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An introduction to the New Zealand legal system and its relationship to government, Parliament and the Courts; the place of the Treaty of Waitangi in the legal system, and an introduction to the constitutional framework. An introduction to critical, ...

An introduction to the New Zealand legal system and its relationship to government, Parliament and the Courts; the place of the Treaty of Waitangi in the legal system, and an introduction to the constitutional framework. An introduction to critical, ...

An introduction to Case Law technique and the doctrine of precedent, an introduction to Case Law reasoning skills, the social context of judicial reasoning, and the interaction between Case Law and legislation.

An introduction to the process of legislation, the techniques of statutory interpretation and legislative drafting, the interaction with Case Law interpretation, and the impact of various other issues on interpretation principles and methods.

The general principles of the law of contract and agency.

General principles of civil liability. The law as to the various kinds of torts.

The principles and the working of the Constitution, the institutions of government, the exercise of public power and relations between the citizen and the state. Controls on the exercise of public power, including an introduction to judicial review.

The general principles of criminal liability. The law relating to indictable and other selected offences chargeable under New Zealand law. Procedure on indictment and summary procedure (excluding evidence). A test may be scheduled during the mid-year...

This course has two parts: (1) it develops skills in (i) how to prepare legal opinions and solve posed legal problems, (ii) using legal databases, (iii) how to refer to and cite legal sources; (2) it provides practice in oral argument and the prepara...

The history and principles of the law relating to real and personal property; choses in action and their assignment.

The administration, legal framework and structure of sentences. Sentencing practices and the implementation of penal policy.

An introduction to succession, trusts and the principles of equity, including the relationship between law and equity and an examination of the main equitable doctrines and remedies.

An introduction to Māori customary law and customary concepts.

An examination of the Resource Management Act 1991 and the legal framework for the sustainable management of natural and physical resources in New Zealand.

An examination of selected aspects of the statutory and common law grounds on which judicial control may be exercised over those who wield administrative powers.

The legislative process, lobbying, drafting, presentation of legislation, statutory interpretation, delegated and subordinate legislation, codification, and implementation of international obligations.

Historical and historiographical perspectives on selected topics in the legal history of New Zealand, the Pacific and England.

An exploration of the major legal theories and philosophies from early times to the present day. The course will focus on the principles, ideas and issues that have shaped Anglo-American, European and New Zealand legal thinking including Natural Law,...

Legal practitioners' ethical responsibilities to their clients, the profession, the organs of justice and society. Formal standards for professional ethics and the development of transcultural ethics, especially in relation to Māori.

A detailed consideration of the law of trade marks (including related unfair competition law). Topics covered include the scope of protection of trade marks as registered rights, the protection of geographical indications, the doctrine of passing off...

The theory and practice of international law with special reference to the sources of international law, and the concepts of sovereignty, use of force, jurisdiction, immunity and state responsibility.

International environmental law with reference to global environmental problems including ozone depletion, climate change, biodiversity, drift net fishing, Antarctica and nuclear hazards.

The public international law that applies to the oceans: how states establish maritime boundaries, rights and duties that exist with regard to maritime zones, the resolution of disputes, and problems with the creation and enforcement of international...

An introduction to the concepts and principles of the law relating to dealings between merchants (including financiers) for the supply of goods and services in the way of trade.

Selected topics on the regulation of banks, the banker and customer relationship, bankers' securities, documentary credits, lending and payment systems. 100% internal assessment.

The law and indigenous treaty protection of trademarks, copyrights, patents and other types of intellectual property.

Selected topics on the law governing international economic regulation, including the World Trade Organization and regional trade agreements.

The law governing the relationship between employers and employees, individually and collectively, and their collective organisations; and selected aspects of the law governing the operation of workplaces. 100% internal assessment.

The law relating to restrictive practices and business acquisitions under the Commerce Act 1986.

An introduction to company and partnership law.

An introduction to the principles of tax law with an emphasis on the core elements of income tax.

This course will introduce students to mergers and acquisitions with a particular focus on public market transactions. The course will be focused on applying legal principles to achieve commercial objectives. Commercial and strategic perspectives wil...

Legal issues concerning families and relationships, care of children and guardianship, child abuse, family property, family violence, and the jurisdiction and functions of the Family Court.

