Outline

Overview

This is a general introductory unit of study concerned with liability for civil wrongs, with particular emphasis on torts protecting personal integrity, safety and freedom from personal injury. The unit seeks to examine and evaluate, through a critical and analytical study of primary and secondary materials, the function and scope of modern tort law and the rationale and utility of its governing principles. Particular topics on which the unit will focus include: (a) The relationship between torts and other branches of the common law including contract and criminal law; (b) The role of fault as the principal basis of liability in the modern law; (c) Historical development of trespass and the action on the case and the contemporary relevance of this development; (d) Trespass to the person (battery, assault, and false imprisonment); (e) The action on the case for intentional injury; (f) Defences to trespass, including consent, intellectual disability, childhood, necessity and contributory negligence; (g) Development and scope of the modern tort of negligence, including detailed consideration of duty of care and breach of duty and causation and remoteness of damage with particular reference to personal and psychiatric injury; (h) Compensation for personal injuries, including special and alternative compensation schemes; (i) Injuries to relational interests, including compensation to relatives of victims of fatal accidents; (j) Defences to negligence. (k) Vicarious Liability and non-delegable duties (l) Joint and several liability and contribution.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	LAWS5001
Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	LAWS1010 or LAWS1012 or LAWS3001
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	LAWS5000
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Gemma Turton, gemma.turton@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Gemma Turton, gemma.turton@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Barbara McDonald, barbara.mcdonald@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Jeffrey Gordon, jeffrey.gordon@sydney.edu.au
	Ross Abbs, ross.abbs@sydney.edu.au
	Alev Byrne, alev.byrne@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Take-home assignment Short-release take-home assignment	33%	Week 07 Due date: 08 Apr 2020 at 16:00	48 hours
Outcomes assessed:
In-semester test	Take-home examination Written take-home exam	67%	Week 14 (STUVAC)	48 hours
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Take-home assignment: This is a take-home assignment conducted over 2 days which will examine all of the materials covered up to, and including, week 6.
Final take-home examination: This is final take-home exam conducted over 2 days in week 14. an open book exam. A student must obtain a mark of 27/60 (45% of 60) in the examination in order to pass this Unit of Study.

A student must make a satisfactory attempt at all assessment tasks set out for 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. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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 an assignment which has not been granted an extension, will attract a penalty of 5% of the total marks available for the assignment per 12 hours or part thereof.

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 02	1. Introduction to torts; 2. Historical background: the development of the trespass actions and the action on the case	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to tort law	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	1. Historical background: the development of the trespass actions and the action on the case; 2. Modern trespass to the person: battery and assault	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Answering problem questions	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	1. Modern trespass to the person: false imprisonment; 2. The action on the case for wilful injury: the principle in Wilkinson v Downton; 3. The statutory action for nervous shock	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Historical background and intentional torts to the person	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	1. Damages for intentional torts to the person 2. Defences to intentional torts to the person	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Modern intentional torts to the person and the action on the case for wilful injury	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	1. Negligence: introduction; 2, Negligence: duty of care, general principles in novel cases; 3. Established categories of duties of care relating to personal injury	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	1. Case analysis; 2. Consent to medical treatment	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	1. Negligence: established categories of duties relating to personal injury; 2. Duties to avoid psychiatric injury; 3. Breach of duty and the standard of care in negligence; 4. Professional standards	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	1. The duty of care in negligence; 2. Established categories and novel situations	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	1. Breach of duty and the standard of care in negligence; 2. Professional standards; 3. Damage in personal injury cases: onset, causation, scope of liability, remoteness of damage and extent of liability	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Negligently inflicted psychiatric injury	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	1. Damage in personal injury cases: onset, causation, scope of liability, remoteness of damage and extent of liability; 2. Damages for personal injury; 3. Defences to negligence	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Breach of duty and standard of care	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	1. Vicarious liability for the torts of others; 2. Non-delegable duties; 3. Multiple concurrent tortfeasors: joint and/or several liability to the plaintiff; 4. Statutory contribution and indemnity rights between multiple concurrent tortfeasors	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Causation, remoteness and scope of liability	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	1. Compensation to third parties of the injured/deceased person and survival claims by the deceased person’s estate; 2. Employer’s action for loss of services; 3. Revision	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 12	1. Vicarious liability and contribution rights; 2. Personal injury, claims by third parties and defences to negligence	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: See Canvas for details.
Referencing guide: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the most recent version of 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 website where this is set out comprehensively is available at About the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (AGLC).

With the move to online delivery the Law School attendance requirement no longer applies. Students should refer to Canvas for details of class engagement in individual units of study.

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 Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

B McDonald R Anderson and DK Rolph, Cases on Torts, 6th ed, Federation Press, 2017.

You will also need to regularly review a Torts textbook throughout this course, our recommended texts will be discussed in the first lecture,

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. acquire knowledge and understanding of the law of torts in its social context, including the theories and policies underpinning the operation of tort law
LO2. develop skills in identifying and understanding the development of the law of torts in its historical context, both by case analysis and statutory interpretation
LO3. develop problem-solving skills through the analysis of hypothetical situations to identify legal issues and to apply relevant law
LO4. develop written communication skills, by learning to write in a well-structured, persuasive and logical manner, using plain, concise language

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.

Staff in this unit constantly review and reflect upon the content of this unit in light of student feedback.

Additional information

Peer-Assisted Study Sessions (PASS)

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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

LAWS5001: Torts

Semester 1, 2020 [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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect