Sample unit – Legal Studies – Year 11

Part I: The legal system40% of course time

Principal focus: Students develop an understanding of the nature and functions of law through the examination of the
law-making processes and institutions.

Outcomes
P1. identifies and applies legal concepts and terminology
P2. describes the key features of Australian and international law
P3. describes the operation of domestic and international legal systems
P6. explains the nature of the interrelationship between the legal system and society
P7. evaluates the effectiveness of the law in achieving justice

Themes and challenges to be incorporated throughout the topic

 the need for law in the operation of society
 the importance of the rule of law for society
 the relationship between different legal institutions and jurisdictions
 the development of law as a reflection of society
 influences on the Australian legal system

Assessment task: Law reform webquest.

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 Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
1. Basic legal concepts Note: students are encouraged to read newspapers,
collect articles for a media file and watch local and
international news programs to assist with their
understanding of legal studies. A school library visit should
be organised in the first couple of weeks so that students
are familiar with journals such as Hot Topics and Legal
Briefs and other resources, including online ones such as
the NSW State Library’s Legal Information Access Centre
(LIAC). Hot Topics is a plain language series about recent
changes and current debates in the law.
www.legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au/students_teachers/

 meaning of law  define law Define law.  the need for law in the
Brainstorm: Is law necessary for society to operate operation of society
effectively? Discuss examples of societies where law
has broken down. Do they have characteristics in
common?

 customs, rules and law  distinguish between Define customs. Define rules.  influences on the
customs, rules, laws, Discussion: Where do rules and laws come from and Australian legal system
values and ethics why does society follow them? Use specific examples, eg
sport/school rules, to compare and contrast concepts.
Activity: Use media articles to illustrate breach of
custom, rules and law.

 values and ethics Define values, using examples.

Discussion: What do students value as important and
how does this influence behaviour? Discuss common
values of society. Define ethics, using examples.

 characteristics of just laws  describe the Activity: Brainstorm characteristics of a just law. Examine a  the development of law
characteristics of just laws hypothetical law (eg a curfew of 8 pm for all under-18s). as a reflection of
Students outline why it would not be a ‘just’ law. society
 nature of justice  describe the nature of Define equality.  influences on the
– equality justice Discuss discrimination, eg racial, gender, age. Use a Australian legal system
variety of cases, examples or other relevant legislation
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 Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
to illustrate discrimination.

Role-play activity: In pairs, students prepare and

perform an example of direct or indirect discrimination,
showing an understanding of each. Allow only one
minute for each demonstration. Construct a table of
examples.

– fairness Define fairness.  the development of law

Present examples to the class that demonstrate where as a reflection of
the same outcome (eg punishment) may not be fair, eg society
for self-defence and intentional murder; when the
offender is very young (doli incompax). Discuss the
subjective nature of fairness.

Webquest: Corey Davis case study, R v LMW

(unreported, Supreme Court of NSW, Studdert J,
December 1999). Complete a brief overview of the
case. In small groups students devise a fair and just
outcome for:
– the offender
– the victim’s family
– society.
– access Define access.
Discuss the importance of access to the law and
limitations to access. Examine the role of legal aid and
other remedies to improve access such as translators,
self-help and education guides.
Students investigate the range of services available on
the LIAC (Legal Information Access Centre) – NSW State
Library website.
www.legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au/students_teachers

Quick quiz: Students match definitions and terms to review

learning and understanding.
 procedural fairness  define and investigate Define procedural fairness.  the importance of the
(principles of natural procedural fairness and Discuss procedural fairness in some situations, eg in rule of law for society

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justice) the rule of law school; going for a job; in a court.

Case law: David Hicks (this could be integrated with Part

III).

Written activity: ‘Using examples, discuss the

importance of procedural fairness and its relationship to
justice’. Teacher to model a scaffold and students to
complete an extended response.

 rule of law Define rule of law including its characteristics.  the importance of the
Study recent examples of the breakdown of the rule of rule of law for society
law (eg New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina).
Written response: Using examples, explain why the
rule of law is important for society.

 anarchy  define anarchy and Define anarchy. Discuss the historical background of  the need for law in the
tyranny anarchy and outline recent examples. operation of society

 tyranny Define tyranny. Discuss recent examples (eg Zimbabwe

and the absence of free elections).

