Juris Doctor

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2023 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2023 course information
Award granted	Juris Doctor
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2023. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2023. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2023. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Campus	This course is only offered Online
Online	Yes
Duration	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Deakin course code	M729
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Please note: Full-time study in Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 only. Part-time study only in Trimester 3. Students should be aware of the commitment required for this course. Each subject includes 22 hours of pre-recorded lectures, 22 hours of seminars and up to 100 hours of reading and assessment time. The live seminars aren’t mandatory however students who do attend gain a far greater learning experience.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

The Deakin Juris Doctor (JD) combines a commercial focus with the development of practical skills essential to contemporary legal practice. Designed for non-law graduates, this intellectually stimulating course is offered fully online after an optional, but highly recommended, induction program held in Melbourne.

The Deakin JD goes beyond the teaching of legal knowledge and practical skills, to the development of a broader understanding of the policy informing the law, focusing on current policy issues and developing skills in the use of legal theory and legal research methods.

Your assignments will reflect the challenges you’ll face in your future role and might include:

producing problem-based written advice
an oral bail application
an assignment focusing on the implementation of procedural rules
preparation of a memorandum of advice
oral court submissions
a file management project.

Group assignment work is also a feature of some units to ensure you develop the important skills necessary to work as part of a team.

The Deakin JD meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria and other Australian jurisdictions. If your goal is to practise as a lawyer, you’ll also need to complete a 12-month traineeship program or six-month legal practice course to demonstrate you’re a ‘fit and proper person’ as required by Australian admitting bodies.

The Deakin JD is designed to produce graduates who can become first-class law practitioners by providing comprehensive training in each of the major areas of legal practice, while systematically embedding research, theory and policy considerations throughout the curriculum. A distinctive feature of the course is its orientation towards commercial law, though students may broaden their knowledge by choosing from a range of elective options including placement in the Deakin Law Clinic – an award-winning community legal centre where students can work with practicing solicitors and real clients.

Leading practising lawyers help shape our courses, so everything you learn is relevant to the industry and preparing you for a successful career in law.

Indicative student workload

As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practical activities and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Career opportunities

A Juris Doctor is a qualification that offers great career opportunities. In addition to opportunities within law firms, which range from small rural and regional general legal practices through to large national or international practices, law graduates may enter other industries such as business (e.g as a corporate lawyer, company administrator or business manager); government service (e.g. as a lawyer with departments or authorities as diverse as the Attorney-General’s Department, the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission); industrial relations; public administration; academia; or bodies that recommend law reform (e.g. as a law reform commissioner).

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities	Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge, including: (a) The fundamental areas of legal knowledge, the Australian legal system and underlying principles and concepts, including international and comparative contexts; (b) The broader contexts within which legal issues arise; (c) The principles and values of justice and of ethical practice in lawyers’ roles; (d) extended understanding of contemporary developments in law (and law reform); (e) extended understanding of contemporary developments in professional practice
Communication	Develop high level communication skills, including: (a) Communication of findings both orally and in writing using plain English and legal terminology through formal legal channels and contemporary Internet- based forms of communication; (b) Knowledge of different genres of legal writing; (c) Knowledge of different genres of oral communication with culturally diverse audiences; (d) Effective and persuasive communication depending on needs and backgrounds of legal and non-legal audiences (e) Ability to engage constructively with needs of audiences and choose right communication approach
Digital Literacy	Use technologies to identify, locate, evaluate information for complex problem solving scenarios as well as communicating legal solutions, including: (a) Identifying, researching, evaluating and synthesising relevant factual, legal and policy issues, effectively using technologies where appropriate; (b) Finding, using and disseminating information using technologies; (c) Using digital sources to organise and present information in authentic and complex legal situations
Critical thinking	Exercise critical thinking capacities to: (a) Identify and articulate complex legal issues; (b) Apply legal reasoning and research to generate appropriate jurisprudential and practical responses to legal issues; (c) Engage in critical analysis and make reasoned and appropriate choices amongst alternatives; an (d) Demonstrate sophisticated cognitive and creative skills in approaching legal issues and generating appropriate responses
Problem Solving	Develop sophisticated problem solving capacities by developing intellectual and practical skills needed to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, legal methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions through the ability to: (a) Identify the need for research; (b) Identify factual, legal and policy issues; (c) Research factual, legal and policy issues; (d) Evaluate factual, legal and policy issues (e) Synthesise factual, legal and policy issues
Self-management	Develop high level capacities to: (a) Learn and work with a high level of autonomy, accountability and professionalism particularly in regard to undertaking independent research; (b) Reflect on and assess own capabilities and performance, and make use of feedback as appropriate, to professional development; (c) Commit to and lead lifelong learning and continuing professional development
Teamwork	Develop high level capacities to: (a) Collaborate effectively with others from a diversity of backgrounds; (b) Lead diverse teams and resolve interpersonal and team-based (c) negotiate and work effectively through team disputes and problems with team dynamics
Global Citizenship	Develop a sophisticated awareness of, and a high level capacity to, apply legal knowledge in different environments and global contexts, including: (a) An advanced and integrated understanding of approaches to ethical decision making; (b) An ability to recognise and reflect upon, and a developing ability to respond to, ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts; (c) An ability to recognise and reflect upon the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and in service to the community (d) A developing ability to exercise mature professional judgement in the context of cultural and community diversity

