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CourseMaster's Degree (Coursework)MLS

L6013 Master of Legal Studies

Faculty of Law

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Master of Legal Studies (L6013) is a 1 years full-time, 48-credit-point, master's degree (coursework) course from the Faculty of Law, taught at Monash Law Chambers. In 2021 you can choose from 9 specialisations. Map your units semester by semester with the MonMap planner.

Credit points
48
Duration
1 years full time
2 years part time
Campus
Monash Law Chambers
On campus

This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.

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Requisite map

Overview

This expert graduate course provides a thorough theoretical and practical grounding in one or more areas of law. It is suitable for graduates interested in developing or enhancing specialist careers with knowledge of the law.

You investigate contemporary issues in law, practice and scholarship, and evaluate complex issues relevant to the field of theoretical, international, and interdisciplinary perspectives. The course enhances your capacity to undertake independent research, and includes options for a pathway to doctoral studies.

Course structure

Part A. Introductory knowledge and core electives6 credit points

Domestic students

6 credit points
Domestic students must complete the following unit

International students

6 credit points
Inernational students must complete the following unit
Part B. Extending specialist knowledge24 credit points
You must complete a minimum of four units chosen from your specialisation below (not all units are offered every year).
Part C. Research knowledge18 credit points
You must complete one of the following options

Master research option

18 credit points
You must complete the following unit on an approved law topic in your specialisation and two elective law units (12 credit points) chosen from any specialisation.

Extended research option

18 credit points
You must complete the following unit on an approved law topic in your specialisation and one elective law unit (6 credit points) chosen from any specialisation. Note: If you are taking the course as a pathway to doctoral studies you are advised to complete this unit.
The handbook's description of this structure

The course is structured in three parts. Part A Introductory knowledge and Part B Extending specialist knowledge, and Part C Research knowledge.

Part A Introductory knowledge:
These studies enable you to gain fundamental knowledge of legal principles and concepts, and develop core skills in legal research and writing.

Part B Extending specialist knowledge:
These studies will provide you with in-depth knowledge of a wide range of areas in your chosen specialisation. You will be able to focus on sources of information relevant to your specialisation and the application of research methods and specialist discipline knowledge and skills necessary to support law-related work in the field.

Part C: Research knowledge
Depending on your interests and motivation, you will  choose a program of study in which you plan and execute a major research-based project with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course comprises 48 points structured in three parts, Part A Introductory knowledge and core electives (6 points) and Part B Extending specialist knowledge (24 points) and Part C Research knowledge (18 points).

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A Introductory knowledge and core electives (6 points)

You must complete either:

LAW5000 Australian legal reasoning and methods or LAW5081 Australian legal process and research.

Part B: Extending specialist knowledge (24 points)

You must complete a minimum of four units chosen from your specialisation below (not all units are offered every year).

Part C: Research knowledge (18 points)

You must complete either a. or b. below:

a. LAW5082 Masters research (6 points) on an approved law topic in your specialisation and two elective law units (12 points) chosen from any specialisation
b. LAW5083 Extended research (12 points)** on an approved law topic in your specialisation and one elective law unit (6 points) chosen from any specialisation

