§-Legal Studies syllabus
VIC · VCAA← Legal Studies
Legal Studies syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the VIC Legal Studies syllabus, with a focused answer for each. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions and links to related points.
Unit 3: Rights and justice
Module overview →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
What remedies are available in a civil claim?
the purposes and types of remedies (damages and injunctions) and their ability to achieve their purposes
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)
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)
What methods are used to resolve civil disputes in Victoria?
the methods used to resolve civil disputes (mediation, conciliation, arbitration, tribunals, courts)
How do parliament and courts make and change law?
the role of parliament and courts in lawmaking, and the relationship between them
What are plea negotiations and how do they affect the achievement of justice?
the purposes and appropriateness of plea negotiations
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
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
What are the purposes, types and effectiveness of sanctions in the Victorian criminal justice system?
the purposes, types and effectiveness of sanctions
Unit 4: The people and the law
Module overview →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
How does the Constitution protect rights in Australia?
the express rights in the Constitution and the implied freedom of political communication
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)
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
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
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
How do courts interpret statutes and what is the effect on law?
the role of statutory interpretation by the courts