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Juris Doctor (MC-JURISD) // Course structure
About this course
Contact
Melbourne Law School
Currently enrolled students:
- General information:
law.unimelb.edu.au/students/jd
Future students:
- Further information:
Coordinator
Arlen Duke
Course structure
The Melbourne JD comprises 24 subjects.
Compulsory Subjects
16 subjects are compulsory, enabling the School to provide its students with cumulative learning, by integrating both subject matter and skills across and between semesters. These subjects are organised so as to ensure a balanced range in each semester, between which linkages can be made. In addition, subjects in both private and public law build progressively over the semesters, contributing to the effectiveness of the learning experience.
In the first semester of the JD students are grouped into cohorts for compulsory subjects. This enhances the collegial experience of, and learning communities forged between, students during their time in the School and establishes bonds that will continue long after graduation.
Elective Subjects
The remaining eight subjects are chosen by students from a wide range of optional subjects offered by the School. These vary from year to year, enabling the School to respond to changes in the law and legal thinking and giving students access to the latest developments in research by some of the leading scholars in the School.
Standard course structure - 3 years
In its standard form, the degree is taken full time over three years. This format enables students to take advantage of other educational, professional and social opportunities during the summer and winter breaks, including seasonal clerkships, international exchanges, internships, mooting and Law Review editorial work.
Flexible course structures - 2.5, 3.5, 4-6 years
The Melbourne JD can also be accelerated by students with outstanding results with approval from the Law School, by utilizing the summer and winter break periods to complete additional JD subjects. The Melbourne JD can also be extended and there are several different course structures available for both full time and part time students. This flexibility enables students to take advantage of other educational, professional and social opportunities during the summer and winter breaks, including seasonal clerkships, international exchanges, internships, mooting and Law Review editorial work. These opportunities are necessarily more limited for accelerating students.
Subject options
Melbourne JD - Course Structure
The below subjects are structured based on the 3 year full time JD course structure. Alternative course structures can be found on the Melbourne Law School website.
The Full Time 3 Year Course Structure
Year 1 - Foundation Subject
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50023 | Legal Method and Reasoning | Summer Term |
12.5 |
Year 1 - Compulsory Subjects
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50024 | Principles of Public Law | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50026 | Obligations | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS90140 | Disputes and Ethics | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50028 | Constitutional Law | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50029 | Contracts | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50025 | Torts | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50031 | Legal Theory |
Semester 2
November
|
12.5 |
Year 2 - Compulsory Subjects
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50032 | Administrative Law | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50033 | Equity and Trusts | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50030 | Property | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50034 | Criminal Law and Procedure | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50035 | Corporations Law | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50037 | Evidence and Proof |
Semester 1
July
|
12.5 |
Year 3 - Compulsory Subjects
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50039 | Legal Research |
Semester 1
Semester 2
|
12.5 |
| LAWS50036 | Remedies |
Semester 1
November
|
12.5 |
Electives
During the JD, students must complete 100 credit points of elective study. Students following the Full Time 3 Year Course Structure would generally complete:
- 2 electives in Year 2
- 6 electives in Year 3
Electives in the JD fall under three broad categories:
1. JD quota electives
2. JD enrichment electives
3. Melbourne Law Masters (MLM) electives available to JD students
The timeline and process for enrolment in electives in each category are outlined in full on the Melbourne Law School website.
JD quota electives
All timely JD quota elective enrolments are subject to a selection process which the Academic Support Office will perform after the timely re-enrolment period closes. Late self-enrolment is on a first-in basis up to quota.
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS90186 | Advanced Trusts Law | February |
12.5 |
| LAWS50055 | Advocacy |
February
Semester 1
Semester 2
|
12.5 |
| LAWS50122 | Animals and the Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90213 | Commercial Data Law | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS90059 | Commercial Law in Practice | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50063 | Competition Law | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50084 | Construction Law | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS90197 | Consumer Law | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS90074 | Copyright and Designs | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50050 | Cross-Border Litigation | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50064 | Employment Law |
February
Semester 1
|
12.5 |
| LAWS50078 | Environmental Law | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50068 | Equality and Discrimination Law | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50047 | Family Law | July |
12.5 |
| LAWS90243 | Future Lawyer | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50093 | Insolvency Law | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50128 | Intellectual Property & Popular Culture | Summer Term |
12.5 |
| LAWS50094 | International Commercial Law & Disputes | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50049 | Human Rights Law and Practice | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50091 | International Investment Law | November |
12.5 |
| LAWS90240 | Law and Automation | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS90212 | Law and Civil Society in Asia | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS90245 | Law and Human Nature | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS90033 | Law Apps |
Semester 1
Semester 2
|
12.5 |
| LAWS90036 | Legal Drafting | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50096 | Media Law | November |
12.5 |
| LAWS90039 | Mediation | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50108 | Mergers, Acquisitions & Capital Markets | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50106 | Murder | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50131 | Negotiations |
Summer Term
Summer Term
December
|
12.5 |
| LAWS50114 | New Ideas in Legal Scholarship | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90107 | New Technology Law | July |
12.5 |
| LAWS90075 | Patents and Trade Secrets | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50127 | Philosophical Foundations of Law | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50041 | Public International Law | July |
12.5 |
| LAWS50101 | Refugee Law | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50046 | Taxation Law and Policy |
Semester 1
Semester 2
|
12.5 |
| LAWS50075 | Trade Mark Law | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS90191 | Treaty: Indigenous-settler Agreements | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
JD enrichment electives
JD enrichment electives have an application and selection process. Students cannot self-enrol into these electives. Enrolments will be confirmed after a selection process has been run.