** If you are taking the course as a pathway to doctoral studies you are advised to complete this unit.

Specialisation Electives

Commercial and Corporate Law

  • LAW5301 Copyright
  • LAW5302 European Union law and policy
  • LAW5305 International business transactions
  • LAW5306 Corporate insolvency
  • LAW5307 Occupational health and safety
  • LAW5312 Competition law
  • LAW5314 International environmental law
  • LAW5315 Commercial alternative dispute resolution
  • LAW5316 Trade marks and commercial designations
  • LAW5317 Principles of privacy and freedom of information
  • LAW5319 Law of employee relations
  • LAW5321 Protecting commercial innovation: Patents and trade secrets
  • LAW5332 International commercial arbitration
  • LAW5339 Technology contracts and licensing law
  • LAW5340 Intellectual property
  • LAW5341 Trade mark practice
  • LAW5343 Privacy and surveillance: Law, policy and governance
  • LAW5344 Negotiation: Essential skills for dispute resolution
  • LAW5345 Business and human rights
  • LAW5346 Design law and practice
  • LAW5347 Consumer policy and regulation
  • LAW5350 Principles of taxation
  • LAW5352 Digital workplace law
  • LAW5353 Cybercrime
  • LAW5356 Corporate and white collar crim
  • LAW5357 Corporate governance and directors' duties
  • LAW5358 Current issues in workplace law
  • LAW5366 International banking and finance: Law and practice
  • LAW5367 Energy law, regulation and policy
  • LAW5370 Discrimination law and human rights at work
  • LAW5372 Contemporary perspectives on construction law
  • LAW5375 Arbitration of international commercial disputes
  • LAW5384 International investment law
  • LAW5385 Corporate finance law
  • LAW5388 Patenting for commercialisation
  • LAW5392 Globalisation and international economic law
  • LAW5394 Banking law
  • LAW5399 Personal property securities
  • LAW5408 Remedies in commercial disputes
  • LAW5419 The law of financial transactions
  • LAW5431 International entertainment law
  • LAW5437 China's legal system
  • LAW5440 International commercial dispute resolution advocacy
  • LAW5441 Australian tax policy
  • LAW5444 Advanced commercial contracts masterclass
  • LAW5445 Commercial equity
  • LAW5450 Principles of succession law
  • LAW5452 Private investment law
  • LAW5461 Entrepreneurship and the law
  • LAW5464 Negotiation and influence: Strategy and skills
  • LAW5466 Financial services law
  • LAW5470 Exposing failures and wrongdoing: royal commissions and public inquiries
  • LAW5471 Legal project management
  • LAW5472 Regulating shareholder activism
  • LAW5473 International mergers and acquisitions
  • LAW5606 Restitution
  • LAW5611 Comparative issues in patent law
  • LAW5612 International litigation and arbitration
  • LAW5617 International and comparative taxation law
  • LAW5626 International and comparative insolvency law
  • LAW5628 International and comparative trademark law
  • LAW5632 International information and media law
  • LAW5634 Global economic law
  • LAW5642 The global lawyer
  • LAW5645 Conventional and islamic international banking and finance law
  • LAW5648 Comparative and commercial transactions
  • LAW5649 Law in the age of artificial intelligence
  • LAW5650 Legal tech studio
  • LAW5475 Issues in transnational dispute resolution
  • LAW5478 Strategic and public interest litigation

Transnational Economic Regulation

  • LAW5301 Copyright
  • LAW5302 European Union law and policy
  • LAW5305 International business transactions
  • LAW5312 Competition law
  • LAW5314 International environmental law
  • LAW5325 Defamation law
  • LAW5332 International commercial arbitration
  • LAW5339 Technology contracts and licensing law
  • LAW5345 Business and human rights
  • LAW5366 International banking and finance: Law and practice
  • LAW5375 Arbitration of international commercial disputes
  • LAW5378 Comparative corporate governance
  • LAW5384 International investment law
  • LAW5389 The law of climate change
  • LAW5392 Globalisation and international economic law
  • LAW5398 Transnational labour law
  • LAW5431 International entertainment law
  • LAW5440 International commercial dispute resolution advocacy
  • LAW5473 International mergers and acquisitions
  • LAW5602 International perspectives on torts law
  • LAW5603 Comparative cyberlaw
  • LAW5608 Transnational litigation
  • LAW5611 Comparative issues in patent law
  • LAW5617 International and comparative taxation law
  • LAW5618 Comparative cybercrime
  • LAW5620 Privacy and surveillance in an information age: Comparative law perspectives
  • LAW5626 International and comparative insolvency law
  • LAW5628 International and comparative trademark law
  • LAW5630 European and international monetary law
  • LAW5632 International information and media law
  • LAW5634 Global economic law
  • LAW5635 Contemporary issues in international sports law
  • LAW5636 EU external relations: Law and policy
  • LAW5637 Asian legal systems
  • LAW5640 International and transnational law and the green economy
  • LAW5642 The global lawyer
  • LAW5645 Conventional and Islamic international banking and finance law
  • LAW5648 Comparative and commercial transactions
  • LAW5649 Law in the age of artificial intelligence
  • LAW5478 Strategic and public interest litigation

Technology and Innovation

  • LAW5301 Copyright
  • LAW5305 International business transactions
  • LAW5316 Trade marks and commercial designations
  • LAW5317 Principles of privacy and freedom of information
  • LAW5321 Protecting commercial innovation: Patents and trade secrets
  • LAW5325 Defamation law
  • LAW5339 Technology contracts and licensing law
  • LAW5340 Intellectual property
  • LAW5341 Trade mark practice
  • LAW5343 Privacy and surveillance: Law, policy and governance
  • LAW5346 Design law and practice
  • LAW5352 Digital workplace law
  • LAW5353 Cybercrime
  • LAW5367 Energy law, regulation and policy
  • LAW5388 Patenting for commercialisation
  • LAW5389 The law of climate change
  • LAW5444 Advanced commercial contracts masterclass
  • LAW5455 Chinese law and innovation policies
  • LAW5456 Science, technology and law
  • LAW5457 Forensic evidence: Law, science, medicine and technology
  • LAW5460 Online dispute resolution
  • LAW5461 Entrepreneurship and the law
  • LAW5471 Legal project management
  • LAW5600 Issues in medical ethics and law
  • LAW5603 Comparative cyberlaw
  • LAW5611 Comparative issues in patent law
  • LAW5616 Air and space law
  • LAW5618 Comparative cybercrime
  • LAW5620 Privacy and surveillance in an information age: Comparative law perspectives
  • LAW5628 International and comparative trademark law
  • LAW5632 International information and media law
  • LAW5649 Law in the age of artificial intelligence
  • LAW5650 Legal tech studio

Global Society and Human Rights

  • LAW5302 European Union law and policy
  • LAW5304 Overview of international human rights law
  • LAW5305 International business transactions
  • LAW5314 International environmental law
  • LAW5317 Principles of privacy and freedom of information
  • LAW5325 Defamation law
  • LAW5326 Comparative European legal systems
  • LAW5327 International human rights
  • LAW5330 International refugee law and practice
  • LAW5331 Comparative constitution and rights
  • LAW5334 Psychiatry, psychology and the law
  • LAW5335 Contemporary problems in the administration of criminal justice
  • LAW5338 International humanitarian law
  • LAW5343 Privacy and surveillance: Law, policy and governance
  • LAW5345 Business and human rights
  • LAW5348 Indigenous rights and international law
  • LAW5354 International criminal justice
  • LAW5359 International human rights law and women
  • LAW5364 Economic, social and cultural rights and international law
  • LAW5365 Terrorism and human rights
  • LAW5370 Discrimination law and human rights at work
  • LAW5376 International criminal law: Procedural and practical aspects
  • LAW5381 Human rights advocacy: Australian law and practice
  • LAW5383 International refugee law and human rights
  • LAW5384 International investment law
  • LAW5389 The law of climate change
  • LAW5392 Globalisation and international economic law
  • LAW5407 Current issues in torts
  • LAW5414 Public international law
  • LAW5417 Children's rights in international law
  • LAW5422 Victorian charter of rights and responsibilities
  • LAW5424 Human trafficking, modern slavery and the law
  • LAW5433 Victims, law and mass atrocity
  • LAW5436 International and comparative family law
  • LAW5437 China's legal system
  • LAW5439 Sexual and gender minorities and human rights
  • LAW5451 Indigenous people and the law
  • LAW5454 Climate change and displacement
  • LAW5455 Chinese law and innovation policies
  • LAW5459 Australians detained abroad
  • LAW5463 Children's law in action
  • LAW5465 Migration and Human Rights
  • LAW5467 Gender and the law
  • LAW5469 Family violence, gender and law
  • LAW5603 Comparative cyberlaw
  • LAW5619 European human rights law
  • LAW5620 Privacy and surveillance in an information age: Comparative law perspectives
  • LAW5624 Introduction to Islamic law
  • LAW5638 Climate change and international law
  • LAW5639 Comparative indigenous rights
  • LAW5640 International and transnational law and the green economy
  • LAW5642 The global lawyer
  • LAW5644 Sovereignty and globalisation
  • LAW5649 Law in the age of artificial intelligence
  • LAW5651 Human Rights and Migration in comparative perspective
  • LAW5652 The judiciary in comparative perspective
  • LAW5653 Comparative election law
  • LAW5474 Human rights adjudication in international and domestic courts
  • LAW5475 Issues in transnational dispute resolution
  • LAW5476 The death penalty: Law, politics, and advocacy
  • LAW5477 Institutions in international law
  • LAW5478 Strategic and public interest litigation

