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Master of Law and Development (635AA)
Masters (Coursework)Year: 2024 Delivered: On Campus (Parkville)
About this course
- Overview
- Entry and participation requirements
- Attributes, outcomes and skills
- Course structure
- Further study
Coordinator
Contact
Melbourne Law School
Currently enrolled students:
Future students:
Overview
Award title | Master of Law and Development |
---|---|
Year & campus | 2024 — Parkville |
CRICOS code | 051271K |
Fees information | Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date |
Study level & type | Graduate Coursework |
AQF level | 9 |
Credit points | 100 credit points |
Duration | 12 months full-time or 42 months part-time |
Effective legal frameworks and institutions are pivotal in tackling inequality, alleviating poverty and creating a sustainable environment. The specialisation in law and development offers a choice of subjects examining the legalisation of development and the role of international and regional actors in law reform projects. Also offered is an investigation and analysis of both international law and the ‘rule of law’ in a developmental context. Subjects take a range of practical, historical, critical, applied and theoretical perspectives.
This program is ideal for those working in international development from a government, non-government or not-for-profit background, and those seeking to work in those areas or in international organisations more broadly, as well as for those who wish to undertake specialist study in the area in preparation for a research degree.
Links to further information
law.unimelb.edu.au
Entry requirements
Start Year Intake 2024
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to practice, at honours standard, or equivalent; or
• a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to practice, or equivalent, and two years of documented relevant professional experience; or
• an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline; and two years of documented relevant professional experience; or
• an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline; and successful completion of four subjects in a cognate graduate diploma; and one year of documented relevant professional experience.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance; and
• the professional experience
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.
Mid-year Intake 2024
1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
• a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to practice, at honours standard, or equivalent; or
• a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent) leading to admission to practice, or equivalent, and two years of documented relevant professional experience; or
• an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline; and two years of documented relevant professional experience; or
• an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline; and successful completion of four subjects in a cognate graduate diploma; and one year of documented relevant professional experience.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
• prior academic performance; and
• the professional experience
3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7.0 overall with no band less than 6.5 is required.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:
- The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis and critique of complex materials and debate;
- The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
- The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and to critically evaluate these;
- The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
- The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
- The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.
Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact Student Equity and Disability Support.
Intended learning outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Law and Development will:
Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the complex body of knowledge in the field of law and development, including in relation to:
- the processes and actors involved in the legalisation of development
- the history and range of rule of law or law reform projects initiated by international and regional institutions
- the role of international economic institutions in proposing, designing and implementing law reform projects
- development strategies enabled or foreclosed by attempts at law reform or legal institutional design
- the success or failure of particular attempts at law reform or rule of law initiatives
- theoretical approaches to understanding and critiquing law and development initiatives
Have expert, specialised cognitive and technical skills that equip them to independently:
- analyse, critically reflect on and synthesise complex information, concepts and theories in the field of law and development
- research and apply such information, concepts and theories to the relevant body of knowledge and practice; and
- interpret and transmit their knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences
and
- Apply their knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of law and development.
