Key facts
UNE unit code: LLM545
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 3 - Online
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- 6
Unit information

Animal law is a rapidly evolving area of law that seeks to understand how the law governs our interactions with animals.
This unit will equip you with a broad understanding of this highly regarded area of work. You will learn about existing animal welfare legislation and consider how different philosophical and ethical and jurisprudential perspectives inform the ways in which law regulates animals.
Throughout, you will focus on comparing and contrasting the differing regulatory arrangements of companion animals, wildlife and endangered species, farm animals and related Agribusiness areas such as farming practices, feedlots, environmental regulation, road transport and export. You will also explore scientific experimentation, the entertainment industry (circuses, zoos and rodeos) and commercial food production.
Throughout, you will consider international developments in animal law and role of lawyers in the litigation and enforcement of animal law matters.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 3 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a specialist and advanced understanding of the nature and scope of animal law legislation and regulatory arrangements in a range of industry contexts in international and domestic settings;
- use cognitive and creative skills to critically analyse and evaluate the public policies that shape the law regulating animals in light of, jurisprudential, ethical, and philosophical perspectives;
- use initative and judgement in identifying, synthesising and consolidating legal concepts, values and rules associated with contemporary animal law issues, and demonstrate a sophisticated ability to employ the skills of legal research, reasoning and argument, to develop and coherently communicate independent opinions on legal issues relevant to complex animal law matters; and
- demonstrate an advanced ability to present clear, coherent, well-reasoned and persuasive legal arguments to recommend, evaluate and synthesise and consider future approaches and assessments on the development of animal law.
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.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination - Assurance Task | Yes | 50% | All offerings | There is an oral examination during the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The exam will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Students will be required to prepare and deliver a 15 minute presentation and the examiner will ask questions on the subject matter of the presentation for a further 15 minutes. To pass this unit, you must achieve at least 50% in this task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Research Paper | Yes | 50% | All offerings | No. Words: 3500 |
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.
Animal Law in Australia: An Integrated Approach
ISBN: 9780409343809
Bruce, A., LexisNexis 2nd ed. 2017
Text refers to: All offerings
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