Projects and the Environment Practicum (LAWS90241)

From 2026, this subject's title will change to Environment and the Law Lab

 

This subject gives students a practice-focused opportunity to explore how the law influences the environmental and related social issues associated with infrastructure projects, from finance to operation.

Students will encounter and analyse these issues across multiple areas of law, including contract law, environmental law, property law, and administrative law. Students will gain familiarity with the roles and perspectives of the diverse multidisciplinary actors with whom lawyers work when developing (or challenging) a major project, including community groups, consultants, scientists, and regulators. Topics will be taught using real-life central case studies to explore relevant issues, and students will interact with real-life stakeholders in infrastructure projects, partnering with selected stakeholders to provide meaningful legal analysis that assists them in their work.

Students will develop their communication skills, particularly oral communication and using plain English approaches to explain complex laws to non-legal stakeholders; gain expertise in reading and interpreting legislation; reading technical documents like environmental impact statements; and teamwork.

Indicative list of principal topics:

• sustainable finance,
• land use planning,
• impact assessment,
• environmental licensing, and
• judicial review of project approvals.

 

Important information about enrolling

This subject is not available for self-enrolment but is an application-based enrichment subject, which means prospective students must apply to enrol. Many of these application-based enrichment subjects also involve a selection process.

More information about the application process can be found on the Application-based enrichment subjects information page inside the Juris Doctor LMS Community [Juris Doctor student access only].