Graduate attributes
-
Advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the relevant area(s) of law
The specialist focus of the Melbourne Law Masters, the constant review and renewal of subjects and courses to ensure coverage of recent developments, the range and expertise of instructors from Australia and around the world, and regular advice from MLM advisory boards combine to ensure that courses and subjects reflect emerging knowledge and ideas. -
Ability to investigate, evaluate, synthesise and apply existing knowledge in the relevant area(s) with creativity and initiative
Small classes, a discussion-based environment and the emphasis on quality teaching and learning create an environment in which knowledge is exchanged, critically examined and adapted to current circumstances. -
Well-developed problem solving abilities, characterised by flexibility of approach
Most subjects approach knowledge by reference to various issues or problems. Students are required to critically analyse problems and identify and develop a range of appropriate solutions through class discussion, individual study and assessment tasks. -
Advanced competencies in legal research and analysis
Class preparation and class discussions are designed to enhance these skills, which are tested in all forms of assessment. All graduates of an LLM will have demonstrated, through subject assessment, the ability to use their research skills to plan, develop and execute substantial research-based project(s) and/or piece(s) of scholarship. -
Capacity to effectively communicate complex legal ideas and theories, orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences
Classroom discussion and formal presentations provide an opportunity to hone oral communication skills, and written assessment tasks are graded in part on written communication skills. -
Appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research
Research papers and other research tasks are expected to attain a degree of creativity, originality and discovery that befits a postgraduate program of the highest quality, and students are encouraged and assisted to publish original work of a high standard in refereed journals. -
Capacity to manage competing demands on time and ability to work with a high level of autonomy and accountability
The demanding nature of graduate study requires effective time-management skills from all students and an ability to work independently and be accountable for commitment to study and output, as demonstrated through class attendance, engagement and assessment. The rigour of our programs, whether undertaken part-time or full-time, ensures that all successful graduates have enhanced time-management skills and the ability to work with relative autonomy. -
Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, including the ethics of scholarship
Some subjects have a substantive ethical component. All instructors have a respect for intellectual integrity and are skilled scholars or practitioners in their own right. -
Appreciation of the way in which knowledge provides a foundation for leadership
Instructors in the Melbourne Law Masters are leaders in their fields, and many subjects involve visiting academics, exposing students to a wider array of leaders in a range of legal fields. The Law School is committed to the significance of knowledge, which informs all regular programs and a wide range of additional activities. -
Capacity to value and participate in teamwork
Small class sizes and an intensive teaching format are valuable in encouraging group dynamics and teamwork. -
Understanding of the significance and value of knowledge to the wider community
Law and legal knowledge are a community resource. In some subjects, this perspective is covered explicitly by the syllabus and the manner in which issues are treated in class. In addition, our diverse student body ensures that a range of perspectives on the way law impacts on the community are identified and analysed. -
Capacity to engage with issues in contemporary society
Our programs focus on the most up-to-date legal knowledge, analysing current issues and problems through the curriculum design, classroom discussion and assessment tasks. International students are also invited to participate in extracurricular activities to aid understanding of Australian law and legal institutions. -
Advanced working skills in the use of new technology
The most advanced IT infrastructure is available to Melbourne Law Masters students in the Law Library, the Moot Court Room, classroom settings and for private study.
Course structure
Students must complete 100 credit points in total.
Students who do not have a law degree must complete International Law, as well as at least 75 credit points from the prescribed list (including the compulsory subject International Law and Development). Students may choose the remaining 12.5 credit points from the subjects available in the Master of Laws (excluding Fundamentals of the Common Law and the Minor Thesis).
Students with a law degree must complete at least 75 credit points from the prescribed list (including the compulsory subject International Law and Development). Students may choose their remaining 25 credit points from the subjects available in the Melbourne Law Masters (excluding Fundamentals of the Common Law).
Note: Most subjects in the MLM program are 12.5 credit points each. Check individual subject handbook entries for confirmation.
Subject options
Asian Law
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS70230 | Commercial Law in Asia |
March (On Campus - Parkville)
July (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS90142 | Public Law in Asia | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70457 | Investment and Risk in Southeast Asia | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70105 | Islamic Law and Politics in Asia | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90182 | Law and Religion in Asia | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
Banking and Finance Law
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS90169 | Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Law | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70111 | Debt Capital Markets | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70420 | Hedge Funds and Private Equity Funds | April (Online) |
12.5 |
LAWS70110 | International Financial System | February (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90143 | International Lending | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90144 | International Sustainable Finance | April (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Dispute Resolution
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS90021 | Advanced Negotiations | April (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90250 | Civil Appeals | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90051 | Commercial Arbitration in Practice | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70468 | Negotiation Skills | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
Energy and Resources Law
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS70423 | International Mineral Law | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70161 | International Petroleum Transactions | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
Environmental Law
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS70293 | Climate Change Law | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90088 | Disaster Law and Climate Adaptation | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70100 | Environmental Law | April (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70386 | Environmental Rights | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70219 | International Environmental Law | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90114 | Negotiating Environmental Agreements | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70349 | Planning and Development Law | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90053 | Transnat'l Corporations: Rights & Duties | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
Government Law
