When a person has been harmed by the conduct of another it is the law of torts which determines who has to bear the loss. This is an important aspect of the civil law (in contrast to criminal law). Historically, it derived largely from judicial decisions, and hence was largely what we call common law, but in more recent times legislation has become increasingly important.
The law of torts protects people against, and compensates them for, unreasonable interferences with a wide range of interests, including their bodily integrity, property, reputation, and financial interests. It does this through a range of different torts, including trespass, negligence, nuisance and defamation. In this introductory course we focus on the use of the torts of trespass and negligence in contexts where people suffer personal injuries, the tort of trespass to land and an introduction to damages.
As this is generally the first substantive law course that students encounter in their law program, we begin to teach students some of the skills required to read, understand and apply case law and legislation. We also explore, in an introductory way, the interaction between case law and legislation.
To develop their knowledge and skills, students will engage in a range of learning activities including interactive lectures, tutorials, online learning modules, collaborative learning and legal problem-solving skills training.
This course meets the requirements of the Law Admissions Consultative Committee Prescribed Academic Areas of Knowledge for Torts.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Evaluate and apply the fundamental legal principles of tort law.
- Critically analyse torts issues within hypothetical scenarios, with reference to their broader context and a range of diverse perspectives.
- Appraise the context within which tort law has developed, including the common law’s unique form, goals, and history, and reflect on contemporary developments and issues in torts.
- Evaluate and apply a range of legally specific research principles, methods, primary legal resources, and tools to resolve a factually complex tort problem and provide professional advice to a client.
- Articulate accurate and persuasive legal reasoning, and communicate professional decisions to a variety of legal and non-legal audiences.
Indicative Assessment
- The proposed means of assessment for this course will provide students with at least two pieces of assessment, including one piece during the semester. More information about the means of assessment, including the relationship between the assessment and the learning outcomes of the course, will be available in the Class Summary and on the course WATTLE page. (100) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
- Classes offered in non-standard sessions will be taught on an intensive base with compulsory contact hours (approximately 36 hours of face to face teaching). The course will also require advanced preparation through assigned readings. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
- Classes offered during semester periods are expected to have three contact hours per week. Students are generally expected to devote at least 10 hours overall per week to this course. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
Click here for the JD Program course list
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Alternatively, this information will be published in the Program course list when known.
Preliminary Reading
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2304 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |