Outline

Overview

The aim of the unit is to develop a critical perspective upon the accountability of government decision-makers. The unit examines theoretical frameworks for analysis of a range of issues concerning accountability, with reference to relevant principles of administrative law. Part 1 of the unit examines the concept of administrative discretion, alternative theories of the rule of law, human rights, ethics and managerialism. Part 2 of the unit is concerned with the accountability of the executive branch of government. It includes analysis of separation of powers and the doctrine of ministerial responsibility, merits review tribunals, investigative tribunals and tribunal procedure. Part 3 of the unit examines theories of participatory democracy, with reference to relevant legal principles drawn from procedural fairness, rules of standing and consultation requirements in rule making. Part 4 examines theories of open government, with reference to statutory duties to give reasons for decisions and freedom of information legislation. Part 5 examines the proper scope of administrative law by discussion of the issue of its extension to government business enterprises which are corporatised, privatised or contracted out.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	LAWS6011
Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Undergraduate law degree or LAWS6252 (core unit for MALP students)
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Margaret Allars, margaret.allars@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	[Option 2] First short essay (extended release) (50%) Written Essay	0%	Week 10 Due date: 01 May 2023 at 23:59 Closing date: 15 May 2023	4000 words / 6 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	[Option 1] Long essay (extended release) (100%) Written Essay	0%	Week 13 Due date: 26 May 2023 at 23:59 Closing date: 09 Jun 2023	8000 words / 10 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	[Option 2] Second short essay (extended release) (50%) Written Essay	0%	Week 13 Due date: 26 May 2023 at 23:59 Closing date: 09 Jun 2023	4000 words / 10 weeks
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Students can choose to submit either one long essay or two short essays.

[Option 1] Long Essay - 100%: If students choose to complete the 8000 words long essay, it will contribute 100% to the final grade. Footnote references are not included in this word count, except for additional text in a footnote, which is included. The bibliography also is not included in the word count. The topics will be made available on the canvas site by Friday, 17 March 2023 at 9am (Sydney, Australia time). The essay is due on Friday, 26 May 2023 at 11:59pm (Sydney, Australia time). Students who receive a grant of special consideration may receive an extension at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator.

[Option 2] First Short Essay - 50%: If students choose to complete the 4000 words first short essay, it will contribute 50% to the final grade if the student chooses not to submit the long essay. Footnote references are not included in this word count, except for additional text in a footnote, which is included. The bibliography also is not included in the word count. The topics will be made available on the canvas site by Friday, 17 March 2023 at 9am (Sydney, Australia time). The essay is due on Monday, 1 May 2023 at 11:59pm (Sydney, Australia time). Students who receive a grant of Special Consideration may receive an extension at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator.

[Option 2] Second Short Essay - 50%: If students choose to complete the 4000 words second short essay, it will contribute 50% to the final grade if the student chooses not to submit the long essay. Footnote references are not included in this word count, except for additional text in a footnote, which is included. The bibliography also is not included in the word count. The topics will be made available on the canvas site by Friday, 17 March 2023 at 9am (Sydney, Australia time). The essay is due on Friday, 26 May 2023 at 11:59pm (Sydney, Australia time). Students who receive a grant of special consideration may receive an extension at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator.

Optional Synopses (0%): Students can choose an essay topic from a list of topics for long and short essays. A student who seeks to address a topic other than one of the suggested topics is required to provide a title, a synopsis of 500 words and obtain approval of the topic. No marks are awarded for the synopsis. Guidance is provided in response by email. These arrangements are reflected in the following:

Optional Synopsis of Long Essay is due at 5pm (Sydney, Australia time) on 24 April 2023.

Optional Synopsis of First Short Essay is due at 5pm (Sydney, Australia time) on 24 April 2023.

Optional Synopsis of Second Short Essay is due at 5pm (Sydney, Australia time) on 8 May 2023.

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 (AI) but does not include use of a spell check facility in Word. Breach will be dealt with under the University Academic Dishonesty policy.

Assessment requirement 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 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. Demonstrates the minimum level of competence and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies.
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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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 the due time but by 11.59pm on the due date will attract a 10% penalty. A submission after midnight of the due date for submission will attract a 20% penalty. A submission on the following day after midnight will attract a 30% penalty, and so on. Late penalties will be strictly applied (a period of grace of 10 minutes applies). 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 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
Ongoing	Administrative Discretion	Seminar (2 hr)
	Rule of Law	Seminar (3 hr)
	Separation of Powers and the Basis for Judicial Review	Seminar (2 hr)
	Statutory Interpretation, Principle of Legality and Human Rights	Seminar (2 hr)
	Corporatisation of Government Business Enterprises and Contracting Out	Seminar (2 hr)
	Freedom of Information	Seminar (2 hr)
	Disclosure of Reasons	Seminar (3 hr)
	Merits Review Tribunals	Seminar (2 hr)
	Investigative Tribunals	Seminar (3 hr)
	Citizenship Theory	Seminar (1 hr)
	Common Law: Procedural Fairness	Seminar (1 hr)
	Common Law: Standing	Seminar (1 hr)
	Making Rules and Policy	Seminar (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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library Reading List, available on Canvas.

Administrative Law - Online Postgraduate Readings 2021 Vols 1, 2 and 3 (comprising extracts from texts and articles, legislation, and cases).

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. develop a capacity to think logically in analysing the principles and underlying values of administrative law
LO2. develop a knowledge and understanding of modern administrative law
LO3. develop an ability to read and understand administrative law cases, legislation and the relationship of principles with policy
LO4. develop a capacity to apply administrative law with an understanding of the role of policy

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Additional information

Resources - 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

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

LAWS6011: Administrative Law

Intensive April, 2023 [Block mode] - 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