Outline

Overview

This unit aims to complete the study of tort law and contract law acquired in Torts and Contracts respectively and to encourage the integrated study of the law of civil obligations and remedies. Liabilities in tort, contract and under statute frequently overlap in practice. Equitable principles also play an important role in providing remedies in a contractual context. This course will also consider liability under the Australian Consumer Law. Core topics are: (a) Causation and remoteness of damage principles in contract law and the calculation of damages for breach of contract; (b) Vitiating factors and other factors affecting contracts, including: unfair or unconscionable dealing; unfair terms in contracts; mistake and misrepresentation; duress; and undue influence. This topic includes a study of equitable as well as common law principles and statutory rights and remedies; (c) Liability and remedies for misleading or deceptive conduct under statute (in particular, under s 18 of the Australian Consumer Law); (d) Trespass to Land including damage by aircraft; (e) Nuisance; (f) Intentional Interference with goods; (g) Negligence Liability for property damage and pure economic loss in tort, including liability for negligent misstatement, liability for economic loss suffered by third parties rather than the primary victim, liability for defective construction; (h) Proportionate liability where it applies to tort, contract and statutory liabilities. Other topics may be studied to the extent class time allows. These topics may include: the intentional economic torts such as deceit; breach of statutory duty; illegality in contract.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	LAWS1017
Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	LAWS5006
Prerequisites ?	LAWS1012 and LAWS1015
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Gregory Tolhurst, greg.tolhurst@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Barbara McDonald, barbara.mcdonald@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Gregory Tolhurst, greg.tolhurst@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Olugbenga Olatunji, olugbenga.olatunji@sydney.edu.au
	Harriet Holowell, harriet.holowell@sydney.edu.au
	Alexander Kuklik, alex.kuklik@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam (50%) 2 hours writing time plus 30 minutes reading time open book exam.	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Class participation (20%) Tutorial presentations of problem questions	20%	Ongoing	Ongoing
Outcomes assessed:
Short release assignment	Interim short release assignment (30%) Short release problem assignment	30%	Week 06 Due date: 07 Sep 2023 at 16:00 Closing date: 05 Oct 2023	1500 words / 72 hours
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

1. Interim short release assignment (30%) : The interim assignment will comprise a hypothetical problem question on the Tort components of the unit of study. It will be an open book take home assignment with a word limit of 1500 words (the total word count excludes citations in footnotes). The question will be released at 4:00pm (Sydney, Australia time) on 4th September 2023 and submission is due by 4:00pm (Sydney, Australia time) on 7th September 2023. Examinable material is Topics 1 – 6 and 8. Learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

2. Class participation (20%) : This assessment is based on two assigned ‘on-call’ oral presentations, which will involve answering the tutorial questions in one of the tutorials 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8. Allocations will be made by tutors at, or immediately following the first tutorial and will be posted on Canvas. The final mark will be based on the student's best performance in either of the two on call presentations. Special consideration should only be applied for if a student misses both presentations.

3. Final exam (50%) : The final exam will comprise one or more hypothetical problem questions. It will be 2 hours writing time plus 30 minutes reading time open book exam held during the exam period. Examinable material is Topics 1 and 9 – 14. Learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

Word limit penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will exclude all footnotes and any bibliography (if required).

Use of editors or proof-readers: The use of assistance in preparing and editing assessment tasks in this unit of study is strictly prohibited. Assistance includes human and automated writing tools (not including spell checking).

Special consideration: Successful grants of Special Consideration may involve alternative tasks, as appropriate.