Selected studies in the law governing civil and commercial relations and proceedings that transcend national boundaries, and the resolution of disputes.

An introduction to different forms of dispute resolution, in particular negotiation and mediation. This course aims to develop both theoretical and practical understanding of the various approaches to resolving disputes.

Issues of the admissibility of evidence in a trial situation and burdens of proof.

Practice and procedure in civil actions; selected topics such as jurisdiction, parties, pleadings, service, pre-trial exchange of information, interlocutory applications, trial and appellate practice.

The conduct of investigations (identification, interrogation and confessions) and the criminal trial including indictments, pre-trial motions and the judge/jury relationship.

This course focuses on legal and policy approaches to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change. It examines the principle findings of climate science, global climate negotiations, and the current international legal agreeme...

This course aims to provide students with a conceptual framework for examining data privacy laws in New Zealand and in other key jurisdictions, with a particular focus on the European Union. It explores the concept of privacy and its application to c...

This course examines Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi, in light of historical and contemporary legal issues and developments. A major objective of the course is to examine Māori perspectives of Te Tiriti Waitangi, and to explore Māori expe...

Independent research on a topic in a student's chosen field of law. A research proposal must be submitted 4-6 weeks before the start of the trimester. See prospectus for further details.

The rules and customs governing how Māori organisations operate are becoming increasingly complex. What is the proper relationship between a post-settlement governance entity and its holding company? What influence should hapū members have over Māori...

This course provides a brief overview of the structure of a case including parties, pleadings, allegations, evidence, define the types of damage or loss, before discussing the remedies available and addressing the many aspects of expert evidence and ...

The course examines the ways in which law acts on and shapes the lives and experiences of women and to reflect on how feminist legal thinking has shaped and acted on law. Students will be challenged to identify and think critically about the assumpti...

This course discusses the distinctive legal systems and aspects of laws of three Chinese societies: the People’s Republic of China ('Socialist law with Chinese characteristics'), the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC (Common Law) and...

This course offers students the opportunity to work on practical environmental law projects and to acquire the related skills for a professional career as a lawyer. Each project may require various tasks, including factual research on an environmenta...

The course deals with many areas of media law and important topics such as defamation, privacy, contempt of court, breach of confidence, trespass, access to information under the Official Information Act, broadcasting standards and regulation (to the...

Pacific people and legal identity are the critical study of legal systems and issues within the Pacific region. This course provides students with the opportunity to build a comprehensive understanding and undertake research of importance to the Paci...

This course explores the relationship between law reform and social policy, using voluntary dying as a case study. Law reform and policy are collaborative processes. The course focuses on the development of applied skills in the use of an AI tool, wo...

Students will examine issues in law, regulation and emerging technology. Students will first consider key conceptual issues such as risk, privacy, individual and collective human rights and interests, comparative perspectives and regulation. Students...

This course focuses on the legal protection of human rights in New Zealand, in cognate common law jurisdictions such as Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, at international law, and under regional instruments such as the European Convention on ...

This course explores key issues in restorative approaches to justice, particularly in the criminal justice context. The term ‘restorative practice’ is used to describe alternative approaches to harm that focus on relationships, accountability, and re...

The course will follow a construction project from conception through to completion. Students will gain insights into the detailed treatment of legal issues specific to construction law such as variations, quality, time and payment. The course will c...

This course looks at issues in negotiation and mediation, with particular emphasis on the New Zealand context. Students can evaluate different approaches to negotiation and mediation, examine how negotiation and mediation are included in statutory re...

The course looks at health issues from conception and birth through to death. It deals with the regulation of health professionals and the rights of patients. The restructuring of the health system, pandemics and legislation on therapeutic products a...

Study of current issues in financial markets regulation in New Zealand. Co-taught with LAWS 547.

This course aims to deepen student's understanding of the relationship between race and the legal system in New Zealand. By the end of the course students will begin to explore how their unique talents, lived experiences, and legal training can contr...

Supervised research essay.

Students in this course will study key legal agreements, dispute settlement processes and related issues in international trade, including the World Trade Organisation agreements relating to goods, services and intellectual property and dispute settl...