Public Sector Governance and Regulation

  • LAW5304 Overview of international human rights law
  • LAW5307 Occupational health and safety
  • LAW5310 Sentencing
  • LAW5312 Competition law
  • LAW5313 Planning law
  • LAW5314 International environmental law
  • LAW5317 Principles of privacy and freedom of information
  • LAW5319 Law of employee relations
  • LAW5320 Local government law
  • LAW5327 International human rights
  • LAW5331 Comparative constitution and rights
  • LAW5335 Contemporary problems in the administration of criminal justice
  • LAW5340 Intellectual property
  • LAW5341 Trade mark practice
  • LAW5343 Privacy and surveillance: Law, policy and governance
  • LAW5347 Consumer policy and regulation
  • LAW5348 Indigenous rights and international law
  • LAW5350 Principles of taxation
  • LAW5352 Digital workplace law
  • LAW5353 Cybercrime
  • LAW5354 International criminal justice
  • LAW5356 Corporate and white collar crime
  • LAW5357 Corporate governance and directors' duties
  • LAW5358 Current issues in workplace law
  • LAW5361 Foundations of regulation: Policy, principles and practice
  • LAW5362 Regulatory methods
  • LAW5365 Terrorism and human rights
  • LAW5367 Energy law, regulation and policy
  • LAW5370 Discrimination law and human rights at work
  • LAW5372 Contemporary perspectives on construction law
  • LAW5376 International criminal law: Procedural and practical aspects
  • LAW5382 Principles of environmental law
  • LAW5389 The law of climate change
  • LAW5407 Current issues in torts
  • LAW5414 Public international law
  • LAW5419 The law of financial transactions
  • LAW5422 Victorian charter of rights and responsibilities
  • LAW5424 Human trafficking, modern slavery and the law
  • LAW5428 Health law
  • LAW5434 Principles of government law and administration
  • LAW5441 Australian tax policy
  • LAW5451 Indigenous people and the law
  • LAW5456 Science, technology and law
  • LAW5458 Animal law, regulation and policy
  • LAW5470 Exposing failures and wrongdoing: royal commissions and public inquiries
  • LAW5472 Regulating shareholder activism
  • LAW5616 Air and space law
  • LAW5620 Privacy and surveillance in an information age: Comparative law perspectives
  • LAW5638 Climate change and international law
  • LAW5639 Comparative indigenous rights
  • LAW5647 Contemporary issues in public policy, regulation and the law
  • LAW5652 The judiciary in comparative perspective
  • LAW5653 Comparative election law
  • LAW5474 Human rights adjudication in international and domestic courts
  • LAW5475 Issues in transnational dispute resolution
  • LAW5477 Institutions in international law

Dispute Resolution

  • LAW5303 Forensic family law
  • LAW5305 International business transactions
  • LAW5310 Sentencing
  • LAW5315 Commercial alternative dispute resolution
  • LAW5325 Defamation law
  • LAW5332 International commercial arbitration
  • LAW5344 Negotiation: Essential skills for dispute resolution
  • LAW5355 Advocacy: Theory and practice
  • LAW5375 Arbitration of international commercial disputes
  • LAW5381 Human rights advocacy: Australian law and practice
  • LAW5408 Remedies in commercial disputes
  • LAW5410 Collaborative practice
  • LAW5411 Advanced mediation: Skills and theory A
  • LAW5412 Advanced mediation: Skills and theory B
  • LAW5421 Managing high conflict personalities in legal disputes
  • LAW5429 Advanced commercial negotiation skills
  • LAW5430 Advanced evidence and proof in litigation
  • LAW5432 Workplace investigations and misconduct
  • LAW5440 International commercial dispute resolution advocacy
  • LAW5443 Language, communication and legal process
  • LAW5457 Forensic evidence: Law, science, medicine and technology
  • LAW5460 Online dispute resolution
  • LAW5462 Non-adversarial practice
  • LAW5464 Negotiation and influence: Strategy and skills
  • LAW5606 Restitution
  • LAW5612 International litigation and arbitration
  • LAW5621 Mediation and law: From problem solving to narrative building
  • LAW5627 Judgment and decision-making
  • LAW5475 Issues in transnational dispute resolution
  • LAW5478 Strategic and public interest litigation

Labour and Employment Law

  • LAW5307 Occupational health and safety
  • LAW5315 Commercial alternative dispute resolution
  • LAW5319 Law of employee relations
  • LAW5344 Negotiation: Essential skills for dispute resolution
  • LAW5352 Digital workplace law
  • LAW5358 Current issues in workplace law
  • LAW5370 Discrimination law and human rights at work
  • LAW5374 Federal labour law
  • LAW5390 Workplace bargaining and agreements law
  • LAW5393 Law of workforce management
  • LAW5398 Transnational labour law
  • LAW5432 Workplace investigations and misconduct
  • LAW5464 Negotiation and influence: Strategy and skills
  • LAW5633 Contemporary workplace relations law

