Principles of Banking and Finance Law (LAWS70206)

Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5Online

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
June - Online
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This subject examines the fundamental principles under Australian law relating to the provision of credit by financiers to businesses and consumers. The subject has as its focus the legal design of key financing transactions and the chief means by which financiers manage the risk of a borrower’s default or insolvency. The topics covered range from 'vanilla' loans supported by security interests and guarantees to more complex title-based transactions, including assignments, leases and securitisations, and the use of credit derivatives. The subject also discusses the Australian Personal Property Securities Act.

Indicative list of principal topics:

  • The financier–borrower relationship and key governance issues in banking and finance transactions
  • Building blocks of banking and finance transactions
  • Law relating to guarantees and security interests
  • Legal design of more complex banking and finance transactions

Intended learning outcomes

A student who has successfully completed this subject should be able to:

  • Critically analyse and evaluate current and emerging legal principles of Australian banking and finance transactions, including recent developments in this field
  • Discuss, appraise and engage in sophisticated policy and law reform debates concerning recent developments in banking and finance law
  • Generate critical and creative ideas relating to complex banking and finance transactions, and to critically evaluate the key principles of Australian banking and finance law
  • Examine and interrogate legal issues relating to banking and finance transactions
  • Clearly and persuasively articulate and convey complex information regarding the field of banking and finance law to relevant specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are taught at an advanced graduate level and requires a thorough background in common law. While efforts are made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, teaching and assessment activities are designed to give an advanced and integrated understanding of the discipline of law for legal practitioners, learners and researchers.  

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: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Class participation

Throughout the teaching period10%

A brief memorandum on a topic or transaction of your choice, identifying the key legal issues

  • 400 words
During the teaching period20%

Option 1: Take-home examination

  • 4000 words
18 - 21 July 202570%

Option 2: Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator.

  • 4000 words
30 July 202570%
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required.Throughout the teaching periodN/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: 4 March 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • June - Online
    Principal coordinatorPaul Ali
    Mode of deliveryOnline
    Contact hours34
    Total time commitment150 hours
    Pre teaching start date 7 May 2025
    Pre teaching requirementsPlease refer to Canvas LMS to check on the pre-class readings and preparatory learning activities before the teaching period commences. 
    Teaching period 4 June 2025 to 11 June 2025
    Last self-enrol date12 May 2025
    Census date 6 June 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail18 July 2025
    Assessment period ends22 August 2025

    June contact information

    Teaching staff:

    Associate Professor Paul Ali (Coordinator)

    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: 4 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 4 March 2025