Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

The Master of Laws (Advanced Legal Practice) focuses on the practical legal skills and professional ethics that tomorrow's legal practitioners may be expected to possess and follow. The course is highly innovative in its unique combination of practical skills training with academic research and excellence.

The Master of Laws (Advanced Legal Practice) aims to:

• enable students to develop and demonstrate advanced skills in research, analysis and the written or oral communication of complex ideas
• enable students to develop and demonstrate advanced skills in research, analysis and the written or oral communication of complex ideas
• enable students to develop and demonstrate a knowledge of law and the theoretical and policy framework within which the law operates
• enable students to understand their ethical responsibilities and those which may affect their clients
• equip students with a variety of techniques for dispute resolution
• provide current and future practitioners in law with the appropriate theories and skills to deal with the legal challenges that arise in all areas of national and international activity
• impart and develop further the practical skills essential to the knowledge and practice of law in the professional context
• develop Monash graduates' attributes.

24 credit points

The course comprises eight 6-point coursework units, or coursework units and a minor thesis.

This course may be taken in one of three ways:*,**

(a.) eight coursework units. Candidates must complete five units offered as part of the advanced legal practice specialisation. The remaining three units may be taken from any units offered in the masters coursework program

(b.) four coursework units with at least two units from the advanced legal practice specialisation and a minor thesis of 25,000-30,000 words on an approved topic in the area

(c.) six coursework units with at least three units in the advanced legal practice specialisation and a minor thesis of 12,000-15,000 words on an approved topic in the area.

Students who have been granted 24 points of credit have the following options:

(a.) four coursework units from the advanced legal practice specialisation

(b.) subject to approval, two coursework units from the advanced legal practice specialisation and a 12,000-15,000 minor thesis on an approved topic in the area.

Students who have been granted 12 points credit have the following options:

(a.) six coursework units from the advanced legal practice specialisation

(b.) subject to approval, four coursework units from the advanced legal practice specialisation and a minor thesis of 12,000-15,000 words on an approved topic in the area

(c.) subject to approval, two coursework units from the advanced legal practice specialisation and a minor thesis of 25,000-30,000 words on an approved topic in the area.

The units in the advanced legal practice specialisation will be those which are specified from time to time by the faculty board on the recommendation of the Postgraduate Studies Committee of the faculty. For further information regarding specialisations, visit http://www.law.monash.edu.au/postgraduate/units-overview.html.

* Candidates with a law degree from a non-Australian jurisdiction will be required to complete the unit LAW7436 (Introduction to legal process).

** In order to qualify to undetake one of the minor thesis options, a student mush have achieved a minimum of 70 per cent in each of the units undertaken.

Postgraduate unit offerings

The faculty endeavours to offer a broad range of graduate units each year across many areas of specialisations and practice areas. The units published have been approved for the purpose of the coursework component in the postgraduate programs.

Units are offered on a rotational basis. Students should check the current timetable to determine which units are available each year. The faculty reserves the right not to offer in a particular year any of the published units if it appears there are insufficient enrolments or if there are other over-riding considerations. Enrolment quotas may have to be imposed in respect of the listed units.

For further information visit http://www.law.monash.edu.au/postgraduate/units-overview.html.

Thesis requirement

Candidates are required to submit a completed thesis proposal form to the postgraduate studies office (forms are available from the office). Students are encouraged to discuss their proposal with members of academic staff. If required, the chair, Postgraduate Studies Committee, will assist in recommending an appropriate member of staff.

Candidates must complete the thesis at a standard comparable to legal writings found in a learned law journal. For information on the requirements which must be met with respect to the certification of theses prior to submission for examination, contact the postgraduate program coordinator.

Master of Laws (Advanced Legal Practice)