Assessment requirements to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Completely answers the question. Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. Is otherwise exceptional in some way.
Distinction	75 - 84	Completely answers the question. Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. Generally well expressed and free from errors. Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. Contains no significant errors. Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. Contains some significant errors. Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. Offers a descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. Adequate expression. Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.
Fail	0 - 49	Does not answer the question. Contains significant or numerous errors. Few or no identifiable arguments. Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. Lack of research or analysis. Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, which has not been granted an extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per CALENDAR day or PART thereof. For example., a submission after 4.00pm but by 11.59pm on the due date for submission will attract a 10% penalty. A submission on the following day after 12 midnight will attract a 30% penalty, and so on. Late penalties will be strictly applied. The date and time of submission as recorded by Canvas is taken as the official and final record of a student’s submission. Late penalties do not apply to exams and any late submission will not be accepted.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Lecture 1: Introduction to Torts and Contract II; Part 1, Torts to Property and Economic Interests. Trespass to Land.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Lecture 2: Trespass to Land, Private Nuisance and Statutory Liability for Damage by Aircraft.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Lecture 3: Tort Liability for Interference with Goods.	Lecture (2 hr)
	Lecture 4: Tort Liability for Pure Economic Loss. Deceit. Negligent Misstatement. Professional Negligence.	Lecture (2 hr)
	Tutorial 1: Introduction to tutorials. Problems on trespass to land, nuisance and statutory liability for damage by aircraft.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Lecture 5: Liability in Negligence for Pure Economic Loss, Loss from Damage to Third Party Property or Third Party Injury.	Lecture (2 hr)
	Lecture 6: Multiple Wrongdoers - Proportionate Liability.	Lecture (2 hr)
	Tutorial 2: Problems on tort liability for interference with goods. Pure economic Loss; deceit, negligent misstatement and professional negligence.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Tutorial 3: Problems on Pure Economic Loss from third party property damage or personal injury; multiple wrongdoers and proportionate liability.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Lecture 7: Part 2: Contractual Remedies. Damages, Causation and Remoteness of damage in contract.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Lecture 8: Measure of Damages in Contract.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Lecture 9: Sums fixed by contract including the law relating to penalties.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Tutorial 4: Problems on causation and remoteness in contract.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Lecture 10: Part 3, Vitiating factors; Introduction to vitiating factors and the remedy of rescission. Mistake. Duress.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Tutorial 5: Problems on sums fixed by contract, including the law relating to penalties.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Lecture 11: Vitiating factors: Undue Influence, Unconscionable Conduct and Unfair Contract Terms.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Tutorial 6: Problems on mistake and duress.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Lecture 12: Misrepresentation as a vitiating factor. Statutory liability for Misleading or Deceptive conduct.	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Tutorial 7: Problems on undue influence and unconscionable conduct.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Tutorial 8: Problems on misrepresentation at general law and statutory liability for misleading or deceptive conduct.	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes (or as otherwise specified by the Unit Coordinator) to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study. Attendance requirements may be satisfied by in person attendance as specified by the Unit Coordinator. Failure to meet this requirement may result in a student being precluded from sitting the final assessment. 

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer, and a link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476376 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

A Robertson, J Paterson, Contract: Cases and Materials (Thomson Reuters, 14th ed, 2020)

A Robertson, J Paterson, Principles of Contract Law (Thomson Reuters, 6th ed, 2020)

JW Carter, Cases and Materials on Contract Law in Australia (LexisNexis, 7th ed, 2019)

JW Carter, Contract Law in Australia (LexisNexis, 7th ed, 2018 or 8th edition 2023)

AND

B McDonald, R Anderson & D Rolph, Cases on Torts, 6th ed, Federation Press, 2017 (a supplement to this book is available at www.federationpress.com.au).

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. To an advanced level, identify and describe relevant legal principles of tort and contract law in hypothetical problem situations discussed in the unit and embedded in assessment tasks.
LO2. Critically evaluate and apply relevant principles of tort and contract law using appropriate legal authorities to respond to assessment tasks.
LO3. Develop effective and persuasive written and oral legal arguments synthesising knowledge of torts and contract law to an advanced level when responding to class discussion and assessment tasks.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has been restructured since it was last offered and the assessment has been changed.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

LAWS1017: Torts and Contracts II

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect