Global subjects

Melbourne Law School offers elective subjects globally that provide students with the opportunity to meet and network with international practitioners at institutional hubs.


Indigenous Law in Aotearoa and Australia

Auckland, New Zealand and Melbourne, Australia - one month

Quota: 10-12 students

This subject will be taught intensively in Aotearoa-New Zealand in collaboration with our host, the University of Auckland.

The subject aims to equip students with expert knowledge on current Indigenous legal issues in Aotearoa and Australia, including contemporary treaty Issues and the influence of Indigenous law in settler legal systems. Comparative perspectives on the ways in which Indigenous law is recognised, taught and practised will be emphasised. Students will be encouraged to think critically about the ways that settler law does and does not recognise Indigenous law and Indigenous law-making authority in these legally pluralistic countries. We will learn from Indigenous scholars and community leaders about strategies for asserting Indigenous law as part of self-governance, and the place of concepts of legal theory, legal traditions, sovereignty and territory in these debates.

Further information is available on the subject's Handbook entry.

Indigenous students are strongly encouraged to apply for this subject, and the subject is open to all students that have an interest in Indigenous law. The subject aims to facilitate the building of a network of committed and talented advocates for Indigenous peoples and their interests.

If permitted, this subject will involve travel to New Zealand in July. In the absence of travel permission, more information will be provided.

Information Sessions

Information sessions for this subject are typically held in May.

Further information on JD LMS Community

Application Dates

Applications for this subject typically open in May ahead of each year's intake.

Further information on JD LMS Community

Handbook details

Students can access the current handbook for more information: LAWS90214


Law and Legal Practice in Asia

Indonesia and Melbourne, Australia - one month

Quota: 10-12 students

The aim of this subject is to provide students with an enhanced understanding of law and legal practice in an Asian jurisdiction through intensive seminars,  supervision of a research project on an Asian jurisdiction, and legal experience in an approved role in an Asia-based workplace setting.

Further information is available on the subject's Handbook entry.

If travel to Indonesia is not possible, online internships will be permitted. If travel to Indonesia is possible, students are responsible for making their own logistical arrangements and bookings, including visas, but the subject coordinator will provide support.

Information Sessions

Information sessions for this subject are typically held in May.

Further information on JD LMS Community

Application Dates

Applications for this subject typically open in May ahead of each year's intake.

Further information on JD LMS Community

Handbook details

Students can access the current handbook for more information: LAWS90006


Access to Justice on Country

Larrakia Country, Northern Territory, Australia – two weeks

Quota: 15 students

This subject will be taught intensively on Larrakia Country in collaboration with a range of public organisations and NGOs based in the Northern Territory.

This subject is an experiential and ‘On-Country’ learning experience, delivered on site on a chosen First Nations Country, as well as in classes taught on Wurundjeri Country at MLS. Through on Country experience and engagement with a range of organisations and practitioners, students will consider key and emerging issues of access-to-justice that lawyers must critically engage with in their work, with particular attention to First Nations justice.

Students in this subject will consider community understandings and aspirations of justice in the settler-colony, key barriers and debates in relation to enhancing public access-to-justice, emerging justice models and the ethical duties and interpersonal conduct of lawyers responding to these dynamics. As a group, we will seek to understand how to navigate barriers to access to justice together, including by questioning what justice really means and who gets to define it.

Further information is available on the subject's Handbook entry.

Indigenous students are strongly encouraged to apply for this subject, and the subject is open to all students that have an interest in Indigenous law.

Information Sessions

Information sessions for this subject are typically held in January.

Further information on JD LMS Community

Application Dates

Applications for this subject typically open in May ahead of each year's intake.

Further information on JD LMS Community

Handbook details

Students can access the current handbook for more information: LAWS90257


New Technology Law

Singapore – one week

Quota: 30 students

This subject investigates the way in which new technological innovation is affecting almost every aspect of the law. It will provide students with an advanced understanding of the impact of new technologies on the business and practice of law.

Further information is available on the subject's Handbook entry.

Information Sessions

Information sessions for this subject are typically held in January.

Further information on JD LMS Community

Application Dates

Applications for this subject typically open in May ahead of each year's intake.

Further information on JD LMS Community

Handbook details

Students can access the current handbook for more information: LAWS90107

Scholarships and funding

Opportunities may be available from the following:

Insurance

Participating students may be eligible for free University of Melbourne travel insurance.

Enquiries

For enquiries regarding international opportunities at Melbourne Law School, please contact the Academic Programs Coordinator at law-global@unimelb.edu.au. Please provide 2-3 dates and times when requesting an appointment.