Outline

Overview

Legal interpretation is the process by which the legal meaning of a text is worked out by reference to the text considered in context and with regard to its purpose. This course deals with the principles and methods of legal interpretation. While mainly relating to statutory interpretation, the unit will also cover aspects of the law of interpretation of private law instruments, the Constitution, and treaties. The principles and methods of legal interpretation are directed to a purpose - to answer a question about contested legal meanings. The course will focus on the primary elements of interpretive practice: reading and understanding the text in its proper context, and in the light of its purpose and the objective intention of the drafter. The course will cover: * Approaches to legal interpretation, with emphasis on the function of interpretation in private and public law. * Aspects of the interpretation of private instruments, wills, contracts, testamentary dispositions, collective agreements. * Drafting and clear expression. * Principles of statutory interpretation, including the conventions of grammatical interpretation of statutes; the use of technical words; the need to read the instrument as a whole; the role and function of interpretation acts, including legislation requiring consideration of Human Rights principles; approaches to ambiguity and inconsistency of language; specific common law principles and presumptions of interpretation; the use of extrinsic aids to interpretation, and the identification of statutory purpose. * Aspects of interpretation of national and international instruments - Constitutions and treaties. Part of the course content will be taught by eminent guest lecturers from the Faculty and the profession.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	LAWS1015 and LAWS1021
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	LAWS5143
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Patricia Lane, patricia.lane@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	William Gummow, william.gummow@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Final Assignment (30%) Final written assessment	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 17 Nov 2025 at 09:00 Closing date: 27 Nov 2025	2000 words / 4 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Written Assignment (40%) Interim assessment	40%	Week 08 Due date: 22 Sep 2025 at 09:00 Closing date: 29 Sep 2025	2500 words / 7 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Drafting Exercise (30%) Written task	30%	Week 11 Due date: 21 Oct 2025 at 16:00 Closing date: 28 Oct 2025	1500 words / 7 weeks	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Written assignment (40%): All students are required to complete a written assignment, 2500 words, based on a topic to be released Monday 4 August 2025. The topic will cover material dealt with in the first 12 lectures of this unit of study. This Assignment is designed to test students’ ability to identify and classify interpretive arguments, and to understand and articulate the way judges approach and resolve conflicts over the application of legal text. The Written Assignment is due 9 am Monday 22 September 2025 (Sydney, Australia time).

Drafting exercise (30%): All students are required to complete a written drafting assignment based on a topic to be released Monday 25 August 2025. Students are to produce a clear text dealing with the issues raised in the drafting instructions (and accommodate any relevant constraints), using appropriate legislative drafting form. The Drafting Exercise has a word limit of 1500 words. Students may submit explanatory/additional material, 1000 words maximum, which may be considered in assessing the draft. The Drafting Exercise is due 4pm 21 October 2025 (Sydney, Australia time).

Final assignment (30%): All students are required to select ONE of the following three options for the final assessment of this unit. Regardless of which option is chosen, the assessment choice will account for 30% of the total grade. The same deadline applies to all three options, namely, 9am 17 November 2025 (Sydney, Australia time).

Analytical Essay: the subject matter will be on a topic which requires students to integrate the learning over the whole unit of study. The word limit is 2000 words. The topic will be released by Monday 13 October 2025. The deadline is 9am 17 November 2025 (Sydney, Australia time).

Self-Set Research Essay: Students may undertake research on a topic of particular interest. The topic must pose a question to be answered within the 2000-word limit. Students proposing to undertake this option should submit a proposed question and brief explanation of the area of research they wish to investigate before 3 October 2025 and topics must be approved by Monday 13 October 2025. (Due to the consultation required to set this written assessment, anonymous submission may not be practical.) The deadline is 9am 17 November 2025 (Sydney, Australia time).

Long Problem: Students may choose to undertake a long problem involving actual application of statutory provisions to a hypothetical scenario. The word limit is 2000 words. The Long Problem will be released Friday 24 October 2025. The deadline is 9am 17 November 2024 (Sydney, Australia time).

Students must retain earlier drafts of their assessments on file to ensure they can demonstrate compliance with Academic Integrity requirements.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Special consideration: Successful grants of Special Consideration will generally result in an extension of time but may involve alternative tasks, as appropriate, at the discretion of the co-ordinator.

Word limit penalty: A submission that exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 1 mark for every 100 words, or part thereof, over the limit.

For the Written Assignment (40%), the word limit includes all footnotes but excludes any bibliography. Students should submit a bibliography if they wish to demonstrate the research they undertake.

The Drafting Exercise (30%) has a word limit of 1500 words strictly confined to the text of the draft legislation. Students may submit explanatory/additional material in footnotes, 1000 words maximum, which may be considered when assessing the draft.

For the Analytical Essay (30%), Self-Set Research Essay (30%) and the Long Problem (30%), the word limit includes all footnotes but does not include any bibliography. Students should submit a bibliography if they wish to demonstrate the research they undertake.

Each submission, referred to above, must contain a statement on the first page clearly indicating the number of words (including footnotes). There is a penalty of 5 marks for falsely stating the number of words.

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. A link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at Referencing and Citation Styles: AGLC4.

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 2021 (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 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.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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:

A late submission which has not been granted an extension, will attract a penalty of 1 mark per calendar day or part day overdue. Late penalties will be strictly applied subject to a grace period of 1 hour. The date and time of submission as recorded by Canvas is taken as the official and final record of a student’s submission.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to the course - the function and context of legal interpretation; Approaches to legal interpretation	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 01	Words and rules	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Drafting - hands on; Class exercise	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Interpretation in private law - wills, contracts and trusts	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Contracts - Interpretation, implication, and statutes	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	"words words words" - the text and limits of clear meaning	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Text and context - the literal meaning and the legal meaning	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Statutory purpose and legislative intention - translating policy	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Statutes and their relationship with common law – history and the canons of construction	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Fiddling with the common law – policy, purpose and the Civil Liability Act 2002	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Statutes and the common law again – the concept of “codes”	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Instructions about interpretation – Interpretation Acts and other statutory provisions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Drafting Workshop statutes	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	AI and statute drafting	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	The anatomy of a statute	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Drafting Workshop statutes	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Interpretation in practice	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	The boundaries of legislative, executive and judicial power: Human Rights statutes	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Interpreting the Constitution	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Treaty Interpretation and international law	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes to satisfy the pass requirements for this unit. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an Absent Fail grade being recorded as the student’s result for this unit (see The University of Sydney Law School Resolutions: Coursework Awards cl 11).

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the internet or the Library Reading List available on Canvas. The detailed Learning Guide contains other recommended texts.

Herzfeld, P; Prince, T, and Tully, S: Interpretation and Use of Legal Sources (The Laws of Australia) Thomson Reuters 2013

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. analyse the nature of legal interpretation and its role in the legal system.
LO2. evaluate different methods employed in the task of interpretation.
LO3. critically examine the guiding principles underlying legal interpretation and apply them in relevant contexts.
LO4. synthesise practical experience gained during the course to create effective legal texts.

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.

The assessment has been updated in line with the new assessment framework

Additional information

Sydney law students:

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

LAWS3443: Interpretation

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links