VCE Legal Studies

What is VCE Legal Studies?

"Legal Studies is a great subject as it not only gives me the knowledge to pursue law in the future but it also gives me skills and information that is relevant to all my subjects".

"Legal Studies gives students a great understanding of Australia’s justice system. The class is really good at engaging us with class activities and other course work".

Legal Studies explores questions of justice. Is our legal process fair? Do all parties receive a fair hearing? Are all people treated equally before the law? What is the difference between criminal and civil law? Do our prisons work? Do police have enough or too much power? Are our Magistrates’ and judges too lenient? Should juries be abolished? Are we really innocent until proven guilty?

VCE Legal Studies examines the institutions and principles which are essential to Australia’s legal system. Students develop an understanding of the rule of law, law-makers, key legal institutions, rights protection in Australia, and the justice system. Through applying knowledge of legal concepts and principles to a range of actual and/or hypothetical scenarios, students develop their ability to use legal reasoning to argue a case for or against a party in a civil or criminal matter. They consider and evaluate recent and recommended reforms to the criminal and civil justice systems, and engage in an analysis of the extent to which our legal institutions are effective and our justice system achieves the principles of justice.

Unit 1

The Presumption of Innocence

In this unit students develop an understanding of legal foundations, such as the different types and sources of law and the existence of a court hierarchy in Victoria. Students investigate key concepts of criminal law and apply these to actual and/or hypothetical scenarios to determine whether an accused may be found guilty of a crime. In doing so, students develop an appreciation of the way in which legal principles and information are used in making reasoned judgments and conclusions about the culpability of an accused.

Areas of Study:

1. Legal Foundations

2. Proving Guilt

3. Sanctions

Unit 2

Wrongs and Rights

This unit focuses on the enforcement civil law, the methods and institutions that may be used to determine or resolve a civil dispute, and the purposes of remedies and their effectiveness. Students undertake a detailed investigation of two civil cases from the past four years to form a judgment about the ability of remedies to achieve the principles of justice. Students develop their understanding of the way rights are protected in Australia and in another country, and possible reforms to the protection of rights. They examine a significant case in relation to the protection of rights in Australia.

Areas of Study:

1. Civil Liability

2. Remedies

3. Human Rights

Unit 3

Rights and Justice

The Victorian justice system, which includes the criminal and civil justice systems, aims to protect the rights of individuals and uphold the principles of justice: fairness, equality and access. In this unit students examine the methods and institutions in the justice system and consider their appropriateness in determining criminal cases and resolving civil disputes. Throughout this unit, students apply legal reasoning and information to actual and/or hypothetical scenarios.

Areas of Study:

1. The Victorian criminal justice system

2. The Victorian civil justice system

Unit 4

The People and the Law

The study of Australia’s laws and legal system involves an understanding of institutions that make and reform our laws, and the relationship between the Australian people, the Australian Constitution and law-making bodies. In this unit, students explore how the Australian Constitution establishes the law-making powers of the Commonwealth and state parliaments, and protects the Australian people through structures that act as a check on parliament in law-making.

Areas of Study:

1. The people and the Australian Constitution

2. The people, the parliament and the courts

Who do I contact to find out more?

Ms Katie French: kfrench@cmc.vic.edu.au

Mrs Jo MacDonald: jmacdonald@cmc.vic.edu.au

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