Topic quiz in class – multiple-choice and/or true–false

questions to assess students’ ability to identify and apply
legal terms and concepts.

2. Sources of
contemporary
Australian law
common law  outline the origin of Define common law.  influences on the
 British origins, including: common law Brief historical overview of the origins of Australian legal system
 development of common law. Define precedent and how it
common law operates.
 equity, precedent Discussion: Why is precedent so important for achieving
 adversarial system of justice?
trial Define adversarial system.

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 court hierarchy:  examine the hierarchy and Using websites such as www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au and  the relationship
 jurisdiction of state and jurisdiction of state and www.fedcourt.gov.au/students/videos.html, label a between different legal
federal courts federal courts diagram of court hierarchy and outline the jurisdiction of institutions and
NSW and federal courts. jurisdictions

Activity: Students view the DVD So Help Me God, and

an episode of A Case for the Coroner to view the
workings and jurisdiction of real courts.
Brainstorm/mind map: Why do we have a court
hierarchy?

Resources: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au
www.schools.nsw.edu.au/nswconstitution/html/5th/bgr/ov
erview.html
www.nswbar.asn.au/docs/resources/publications/court_str
ucture2.pdf
Hot Topics, No. 60, The Australian Legal System, 2007.
Hot Topics, No. 71, Courts, 2009.
The Law Handbook, Redfern Legal Centre Publishing.
A Case for the Coroner, ABC series/DVD.
So Help Me God, ABC DVD.

Activity: Students collect articles showing the types of

cases heard in different courts, from newspapers and/or
the internet and provide a brief outline of the cases.
Create posters of the different courts and cases.
A court visit is optional but recommended.
www.legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au/students_teachers/prelim
_basic.cfm

 outline the role and Define statute law.  the relationship

statute law structure of parliament and Pre-test to assess prior Stage 5 knowledge. between different legal
 role and structure of the legislative process institutions and
parliament Brief overview of the role and structure of parliament.
Extension work: Research who currently is able to vote in jurisdictions
Australian elections.
Visit the website www.aec.gov.au and

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 Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
investigate how young Australians enrol to vote.

 legislative process Resources: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au

Hot Topics, No. 60, Australian Legal System,
2007.
Hot Topics, No. 34, Voting and Elections,
2001.
Construct a flow chart to show the passage of a bill into
law.

 delegated legislation  describe the function of Define delegated legislation, including its purpose, where
delegated legislation and how it is used.
Activity: Students devise a table listing the advantages
and disadvantages of delegated legislation.
Guest speaker: Invite a local member of Parliament or
representative from local council to speak to the class.
Resource: Hot Topics, No. 60, Australian Legal System,
2007.

The constitution  explain the difference Pre-test the historical background to Federation and the  relationship between
 division of powers between division and writing of the constitution. different legal
separation of powers Outline the constitutional division of power between the institutions and
commonwealth and the states and discuss section 51 of jurisdictions
the Australian constitution.
Construct a Venn diagram to show specific and residual
powers, and the overlap between commonwealth and
states.
Resource: Australian Constitution

 separation of powers Define legislature, judiciary and executive.

Discussion: Examples of what can happen if there is
not a separation of powers (eg Chile under Pinochet).
Resource: Hot Topics, No. 60, Australian Legal System,
2007.

 role of the High Court  examine the role of the Explain the role of the High Court, including the difference
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 Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
High Court in the between original and appellate jurisdiction, and
interpretation of the constitutional interpretation. Activity: Students visit the
constitution High Court website to complete a summary (using Word
or PowerPoint) of the history and the operation of the
court including a virtual tour. Students should investigate
a recent case before the High Court.
Resources: www.hcourt.gov.au
The High Court (DVD available from the High
Court).
Hot Topics, No. 71, Courts, 2009.
Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Peoples’
customary laws
 diverse nature of  examine the Define customary law.  the development of law
customary laws characteristics of Observe a map of Australia showing ATSI languages as a reflection of
 spiritual basis, significance Aboriginal and Torres and peoples at the time of European arrival to highlight society
of land and water Strait Islander Peoples’ the large number of different groups and explain that
customary laws although there are similarities, each group developed its
own laws.

 family and kinship Students watch the DVD Women of the Sun (ABC) Part 1
and/or First Australians (SBS) and complete a mind map
summarising the main characteristics of ATSI customary
law.
Construct a table to compare and contrast ATSI
customary law and Australian contemporary law.

 ritual and oral traditions Define ritual.

