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Master of Business Law

Unit of study table

Not all units of study listed are offered in a given year. Please refer to the latest Sydney Law School Class timetable.

Business Law

Exemption from core units of study should not be assumed to be automatic. Formal approval must be obtained from the University of Sydney Law School prior to enrolment.
Master of Business Law
For the award of the Master of Business Law, students must complete 48 credit points from the table below, comprising:
(i) for students without a law background, 6 credit points of core units of study and 42 credit points of elective units of study; or
(ii) for students with a law background, 48 credit points of elective units of study.
Graduate Diploma of Business Law
For the award of the Graduate Diploma in Business Law, students must complete 24 credit points from the table below, comprising:
(i) for students without a law background, 6 credit points of core units of study and 18 credit points of elective units of study; or
(ii) for students with a law background, 24 credit points of elective units of study.
Unit of study Credit points A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites
C: Corequisites N: Prohibition

Core

Students without a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must undertake the unit below prior or concurrent to enrolling in other law units.
LAWS6252
Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System
6 N LAWS6881
Students must either have completed or be concurrently enrolled in this unit prior to commencing other law units of study. Law graduates from a non-common law jurisdiction are strongly recommended to undertake this unit. This unit is not available to students who have acquired a law degree from Australia or another common law jurisdiction.

Electives

LAWS6001
Chinese Laws and Chinese Legal Systems
12
A undergraduate law degree from a common or civil law jurisdiction or LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System
N LAWS6857 or LAWS3014 or LAWS3068 or LAWS5368 or students who have completed a law degree in the People's Republic of China
LAWS6008
Takeovers and Reconstructions Law
6  
LAWS6030
Corporate Taxation
6 A Students undertaking this unit are assumed to have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice, in an industry role, or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students without such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in this unit. Students who have not studied Australian law should undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit. The completion of LAWS6840 Taxation of Business and Investment Income A and LAWS6841 Taxation of Business and Investment Income B will also provide students with additional knowledge and skills that will assist in successfully completing this unit.
LAWS6059
International Business Law
6 A Students who do not hold a law degree from a common or civil law jurisdiction must either have completed or be concurrently enrolled in LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in this unit
N LAWS3438 or LAWS5138
LAWS6060
International Commercial Arbitration
6 N LAWS3437 or LAWS5137
LAWS6063
World Trade Organization Law I

6 A limited knowledge of law of treaties
N LAWS3439 or LAWS5139
LAWS6091
Chinese International Taxation

6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have successfully completed an undergraduate/postgraduate unit of study in international tax law awarded by a University.
LAWS6100
Corporate Fundraising
6 A The unit is available to students who have previously studied or practised in Australian corporate law or have completed LAWS6810 Fundamentals of Corporate Law
LAWS6107
Tax Litigation
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students who have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit
LAWS6109
UK International Taxation
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have successfully completed an undergraduate/postgraduate unit of study in tax law
LAWS6112
Law of Tax Administration
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. For students who do not have such knowledge or work experience they first should undertake LAWS6825 Introduction to Australian Business Tax before enrolling in this unit.
LAWS6118
Taxation of Partnerships and Trusts
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students who have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit
LAWS6123
Transfer Pricing in International Tax
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit. The completion of LAWS6209 Australian International Taxation will provide students; without such knowledge or work experience; with additional knowledge and skills that will assist in successfully completing this unit.
LAWS6125
Taxation of Corporate Finance

