1. An Introduction to legal studies

TOPICS

Introduction, origins of Australian law

The similarity of Australian law with other national legal systems; 1.3.1.

Countries with similar law to Australian law; 1.3.2.

Indigenous law; 1.3.3.

Introduction, divisions of law 

The importance of grouping law into divisions; 1.4.1.

Some important divisions; 1.4.2.

Relating situations to divisions of law; 1.4.3.

Introduction, how law regulates conduct

Different kinds of behavioural rule; 1.2.1 – 1.2.5.

Different kinds of regulation; 1.5.1.

Introduction, the power to make law

Who has law-making powers in Australia; 1.6.1.

Introduction, classifying legal ideas

Terms used to describe different kinds of legal idea; 1.7.1.

A hierarchy of legal ideas; 1.7.2.

Introduction, judicial Reasoning in Australian Courts

The role of logic; 1.8.1.

Distinguishing inductive and deductive reasoning; 1.8.2.

The form of reasoning normally used by Australian judges; 1.8.3.

Introduction, justice and law

The difference between justice and law; 1.9.1

Deciding similar cases; 1.9.2.

Taking account of community standards; 1.9.3.

Identifying the elements of just decision making; 1.9.4.

Introduction, law and ethics

The relationship between law and ethics; 1.10.1.

Taking account of ethical considerations; 1.10.2.

The advantages of ethical behaviour; 1.10.3.

Introduction, an approach to solving hypothetical problems 

Problem-solving techniques; 1.11.1 - 1.11.2.

Identifying the material facts of a case; 1.11.3.

Identifying the issue that arises from the facts; 1.11.4.

Finding the relevant law; 1.11.5.

Applying deductive reasoning to resolve the case; 1.11.6.

Introduction, some important realisations

How best to approach legal studies; 12.1.