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Constitutional Law in Practice (LAWS70222)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5Not available in 2022
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
Overview
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Constitutional Law in Practice focuses principally, but not solely, on the litigation of constitutional matters in the High Court of Australia. In recent years, the High Court has been very active in the constitutional arena, and it is important to understand not only the substance of the issues the Court has dealt with but also how constitutional cases come before the High Court (and other courts), the process by which they are heard and decided and the relief that can be granted. In addition, constitutional law arises in practice in non-litigious settings, in particular in the provision of advice to government (both from government lawyers and from independent practitioners). This subject aims to critically evaluate the practice of constitutional law and to build key skills, such as written and oral advocacy. To that end, the assessment takes the form of preparation and presentation of both the written and oral aspects of an application for special leave to appeal to the High Court. The subject will also involve presentations from leading constitutional law academics and from practitioners who appear regularly in the High Court.
Principal topics will include:
- Initiating a constitutional case
- Bases of jurisdiction
- Remedies
- Applications for special leave
- Written submissions
- Oral argument
- Use of comparative and international materials
- Interpretation and overruling
- Interventions and amicus curiae
- Consequences of invalidity
- The case studies will be based on recent major constitutional litigation before the High Court. Issues to which attention will be paid in relation to each case study include:
− The basis of the decision to litigate
− Any impediments to litigation
− The jurisdiction of the High Court, including the need for special leave
− Standing
− Justiciability
− The choice of remedy or remedies
− Forensic strategy
− Methodology of the High Court, as revealed by decision
− Reflection on the nature of judicial review.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject should:
- Understand the way in which constitutional disputes arise
- Have an overview of the issues involved in the management of constitutional litigation
- Be familiar with the documentation used in constitutional litigation
- Be familiar with the remedies for relief in constitutional litigation and their potential use
- Understand the doctrinal impediments to litigation: Jurisdiction of courts, standing, justiciability
- Understand and be able to analyse and apply the principles of constitutional interpretation used by the High Court
- Understand the relevance of international and comparative law in constitutional litigation
- Be familiar with oral advocacy techniques in the High Court
- Be familiar with the consequences of invalidity of legislation in particular contexts.
Last updated: 15 December 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 15 December 2023
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Option 1: Practical exercise | 100% | |
Option 2: Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
| 100% |
Last updated: 15 December 2023
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2022
Time commitment details
The pre-teaching period commences four weeks before the subject commencement date. From this time, students are expected to access and review the Reading Guide that will be available from the LMS subject page and the subject materials provided by the subject coordinator, which will be available from Melbourne Law School. Refer to the Reading Guide for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences.
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students. Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Last updated: 15 December 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Details regarding any prescribed texts will be provided prior to the commencement of the subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
law.unimelb.edu.au
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-admissions@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 15 December 2023