | April (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90040 | Construction, the Community & Neighbours | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70194 | Corporate Fundraising | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70008 | Corporate Tax B | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70385 | Criminal Law: Business and Organisations | June (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70229 | Current Issues in Negligence | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70111 | Debt Capital Markets | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90087 | Disability Human Rights Law | June (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70141 | Energy Regulation and the Law | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90020 | Energy Resources in Emerging Markets | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90089 | Environmental Compliance and Enforcement | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70386 | Environmental Rights | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90090 | EU Competition Law | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70106 | Financial Services Law | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90091 | Global Administrative Law | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90092 | Global Health, Trade and Investment Law | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70031 | Goods and Services Tax Principles | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70421 | Health Law and Emerging Technologies | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70420 | Hedge Funds and Private Equity Funds | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70422 | Human Rights and Armed Conflict | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70452 | Human Rights and Climate Change | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70171 | Human Rights, Women and Development | April (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70454 | Human Rights: From Morality to Law | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90093 | International Criminal Court | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70033 | International Criminal Law | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70218 | International Employment Law | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70219 | International Environmental Law | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70110 | International Financial System | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70242 | Internat.Issues in Intellectual Property | December (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70120 | International Law and Children's Rights | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70093 | International Law and Development | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70423 | International Mineral Law | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70161 | International Petroleum Transactions | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90017 | International Tax: Anti-avoidance | November (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70124 | International Taxation in the US | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90095 | International Trade and Competition Law | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90096 | International Trust Law | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90097 | Investment Deals and Disputes in Asia | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90098 | Islam and Human Rights | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70105 | Islamic Law and Politics in Asia | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70197 | Labour Standards and their Enforcement | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70367 | Law of Democracy | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90047 | Law of International Organisations | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70398 | Law of the Sea | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90025 | Liability Insurance Law | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70184 | Media, Free Speech and the State | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90048 | Mediation in Commerce | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70259 | Medical Ethics | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70225 | Medical Litigation | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70458 | Mental Health Law | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70347 | Merger Regulation Under Competition Law | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70021 | Patent Law |
February (On Campus - Parkville)
October (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS70239 | Payment Matters in Construction Projects | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90101 | Personal Property Securities Law | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70430 | Poverty, Human Rights and Development | November (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70371 | Principles of Employment Law |
March (On Campus - Parkville)
July (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS90043 | Principles of Natural Resources Law | April (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90103 | Public Law and Private Law | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90106 | Religion, State and Multiculturalism | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS70112 | Remedies in the Construction Context | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70329 | Residential Construction Law | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70424 | Separation of Powers | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70193 | Shareholders' Rights and Remedies | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70462 | Sports Integrity and Investigations | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70166 | Sports Law: Entities and Governance | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70163 | Sports Medical and Anti-Doping Law | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70319 | Tax Policy | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70318 | Tax Practice: Writing Effectively | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70146 | Tax Treaties | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90031 | Taxation of Major Projects | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70267 | Taxation of Superannuation | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70464 | Toxics, Waste and Contamination Law | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70046 | Trade Marks and Unfair Competition |
March (On Campus - Parkville)
August (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS70320 | US Competition Law and Policy | June (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90104 | US Copyright Law and Practice | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90105 | US Patent Law | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70185 | Water Law & Natural Resources Management | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70118 | Women, War and Peacebuilding | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90027 | Precontractual Liability | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70019 | Class Actions | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70333 | Taxation of Trusts | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70453 | Human Rights and Culture | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70451 | Health Law and Human Rights | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70169 | Developing Countries and the WTO | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
JD Electives Not Offered in 2017
The following subjects have been offered in the JD previously; however will not be available for 2017 enrolments.
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS50110 | Advanced Topics in Taxation | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50130 | Advanced Torts | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS90061 | American Constitutional History & Rights | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50122 | Animal Law | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50056 | Climate Change Law | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50088 | Commercial Law In Asia | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50123 | Comparative Law | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50085 | Consumer Protection Law And Policy | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50057 | Copyright and Patents | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS90005 | Corporate Tax | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50125 | Criminal Justice: Drugs in Asia | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50066 | Cyberlaw | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50080 | Deals In Asia Pacific | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50118 | Democracy, Law and Civil Liberties | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50070 | Encounters: Indigenous Peoples and Law | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50069 | Human Rights Lawyering | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50073 | International Capital Markets | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50052 | International Criminal Law | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50133 | International Environmental Law | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50091 | International Investment Law | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS90008 | Law and Indigenous Peoples | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS90076 | Law and the Holocaust | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50117 | Law, Justice & Human Rights in China | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS90038 | Law of Elections | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50098 | Law Reform | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50095 | Legal Histories | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS90007 | Media Regulation and Freedom of Speech | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50132 | Multiculturalism Religion and the Law | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50124 | Private Law: Theoretical Perspectives | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50119 | Sports Law | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50120 | The Rule of Law in Theory & in Practice | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
LAWS50109 | World Trade Organisation Law | Not available in 2017 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 18 December 2020