An introduction to the New Zealand legal system and its relationship to government, Parliament and the Courts; the place of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the legal system; and an introduction to the constitutional framework and private law as it pertains t...

This course will be an introduction to the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) and the framework it creates for the sustainable management of New Zealand's natural and physical resources. The course will consider the application and operation of the R...

The course will examine the different contractual models used in the construction industry in New Zealand and overseas. It will compare the different standard form contracts including a Standards New Zealand contract and FIDIC contract. Issues such a...

This course will introduce students to the subject of Māori Land Law, in its historical, cultural, and political contexts, and will also provide an introduction to the current claims negotiation and settlement process.

From climate change protests to the recent demonstrations against Covid-19 restrictions, individuals have engaged in different types of illegal acts. Are those acts not only illegal, but also ‘wrong’? In other words, when are we morally justified to ...

This course allows students to explore a wide range of issues relating to the public law, including the offices and institutions which make up government, the exercise of discretionary and other power, and concomitant expectations of integrity and ot...

How does policy shape what the law becomes, and how does the law and its values shape policy development? This is a course about the interaction of the law and of policy, about using lawyer's knowledge and skills to change the law, and through it, th...

This course explores international law issues, focusing on international human rights, climate change and other topical questions. The course, taught by Faculty experts, aims to give students a good understanding of different facets of international ...

This course focuses on the protection of designs for products in Australian and New Zealand law. It also provides an overview of Australian and New Zealand copyright law, with a particular focus on the designs / copyright law interface. The course al...

This course looks at Indigenous intellectual property in the international context. Examples will be discussed from different countries. Co-taught with LAWS 431.

Students will examine issues in law, regulation and emerging technology. Students will first consider key conceptual issues such as risk, privacy, individual and collective human rights and interests, comparative perspectives and regulation. Students...

This course focuses on the legal protection of human rights in New Zealand, in cognate common law jurisdictions such as Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, at international law, and under regional instruments such as the European Convention on ...

This course explores key issues in restorative approaches to justice, particularly in the criminal justice context. The term ‘restorative practice’ is used to describe alternative approaches to harm that focus on relationships, accountability, and re...

This course provides the foundations necessary to understand both New Zealand and Australian patent law and how that law operates in a global context. Topics include the patent examination and grant systems, infringement, non-infringing uses and the ...

The course will follow a construction project from conception through to completion. Students will gain insights into the detailed treatment of legal issues specific to construction law such as variations, quality, time and payment. The course will c...

This course looks at issues in negotiation and mediation, with particular emphasis on the New Zealand context. Students can evaluate different approaches to negotiation and mediation, examine how negotiation and mediation are included in statutory re...

The course looks at health issues from conception and birth through to death. It deals with the regulation of health professionals and the rights of patients. The restructuring of the health system, pandemics and legislation on therapeutic products a...

Study of current issues in financial markets regulation in New Zealand. Co-taught with LAWS 447.

This course aims to deepen student's understanding of the relationship between race and the legal system in New Zealand. By the end of the course students will begin to explore how their unique talents, lived experiences, and legal training can contr...

The intern is placed with a law office, court, voluntary organisation, government department or similar agency. There the intern will be assigned various tasks including a component of serious legal research. The intern does not receive any payment f...

The course provides an advanced level overview of IP law, including the commonalities and differences between New Zealand and Australian patent, trade mark, copyright, design and related rights such as plant variety rights and confidential informatio...

This course teaches the fundamentals of interpreting patent specifications and claims. Students taking this course must have studied Patent Laws (LAWS 537).

This course provides the foundations necessary to understand how patents are drafted and to devel the practical skills necessary to draft patent specification claims. The course uses case studies that reflect issues th arise with drafting. Students t...

Research methodologies, legal theories and basic skills required for successful postgraduate study in law.

Independent research on a topic in a student's chosen field of law subject to the approval of the Director of Postgraduate Studies. The paper's supervisor will have expertise in the subject area of the research. This major piece of writing demands si...

Independent research on a topic in a student's chosen field of law subject to the approval of the Director of Postgraduate Studies. The paper's supervisor will have expertise in the subject area of the research. This major piece of writing demands si...

LLM thesis.

Thesis in Construction Law.

PhD course.