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Core Principles of Contract (LAWS90172)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
February
Lecturer
Andrew Robertson (Coordinator)
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | February |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces students to the fundamentals of the law of contract in common law jurisdictions, with a particular focus on Australian and English law. Although it is open to all students, it is indended for students from civil law and non-law backgrounds.
It offers a grounding in the foundational principles of contract law as well as insights into current issues and influences on the development of the law. The subject also offers the opportunity to develop deeper insights into the law of contract and common law method. It lays the foundations of knowledge and skills necessary for the study of more specialised subjects and for the exploration of particular contract issues and problems that arise in practice.
The teacher has taught contract law for many years and has published extensively in the area.
Topics to be covered include:
- Principles of contract formation: agreement; intention to be bound; consideration; certainty
- Promissory estoppel
- The doctrine of privity of contract
- Contract terms: express and implied terms; the interpretation of written contracts
- Vitiating factors: misrepresentation; mistake; duress; undue influence; unconscionable dealing
- Discharge of contracts: breach; frustration; contingent conditions
- Remedies for breach of contract: damages; specific performance
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed the subject should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of the common law of contract
- Critically evaluate those concepts and principles in the light of the functions of the law of contract and the policy issues which underlie it
- Apply the core principles of contract law to new fact situations and provide advice as to the rights and obligations of contracting parties
Generic skills
On completion of the subject students should have developed the following skills:
- Mastery of the fundamental concepts and principles of the common law of contract;
- The ability to evaluate critically those concepts and principles in the light of the function of the law of contract and the policy issues which underlie it;
- Problem solving skills, skills of case analysis (including skills of fact analysis, identification of legal issues, identification of rules and principles articulated in judgments and critical appraisal of reasoning and outcomes) and other lawyering skills;
- The ability to talk in public about law and legal problems and to respond to the questions and ideas of other people.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into a relevant Melbourne Law Masters program AND Not hold a previously completed JD or LLB degree or passed an equivalent introductory contract law subject.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
JD students:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS50029 | Contracts | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MLM students: Students who have previously completed a JD or Masters level foundational contract law subject from a common law jurisdiction are not permitted to enrol in this subject.
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Class participation | Throughout the teaching period | 20% |
Prescribed assignment
| 24 April 2024 | 80% |
Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- February
Principal coordinator Andrew Robertson Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 150 hours Pre teaching start date 31 January 2024 Pre teaching requirements Please 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 period 28 February 2024 to 5 March 2024 Last self-enrol date 5 February 2024 Census date 29 February 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 March 2024 Assessment period ends 24 April 2024 February contact information
Lecturer
Andrew Robertson (Coordinator)
Email: law-masters@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352), International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
Website: law.unimelb.edu.au
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 a quota of 30 students.
Enrolment is on a 'first in' basis. Waitlists are maintained for subjects that are fully subscribed.
Students should note priority of waitlisted places in subjects will be given as follows:
- To currently enrolled Graduate Diploma and Masters students with a satisfactory record in their degree
- To other students enrolling on a single subject basis, eg Community Access Program (CAP) students, cross-institutional study and cross-faculty study.
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of 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: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist materials will be made available via the LMS during the pre-teaching period.
- Links to additional information
- 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.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-masters@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
- 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: 31 January 2024