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS90214 | Indigenous Law in Aotearoa and Australia | October |
12.5 |
| LAWS90209 | Indigenous Legal Advocacy Clinic | Semester 1 |
12.5 |
| LAWS50042 | Jessup Moot | August |
12.5 |
| LAWS90006 | Law and Legal Practice in Asia | October |
12.5 |
| LAWS50059 | Legal Internship |
January
Semester 1
June
Semester 2
November
|
12.5 |
| LAWS50060 | Melbourne Journal of International Law |
Summer Term
Semester 1
Semester 2
|
12.5 |
| LAWS50058 | Melbourne University Law Review |
Summer Term
Semester 1
Semester 2
|
12.5 |
| LAWS90164 | MLS Tax Clinic |
Semester 1
Semester 2
|
12.5 |
| LAWS90189 | NDIS and Disability Benefits Clinic | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
| LAWS90241 | Projects and the Environment Practicum | July |
12.5 |
| LAWS50116 | Public Interest Law Clinic |
Semester 1
Semester 2
|
12.5 |
| LAWS50126 | Sustainability Business Clinic | Semester 2 |
12.5 |
Melbourne Law Masters (MLM) electives
JD students can apply to take up to 25 credit points of their electives (typically two) from the list of MLM electives below. Students cannot self-enrol into MLM electives. Enrolments will be confirmed after a selection process has been run.
Electives not offered this year
The following subjects have been offered as electives in the JD previously, however are not available for enrolment this year:
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS90161 | Advanced Constitutional Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50110 | Advanced Topics in Taxation | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50130 | Advanced Torts | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90061 | American Constitutional History & Rights | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50056 | Climate Change Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50088 | Commercial Law In Asia | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50115 | Commercial Restitution | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50085 | Consumer Protection Law And Policy | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50057 | Copyright and Patents | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90078 | Corporate Governance | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90005 | Corporate Tax | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90198 | COVID-19 Assistance Project | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90136 | Criminal Institutions | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50125 | Criminal Justice: Drugs in Asia | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50066 | Cyberlaw | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50051 | Deals | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50080 | Deals In Asia Pacific | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50118 | Democracy, Law and Civil Liberties | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90004 | Disability Human Rights Clinic | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90187 | Economic Analysis of Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90037 | Economic and Business Law in Asia | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50070 | Encounters: Meeting of Laws in Australia | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90079 | Entertainment Deals | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50067 | European Civil Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50071 | Global Lawyer | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90133 | Health Law and Ethics | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90109 | Histories of International Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50069 | Human Rights Lawyering | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50045 | Institutions in International Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90228 | International Capital Markets | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90060 | International Criminal Justice Clinic | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50052 | International Criminal Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50133 | International Environmental Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90008 | Law and Indigenous Peoples | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50121 | Law and Literature | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90076 | Law and the Holocaust | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90188 | Law of Commercial Arbitration | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90162 | Law of Commercial Cyberspace | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90038 | Law of Elections | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50098 | Law Reform | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50117 | Law, Justice & Human Rights in China | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50095 | Legal Histories | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90007 | Media Regulation and Freedom of Speech | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50132 | Multiculturalism Religion and the Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90077 | Not for Profits and the Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50124 | Private Law: Theoretical Perspectives | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90134 | Property Law and the City | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90135 | Rights and Freedoms in Malaysia | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90190 | Sexualities, Gender, Activism and Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50119 | Sports Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90108 | Start-Up Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50102 | Street Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50120 | The Rule of Law in Theory & in Practice | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS90163 | Why Tax Systems Differ Between Countries | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
| LAWS50109 | World Trade Organisation Law | Not available in 2022 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 29 January 2022