Juris Doctor elective streams

Public Law deals with the powers, rights and obligations of the Commonwealth and State governments and the citizens governed by those laws. It includes constitutional, administrative, international and criminal law, and the laws that apply to the responsibility of public officers towards the state, each other, and the public.

Faculty experts who teach or research in Public Law: Alexandra Grey, Alecia Simmonds, Anita Stuhmcke, Beth Goldblatt, Brian Opeskin, Christine Giles, Elyse Methven, Eugene Schofield-Georgeson, Isabel Karpin, Jane Wangmann, Jennifer Burn, Karen Lee, Karen O’Connell, Katherine Biber, Laurie Berg, Linda Steele, Lisa Billington, Natalie Stoianoff, Nola Ries, Penny Crofts, Robin Bowley, Tracey Booth, Thalia Anthony 

Private Law concerns individuals and legal entities and their rights and obligations; the duties they owe each other, when will they be liable for breach and what remedies are available.  It is commonly regarded as embracing areas of law known as tort, contract, equity and property law and its content is drawn from common law and statute.  It includes fields of law such as corporate and commercial law. 

Faculty experts who teach or research in Private Law: Allison Silink, Anita Stuhmcke, Brett Heino, Catherine Robinson, Chris Croese, Colin Hawes, David Leary, David Lindsay, Des Finegan, Eugene Schofield-Georgeson, Evana Wright, Francis Johns, George Tian, Grace Li, Honni van Rijswijk, Isabella Alexander, Joellen Riley Munton, Maria Abertos, Michael Rawling, Michael Thomson, Natalie Stoianoff, Renata Grossi, Robin Bowley, Rod Smith, Shaunnagh Dorsett, Teresa Somes.

Legal Theory, Systems and History explores the theoretical study of law, embracing what is classically known as “jurisprudence”.  Jurisprudence seeks to explain the nature of law and inform our understanding of legal reasoning, legal systems, legal institutions and the role of law in society. This stream also explores different legal systems, aspects of legal history and other questions about law and society, legal philosophy and culture.

Note: The subjects which form the core legal theory subjects in the JD course are marked with an asterisk (*).

Faculty experts who teach or research in Legal Theory, Systems and History: Alecia Simmons, Ana Vrdoljak, Anthea Vogl, Beth Goldblatt, Brett Heino, Catherine Robinson, Colin Hawes, Elyse Methven, Eugene Schofield-Georgeson, Frances Simmons, Honni vanRijswijk, Isabel Karpin, Isabella Alexander, Jane Wangmann, Jenni Millbank, Jessie Hohmann, Karen O’Connell, Katherine Biber, Katheryn Greenman, Laurie Berg, Linda Steele, Lisa Billington, Maxine Evers, Michael Thomson,  Miranda Kaye, Nicole Watson, Patrick Lenta, Penny Crofts,  Ramona Vijeyarasa, Renata Grossi, Roberto Buonamano, Sara Dehm, Sacha Molitorisz, Shaunnagh Dorsett, Sophie Riley, Teresa Somes, Teri Libesman, Thalia Anthony, Tracey Booth, Trish Luker..

Legal Practice and Dispute Resolution offer specialised electives that examine different areas of legal practice and the resolution of disputes. These subjects form a valuable foundation for professional practice in the discipline of law. They are also relevant to Practical Legal Training (PLT), which is also offered at UTS.

Faculty experts who teach or research in Legal Practice and Dispute Resolution: Alexandra Grey, Anthea Vogl, Christine Giles, Des Finegan, Eugene Schofield-Georgeson, Evana Wright, Genevieve Wilkinson, Jane Rawlings, Jackie Jones, Linda Steele, Maria Abertos, Maryam Tabari, Maxine Evers, Miranda Kaye, Robin Bowley, Sara Dehm, Stuart Lowe, Thalia Anthony.

IIntellectual Property, Media and Technology address ideas, innovation and technology in a variety of different ways.  Intellectual Property laws protect ideas and innovations that create valuable forms of intangible personal property through copyright, design, trade mark and patent laws. Increasingly technology impacts the nature of these forms of property and the laws that protect and regulate them. Media law deals with the expression of ideas in the press.

Faculty experts who teach or research in Intellectual Property, Media and Technology: Andrew Mowbray, David Lindsay, David Leary, Derek Wilding, Evana Wright, Francis Johns, Genevieve Wilkinson, George Tian, Grace Li, Honni vanRijswijk, Isabella Alexander, Jane Rawlings,  Karen Lee, Kris Wilson, Maryam Tabari, Maxine Evers, Natalie Stoianoff, Ramona Vijeyarasa, Sacha Molitorisz.  

International law considers the rules, norms and standards generally accepted between nations in relation to matters such as war, diplomacy, trade and human rights. International law enables a deeper understanding of our role as global citizens. This stream also includes diverse subjects that address the increasingly global approach to the law with a particular focus on human rights and the environment.

Faculty experts who teach or research in International Law, Human Rights and The Environment: Alexandra Grey, Ana Vrdoljak, Anthea Vogl, Beth Goldblatt, Brian Opeskin, Colin Hawes, David Leary, Evana Wright, Genevieve Wilkinson, George Tian, Honni vanRijswijk, Jennifer Burn, Jessie Hohmann, Karen O’Connell, Kathryn Greenman, Laurie Berg,  Lisa Billington, Matthew Walsh, Natalie Stoianoff, Patrick Lenta, Ramona Vijeyarasa, Roberto Buonamano, Sara Dehm, Sophie Riley, Stuart Lowe, Terri Libesman, Thalia Anthony.

Health, Families and Children explores how the justice system impacts these areas in different ways. These subjects reflect current areas of focus which include reproduction, disability, health and violence, health and human rights, aging and chronic disease. This stream enables students to deepen their understanding of how the law regulates and intersects with public and private areas relating to individuals and families.   

Faculty experts who teach or research in Health, Families and Children: Anita Stuhmcke, Beth Goldblatt, Isabel Karpin, Jackie Jones, Jane Wangmann, Jenni Millbank, Karen O’Connell, Linda Steele, Michael Thomson, Miranda Kaye, Nola Ries, Patrick Lenta, Terri Libesman, Teresa Somes, Tracey Booth.

These subjects provide opportunities for students to study beyond the classroom. They also cover areas which are included in the above streams. These subjects offer international and local learning opportunities, such as internships, mooting and short courses. They also offer skills that enable students to be work-ready.