6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. For students who do not have such knowledge or work experience they first should undertake LAWS6825 Introduction to Australian Business Tax and LAWS6030 Corporate Taxation before enrolling in this unit.
LAWS6127
Taxation and Regulation of Superannuation
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit already have some understanding of Australian financial regulatory law, trust law and income tax law gained either from recent undergraduate study or from practical experience gained in a law or accounting practice, in industry or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students who have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit
LAWS6128
Comparative International Taxation
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have successfully completed an undergraduate/postgraduate unit of study In international tax law awarded by a University.
LAWS6129
Taxation of Offshore Operations
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students who have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit. The Completion of LAWS6209 Australian International Taxation will provide students without such knowledge or work experience with additional knowledge and skills that will assists in successfully completing this unit
LAWS6138
Internatl Fin Transactions: Law and Prac
6  
LAWS6140
Corp Soc Responsibility: Theory/Pol
6  
LAWS6153
Comparative Corporate Taxation
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have successfully completed an undergraduate/postgraduate unit of study in international tax law awarded by a University.
LAWS6159
Insolvency Law
6 A undergraduate law degree with good background in Australian corporate law
N CLAW6006 or LAWS3403 or LAWS3445 or LAWS5103
LAWS6163
Energy and Climate Law
6 N LAWS6355
LAWS6169
Capital Gains Tax
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit.
LAWS6177
Tax Treaties
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students who have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit. The completion of LAWS6209 Australian International Taxation will provide students without such knowledge or work experience with additional knowledge and skills that will assist in successfully completing this unit
LAWS6191
Water Law and Climate Change
6 N LAWS6355
LAWS6209
Australian International Taxation
6 A Students undertaking this unit are assumed to have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice, in an industry role, or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. Students who have not studied Australian law should undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit. The completion of LAWS6840 Taxation of Business and Investment Income A and LAWS6841 Taxation of Business and Investment Income B will also provide students with additional knowledge and skills that will assist in successfully completing this unit.
LAWS6214
Goods and Services Tax Principles A
6

A This is an advanced taxation law unit, which presumes a working knowledge of the Australian legal system and a solid grounding in the principles and practice of statutory interpretation and case law analysis. Students without a legal background should undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in this unit.

Students in this unit are also presumed to have a basic understanding of Australian income tax law, gained either from undergraduate study or through five years working with taxation law in a law or accounting practice, in an industry role, or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in this unit

LAWS6222
Corporate Governance
6  
LAWS6227
Consumer Contracts and Product Defects
6 N LAWS6024 or LAWS6025
LAWS6243
International Law I
6 N LAWS1023 or LAWS5005
This unit is compulsory for MIL and GradDipIntLaw students who have not completed any previous study in international law and must be taken during the first semester of candidature. This unit is not available to MLawIntDev students who have been granted a reduced volume of learning.
LAWS6244
Taxation of Corporate Groups
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. The completion of LAWS6030 Corporate Taxation is essential for students to successfully completing this unit. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students who have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit
LAWS6247
Securities and Markets Regulation
6 A Students should hold a law degree with good background in Australian corporate law
LAWS6249
World Trade Organization Law II

6 P LAWS6063 or LAWS3439
LAWS6251
Legal Issues in Digital Trade

6 P LAWS6252
LAWS6257
Public Policy
6 N LAWS6139 or LAWS6042 or LAWS6113 or LAWS6984 or LAWS3447 or LAWS5147
Core unit for MALP students.
LAWS6264
Compliance: Financial Services Industry
6  
LAWS6307
Class Action Litigation in Australia
6 N LAWS6230 or LAWS6869
LAWS6311
Advanced Directors' Duties
6  
LAWS6313
Law of Charities and Not-for-Profits
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian law. For students who have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in this unit.
LAWS6317
Regulation of Corporate Crime
6 A It is recommended that students have some knowledge of corporate law and criminal law and procedure or have had practical experience in these areas
LAWS6318
Corporate Innovation and Regulation
6  
LAWS6321
Fiduciary Duties and Conflicts of Interest

6 A Undergraduate knowledge of equitable principles or company law
LAWS6324
Law Tropical Forests and Carbon
6  
LAWS6326
Interpretation of Statutes and Other Texts
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that, which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian taxation law in a law or accounting practice, in an industry role, or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students who have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit.
LAWS6328
Contract Management
6 A Available to students who hold an undergraduate law degree from a common law jurisdiction or have previously completed LAWS6991 Fundamentals of Contract Law.
LAWS6329
Asian Corporate Governance
6  
LAWS6330
Fundamentals of Regulation
6 Available to MLLR students who commenced after Jan 2015.
LAWS6333
Commercial Trusts
6  
LAWS6334
Gender Inequality and Development
6  
LAWS6341
Media Law: Comparative Perspectives
6  
LAWS6342
Environmental Markets in Global Context
6  
LAWS6345
Principles of Financial Regulation
6  
LAWS6352
Mergers and Acquisitions in Asia
6  
LAWS6357
The Statutory Foundations of Negligence

