Environmental Law (LAWS70100)

Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
February
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Environmental law deals with pressing legal and social issues within Australia and internationally that range from biodiversity protection to waste reduction. This subject provides an overview of fundamental environmental law concepts and principles, such as the precautionary principle. It charts the evolution of Australian environmental law in response to global environmental challenges, such as climate change, as well as national regulatory reforms. The subject equips students with a thorough grounding in environmental impact assessment law by reference to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth). It examines the regulatory tools and approaches relevant to pollution control and ecological protection– including market mechanisms and offset models. This subject introduces international environmental law; dealing with issues such as trans-boundary harm and World Heritage protection, that have shaped Australian environmental law.

Indicative list of principal topics:

  • The scope of environmental law – nationally and internationally – including transboundary regulation.
  • The multidisciplinary character of environmental law and regulation that needs to respond to complex, multilevel environmental problems.
  • The diversity of environmental law approaches from the common law through direct regulation to market measures and community engagement.

These themes are illustrated by case studies in the following areas:

  • Environmental law: Principles and concepts
  • Environmental actors, including public interest litigation with a focus on biodiversity protection
  • The procedures and substantive law governing impact assessment and development approvals.
  • Legal and regulatory tools used in environmental law, including duty of care concepts in pollution laws.
  • The interaction of law and science, with a focus on the precautionary principle
  • Implementation, compliance and enforcement in Environmental Law
  • International environmental law, including biodiversity protection, world heritage cases and climate change governance.

Intended learning outcomes

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:



  • Have an advanced understanding of the evolution of environmental law and the factors driving change and reform at an international and national level
  • Have a sound general knowledge of the concepts of environmental law and be able to assess the efficacy of the principles of environmental regulation
  • Have a detailed understanding of the influence of other disciplines, such as science, on environmental law
  • Be able to critically examine, interpret, analyse, and assess the nature of current environmental law approaches such as environmental impact assessment and the 'regulatory mix’
  • Be an engaged participant in debates over key case studies that illustrate trends in environmental law, such as cumulative impact assessment and offsetting for biodiversity conservation
  • Have an advanced understanding of the need for integration across many areas of law to achieve environmental goals, such as ecologically sustainable development.
  • Have the legal and technical skills to independently examine, research and analyse legal issues relating to environmental protection and restoration
  • Have the communication skills to articulate and convey clearly complex information regarding issues in environmental law
  • Be able demonstrate autonomy and expert judgment in analysing case law and statutes in the field of environmental law.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
LAWS50078 Environmental Law
November (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

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

Case study assignment (presentations & written assignment)

  • 1500 words
Presentations will take place during the teaching period | written assignment due 26 March 202525%

Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator

  • 6500 words
7 May 202575%
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required.During the teaching periodN/A

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • February
    Principal coordinatorLee Godden
    CoordinatorBrendan Sydes
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours34
    Total time commitment150 hours
    Pre teaching start date29 January 2025
    Pre teaching requirementsPlease refer to the Reading Guide on the LMS subject page for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences.
    Teaching period26 February 2025 to 4 March 2025
    Last self-enrol date 3 February 2025
    Census date28 February 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail11 April 2025
    Assessment period ends16 May 2025

    February contact information

    Teaching staff:

    Lee Godden (Coordinator)

    Brendan Sydes

    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