Construction Law (LAWS70176)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
May
Teaching staff:
Phillip Greenham (Subject Coordinator)
Trevor Thomas
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | May |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
To provide valuable advice to clients in the construction industry, lawyers need an integrated understanding of the legal and technical aspects of this specialised area of practice. This subject is designed to build such an understanding and to expose students to a wide range of construction law-related topics in an interdisciplinary mode. Students will learn about the key legal principles that are specific to construction law (from project inception through to dispute avoidance and resolution) and their interaction with the technical underpinnings of construction practice. In addition to classroom discussion, students have the opportunity to see principles put into practice through construction site visits and detailed case studies.
The subject lecturers bring to the classroom a combined, multi-disciplinary experience of decades in advising clients in the construction industry
A range of topics is covered in an interdisciplinary mode, integrating a detailed case study and site visit.
Indicative list of principal topics:
- Setting up the project: delivery methods, standard forms, subcontracting, costing, risk mitigation (including insurance and performance security)
- Key technical principles: construction technology, engineering services and structures, geotechnical engineering (including the legal treatment of latent conditions), sustainability and building information modelling
- During the project: contract administration, time and programming, payment, variations, major plant deployment, cost control, dispute avoidance and resolution.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Have an advanced and integrated understanding, in an inter-disciplinary context, of the role and function of law in relation to construction projects
- Have enhanced their expert and specialised cognitive and technical skills required to practice as a lawyer in the construction industry
- Be familiar with, be able to critically reflect on, and be confident in working across, the interaction points between the technical, commercial and legal aspects of construction procurement
- Be able to demonstrate the research and communication skills required to independently investigate, examine and analyse existing and emerging legal issues relating to construction projects.
Last updated: 13 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into a relevant Melbourne Law Masters program
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50084 | Construction Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS70314 | Principles of Construction Law |
July (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
February (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| LAWS70469 | Construction Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Recommended background knowledge
This subject is recommended as an initial construction law subject for students who have a law degree. If you do not hold a law degree LAWS70314 - Principles of Construction Law may be more appropriate.
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: 13 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Option 1: Take-home examination
| 20- 23 June 2025 | 100% |
Option 2: Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
| 16 July 2025 | 100% |
| Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Students must choose assessment from the options listed above. If an option contains parts, all parts must be completed if that option is chosen.
Last updated: 13 March 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- May
Principal coordinator Phillip Greenham Coordinator Trevor Thomas Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 34 Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 9 April 2025 Pre teaching requirements Please refer to the Reading Guide on the LMS subject page for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences. Teaching period 7 May 2025 to 13 May 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 April 2025 Census date 9 May 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 June 2025 Assessment period ends 25 July 2025 May contact information
Teaching staff:
Phillip Greenham (Subject Coordinator)
Trevor Thomas
For current student enquiries, contact the Law School Academic Support Office
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment, subject quotas and waitlists.
Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for incoming international cohorts or where a subject is core to a specialisation with limited alternate options.
Last updated: 13 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Construction Law Course Master of Commercial Law Course Graduate Diploma in Construction Law Course Master of Environmental Law Course Master of Laws Course Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law Course Juris Doctor - Links to additional information
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If subject coordinator approval is required, or for further information about Community Access Program study, please contact us
(enquiries for current students | enquiries for prospective students).
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 13 March 2025