UnitLevel 5Postgraduate

LAW5004 Principles of public law and statutory interpretation

Faculty of Law

LAW5004 Principles of public law and statutory interpretation is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Law. It isn't offered in 2026. It needs LAW5000 and unlocks 1 unit, leading on to 2 units in all.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2026
Other periods
Monash Law Chambers
Assessment
Exam 60%
and 2 other tasks

This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Before LAW5004

After LAW5004

1 unit list LAW5004 as a prerequisite or corequisite.

Overview

The unit will introduce the basic principles of public law, government and statutory interpretation in Australian law. The unit will investigate the range of legal devices whereby Australia is governed, and will introduce key ideas pertaining to public legal entities, including the Crown. Fundamental principles of public law will be considered, together with the broader contexts in which they arise and operate. So will fundamental constitutional relationships between each of Parliament, the executive and the judiciary. The unit will also deal with statutory interpretation in depth, beginning with the fundamental constitutional principle of parliamentary supremacy, and exploring how the rules and principles of statutory interpretation flow from an understanding of the constitutional relationship between Parliament and the judiciary.

Offerings in 2026

Teaching periodCampusMode
Trimester 1Monash Law ChambersOn campus, block
Trimester 2Monash Law ChambersOn campus, block
Trimester 3Monash Law ChambersOn campus, block

Assessment

  • Class participationDemonstration
    10%
  • Written assignmentWritten
    30%
  • Final ExamExamination
    60%

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. 1

    Explain and demonstrate an advanced understanding of the public law principles and institutional arrangements that underpin the Australian system of government and shape the process of statutory interpretation, including representative democracy, the rule of law, separation pf powers, constitutionalism, federalism and human rights.

  2. 2

    Articulate, critically analyse the purposes and scope of the fundamental constitutional rules and public law principles that govern the relationships between Parliament, the executive and the judiciary and govern the process of statutory interpretation.

  3. 3

    Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues;

  4. 4

    Demonstrate the capacity to critically analyse and give a reasoned legal opinion in response to specific legal problems by applying the legal principles and values that underpin Australia’s system of government, legal system, and process of statutory interpretation of legislation.

  5. 5

    Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive; and

  6. 6

    Learn and work independently and make use of feedback to support your further learning.

Workload and teaching

  • Workshops36 hours
  • Teaching approachActive learning

Students enrolled in this unit will be provided with 36 contact hours of workshops per teaching period. Students 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
Dr Tyrone Berger
Professor Melissa Castan
William Moisis

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for LAW5004?

You need LAW5000 before you enrol.

What can I take after LAW5004?

LAW5004 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including LAW5007. Those lead on to 2 units in all.

When is LAW5004 offered?

LAW5004 has no offerings listed in the 2026 handbook.

Does LAW5004 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
5
Study level
Postgraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Law
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 4
Study abroad
Available