Topics in Comparative Law

Matt Nichol (Graduate School of Letters, Law and Economics)

Objective
   At the completion of this course students will be able to:

• describe the legal families and systems in Japan and Australia
• understand laws that form the foundation of common law and the Australian legal system
• explain dispute resolution mechanisms in Australia for civil law and criminal countries
• list global ethics for lawyers
• identify issues in the legal profession in Japan, Australia and in global legal practice

Requirement / Prerequisite
   No requirements or prerequisites exist. This course is taught in English and previous English language study is required.

Course Schedule
   This course consists of four modules. Each module is for four weeks.
   Weekly content is subject to amendment based on the class's English writing and reading skills.

1. MODULE A: WHAT IS LAW?
   
Week 1 What is Law?
Week 2 Legal Families
Week 3 Law, Society & Culture
Week 4 Law & Culture
2. MODULE B: FOUNDATION LAWS
   
Week 5 Australian Constitutional Law
Week 6 Australian Consumer Law
Week 7 Common Law of Tort
Week 8 Australian Corporations Law MODULE C: DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Week 9 Civil Disputes
Week 10 Criminal Law
Week 11 Alternate Dispute Resolution - Mediation
Week 12 Alternate Dispute Resolution - Arbitration MODULE D: THE LEGAL PROFESSION
Week 13 Lawyers & Legal Ethics
Week 14 The Japanese Legal Profession
Week 15 The Australian Legal Profession
Week 16 The Global Legal Profession

Course Plan
   FIELD TRIP1: Week 10 Osaka Court Precinct (half day)
   FIELD TRIP2: Week 16 Law Firm Visit [a US law firm, a UK law firm or a Japan/USA or UK merged law firm]

Textbooks
   To be confirmed.

Grading ASSESSMENT TASKS
  

1. Research Assignment Plan: 20%
2. Court Report from Individual Court Visit: 30%
3. Individual Research Assignment 50%