Do you want to know your basic legal rights and obligations? Gain an understanding of the operation of the Australian legal system, dispute resolution, how laws are made and concepts of justice by studying VCE Legal Studies. You will understand what’s happening in our courts, know how to influence changes in the law and know more about your legal rights. Legal Studies is one of the most popular VCE subjects. It provides you with the opportunity to understand the operation of our justice system. It can lead to the following specific careers:
Barrister • Civil Rights Investigator • Clerk of Courts • Conveyancer • Corporate Counsellor • Criminologist • Cultural Heritage Officer • Industrial Relations Consultant • Judge • Lawyer • Legal Advisor • Legal Secretary • Mediator • Ombudsman • Police Prosecutor • Political Scientist • Risk Assurance Consultant • Solicitor • Trade Practice Compliance Officer • Victims Support Officer
And also help with the following general careers:
Administration • Advocacy • Banking and Finance • Border Management • Broadcasting • Consulting • Customs • Human Resource Professional • Journalism • Legal Publishing • Occupational Health and Safety • Police and Corrections • Policy Research • Politics • Public Service • Real Estate Management • Recruitment • Teaching • Trade Union Organising • Wealth Management/Investment Banking
In Unit 3, students examine the methods and institutions in the criminal and civil justice system, and consider their appropriateness in determining criminal cases and resolving civil disputes. Students consider the Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Supreme Court within the Victorian court hierarchy, as well as other means and institutions used to determine and resolve cases. Students explore topics such as the rights available to an accused and to victims in the criminal justice system, the roles of the judge, jury, legal practitioners and the parties, and the ability of sanctions and remedies to achieve their purposes. Students investigate the extent to which the principles of justice are upheld in the justice system. Throughout this unit, students apply legal reasoning and information to actual and/or hypothetical scenarios.
In Unit 4, students explore how the Australian Constitution establishes the law-making powers of the Commonwealth and state parliaments, and how it protects the Australian people through structures that act as a check on parliament in law-making. Students develop an understanding of the significance of the High Court in protecting and interpreting the Australian Constitution. They investigate parliament and the courts, and the relationship between the two in law-making, and consider the roles of the individual, the media and law reform bodies in influencing changes to the law, and past and future constitutional reform. Throughout this unit, students apply legal reasoning and information to actual and/or hypothetical scenarios.
School-assessed coursework for Unit 3 will contribute 25 per cent to the study score, while that for Unit 4 will also contribute 25 per cent to the study score, making an overall total of 50 per cent. The remaining 50 per cent of the study score is derived from the end of the year final examination set by the VCAA.
For more detailed information, please click on the link/s below:
Edrolo, Units 3 and 4 VCE Legal Studies textbook and online resource- will be purchased and distributed to students by the school