Outline

Overview

This unit explores the principles and practice that underpin civil dispute resolution in New South Wales. It is designed to enable students to understand and contextualise the relevant legal and ethical issues that are faced by lawyers within the civil jurisdiction. With reference to the interpretation and application of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) (CPA), the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules 2005 (NSW) (UCPR), and associated case law, the unit addresses the procedural aspects of resolving civil dispute between parties. In this unit, students are introduced to the way civil dispute resolution is shaped and governed by the CPA / UCPR framework - particularly in relation to: litigious and non-litigious dispute resolution methods; the commencement of civil proceedings; case management principles; pleadings and particulars; the filing & service of documents; the gathering of evidence; interlocutory proceedings; costs & settlement; the trial; judgment; appeal; and enforcement.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	LAWS5020 and LAWS5024 and LAWS5013
Corequisites ?	LAWS5015
Prohibitions ?	LAWS5003
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Stuart Lowe, stuart.lowe@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Stuart Lowe, stuart.lowe@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Lucy Quinn, lucy.quinn@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Bashi Hazard, bashi.hazard@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final Exam (50%) 2 hours writing time plus 30 mins reading time	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Weekly Online Quiz (10%) Online quiz	10%	Ongoing	5 questions per week	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Test (0%) Online quiz	0%	Week 03 Due date: 21 Aug 2026 at 23:59	10 questions MCQ / 30 mins	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Practice File (Portfolio Submission) (40%) Written task	40%	Week 07 Due date: 20 Sep 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 04 Oct 2026	Combined elements 2700 words (total)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

Early Feedback Task (0%): This unit includes an Early Feedback Task that is designed to provide students with timely insights into their understanding and engagement with the unit content. The Early Feedback Task in this unit is an online 10 multiple choice quiz. The task will be available on Canvas from 9:00am on Monday 3 August 2026 and due on Friday 21 August 2026 at 11:59pm (Sydney Australia time). It will be tailored to reflect key concepts from Weeks 1-2. Students will be provided with immediate automated feedback upon completion of the task.

Weekly Online Quiz (10%): Starting in Week two, students will be required to complete an online quiz based on the readings for the tutorial. Each quiz will be available from 9:00am Monday of the tutorial week and must submitted no later than 11:59pm on the Thursday (Sydney, Australia time) of that same week. This gives students the opportunity to prepare for their tutorial as well as to test their mastery and understanding of each topic before the tutorial. There are 10 weekly quizzes, and one mark will be available for each successfully completed quiz. Students will need to achieve at least 60% in each weekly quiz to earn the mark for that week. Please note that given the nature of the task, Special Consideration provisions will not be available in relation to this task. Students may attempt the weekly quiz twice.

Practice File (Portfolio Submission) (40%): Students will submit a portfolio of selected practical drafting tasks. This task provides students with the opportunity to apply their understanding of the relevant procedural requirements as well as their communication skills. This task is made up of two separate components Part A Statement of Claim (2000 words) and Part B Affidavit of Service (700 words). In these components, students will develop their ability to: (1) Apply both substantive law and adjectival law to factual scenarios; (2) Exercise professional judgment in legal writing; (3) Draft legal documents; and (4) Reflect on the appropriate use of emerging technologies in legal practice. The assignment will be made available to all students via the Unit's Canvas site, in Week 1 of the semester. Part A and Part B must be submitted no later than 11:59pm Sunday 20 September 2026 (Sydney Australia time).

Final Exam (50%): The final exam is designed to assess students' ability to apply principles of justice, case management, and procedural rules. The final exam will be an in-person supervised exam of 2 hours writing time plus 30 minutes reading time. The exam will take place during the formal examination period for Semester 2 2026. The exam timetable will be released by the Exams Office in due course. For further information, please refer to Exam Timetables.

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), and exclude acknowledgements of assistance from editors, automated writing tools or generative AI (where use is permitted).

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.

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. As the EFT is an early diagnostic tool, this task is not included in the final grade for the unit.

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 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.

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:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, without an approved extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per 24 hours or part thereof, after the due time on the due date. Penalties for late submission will be applied strictly, subject to a 5 minute grace period. Late penalties do not apply to exams.

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 Civil Dispute Resolution	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Overview of civil procedure and guiding principles of civil procedure law	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	ADR	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Defining the dispute	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Case management principles (revision / discussion) Jurisdiction and limitation period exercises	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Initiating proceedings / Service	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Practical consideration of pleading rules and Pleadings drafting exercise	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Evidence in civil proceedings	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Service problem questions and Service drafting exercise	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Interlocutory applications and injunctions	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Evidence problem questions	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Strike-out, summary disposal, and vexatious litigants	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Interlocutory problem questions and Notice of Motion drafting exercise	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Costs and Settlement	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Summary disposal exercises	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Hearing and Judgment	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Costs problems and Offer of Compromise problems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Appeals	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Enforcement Exercise	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Appeal problems and Revision and Completion of the student feedback survey for this unit of study	Tutorial (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

Required Texts

Miiko Kumar, Michael Legg, James Metzger, Linda Steele, Civil Procedure and Dispute Resolution in NSW (5th Ed, Sydney, 2025), “KLVM”.

Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) “CPA”

All other required readings for this unit can be accessed through the Canvas site under ‘Reading List’.

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. apply the principles of justice, case management, and the ‘overriding purpose’ (s56 CPA) to the resolution of civil disputes.
LO2. select and apply the most appropriate Civil Dispute Resolution procedures to develop solutions to hypothetical legal problems.
LO3. recognise and reflect upon the ethical issues that relate to the conduct and compromise of civil dispute matters.
LO4. recognise and reflect upon the access to justice needs identified by Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples, in relation to civil dispute resolution.
LO5. communicate with both legal and non-legal audiences in a clear, concise and logical manner.

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 is running for the first time in Semester 2 2026.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

LAWS5025: Civil Dispute Resolution

Semester 2, 2026 [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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links