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS90058 | Comparative Human Rights Law | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70269 | Constitution Making | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90255 | Constitutionalism and the Global South | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90149 | Corruption: A Global Approach | April (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70448 | Global Constitutionalism | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70397 | Latin American Constitutionalisms | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70367 | Law of Democracy | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70425 | Money, Law and Politics | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90106 | Multiculturalism and the State | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90150 | States: When, Why and How they Happen | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
Health and Medical Law
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS90057 | Comparative Health Law and Policy | November (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70151 | Law and Global Health | April (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90092 | Trade, Investment, IP and Health | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70451 | Health Law and Human Rights | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70421 | Law and Emerging Health Technologies | December (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90120 | Public Health Law | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
Human Rights Law
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS70382 | Business and Human Rights | December (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90121 | Economic and Social Rights | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90124 | Gender and Human Rights | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70422 | Human Rights and Armed Conflict | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70452 | Human Rights and Climate Change | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90044 | Human Rights and Economic Globalisation | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70091 | Human Rights and Terrorism | November (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90045 | Human Rights and Universality | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70360 | Human Rights Beyond Borders | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90122 | Human Rights in Asia: Current Issues | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70171 | Human Rights, Women and Development | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70454 | Human Rights: From Morality to Law | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90175 | Human Rights: Global Policy and Practice | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70264 | International Human Rights Law |
February (On Campus - Parkville)
July (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS70120 | International Law and Children's Rights | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70366 | International Refugee Law | June (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70430 | Poverty, Human Rights and Development | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90049 | Reimagining Human Rights Law | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
International Economic Law
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS70169 | International Trade and Development |
April (On Campus - Parkville)
October (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS70013 | Global Financial Architecture | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70392 | International Business Transactions |
February (Online)
May (Online)
August (On Campus - Parkville)
October (Online)
|
12.5 |
LAWS70121 | International Commercial Arbitration |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
December (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS70308 | International Economic Law |
February (On Campus - Parkville)
August (On Campus - Parkville)
December (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS70304 | Internat Investment Law and Arbitration |
March (On Campus - Parkville)
May (On Campus - Parkville)
June (On Campus - Parkville)
October (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS70028 | International Trade Law |
May (On Campus - Parkville)
July (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS90052 | Trade and Investment Law in China | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70322 | WTO Law and Dispute Settlement | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90181 | International Trade Remedies Law | November (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
International Law
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS90127 | Comparative Indigenous Rights | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70033 | International Criminal Law | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70303 | International Criminal Law and Justice | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70234 | International Humanitarian Law | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70173 | International Law |
February (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
March (On Campus - Parkville)
April (On Campus - Parkville)
July (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS70369 | International Law and Ethics | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70455 | International Law and Relations | December (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70078 | International Law and the Use of Force | November (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90128 | International Law: Uncensored History | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70456 | Law of Treaties | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90129 | Law, Science and Technology | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70313 | Post-Conflict State-Building | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70327 | Prosecuting the War on Terror | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90063 | Regulating Global Markets | June (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70403 | Statehood in International Law | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90249 | UN Law and Practice | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Law and Development
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS90154 | Cities, Law and Global Governance | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90018 | Development, Labour and Human Rights | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70093 | International Law and Development | April (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS90042 | Int'l Law, Sustainability & Development | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70122 | Investment, Regulation and Development | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90179 | Law, Science and Development | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90155 | NGOs and International Development | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90253 | Transitional Justice | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90272 | International Development Finance Law | June (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Tax Law
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS70009 | Comparative Corporate Tax | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70353 | Comparative International Tax | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70162 | Tax Reform and Development | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
Other Subjects
Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS90111 | Chinese Competition Law and Policy | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS90112 | Comparative Corporate Insolvency Law | June (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70016 | Comparative Law | No longer available | |
LAWS70389 | Global Commercial Contract Law | January (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS70218 | International Employment Law | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70446 | International Equality Law | Not available in 2024 | 12.5 |
LAWS70242 | Internat.Issues in Intellectual Property |
February (On Campus - Parkville)
December (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
LAWS70067 | International Legal Internship |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
PPMN90046 | Persuasion for Policymakers | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Further study
A student who completes a masters degree in the Melbourne Law Masters is eligible to apply for entry to the PhD program.
Last updated: 20 March 2024