6 A undergraduate law degree
LAWS6360
Project Finance Fundamentals
6 A Students who do not hold a law degree must have completed LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in this unit
LAWS6361
Advanced Insolvency Law
6 A This unit is available to students who have completed LAWS5014 Corporations Law, LAWS6159 Insolvency Law or equivalent unit
LAWS6362
International Space Law
6 P LAWS6252 or LAWS6243
LAWS6363
International Sustainable Finance
6 A Students who do not hold a law degree must either have completed or be concurrently enrolled in LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling into this unit
LAWS6367
Anti-Corruption Law
6 N LAWS3523 or LAWS5223
LAWS6368
Money Laundering: Law, Policy and Prac
6  
LAWS6810
Fundamentals of Corporate Law
6 N LAWS2014 or LAWS5014 or students who have undertaken the equivalent of Corporations Law in Australia within the last 5 years
Available to MLLR students who commenced after Jan 2015.
LAWS6816
Labour Law in the Global Economy

6 A LAWS6252 or a law degree and LAWS6071 (MLLR students)
LAWS6824
Commercial Conflict of Laws
6 A undergraduate law degree
N LAWS6884
LAWS6825
Fundamentals of Australian Taxation
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking specified tax units have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that, which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian taxation law in a law or accounting practice, in an industry role, or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students who have not studied Australian law, it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in this unit.
N LAWS3412 or LAWS5112
LAWS6838
Competition Law
6 A undergraduate law degree or LAWS6252
LAWS6840
Tax of Business and Investment Income A
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students who have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit
LAWS6841
Tax of Business and Investment Income B
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students who have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit
LAWS6844
US Corporate Law
6  
LAWS6846
Human Rights and the Global Economy
6 N LAWS5178 or LAWS3478
Master of Law and International Development students may undertake this unit as an elective or capstone unit.
LAWS6848
Law, Business and Healthy Lifestyles
6  
LAWS6852
Doing Business in China
6 A Students who do not hold a law degree from a common or civil law jurisdiction must either have completed or be concurrently enrolled in LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in this unit
LAWS6859
Law of Agency
6 A Students are encouraged to complete LAWS6987 Fundamentals of Commercial Law prior to undertaking this unit, but it is not a pre-requisite
LAWS6865
International Dispute Resolution
6 N LAWS6202
LAWS6873
Principles of Intellectual Property
6
N LAWS6854 or LAWS3480 or LAWS3479 or LAWS5180 or LAWS5179 or equivalent unit
Students who have previously completed an equivalent undergraduate or postgraduate unit in intellectual property are not permitted to enrol in this unit.
LAWS6874
Contractual Damages
6 A undergraduate law degree
LAWS6879
Japanese Law
6  
LAWS6882
Insurance Contract Law

6 A undergraduate law degree or LAWS6991
LAWS6892
Taxation of Mergers and Acquisitions
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. For students who do not have such knowledge or work experience they first should undertake LAWS6825 Introduction to Australian Business Tax before enrolling in this unit
C LAWS6030
LAWS6912
Fundamentals of the Law of Trusts
6 N LAWS2015 or LAWS3474
LAWS6915
Current Issues in Defamation Law

6 N (LAWS3428 and LAWS5128)
 
LAWS6916
International Investment Law
6  
LAWS6928
Courts, Justice and Development
6

N LAWS3478 or LAWS5178

LAWS6931
Dispute Resolution in Asia

6  
LAWS6932
Law and Investment in Asia
6  
LAWS6933
Global Oil and Gas Contracts and Issues
6  
LAWS6937
Employment Law Advocacy

