LLB102 Torts


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Unit code:LLB102
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:LLB101. LLB101 can be studied in the same teaching period as LLB102
Equivalent:LWB148
Coordinators:Tracey Carver | t.carver@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

In this unit, you will apply the skills you are developing in LLB101 Introduction to Law and be introduced to the skills of legal problem solving and legal interviewing and questioning as you look at how the law of torts operates in a real world context. The knowledge and skills that you develop in this unit provide a foundation for more advanced units in later years. The study of torts law is required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Analyse and apply principles of torts law and policy to solve defined problems and formulate legally justifiable conclusions (CLO 1.1, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2)
  2. Apply knowledge of effective questioning in the context of legal interviewing to identify and obtain information necessary to provide legal advice (CLO 2.2, 4.1, 4.2)
  3. Write clearly and concisely to communicate legal concepts, questions and the outcomes of problem solving (CLO 4.1)
  4. Reflect upon your own learning and skill development (CLO 5.2)

Content

The content of this unit includes:

  • Introduction to the law of torts - general principles and classification
  • Trespass to person and land, defences and remedies 
  • Private nuisance, defences and remedies 
  • Negligence and defences, including the duty of care owed by a legal practitioner and ethical standards
  • Novel duties of care, including in the context of climate change
  • The concepts of vicarious liability and non-delegable duties and concurrent liability
  • Assessment of damages for personal injuries 
  • Workers' compensation, and
  • Breach of statutory duty and defences. 

Learning Approaches

This unit employs an active and collaborative approach to learning. The learning has been designed to provide you with direct interaction with your instructors and peers and there is an expectation that you will attend live lectures and tutorials.

Prior to the live learning sessions, you will be supported through weekly unit material, interactive quizzes and formative learning activities that will introduce a range of practical and theoretical perspectives.

Your participation in the unit will include:

  • Engagement in live lectures
  • Discussions in live tutorials
  • Collaboration with peers and academic staff in live tutorials to network and apply your understandings

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will be provided with feedback to assist your learning throughout the semester. The feedback is provided through:

  • the discussion in a weekly tutorial
  • online formative quizzes for each topic
  • the individual feedback provided on your Client Interview and Advice assessment
  • generic feedback posted on the unit's Canvas for each item of assessment
  • examples of past student assessment, and
  • the option of consultation with a member of the teaching team.

Assessment

Overview

In this unit, students are graded on a scale of one to seven.

Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Client interview and advice

You will advise the partner of a hypothetical law firm on the possible actions arising out of a client's written statement and identify what further legally relevant information is required from the client so that you can give a full and proper advice in a real world context. You will be required to write up your advice for the client's file and draft interview questions, demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of the relevant areas of law, legal problem-solving, and interviewing and questioning techniques. Your written communication and referencing will also be assessed. You will then reflect upon your skill development for future application.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: Advice: 1700 words; Interview Questions: 150 words; Reflection: 400 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Examination

An end-of-semester examination (open book) will assess the depth of your knowledge and understanding of the topics of the unit as well as your ability to analyse and apply relevant legal rules and principles to solve defined problems. All topics covered in the unit are assessable.

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Examination Period
Central exam duration: 3:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Amanda Stickley, Australian Torts Law (LexisNexis Butterworths, 4th ed, 2016)

Recommended text(s)

David Rolph et al, Balkin & Davis Law of Torts (LexisNexis Butterworths, 6th ed, 2021)

Harold Luntz et al, Luntz & Hambly's Torts: Cases, Legislation and Commentary (LexisNexis Butterworths, 9th ed, 2021)

Martin Davies and Ian Malkin, Focus - Torts (LexisNexis Butterworths, 10th ed, 2023)

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no unusual risks in this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

LW36 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

  1. The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
    Relates to: ULO1, Client interview and advice, Examination
  2. The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
    Relates to: ULO1, Client interview and advice, Examination
  3. Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
    Relates to: ULO1, Client interview and advice, Examination
  4. Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Client interview and advice, Examination
  5. Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Client interview and advice, Examination
  6. Using effective oral, visual and other professional communication in diverse contexts
    Relates to: ULO2, Client interview and advice
  7. Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
    Relates to: ULO4, Client interview and advice

LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)

  1. The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
    Relates to: ULO1, Client interview and advice, Examination
  2. The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
    Relates to: ULO1, Client interview and advice, Examination
  3. Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
    Relates to: ULO1, Client interview and advice, Examination
  4. Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Client interview and advice, Examination
  5. Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Client interview and advice, Examination
  6. Using effective oral, visual and other professional communication in diverse contexts
    Relates to: ULO2, Client interview and advice
  7. Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
    Relates to: ULO4, Client interview and advice

LW38 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

  1. The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
    Relates to: ULO1, Client interview and advice, Examination
  2. The role of law in achieving sustainable futures
    Relates to: ULO1, Client interview and advice, Examination
  3. Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
    Relates to: ULO1, Client interview and advice, Examination
  4. Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Client interview and advice, Examination
  5. Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Client interview and advice, Examination
  6. Using effective oral, visual or other professional communication in diverse contexts
    Relates to: ULO2, Client interview and advice

LW39 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)

  1. The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
    Relates to: ULO1, Client interview and advice, Examination
  2. The role of law in achieving sustainable futures 
    Relates to: ULO1, Client interview and advice, Examination
  3. Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying the law to legal problems and providing legal advice
    Relates to: ULO1, Client interview and advice, Examination
  4. Thinking creatively to resolve disputes and address clients’ needs, taking into account legal and non-legal considerations
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Client interview and advice, Examination
  5. Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
    Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Client interview and advice, Examination
  6. Using effective oral, visual and other professional communication in diverse contexts
    Relates to: ULO2, Client interview and advice
  7. Reflecting on feedback, experience and career development
    Relates to: ULO4, Client interview and advice