Discuss oral traditions, and how they are passed down
between generations (eg the Dreaming). Students consider
the difficulties of oral traditions in the contemporary
Australian legal system, particularly in relation to rules of
evidence and hearsay.

 mediation and sanctions Define mediation and explain how it is used in ATSI
customary law using examples.
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 Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
Define sanctions and outline the type of sanctions
used in ATSI customary law.
Activity: Briefly compare these sanctions with
those used by contemporary Australian courts.

 relevance to contemporary  outline the extent to which  influences on the

Australian law Aboriginal and Torres Outline problems ATSI people have faced, such as Australian legal system
Strait Islander Peoples’ understanding the court system, over-representation in
customary laws have been arrests and prison population, and high rates of
integrated into Australian recidivism. (*This could be integrated with Part III.)
law
Discuss how and why alternative sanctions have been
integrated into contemporary Australian law, such as
circle sentencing and the role of community justice and
traditional punishments.

Resources: The Circuit, DVD, SBS TV.

Hot Topics, No. 33, Reconciliation, 2001.
Hot Topics, No. 60, Australian Legal
System, 2007. Carolyn Heske, ‘Interpreting
Aboriginal justice in the Northern Territory’,
in Alternative Law Journal, No. 33, March
2008.

Written response: ‘Outline the extent to which ATSI

customary laws have been integrated into Australian law.
Discuss whether this integration has happened because
of society’s changing values.’ Model a scaffold in class,
brainstorm an introductory paragraph and students
complete the task.

International law
 differences between  distinguish between Define domestic law and international law using examples.  the relationship
domestic and international domestic and international between different legal
law law and examine the Construct a table outlining the major differences between systems and
impact of state sovereignty domestic and international law, their key features and jurisdictions
purposes, how they are created and their levels of

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 Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
enforceability.

 state sovereignty  the need for law in the

operation of society

 sources, including:  examine the sources of Define state sovereignty, comment on its  the relationship
– international international law importance and discuss advantages and between different legal
customary law disadvantages. systems and
– instruments jurisdictions
(declarations and Outline the major sources of international law.
treaties) Activity: Students visit the UN website www.un.org
– legal decisions, Review student understanding of the role of the UN
writings. from Stage 5 History and Geography.

 role of:  describe the role of the Part 1 – examine the United Nations Declaration of  the development of law
– United Nations various organisations Human Rights 1948. Choose five articles and as a reflection of
– courts and tribunals involved in international summarise them in your own words. Part 2 – create a society
– intergovernmental law fact file about the UN including:
organisations – background to the creation of the UN and its aims
– major organs and their current members
– the roles of the International Court of Justice,
International Criminal Court, International Criminal
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, International
Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, European Court
(www.curia.europa.eu).
Mind map intergovernmental organisations, eg
European Union, African Union or APEC. Examine
the role of each, through internet research.
– non-government
Define NGOs. Provide examples.
organisations
Group activity: In small groups, students prepare a brief
report on a major international non-government
organisation covering the history, aims and activities they
are involved in and their influence on international law.
Present to class accompanied by a summary.

 relevance to contemporary  examine how international Group activity: Construct a table to show the domestic

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 Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
Australian law law impacts on and is laws that have been developed as a result of the
incorporated into ratification of international documents, such as anti-
Australian law discrimination legislation.

3. Classification of law
 public law  outline different types of Define public law distinguishing between criminal,  the relationship
– criminal law law administrative and constitutional law. between different legal
– administrative law Define private law distinguishing between contract, tort systems and
– constitutional law and property law. jurisdictions
Class discussion: What is the purpose of different types
of law?
 private law (civil law)  compare the purpose of Group activity: Students to find a range of cases,
– contract law different types of law articles or examples from the media and classify
– tort law accordingly.
Create a flow chart to show and contrast civil and
property law criminal court proceedings.
Excursion: Students visit a court to watch proceedings.
Identify key legal personnel and outline their role. Discuss
the purpose of additional support, such as translators,
liaison officers and counsellors.
 criminal and civil court  distinguish between Table: compare and contrast inquisitorial and
procedures including legal criminal and civil court adversarial systems of law.
personnel procedures Extension work: Debate – ‘The inquisitorial system
 searches for the truth, the adversarial system does not!’
 identify the role of legal Topic test/review
personnel involved in the Resources: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au
court process www.lawmap.com.au
The Law Handbook, Redfern Legal
Centre Publishing LIAC Crime Library
LIAC Civil Library

