§-Legal Studies syllabus

Legal Studies syllabus, dot point by dot point

Every dot point in the TAS Legal Studies course document, in syllabus order, with a focused answer for each. Open any dot point for the answer, exam-style questions and links to related points.

Dispute Resolution: Civil and Criminal

Section overview →

How is a serious criminal case tried and what does the jury do?

Describe the criminal trial process and the role and operation of the jury.

8 min read →

What makes conduct a crime and how does the criminal process begin?

Describe the nature of crime, the difference between summary and indictable offences, and the early stages of criminal procedure.

8 min read →

Why and how does a court decide on a punishment?

Explain the purposes of sentencing and the sentencing options available to Tasmanian courts, including diversion and restorative justice.

8 min read →

Government

Section overview →

How does dividing government power prevent its abuse?

Explain the separation of powers into legislative, executive and judicial branches and the role of checks and balances.

8 min read →

How is parliament structured and who does what within it?

Describe the structure of bicameral parliament and the roles of the two houses, the Cabinet and the Crown.

8 min read →

How does an idea become a law of parliament?

Describe the legislative process by which a bill passes through parliament and becomes an Act.

8 min read →

How can the Constitution be changed and how has the federal balance shifted?

Explain how the Constitution is changed through referendum under section 128 and how the balance of power between the Commonwealth and the states has changed over time.

8 min read →

How does the Constitution divide power between the Commonwealth and the states?

Explain how the Australian Constitution establishes federalism and divides law-making power between the Commonwealth and the states.

8 min read →

What makes Australia a liberal democracy?

Explain the fundamental elements of liberal democracy, including legitimacy, representative government and responsible government.

8 min read →

What is the status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian legal and political system?

Describe the status and key issues of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution and legal and political system.

8 min read →

Law and Society

Section overview →

How does the law respond to current issues in society?

Contemporary legal issues

8 min read →

Why and how does the law change over time?

Law reform: why and how the law changes

8 min read →

How well does the legal system protect rights and provide justice?

Rights and access to justice

8 min read →

The Australian Legal System

Section overview →

Where does Australian law actually come from?

Identify and explain the sources of law: statute law made by parliament and common law made by courts.

8 min read →

If there is no world police force, why do countries obey international law?

Explain how international law is made, why states obey it, and how it is enforced.

8 min read →

What is international law and where does it come from?

Describe the nature of international law and its main sources, and explain how it differs from domestic Australian law.

8 min read →

What is the difference between criminal and civil law?

Distinguish between criminal law and civil law, including their purposes, parties, standards of proof, and outcomes.

8 min read →

How are courts organised and how do they run a case?

Explain the structure of the court hierarchy and the features of the adversarial system of trial.

8 min read →