Dispute Resolution

This expert graduate course provides a thorough theoretical and practical grounding in dispute resolution and develops the advanced professional skills and specialist knowledge required for working as a dispute resolution practitioner, including as an arbitrator, mediator or other dispute resolution practitioner. It is suitable for graduates interested in developing or enhancing specialist careers in dispute resolution.

Students investigate contemporary issues in law, practice and scholarship, and evaluate complex issues relevant to the field from theoretical, international and interdisciplinary perspectives. The course enhances students' capacity to undertake independent research, and includes options for a pathway to doctoral studies.

The course is structured in two parts: Part A. Dispute resolution knowledge and Part B. Extending specialist knowledge electives and research. All students complete Part A and Part B.

Note that if you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit.

Part A. Dispute resolution knowledge

The studies enable you to develop specialised knowledge and advanced skills in areas of dispute resolution that suit your interests, skills and career goals.

Part B. Extending specialist knowledge and research

These studies will provide you with in-depth knowledge of a wide range of areas of dispute resolution. You will be able to focus on sources of information relevant to dispute resolution and the application of research methods and specialist discipline knowledge and skills necessary to support law-related work the field. Depending on your interests and motivation, you can choose a program of study in which you plan and execute a major research-based project with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability.

Requirements

The course comprises 48 points structured into two parts: Part A. Extending specialist knowledge and research (30 points) and Part B. Dispute resolution research and knowledge (18 points).

The course progression map will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Dispute resolution knowledge (30 points)

Students complete a. and b. below:

a. the following unit:

• LAW5080 Australian legal system or LAW5081 Australian legal process and research*

* LAW5081 is required for all international students and those students with a law degree from a non-Australian jurisdiction.

b. a minimum of four units chosen from those listed below; not all units are offered every year:

Dispute resolution in the courts

• LAW5310 Sentencing
• LAW5355 Advocacy: Theory and practice
• LAW5375 Arbitration of domestic commercial disputes
• LAW5381 Human rights advocacy: Australian law and practice
• LAW5430 Advanced evidence and proof in litigation
• LAW5443 Language, communication and legal process
• LAW5453 Comparative conflict of laws

Alternative dispute resolution

• LAW5411 Advanced mediation: Skills and theory A
• LAW5412 Advanced mediation: Skills and theory B
• LAW5410 Collaborative practice
• LAW5421 Managing high conflict personalities in legal disputes
• LAW5315 Commercial alternative dispute resolution
• LAW5344 Negotiation: Essential skills for dispute resolution
• LAW5375 Arbitration of international commercial disputes

Part B. Extending specialist knowledge electives and research* (18 points)

Students complete 18 points across a. and b. below:

a. 6 or 12 points of elective law units chosen from:

• Part A above
• the dispute resolution electives listed below
• any unit from the general list of level 5 law units, except those only offered in L6005 Master of Laws (Juris Doctor)

b. The remaining 6 or 12 points of research studies in dispute resolutions from the following:

• LAW5082 Masters research (6 points)
• LAW5083 Extended research (12 points)**

** Students taking the course as a pathway to doctoral studies are advised to complete this unit.

Dispute resolution electives

Not all units are offered every year.

• LAW5303 Forensic family law
• LAW5308 Current issues in evidence
• LAW5334 Psychiatry, psychology and law
• LAW5335 Contemporary problems in the administration of criminal justice
• LAW5360 Advanced conflict resolution skills
• LAW5381 Human rights advocacy: Australian law and practice
• LAW5387 Non-adversarial family and children's law
• LAW5408 Remedies in commercial disputes
• LAW5418 Transitional justice
• LAW5423 Private international law in commercial disputes
• LAW5429 Advanced commercial negotiation skills
• LAW5440 International commercial dispute resolution advocacy
• LAW5449 Advanced administrative law
• LAW5453 Comparative international litigation
• LAW5601 Comparative remedies
• LAW5605 Comparative dispute resolution
• LAW5608 Transnational litigation

Qualifications

A bachelor Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, including education, management, psychology, human resources, business administration, industrial relations, communications or another relevant discipline, as determined by the faculty, with a minimum credit average.

A bachelor degree (or equivalent) plus either a graduate diploma (or equivalent) in Law or a cognate discipline including education, management, psychology, human resources, business administration, industrial relations, communications or another relevant discipline or a graduate certificate (or equivalent) in Law or a cognate discipline including  education, management, psychology, human resources, business administration, industrial relations,  communications or another relevant discipline as determined by the faculty.

Or

A bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, including education, management, psychology, human resources, business administration, industrial relations, communications or another relevant discipline plus sufficient relevant work-based experience or professional learning to provide the equivalent of a bachelor honours degree on one of those disciplines, as determined by the faculty. Applicants will be assessed on their entire academic record, with a credit average (or equivalent) preferred. As a general rule, students who do not have a credit average or are relying on relevant work experience to satisfy entry requirements will need to have worked for at least two years, although the required period may be shorter where the work experience has been supplemented by other relevant learning.

English entry requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band lower than 6); or

TOEFL Paper-based test: 587 with a TWE of 4.5; or TOEFL Internet-based test: score of 94 overall with minimum scores: Writing: 24, Listening: 20, Reading: 19 and Speaking: 20.