Torts Law G (11435.2)

This unit introduces graduate students to the law of torts.

The legal avenues available to people who have been harmed personally or whose land or goods have been interfered with is the domain of Tort law. In essence, Tort law allows recovery for wrongs done. The unit introduces the concept of breach of rights as actionable in the courts and for which recovery is available apart from other harms. It provides students with an understanding of the wide scope of law in addressing the intentional and unintentional harms, defences and remedies. The unit has a focus on negligence, but also introduces the torts of trespass, defamation and nuisance.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Analyse and understand the functioning of tort law within wide areas of human activity by means of negligence and other torts, such as trespass, defamation and nuisance, in their social and historical context;
2. Articulate and apply the principles of risk, consent, tort, vicarious and concurrent liability, defences and assessment of damages found in the common law and legislation to practical problems;
3. Identify the policy issues associated with balancing the interests of the parties to tort actions as well as the broader historical and social implications for tort, and the nature and effect of tort reform; and
4. Critically reflect on the suitability of tort law, its development, reform and the related legislative compensation schemes.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

11751 Legal Methods and Skills G AND 11752 Legal Systems G

Corequisites

This unit is only available to students in the Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, Master of Legal Studies and Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies courses.

Incompatible units

11278 Torts Law

Equivalent units

6781 Law of Obligations G

Assumed knowledge

None.