§-Legal Studies syllabus

Legal Studies syllabus, dot point by dot point

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

Unit 3: Rights and justice

Unit overview →

What factors affect the ability of the justice system to achieve the principles of justice?

the factors that affect the ability of the criminal and civil justice systems to achieve the principles of justice (costs, time and cultural differences)

6 min read →

What methods are used to resolve civil disputes in Victoria?

the methods used to resolve civil disputes (mediation, conciliation, arbitration, tribunals, courts)

5 min read →

What are the principles of justice and how are they applied in the Australian legal system?

the principles of justice (fairness, equality and access) and their application in the Australian legal system

6 min read →

What rights are protected in the criminal justice process for the accused and for victims?

the rights of an accused and of victims in the criminal justice system

6 min read →

What are the roles of the key personnel in a criminal trial?

the role of key personnel in a criminal trial (judge, jury, parties, legal practitioners)

6 min read →

How do parliament and courts make and change law?

the role of parliament and courts in lawmaking, and the relationship between them

6 min read →

What do the burden and standard of proof mean in criminal and civil cases?

the key concepts of the burden of proof and the standard of proof in criminal and civil cases

6 min read →

What remedies are available in a civil claim?

the purposes and types of remedies (damages and injunctions) and their ability to achieve their purposes

6 min read →

What are plea negotiations and how do they affect the achievement of justice?

the purposes and appropriateness of plea negotiations

5 min read →

What are the purposes, types and effectiveness of sanctions in the Victorian criminal justice system?

the purposes, types and effectiveness of sanctions

7 min read →

Unit 4: The people, the law and reform

Unit overview →

How does section 109 of the Constitution resolve inconsistency between Commonwealth and state laws?

section 109 of the Australian Constitution and its significance for the division of powers

6 min read →

How does the doctrine of precedent shape lawmaking, and how do courts and parliament interact?

the doctrine of precedent and the relationship between courts and parliament in lawmaking

6 min read →

How does the Constitution protect rights in Australia?

the express rights in the Constitution and the implied freedom of political communication

6 min read →

What factors affect the ability of parliament to make law?

the factors that affect the ability of parliament to make law (the bicameral structure, the representative nature of parliament, and political pressures)

6 min read →

How do courts interpret statutes and what is the effect on law?

the role of statutory interpretation by the courts

5 min read →

How does the High Court protect rights and check the division of powers?

the role of the High Court in interpreting the Constitution, protecting rights and checking the division of powers

6 min read →

How can the words of the Australian Constitution be changed?

the process of changing the words of the Constitution through a referendum under section 128 and factors affecting its success

6 min read →