Key facts

UNE unit code: LAW341

*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Not offered in 2026
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • No
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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This highly topical unit provides you with a broad understanding of environmental issues and the role of law both as part of the problem and as an attempt to provide solutions.

You will examine constitutional issues, Commonwealth environmental legislation, common law remedies and likely future directions in environmental law. The legal regime is considered in the broader context of law and society.

Throughout, you will build transferable critical thinking, legal reasoning and analytical skills to future proof your career.

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
24cp in Law including LAW100 and LAW101; or candidature in LLM from 2015 (rule b - Australian); or candidature in LLM from 2015 (rule b - non-Australian) and LLM533; or candidature in LLM from 2015 (rule c) and 24cp including LLM533
Restrictions
LLM541
Combined units

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

Andrew Lawson

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of the constitutional framework for environmental management, as well as the legislation and common law principles relevant to environmental management;
  2. use cognitive and creative skills to reflect critically on, and discuss the effectiveness of, the common law and regulatory regimes which deal with particular areas of environmental management;
  3. demonstrate well developed skills in critical thinking and professional judgement in identifying and applying the principles of environmental law relevant to questions of environmental policy; and
  4. exhibit an ability to act autonomously by constructing a well-developed response to legal questions relating to environmental issues that provides answers that are clear and coherent.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Oral PresentationYes40%All offerings 
QuizNo10%All offerings 
Take Home ExaminationYes50%All offerings 

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Environmental Law

ISBN: 9780195522297

Godden, L., Peel, J. and McDonald, J., Oxford 2nd ed. 2019

Note: Electronic devices are not permitted in an examination room. Therefore, if you choose to purchase this text as an e-book, you will not be permitted to use it in an open book exam.

Text refers to: All offerings

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