Courses - Faculty of Law
Law
Stage I
Law and Society
An introduction to theories of the nature, functions and origins of law and legal systems, including sources of law; comparative concepts of law; an overview of constitutional and legal arrangements in New Zealand, including the role of the courts; the operation of the legal system in historical and contemporary New Zealand with a focus on concepts of property rights, the Treaty of Waitangi, Treaty Settlements and proposals for constitutional change. Note: Does not meet the General Education requirement for LLB, LLB(Hons), LLB conjoint or LLB(Hons) conjoint degrees.
Restriction: LAW 101
Legal Method
An introductory study of how law is made and applied in New Zealand – an overview of the law-making roles of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government; other influences on the development of the law; an introduction to case law, including judicial reasoning and the doctrine of precedent; an introduction to statute law, including the legislative process and techniques of statutory interpretation and application; the interaction between case law and legislation.
Prerequisite: LAW 121 or 121G
Stage II
Criminal Law
An introduction to the principles and practice of criminal law in Aotearoa New Zealand, including an analysis of a selection of offences, criminal defences and the rules attributing criminal liability. Apart from the rules concerning burden of proof and an introduction to the principles and process of sentencing, no detailed study is made in this course of the law of evidence or procedure.
Corequisite: LAW 298 or 299
To complete this course students must enrol in LAW 201 A and B
Public Law
The principles and workings of the New Zealand constitution; the powers, privileges and immunities of the three branches of government; the exercise and control of public power; and the relationship between the individual and the State (including the position of Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi).
Corequisite: LAW 298 or 299
To complete this course students must enrol in LAW 211 A and B
Law of Torts
The general principles of civil liability for non-consensual wrongs. The principles of liability applying to selected torts, including the intentional torts such as: assault, battery, false imprisonment, intentionally inflicting emotional distress, trespass to land, wrongs to goods, negligence, strict liability, nuisance and defamation. The law relating to compensation for personal injury.
Corequisite: LAW 298 or 299
To complete this course students must enrol in LAW 231 A and B
Law of Contract
The general principles of contract law including: the formation of contracts at common law, New Zealand contract legislation, breach of contract, and remedies for breach of contract. An introduction to the general principles of agency.
Corequisite: LAW 298 or 299
To complete this course students must enrol in LAW 241 A and B
Stage III
Land Law
A study of the history and principles of land law including: estates and interests in land, the effect of registration and indefeasibility of title, leasehold estates, easements and profits, mortgages, and concurrent interests in land, and covenants affecting freehold land.
Prerequisite: LAW 201, 211, 231, 241
To complete this course students must enrol in LAW 301 A and B
Equity
A study of the central principles and remedies of equity including: the fiduciary principle, relationships of confidence, unconscionable conduct, undue influence, estoppel, assignments, trusts (express, resulting and constructive), charities, tracing, third-party liability, the assignment in equity of choses in action, and priorities. Basic principles of the law of succession and of the administration of estates.
Prerequisite: LAW 201, 211, 231, 241
To complete this course students must enrol in LAW 306 A and B
Jurisprudence
A study of the nature of law, including the nature of legal reasoning, its sources, and methodologies; fundamental legal concepts and the structure of a legal system; law’s relations to the State, politics and morality; critical and pluralist challenges to State law’s claims to neutrality and supremacy in the administration of justice in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Prerequisite: LAW 201, 211, 231, 241
Ethical Practice
Develops advanced research skills by using multi-jurisdictional legal sources within the context of the study of legal ethics. Examines the concept of professional responsibility by considering the nature of the legal profession and the wider responsibilities of lawyers in the community, various theories of ethics and ethical conduct, and specific duties of practitioners, including conflicts of interest, confidentiality, duties of disclosure, fiduciary responsibilities to clients, and duties to the court.
Corequisite: LAW 301 or 306
Restriction: LAW 458
Stage IV
Legal Research 3
Completion of legal research requirements as approved by the Faculty of Law, including moot participation and opinion writing.
Supervised Research
A research paper, approved by the Dean of Faculty of Law, written under the supervision of a teacher in the Faculty of Law.
Legal Ethics
A study of legal ethics and professional responsibility including: an introduction to ethical analysis which examines various theories of ethics; the applicability of ethical analysis to legal practice; the concept of a profession and the ethical and professional duties of practitioners (which will include, amongst other topics, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, duties to the court, duties of loyalty and fidelity); the wider responsibilities of lawyers in the community.
Advanced Legal Research, Writing and Communication
Satisfactory completion of such advanced legal research, writing, communication and other requirements as determined by the Dean of Faculty of Law.
Prerequisite: LAW 201, 211, 231, 241
Restriction: LAW 400, 499
Postgraduate 700 Level Courses
Legal Research Methodology and Advanced Writing - Level 9
Multi-jurisdictional legal information sources and advanced legal research, research problem formulation and refinement, legal and social science research methodologies, research ethics and evaluative research trail. Legal writing for different purposes and different audiences.
The Legal System: Sources, Structure and Method - Level 9
Examination of the core substantive components of the New Zealand legal system, in comparison with other municipal legal systems and international law. Analysis of the sources of New Zealand law, including statute, case law and custom, and the influence of international law. Legal methodology in theory and practice, including: judicial reasoning and the doctrine of precedent, techniques of statutory interpretation, and the resolution of disputes. Different modes of legal analysis and approaches to legal theory.
Directed Study - Level 9
Supervised research paper on an advanced legal topic, approved by the Dean of Faculty of Law.
Dissertation - Level 9
A dissertation of approximately 15,000 words resulting from original research of the student, having the scope, and depth of research, of a competent law review article.
Research Portfolio 1 - Level 9
Supervised research comprising a portfolio of research work within an area of specialisation culminating in a linking paper that together creates a coherent body of scholarly work.
To complete this course students must enrol in LAW 794 A and B
Thesis 1 - Level 9
A thesis of approximately 30,000 words resulting from original research of the student, displaying at a minimum: thorough research, a competent advanced understanding of the topic studied, and an ability to present the student's understanding of that topic in an orderly way.
To complete this course students must enrol in LAW 796 A and B
Thesis 2 - Level 9
A thesis of approximately 40,000 words resulting from original research of the student, displaying comprehensive understanding of the topic studied and an ability to contribute to the better understanding of that topic.
To complete this course students must enrol in LAW 797 A and B