LAW4312 Legal Issues in Medicine

Workload:
3 hours of lectures per week.

Prescribed Prerequisites/Recommended Prerequisites:
For students who commenced their LLB (Hons) course in 2015 or later:

LAW1111; LAW1114; LAW1112; LAW1113; LAW2101; LAW2102; LAW2112 and LAW2111.

For students who commenced their LLB course prior to 2015:

LAW1100 OR LAW1101 and LAW1102 or LAW1104; LAW2201 and LAW2202.

There is a heavy emphasis on negligence.

Assessments:
Written assignment (2000 words) (40%) and examination (2 hours plus 30 minutes reading and noting time) (60%).

Recorded Lectures:
No.

The lectures are interactive and involve in-depth discussion of the numerous policy issues. Lecture attendance is highly beneficial and recommended.

Past exams available:
Yes.

Textbook recommended?
No.

It is possible to do very well without the textbook. However, the readings may be beneficial for understanding the complex legislative framework.

Comments:
Semester 2, 2016

With medical negligence law and litigation continuing to grow and develop in Australia, this is a very interesting and relevant unit that integrates Tort law concepts and raises some very complex ethical dilemmas. The lectures include in-depth class discussion of these ethical issues, that can often challenge your preconceived stances.

Despite a significantly large amount of content – the in-semester workload is quite light, as the readings are not essential thanks to the very detailed discussion of the cases in lectures. However, preparation for the end of semester examination can be quite heavy given the amount of content. A handy tip would be to grasp a decent understanding of the legislation during semester, as it is expansive and relatively complex.

The key questions (in order of importance) to consider when deciding whether to take this elective unit are:

1)     Are you willing to attend lectures?

2)     Are you able to form an individual opinion on some complex and decisive medical ethical issues?

3)     Do you have a decent understanding of the tort of negligence?

If yes, Legal Issues in Medicine is a fascinating and invaluable insight into a modern and emerging area of law.