Fundamentals of Built Environment Law (ABPL90290)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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An introduction to the principles and legal concepts that apply to the built environment professions and how this law develops and changes. The subject covers:

  • the fundamentals of common law;
  • liability in tort law for injury or loss caused to other people or their property;
  • legally binding contracts, their terms, obligations and breaches. These concepts extend into construction contracts, standard forms of contract, liabilities, litigation and arbitration;
  • concepts of property and ownership in Australia. The legal nature of land, improvements, fixtures and chattels, land registration systems and encumbrances. Co-ownership: subdivision, joint tenancy in common. licenses and leases. occupier's liability;
  • planning law;
  • environmental law;
  • intellectual property covering copyright, patents and consultancy issues.

 

 

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the subject, students should be able to:



  • Have a sound general understanding of the principles and legal concepts of common law and tort law;
  • Be aware of the different forms of construction contracts and the characteristic features and differences between each;
  • Understand the land tenure systems in Australia including ownerships, subdivisions and property leasing arrangements;
  • Be familiar with planning and environmental laws, the implementation systems and adoption by the professions;
  • Have a basic understanding of ownership rights with respect to intellectual property.

Generic skills

On completion of the subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

  • the capacity to analyse a range of legal environmental frameworks;
  • the capacity for critical and independent thought and reflection;
  • ability to find and apply legal principles within the environment professions.

Last updated: 1 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BLAW10001 Principles of Business Law
Semester 1 (Online)
Semester 2 (Online)
 12.5

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: 1 April 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Assignment, focussing on the Property law and associated legislation.

  • 1000 words (equivalent)
Week 820%

Assignment, researching different project delivery models and associated legal issues.

  • 1000 words (equivalent)
Week 1120%

Examination equivalent to 3000 words focussing on a wide range of issues covered during the semester relating to all aspects of the Fundamentals of Built Environment Law.

  • 3 hours
Hurdle requirement: A minimum mark of 40% has to be acieved in the examination in order to pass this subject.  		During the examination period60%

Last updated: 1 April 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorShuya Yang
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

    Semester 2 contact information

    Subject Coordinator:

    Shuya Yang
    shuya.yang3@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 Hours

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.

Last updated: 1 April 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Comprehensive coursework notes including selected readings provided via the University book room.

  • 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.

  • 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: 1 April 2025