How Law Works

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
LAWS 1011
Course ID icon
Course ID
200535
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus East
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Law
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Peta Spyrou
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course will provide students with a foundational understanding of how laws are made and administered in Australia, while also exploring emerging trends and challenges in the legal landscape. Students will be introduced to the history of Australia’s legal institutions and the central tenets of the Australian legal system with an emphasis on how these systems are evolving to meet the needs of a rapidly changing society. The two main sources of law are legislation, made by Parliament, and legal cases, decided by judges in courts. Through learning to read and analyse cases, students will develop critical thinking skills and learn the importance of legal reasoning in decision-making. Through learning to read and interpret statutes, students will gain insights into the dynamic nature of law interpretation and application in the face of new technologies, social movements, and global challenges. Established rules and processes, such as the doctrine of precedent, the hierarchy of courts and principles of statutory interpretation play a valuable role in promoting certainty and transparency in decision-making and are essential for the administration of justice. In addition to providing a strong foundation in legal principles, this course aims to equip students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in the legal profession of the future. Students will learn the importance of academic integrity, develop proficiency in legal referencing, and cultivate a lifelong commitment to learning and adaptability in the face of a constantly evolving legal landscape.

  • The Australian Legal System (Overview)
  • Case Law
  • Statutory Interpretation

Course learning outcomes

  • Locate cases, legislation and other authoritative legal resources using online databases
  • Cite sources of law and legal literature correctly using accepted legal referencing conventions
  • Synthesise information from legal cases to explain aspects of legal decision-making
  • Use principles of statutory interpretation to solve hypothetical legal problems
  • Present ideas effectively through written communication

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

Availability

Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Group 1

Class number
Class number 25879
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 10 Apr Friday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG09 Juliette McIntyre, Benjamin Authers
8 May - 22 May Friday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG09 Juliette McIntyre, Benjamin Authers
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25880
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 10 Apr Friday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 111a Benjamin Authers
8 May - 22 May Friday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 111a Benjamin Authers
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25881
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 7 Apr Tuesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 316 Peta Spyrou, Carren Walker, Benjamin Authers
5 May - 19 May Tuesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 316 Peta Spyrou, Carren Walker, Benjamin Authers
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25882
Section
Section TU04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 9 Apr Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 316 Carren Walker, Benjamin Authers, Valentino Esposito
7 May - 21 May Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 316 Carren Walker, Benjamin Authers, Valentino Esposito
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25883
Section
Section TU05
Size
Size 30
Available
Available -1
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 10 Apr Friday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 111b Juliette McIntyre, Benjamin Authers
8 May - 22 May Friday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 111b Juliette McIntyre, Benjamin Authers
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25985
Section
Section TU15
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 7 Apr Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 316 Kane McAskill
5 May - 19 May Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 316 Kane McAskill
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25986
Section
Section TU14
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 10 Apr Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 113 Juliette McIntyre
8 May - 22 May Friday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 113 Juliette McIntyre
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25987
Section
Section TU13
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 8 Apr Wednesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 113 Peta Spyrou, Carren Walker
6 May - 20 May Wednesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 113 Peta Spyrou, Carren Walker
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25988
Section
Section TU12
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 7 Apr Tuesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 216 Peta Spyrou, Carren Walker, Benjamin Authers
5 May - 19 May Tuesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 216 Peta Spyrou, Carren Walker, Benjamin Authers
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25989
Section
Section TU11
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 8 Apr Wednesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 112 Peta Spyrou, Kane McAskill
6 May - 20 May Wednesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 112 Peta Spyrou, Kane McAskill
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25990
Section
Section TU10
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 1
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 May - 20 May Wednesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 216 Peta Spyrou, Kane McAskill
25 Feb - 8 Apr Wednesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 216 Peta Spyrou, Kane McAskill
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25991
Section
Section TU09
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 10
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 10 Apr Friday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 113 Eileen O'Brien
8 May - 22 May Friday 3:10pm - 5pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 113 Eileen O'Brien
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25992
Section
Section TU08
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 6 Apr Monday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 316 Peta Spyrou
4 May - 18 May Monday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 316 Peta Spyrou
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 25993
Section
Section TU07
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 9 Apr Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 111 Carren Walker, Benjamin Authers, Valentino Esposito
7 May - 21 May Thursday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 111 Carren Walker, Benjamin Authers, Valentino Esposito
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 31308
Section
Section TU16
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 8 Apr Wednesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG24 Peta Spyrou, Carren Walker
6 May - 20 May Wednesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG24 Peta Spyrou, Carren Walker
Class number
Class number 31377
Section
Section TU19
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 7 Apr Tuesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG24 Peta Spyrou, Carren Walker, Benjamin Authers
5 May - 19 May Tuesday 2:10pm - 4pm Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG24 Peta Spyrou, Carren Walker, Benjamin Authers
Class number
Class number 31489
Section
Section TU17
Size
Size 24
Available
Available 0
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 9 Apr Thursday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG21 Benjamin Authers
7 May - 21 May Thursday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Napier, LG21 Benjamin Authers
Class number
Class number 31570
Section
Section TU00
Size
Size 0
Available
Available -6
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Adelaide City Campus East ,
Notes:
This class is restricted to partner school students - all override requests for this class will be declined.
Class number
Class number 29430
Section
Section FR01
Size
Size 550
Available
Available 60
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 31 Mar Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Scott Theatre, 001 Peta Spyrou, Carren Walker, Bronwyn Arnold, Eileen O'Brien, Juliette McIntyre, Benjamin Authers, Kane McAskill, Valentino Esposito
5 May - 19 May Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Scott Theatre, 001 Peta Spyrou, Carren Walker, Bronwyn Arnold, Eileen O'Brien, Juliette McIntyre, Benjamin Authers, Kane McAskill, Valentino Esposito

Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus East

Group 1

Class number
Class number 55864
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
7 Aug - 18 Sep Friday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 316
16 Oct - 30 Oct Friday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 316
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 55865
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 15 Sep Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 111a
13 Oct - 27 Oct Tuesday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 111a
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 55866
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 28
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
4 Aug - 15 Sep Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 111b
13 Oct - 27 Oct Tuesday 9:10am - 11am Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 111b
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 55867
Section
Section TU04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 27
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
6 Aug - 17 Sep Thursday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 314
15 Oct - 29 Oct Thursday 12:10pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus East Ligertwood, 314
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 55868
Section
Section TU05
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 25
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
14 Oct - 28 Oct Wednesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 111a
5 Aug - 16 Sep Wednesday 4:10pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 111a
Notes:
This course is available to B Laws students only
Class number
Class number 56802
Section
Section FR01
Size
Size 95
Available
Available 78
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
3 Aug - 14 Sep Monday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 309
12 Oct - 26 Oct Monday 11:10am - 1pm Adelaide City Campus East Hughes, 309

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