Course rules

To complete the Juris Doctor, students must attain a total of 24 credit points, including 17 core units and 7 elective units, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, MAI010 Academic Integrity Module. Each unit (think of units as 'subjects') is equal to 1 credit point.

Students are introduced to research tools and techniques in core units of the course where they learn analytic skills and the ability to apply those skills in professional contexts. They must also complete advanced level units and a capstone unit that require them to integrate the skills learnt over their course of study and produce applied pieces of research with reference to prevailing literature.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

MAI010

Academic Integrity Module

Core units

Optional (but highly recommended) JD Induction program (refer to additional course information below for dates and times), which is live-streamed and recorded, plus online pre-recorded presentations

plus:

MLJ701

Legal Method and Statutory Interpretation

MLJ702

Contract Law and Policy

MLJ703

Criminal Law and Policy

MLJ704

Torts and Policy

MLJ705

Commercial Law and Policy

MLJ706

Law and Policy of Misleading Conduct and Product Liability

MLJ707

Criminal Procedure and Policy

MLJ708

Civil Procedure, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Policy

MLJ709

Constitutional Law and Policy

MLJ710

Administrative Law and Policy

MLJ711

Property Law and Policy

MLJ713

Evidence Law and Policy

MLJ715

Corporate Law and Policy

MLJ716

Land Law and Policy

MLJ717

Trusts and Equitable Remedies

MLJ720

Legal Practice, Ethics and Policy

MLJ721

Advanced Legal Professional Practice ^(Capstone)

Elective units

7 credit points of elective units can be chosen from:

MLC709

Business Taxation Law and Policy

MLC710

Sport and the Law

MLC713

Corporate Insolvency Law and Policy

MLJ712

Family Law and Policy

MLJ714

Workplace Law and Policy

MLJ718

Competition Law and Policy

MLJ719

Intellectual Property and Policy

MLJ723

Taxation Law and Policy

MLJ728

Contemporary Legal Issues

MLJ729

Contemporary International Legal Challenges (Intensive)

MLJ730

Migration and Refugee Law and Policy

MLJ731

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Principles and Practice

MLJ732

Financial Services Regulation

MLJ733

Human Rights Law and Policy

MLJ734

Public International Law

Deakin Law Clinic

Mooting and Advocacy

Corporate Governance

Health Law and Policy

MLM727

Superannuation Law and Policy

MLM735

Data Law, Privacy and Cybercrime

MLT782

Indian Law Study Tour

MLJ738

Legal Professional Practice

MLM705

Research Methodology

MLM707

Research Thesis

Work experience

This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.

Additional course information

JD students are invited to attend our Online Juris Doctor Induction Program which is delivered during Orientation Week and will support you in your studies. Orientation Week occurs the week prior to Week 1 teaching of each trimester. Please register for each session via your Orientation Itinerary.

2023 Induction Program dates - to be advised

Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central

Research and research-related study

Research-related learning tasks are embedded across units where student achievements is demonstrated in specific assessment tasks.