 common and civil law  compare and contrast Resources: Whitton, E 1998, The Cartell: Lawyers and
systems common and civil law Their Nine Magic Tricks, Griffin Press,
systems Sydney.
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 Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
Whitton, E 2005, Serial Liars: How Lawyers Get the
Money, published by the author
(ewhitton@bigpond.net.au).
4. Law reform
 conditions that give rise to  examine the conditions Define law reform.  the development of law
law reform including that give rise to law reform Discuss the conditions that have led to law reform as a reflection of
changing social values, and brainstorm examples: society
new concepts of justice, – changing social values, eg attitudes towards
new technology, see Law witchcraft, decriminalisation of homosexuality,
Reform page of Legal stricter controls on domestic violence, and the
Studies Research Guide protection of children
and HSC Legal Studies: – new concepts of justice, eg human rights legislation
Newswatch such as anti- discrimination laws, removal of the
http://blog.sl.nsw.gov.au/ death penalty
hsc_legal_studies
new technology, eg the use of DNA, internet and computer
use, medical technology.
 agencies of reform  describe the role of Define agencies of reform and outline the role  influences on the
including law reform agencies involved in law of law reform commissions, parliamentary Australian legal system
commissions, reform committees, the media and non- government
parliamentary committees, organisations.
the media, non- Think/Pair/Share: In pairs, students investigate an
government organisations agency of law reform, eg Australian Law Reform
Commission (ALRC). Complete a report on the process
that the agency follows in reforming the law.
Share findings with the class.
Resources: www.alrc.gov.au
www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lrc
www.legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au/students_
teachers/preli m_lawreform.cfm
http://blog.sl.nsw.gov.au/hsc_legal_studies

 mechanisms of reform  examine the operation of Define agencies of reform and outline the role  influences on the
including courts, the different mechanisms of law reform commissions, parliamentary Australian legal system
parliaments, United of reform committees, the media and non- government

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 Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
Nations, intergovernmental organisations.
organisations Think/Pair/Share: In pairs, students investigate an
agency of law reform, eg Australian Law Reform
Commission (ALRC). Complete a report on the process
that the agency follows in reforming the law.
Share findings with the class.
Resources: www.alrc.gov.au
www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lrc
www.legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au/students_
teachers/preli m_lawreform.cfm
http://blog.sl.nsw.gov.au/hsc_legal_studies

 mechanisms of reform  examine the operation of Review examples of:

including courts, the different mechanisms – courts’ ability to create common law and
parliaments, United of reform interpret statutes, eg native title
Nations, intergovernmental – parliaments’ ability to create statute law, eg Brendan’s
organisations law,www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregulations/brendans_la
w.html
– the United Nations’ ability to create treaties,
declarations and resolutions, eg Convention on
the Rights of the Child
– intergovernmental organisations’ ability to form
treaties and impose conditions on members, eg
European Union and the creation of the
European Court.

5. Law reform in action Two examples of law reform must be studied.

Law reform in relation to native title is
MANDATORY. Another example can be taken
from List B or a topic of the student’s choice.
a) native title  explain why terra nullius Define terra nullius and explain why this was an obstacle to  influences on the
was an obstacle to achieving native title. Australian legal system
– terra nullius
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 Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
achieving native title Create a timeline to show the historical development of the
– the roles of the High
doctrine of
Court and federal
terra nullius to native title.
parliament
– major native title  examine the roles of the Examine the role of the High Court in the following case  the relationship
decisions High Court and federal law: between different legal
– legislation parliament in recognising – Milirrpum v Nabalco Pty Ltd (1971) 17 FLR 141 institutions and
native title – Mabo v Queensland (No. 1) [1988] HCA 69; (1988) 166 jurisdictions
 examine major Australian CLR 186  the development and
native title decisions – Mabo v Queensland (No. 2) [1992] HCA 23; (1992) 175 change of law as a
 assess the effectiveness CLR 1
reflection of society
of the law reform process
– Wik Peoples v Queensland [1996] HCA 40; (1996) 187
in achieving just outcomes
CLR 1
in regard to native title
Resources: Frontiers, Episode 1, ABC, DVD
First Australians, SBS, DVD
Hot Topics, No. 48, Native Title, 2004
Hot Topics, No. 68, Indigenous
Peoples, 2009 Northern Land
Council website – www.nlc.org.au
www.abs.gov.au
www.abc.net.au/news/video –
archives www.austlii.edu.au
Visit the Native Title Tribunal www.nntt.gov.au. Examine
a map indicating where native title claims have been
successful. Choose one state or territory of Australia
and briefly summarise one ruling or determination.

