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Unit of study_
LAWS6307: Class Action Litigation in Australia
2026 unit information
This unit of study will focus on the practice and procedure of class actions, which have emerged as the fastest growing species of litigation in Australia. Students will review the threshold requirements of commencing a class action, the processes by which class actions are brought to mediation and trial, and the perspectives of plaintiffs, defendants and third party litigation funders. The intersections of the legal and economic aspects of class actions will be considers in the context of a variety of species of this litigation, including shareholder, consumer, product liability, mass torts, environmental and cartel conduct claims. Students will review the relevant state and federal legislation governing class actions and case law that has developed in this area, together with developing a real-world practical understanding of how this litigation is conducted before the Courts. Refer to the Sydney Law School timetable - https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/4533/pages/postgraduate-lecture-timetable
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney Law School
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Law |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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LAWS6230 or LAWS6869 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Apply statutory threshold requirements and procedural rules to analyse the conduct of Australian class actions from commencement to resolution (including settlement approval or judgment).
- LO2. Interpret, critique and synthesise relevant State and Federal class action legislation and lrelevant case law to resolve complex legal questions supported by appropriate legal research methodologies.
- LO3. Evaluate real-world stakeholder incentives and the legal/economic consequences of class actions formulating justified recommendations on contested policy, practice, and potential for law reform.
- LO4. Construct and communicate persuasive, well-structured arguments about class action doctrine, practice and reform to diverse audiences in different contexts.
Unit availability
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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