6 A Available to law graduates only. Students who have previously completed LAWS6013 Advanced Employment Law may also enrol with permission of the Program Coordinator
Students who have previously completed LAWS6013 Advanced Employment Law may also enrol with permission of the Program Coordinator.
LAWS6939
International Insolvency Law
6  
LAWS6944
Insider Trading and Market Misconduct
6 A Students are encouraged to complete LAWS6810 Fundamentals of Corporate Law prior to undertaking this unit, but it is not a pre-requisite
LAWS6946
Tax Treaties Special Issues
6 A As this is an advanced unit, it is assumed that students undertaking this unit have successfully completed LAWS6177 Tax Treaties
LAWS6947
Advanced Obligations and Remedies
6 A Available to law graduates only
LAWS6953
Law of Asset Protection
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students who have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit
LAWS6956
Personal Property Securities

6 A Unless approved by the Unit Coordinator students who do not hold a law degree from a common law jurisdiction must either have completed or be concurrently enrolled in LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in this unit
 
LAWS6957
Shareholders' Remedies
6 A This is a fairly technical unit which focuses on Australian Law, and a good working knowledge of corporate law is assumed.
LAWS6958
International Commercial Contracts Law
6 A Available to students who have previously completed LAWS1015 or LAWS5002 Contract Law, LAWS6991 Fundamentals of Contract Law or undergraduate law degree
LAWS6964
Global Energy and Resources Law
6  
LAWS6965
Tax Avoidance and Anti-Avoidance
6 A It is assumed that students undertaking this unit have an understanding of Australian income taxation law commensurate with that which would be obtained from completing undergraduate study in Australian taxation law or five years working with Australian tax law in a law or accounting practice in an industry role or in the Australian Taxation Office. Students who do not have such knowledge or work experience should undertake LAWS6825 Fundamentals of Australian Taxation before enrolling in other units. For students who have not studied Australian law it is recommended that they undertake LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System before enrolling in LAWS6825 and this unit
LAWS6984
Economics of Tax Policy
6 N LAWS6257 or LAWS3447 or LAWS5147
LAWS6987
Fundamentals of Commercial Law
6 A This unit assumes no previous knowledge and is available to non-lawyers and to lawyers who have not previously studied or practised in the area. Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in law from a common law jurisdiction must either have completed or be concurrently enrolled in LAWS6252 Legal Reasoning and the Common Law System.
N LAWS3400 or LAWS2012 or LAWS5008
LAWS6990
Principles of Oil and Gas Law
6  
LAWS6991
Fundamentals of Contract Law
6 C LAWS6252
A This unit is designed for students who have not previously studied contract law in Australia or any common law jurisdiction. Those who have completed LAWS6991 or equivalent units are advised to enrol in LAWS6328 Contract Management instead
N LAWS1002 or LAWS1015 or LAWS2008 or LAWS5002 or students who have undertaken the equivalent of contract law in Australia or a common law jurisdiction
LAWS6997
Cross-Border Deals

6 A Available to law graduates only. Students undertaking this unit must have a good working knowledge of the Australian Corporations Act and the rules and practices applicable to securities offerings and takeovers or the equivalent in their home jurisdiction

Electives - Master of Business Law only

The following units are only available to students undertaking the Master of Business Law
LAWS6147
Independent Research Project
6 Applications close on 30 November (Semester 1) and 30 May (Semester 2). Applications should only be lodged after the completion of at least 24 credit points. Late applications may be accepted from those with incomplete results. For further information, please visit the Law Student Portal https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/4533/pages/postgraduate-coursework-research-projects or E: law.postgraduate@sydney.edu.au
LAWS6182
Independent Research Project A
6 Applications close on 30 November (Semester 1) and 30 May (Semester 2). Applications should only be lodged after the completion of at least 24 credit points. Late applications may be accepted from those with incomplete results. Students must complete both LAWS6182 and LAWS6183 within one or over two semesters. For further information, please visit the Law Student Portal https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/4533/pages/postgraduate-coursework-research-projects or E: law.postgraduate@sydney.edu.au
LAWS6183
Independent Research Project B
6 C LAWS6182
Applications close on 30 November (Semester 1) and 30 May (Semester 2). Applications should only be lodged after the completion of at least 24 credit points. Late applications may be accepted from those with incomplete results. Students must complete both LAWS6182 and LAWS6183 within one or over two semesters. For further information, please visit the Law Student Portal https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/4533/pages/postgraduate-coursework-research-projects or E: law.postgraduate@sydney.edu.au