Resources: www.ag.gov.au
www.nntt.gov.au www.hreoc.gov.au

Writing task: ‘Assess the effectiveness of the law reform

process in achieving just outcomes in regard to native title.’
Brainstorm a scaffold in class. Teacher models the
introduction; students complete exercise.

b) A contemporary law  identify and investigate a Optional topic: Sport and the law

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 Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
reform issue the example contemporary law reform This topic can be treated as a whole class topic, or divided
used here is sport and the issue up for
law group research under different elements such as
discrimination and sport, violence and sport (on field
and/or off field, including crowd behaviour), drug use
and sport.

Using media articles, videos and snapshots from the

sports news, raise awareness of sport issues by creating
relevant posters.
Create a mind map identifying reasons why and how
law reform has impacted on sport.

 examine the conditions Group activity: Identify different types of

that give rise to the need discrimination in sport, such as, disability, gender,
for law reform, the race, culture, sexual preference, etc.
agencies of reform and
mechanisms of reform Racism, sport and law reform
Research past examples of discrimination such as
Jesse Owens (1936 Olympics); Springbok tour of
Australia 1971; Aboriginal cricketer Eddie Gilbert
(1920s) and more recent cases.

Discussion: Have attitudes towards race changed over

time? Research current examples of discrimination in
sport, including media articles.

Resources: www.playbytherules.net.au
What’s the Score? A survey of cultural
diversity and racism in Australian sport
– 2007 HREOC report
Tatz, Colin, Obstacle Race: Aborigines in
Sport, UNSW, 1995
From Google to Legal Studies – Research
Guide – PowerPoint presentation, May 2008
(LIAC). Download PPT from
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Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
www.legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au/students_t
eachers Healy, Deborah, Sport and the
Law, UNSW Press, 2003.
Debate: ‘There is a need for law in the operation of  development of law as
sport in society.’ Research: Investigate the significance a reflection of society
of the Gleneagles Agreement 1977 among
Commonwealth nations.
 assess the effectiveness Outline current legislation, such as the Anti-
of law reform in achieving Discrimination Act 1975 and the Racial Hatred Act 1995
just outcomes with regard and discuss the impact of these acts on sport and
to a contemporary law society, including administration and sanctions for
reform issue breaches.

Activity: Students create a flow chart to show the

process from complaint to resolution.

Group activity: Students examine a sport and its

code of behaviour and describe how discrimination is
treated by this sporting body.

Written activity: ‘Assess the effectiveness of law reform

in achieving just outcomes in relation to racism in sport.
Make reference to cases, legislation, media and reports
to support your answer.’

Violence, sport and law reform

Discussion: Why has it been necessary to introduce law
reform to deal with violence in regard to sport?

Resources: Violence in Sport Report – Australian Institute

of Criminology www.aic.gov.au –>
publications www.playbytherules.net.au

Group activity: Students examine a sporting code of

behaviour and outline the process of reporting violence
and enforcing the code.
Outline the role and jurisdiction of these enforcement
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Students learn about: Students learn to: Suggested teaching and learning strategies Themes and challenges
bodies including relevant case studies, eg swimmer
Nick Darcy.
Resources: The Court as a Referee in Sport, Deborah
Healey, Reform (the journal of the Australian
Law Reform Commission), No. 88, 2006.
http://blog.sl.nsw.gov.au/hsc_legal_studies

Class discussion: What is the role of legislation, police

and the courts in maintaining safety and order at sporting
fixtures?
Use www.parliament.nsw.gov.au to investigate the
Sporting Venues (Offenders Banning Orders) Act
2005.

Written response: ‘Assess the effectiveness of law

reform in achieving just outcomes with regard to
violence in sport. Make reference to cases, legislation,
media or documents where relevant.’

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