LAW5001 Principles of criminal law and procedure
Faculty of Law
LAW5001 Principles of criminal law and procedure is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Law. It isn't offered in 2026. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 1 unit.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Other periods
- Monash Law Chambers
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 3 other tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before LAW5001
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
After LAW5001
1 unit list LAW5001 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
The unit examines the principles and aims of the criminal law and criminal procedure. You will study the definition and elements of crimes in the context of fatal and non-fatal offences against the person, the major sexual offences, property offences, and relevant defences; criminal responsibility and strict liability; the roles of principal agencies in the criminal justice system, and central elements of the criminal process and sentencing.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | Monash Law Chambers | On campus, block |
| Trimester 2 | Monash Law Chambers | On campus, block |
| Trimester 3 | Monash Law Chambers | On campus, block |
Assessment
- Class ParticipationDemonstration10%
- Oral presentationPresentation10%
- Legal problem solving assignmentWritten30%
- Final examExamination50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Critically evaluate the purpose and scope of criminal laws with reference to theories of criminal justice, inter-disciplinary and policy perspectives;
- 2
Recognise and reflect upon ethical issues arising in criminal law practice and the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and service to the community;
- 3
Demonstrate legal research and reasoning skills and professional judgment to generate appropriate responses to complex legal problems
- 4
Identify and articulate complex legal issues, engage in critical analysis of professional conclusions and make reasoned choices among alternatives;
- 5
Demonstrate cognitive and creative skills to generate appropriate responses to legal issues;
- 6
Demonstrate skills of oral and or/written communication to address legal problems in a collaborative project; and
- 7
Critically reflect on your own strengths, weaknesses and development needs as a legal professional.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops30 hours
- Tutorials6 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Students enrolled in this unit will be provided with 30 contact hours of workshops, plus 6 hours of tutorials per teaching period. You will be expected to do reading set for class, and to undertake additional research and reading applicable to a 6 credit point unit.
Learning resources
Required resources
See the Moodle unit page for prescribed and recommended resources. Prescribed texts are usually available for purchase through the University Bookstore and are sometimes available for short-term loan or as eBooks through the library.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Gaye Lansdell
- Clement Ng
- Dr Jacqui Horan
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for LAW5001?
None, but you must take LAW5000 before or alongside it.
What can I take after LAW5001?
LAW5001 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including LAW5012.
When is LAW5001 offered?
LAW5001 has no offerings listed in the 2026 handbook.
Does LAW5001 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.