Economic Analysis of Law (LAWS90187)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2025 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks

Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
June
FeesLook up fees

This subject introduces students to the economic analysis of the law as a set of tools for analysing the effect legal rules have on the way people behave. The subject explores the extent to which the principles of economics can be used to explain the workings of the legal system itself. Students will learn how to construct and critique basic economic models of the incentive/pressure associated with different legal rules and institutions.

Indicative list of principal topics:

  • the Coase theorem
  • the choice between property and liability rules
  • the allocative effects of alternative liability rules (e.g. strict liability versus negligence)
  • the determination of remedies in civil claims (e.g. contract, tort)
  • considerations behind criminal law and enforcement
  • the economics of legal procedure
  • public choice.

Particular attention is paid to applying economic analysis to contemporaneous legal and policy controversies in Australia and Asia-Pacific.

Intended learning outcomes

A student who has successfully completed this subject will demonstrate:

  • The cognitive and technical skills to critically and independently apply economic principles in critical analysis of legal rules and public policy
  • Integrated understanding of the basic economic concepts such as demand-supply, Coase theorem, public choice, moral hazard, adverse selection etc in the legal context
  • The ability to identify and resolve theoretical and practical problems concerning the economic dimension of legal rules and public policy.

Generic skills

On successful completion of this subject, students will have developed their skills in the following areas:

  • Specialist understanding, interpretation, application, and evaluation of economic principles in the context of law and policy debate.
  • Identifying and resolving theoretical and practical problems concerning the economic dimension of law and policy debates in a manner that display independent, critical and professional judgment.
  • Analyse critically and reflect on the merits and limitations on the inter-disciplinary approach of law, especially for research and further learning.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Admission into the MC-JURISD Juris Doctor

AND

All of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
LAWS50023 Legal Method and Reasoning
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
LAWS50024 Principles of Public Law
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
LAWS50026 Obligations
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

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%

Research paper

  • 5000 words
Due 25 July 202590%

Additional details

The due dates of assessment will be made available to students on the Assessment Schedule on the Juris Doctor Canvas LMS Community. Note, these are updated regularly. 

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • June
    Principal coordinatorJianlin Chen
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours36 hours
    Total time commitment150 hours
    Pre teaching start date12 June 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 period26 June 2025 to 4 July 2025
    Last self-enrol date13 June 2025
    Census date 4 July 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail11 July 2025
    Assessment period ends25 July 2025

    June contact information

    Teaching staff:
    Jianlin Chen (Subject 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

This subject has an enrolment quota. Please refer to the Juris Doctor enrolment webpage for further information about re-enrolment and subject quotas. Melbourne Law School may reserve places in a subject for inbound study abroad and exchange students.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Close to the teaching period, students will be advised about prescribed textbooks and other specialist reading materials. Make sure to check Canvas LMS in the lead-up to teaching. 

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseJuris Doctor
  • 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.

    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     

  • 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: 4 March 2025