Criminal Law and Forensics

  • LAW5303 Forensic family law
  • LAW5310 Sentencing
  • LAW5334 Psychiatry, psychology and law
  • LAW5335 Contemporary problems in the administration of criminal justice
  • LAW5353 Cybercrime
  • LAW5354 International criminal justice
  • LAW5356 Corporate and white collar crime
  • LAW5365 Terrorism and human rights
  • LAW5376 International criminal law: Procedural and practical aspects
  • LAW5430 Advanced evidence and proof in litigation
  • LAW5457 Forensic evidence: Law, science, medicine and technology
  • LAW5469 Family violence, gender and law
  • LAW5470 Exposing failures and wrongdoing: royal commissions and public inquiries
  • LAW5618 Comparative cybercrime
  • LAW5476 The death penalty: Law, politics, and advocacy

Health Law and Community

  • LAW5303 Forensic family law
  • LAW5307 Occupational health and safety
  • LAW5334 Psychiatry, psychology and law
  • LAW5359 International human rights law and women
  • LAW5364 Economic, social and cultural rights and international law
  • LAW5407 Current issues in torts
  • LAW5409 Principles of family law
  • LAW5417 Children's rights in international law
  • LAW5424 Human trafficking, modern slavery and the law
  • LAW5428 Health law
  • LAW5436 International and comparative family law
  • LAW5438 Current issues in sports law
  • LAW5439 Sexual and gender minorities and human rights
  • LAW5451 Indigenous people and the law
  • LAW5456 Science, technology and law
  • LAW5457 Forensic evidence: Law, science, medicine and technology
  • LAW5459 Australians detained abroad
  • LAW5463 Children's law in action
  • LAW5467 Gender and the law
  • LAW5469 Family violence, gender and law
  • LAW5600 Issues in medical ethics and law
  • LAW5635 Contemporary issues in international sports law
  • LAW5639 Comparative indigenous rights
  • LAW5476 The death penalty: Law, politics, and advocacy

Areas of study

Learning outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework and Monash Graduate Attributes.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

  1. 1

    Demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and recent developments in a range of areas of law practice.

  2. 2

    Apply theories, knowledge and skills to different areas of law or to new situations in law or legal scholarship.

  3. 3

    Design, evaluate, implement, analyse and theorise developments that contribute to global professional practice or scholarship.

  4. 4

    Explain and justify arguments, methods, and conclusions to professional and non-professional audiences.

  5. 5

    Apply with integrity appropriate research principles and methods to plan, carry out and report on an original project.

  6. 6

    Demonstrate high level personal autonomy and judgement.

Entry requirements

English language

Above Monash Minimum: Level A that is:  IELTS (Academic): 6.5 overall (no band lower than 6.0); or Pearson Test of English (Academic): score of 58 overall with no band lower than 50; or TOEFL Internet-based test: score of 79 overall with minimum scores: Writing: 21, Listening: 12, Reading: 13 and Speaking: 18; or Equivalent approved English test

More information

Progression to further studies

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to a graduate research degree. If you wish to progress to graduate research degree you are advised to take LAW5083.

Other information

This expert graduate course provides a thorough theoretical and practical grounding in one or more areas of law. It is suitable for graduates interested in developing or enhancing specialist careers with knowledge of the law.

You investigate contemporary issues in law, practice and scholarship, and evaluate complex issues relevant to the field of theoretical, international, and interdisciplinary perspectives. The course enhances your capacity to undertake independent research, and includes options for a pathway to doctoral studies.

Common questions

How long is Master of Legal Studies?

1 years full time, 48 credit points. At 24 credit points a semester, that is 2 semesters of full-time study.

What specialisations can I take in Master of Legal Studies?

9 specialisations in 2021, including Commercial and corporate law; Criminal law and forensics; Dispute resolution; Global society and human rights; Health law and community; Labour and employment law; Public sector governance and regulation; and Technology and innovation.

Where can I study Master of Legal Studies?

At Monash Law Chambers.

How do I plan my Master of Legal Studies units?

Open the course in the MonMap planner. It lays out your semesters, checks prerequisites as you drag units in, and tracks the credit points each requirement still needs.

Course details

Qualification
Master's Degree (Coursework)
AQF level
Level 9
Credit points
48
Full time
1 Years
Part time
2 Years
Maximum time
4 years
Faculty
Faculty of Law
CRICOS code
0100562
Abbreviation
MLS
Award titles
Master of Legal Studies in Labour and Employment LawMaster of Legal Studies in Health Law and CommunityMaster of Legal Studies in Global Society and Human RightsMaster of Legal Studies in Criminal Law and ForensicsMaster of Legal StudiesMaster of Legal Studies in Technology and InnovationMaster of Legal Studies in Transnational Economic RegulationMaster of Legal Studies in Commercial and Corporate LawMaster of Legal Studies in Dispute ResolutionMaster of Legal Studies in Public Sector governance and Regulation
Handbook years
2020202120222023202420252026