General Information
Tort Law is a compulsory subject in the Juris Doctor program offered by the Faculty of Law. The subject focuses on the elements of liability in the tort of negligence, including duty of care, breach of duty, damages, and defences to liability. Attention is also paid to the general issue of the balance of risk and benefit in establishing liability and to particular problems associated with establishing a duty of care in negligence. Emphasis is placed on the development of legal research and reasoning skills.
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Details
Academic unit: Faculty of Law Subject code: LAWS75-202 Subject title: Tort Law Subject level: Postgraduate Semester/Year: September 2017 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Standard Workload items: - Tutorial: x11 (Total hours: 11) - Weekly Tutorial
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 84) - Recommended Study Hours
- Lecture: x12 (Total hours: 24) - Weekly Lecture
Attendance and learning activities: -
Resources
Prescribed resources: Books
- Harold Luntz,David Hambly,Kylie Burns,Joachim Dietrich,Neil Foster,Genevieve Grant,Sirko Harder (2017). Torts. 8th,
iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
Academic unit: | Faculty of Law |
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Subject code: | LAWS75-202 |
Subject title: | Tort Law |
Subject level: | Postgraduate |
Semester/Year: | September 2017 |
Credit points: | 10.000 |
Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
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Delivery mode: | Standard |
Workload items: |
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Attendance and learning activities: |
Prescribed resources: | Books
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iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
Enrolment requirements
Requisites: |
Pre-requisites:Co-requisites:There are no co-requisites |
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Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge. Admission into OR approved Study Abroad or Exchange law student |
Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Demonstrate competency in exercising the following skill at an intermediate level, with creativity, initiative and autonomy: legal research and reasoning.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
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Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed Paper-based Examination (Open) End of Semester Examination 60% Final Examination Period 1,3 Essay Skills Assessment - Legal research and reasoning 25% Week 9 1,2,3 *Class Participation Class Participation 15% Ongoing 1,3 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
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Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
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Paper-based Examination (Open) | End of Semester Examination | 60% | Final Examination Period | 1,3 |
Essay | Skills Assessment - Legal research and reasoning | 25% | Week 9 | 1,2,3 |
*Class Participation | Class Participation | 15% | Ongoing | 1,3 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Assessment criteria
High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
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Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.
Academic Integrity
University’s Academic Integrity Policy defines plagiarism as the act of misrepresenting as one’s own original work: another’s ideas, interpretations, words, or creative works; and/or one’s own previous ideas, interpretations, words, or creative work without acknowledging that it was used previously (i.e., self-plagiarism). The University considers the act of plagiarising to be a breach of the Student Conduct Code and, therefore, subject to the Discipline Regulations which provide for a range of penalties including the reduction of marks or grades, fines and suspension from the University.
Bond University utilises Originality Reporting software to inform academic integrity.Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, as per the Assessment Policy.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
If you have a disability, illness, injury or health condition that impacts your capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks, it is important you let us know your special requirements, early in the semester. Students will need to make an application for support and submit it with recent, comprehensive documentation at an appointment with a Disability Officer. Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Office at the earliest possible time, to meet staff and learn about the services available to meet your specific needs. Please note that late notification or failure to disclose your disability can be to your disadvantage as the University cannot guarantee support under such circumstances.
Additional subject information
Subject curriculum
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Week 1 Introduction: compensating personal injury
This lecture will provide an overview of the course and general principles involved in compensating personal injury.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
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Week 2 Negligence: duty of care
This lecture will focus on the element of duty of care and will distinguish between established duty categories and novel categories.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
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Week 3 Negligence: breach of duty.
This lecture will examine the second element of negligence: breach of duty. If the defendant's conduct falls below the standard of care required, then the defendant is found to have breached the duty of care.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
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Week 4 Negligence: breach of duty continued.
This element will further explore the breach element.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
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Week 5 Negligence: Damage - factual causation
This lecture will focus on the third element of negligence : Damage. It will then explore the causal link between the defendant's conduct and the plaintiff's harm. The defendant's negligence (breach of duty) must be a necessary condition of the plaintiff's harm.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
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Week 6 Negligence: Damage - scope of liability including remoteness
This lecture will focus on the scope of the defendant's liability for the plaintiff's harm.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
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Week 7 Negligence: Defences
This lecture will examine the defence of volenti non fit injuria and the dangerous recreational activity defence.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
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Week 8 Negligence: Special topics - mental harm; liabilities for omissions.
This lecture will examine duty of care in fact situations involving mental harm sustained by secondary victims and liability for pure omissions.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
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Week 9 Negligence: Special topics continued
This lecture will continue to explore the liability for pure omissions in the tort of negligence.
SLOs included
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
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Week 10 Concurrent liability and Assessment of Damages
n/a
SLOs included
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
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Week 11 Assessment of damages continued and Alternative compensation schemes
n/a
SLOs included
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.
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Week 12 Critique of negligence; Revision
n/a
SLOs included
- Demonstrate advanced and integrated understanding of the following legal topics: the fundamental elements of the tort of negligence; the assessment of tort damages; and the role of negligence within the system of accident compensation as a whole.
- Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, including a commitment to: learning and working autonomously, accountably and reflectively; behaving ethically and responsibly; and managing time effectively and meeting deadlines.