奧塔哥大學

The aims of the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme are to provide a good, general, critical legal education; to meet the requirements of the Council of Legal Education, so that holders of the degree are eligible for entry to the New Zealand legal profession; to provide students with skills in legal research, including use of electronic databases and search tools, writing, and advocacy, both formal and informal.

Law permeates all social activity. It defines relationships, protects rights, imposes obligations and gives structure to governmental and commercial enterprise.

Law graduates are well equipped to analyse complex issues, find solutions to a wide variety of problems and contribute to decision-making at all levels. They are skilled in the precise use of language, both oral and written. They understand the limits of law and its relationship with other social forces.

Many graduates find careers as lawyers in private practice, but others prefer to work in business, government, the public sector or welfare agencies.

Many students study Law in combination with a range of other disciplines including Marketing, Political Studies, the Sciences and Medicine.

Programme Requirements

1st year

• LAWS 101 The Legal System

108 points from any degree

2nd year

• LAWS 201 Criminal Law
• LAWS 202 Law of Contract
• LAWS 203 Property Law
• LAWS 204 Public Law
• LAWS 298 Legal Writing

3rd and 4th years

• LAWS 301 Law of Torts
• LAWS 302 Jurisprudence
• 210 further LAWS points (30 points of which may be from any other subject at 200-level or higher)
• LAWS 398 Legal Research Skills
• LAWS 498 Research and Writing
• LAWS 499 Advocacy Skills

LAWS 101 and at least 72 non-LAWS points are normally taken in the first year; any further papers to make a total of 108 non-LAWS points must be taken in the third or fourth year.

Structure of the Programme

Every degree programme shall

• normally be pursued over four years of full-time study
• consist of papers worth not less than 534 points;
• include 36 points for the 100-level Law paper (LAWS 101);
• include 180 points for the four 200-level Law papers (LAWS 201, LAWS 202, LAWS 203, LAWS 204) and the papers LAWS 301 and LAWS 302;
• include further LAWS papers worth at least 210 points, provided that a student may substitute for up to 30 of those points one or more papers at 200-level or higher worth at least 30 points prescribed for any other degree or diploma;
• include 108 points for papers in other programs.

To qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Laws, a candidate must also complete, to the satisfaction of the Dean of Law:

• LAWS 298 Legal Writing
• LAWS 398 Legal Research Skills
• LAWS 498 Research and Writing
• LAWS 499 Advocacy Skills

The Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LLB(Hons)) programme is also available. It aims to provide a good, general, critical legal education; to meet the requirements of the Council of Legal Education, so that holders of the degree are eligible for entry to the New Zealand legal profession; to provide students with skills in legal research, including use of electronic databases and search tools, writing, and advocacy, both formal and informal.