Course overview

Description

This is a professional doctorate consisting of a combination of coursework units and a thesis.

The Graduate Research School (GRS) manages this course.

Course title
Doctor of Juridical Science
Award abbreviation
SJD
Course code
20810
Course type
Professional Doctorate by thesis and coursework
Status
Current / 2024
Administered by
Graduate Research School
CRICOS code
024815G

Course details

Intake periods
Throughout the year
Attendance type
Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
Articulation
The Doctor of Juridical Science has the following exit award: 20500 Master of Laws (48 points) (48 points)
Credit points required
144
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester.
Standard course duration
3 years
Time limit
9 years
Delivery mode
Internal
Locations offered
UWA (Perth)
Domestic fee type
RTP
Available to international students
Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
Course Coordinator(s)
Patricia Cardoso
Fees
Visit the fees calculator.

Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.

No study plans found for this course. See study plans for more information.

Course structure

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2024 – may be available in 2025 or 2026
NS
non-standard teaching period

All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.

Take unit(s) to the value of 42 points:

Note: The Faculty may permit a student to substitute up to 18 credit points from units offered in the UWA Law School Masters programs.

Group A
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
NSLAWS6109Dispute Resolution
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
LAWS5109 Dispute Resolution
Students must attend every day of the intensive period 13-24 February 2023 . Refer to the timetable for exact class times.
NSLAWS6114International Environmental Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
LAWS5114 International Environmental Law
Students must attend both online workshop 16th Jan and on campus workshops 30th, 31st Jan and 1st Feb 2023.
S2LAWS6118Family Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5118 Family Law
3 hours per week
N/ALAWS6128Consumer Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
LAWS5128 Consumer Law
4 hours per week
S2LAWS6132Income Taxation Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
LAWS5132 Income Taxation Law
lectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: 5 x 2 hours
S1LAWS6150Intellectual Property Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5150 Intellectual Property Law
3 hours per week
S1LAWS6152Media Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5152 Media Law
3hrs per week
N/ALAWS6167Comparative Legal Method
Incompatibility
LAWS3331 Comparative Law, LAWS5167 Comparative Law
*LAWS6168Federal JurisdictionNoneThis unit will run 29 September - 2 October. Students must attend every day of the intensive period.
NSLAWS6179Law of the Sea
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
LAWS5179 Law of the Sea
Teaching dates for this unit are 10,12,17,19 July 2024. Please refer to the timetable website for session times and venues. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
S2LAWS6181Health Law and Policy
Prerequisites
LAWS4102 Criminal Law, LAWS4106 Torts, LAWS4108 Foundations of Public Law
Incompatibility
LAWS6324 Medicine and the Law
3 hours per week
N/ALAWS6187Succession Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
LAWS5187 Succession Law
3 hours per week
N/ALAWS6189Advanced Topics in Private Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
LAWS5189 Advanced Topics in Private Law
Seminars: 3 hours per week for 12 weeks
NSLAWS6192Introduction to Roman Private Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
LAWS5192 Introduction to Roman Private Law
This unit will run as a mixture of online and in person classes. 18 x 1 hour lectures will be online (uploaded a week before their relevant workshop). Workshops 1-4 will be online (27 and 29 June and 4 and 6 July). Workshops 5-9 will be in person (11, 18, 20, 25 and 27 July).
S2LAWS6209Advanced Public Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5209 Advanced Public Law
3 hours per week
NSLAWS6215Theory & Practice of Risk Regulation
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5215 Theory & Practice of Risk Regulation
Students must attend every day of the intensive period 11-14 April 2023
NSLAWS6219International Criminal Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Co-requisites
for Master of International Law (coursework) (21520) and Graduate Diploma in International Law (21320) students: LAWS5224 Foundations of Public International Law or equivalent.
for students in other courses: none
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5219 International Criminal Law
Students must attend every day of the intensive period. 2,4,9,11 October 2024
NSLAWS6220International Humanitarian Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5220 International Humanitarian Law
Intensive period 2 - 9 August 2023. Refer to the timetable website for further information. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory and pre reading including recorded lectures must be completed before these dates.
NSLAWS6223Theories of Justice and Punishment
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5223 Theories of Justice and Punishment
August Intensive. 7-28 August 2023. Attendance Compulsory
NSLAWS6224Foundations of Public International Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5224 Foundations of Public International Law
Teaching dates for this unit are 14-17 February 2023. Please refer to the timetable website for session times and venues. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory and pre reading including recorded lectures must be completed before these dates.
NSLAWS6225Theory, Method and Contemporary Issues of International Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Co-requisites
LAWS5224 Foundations of Public International Law or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5225 Theory, Method and Contemporary Issues of International Law
Content will be available from 17th February 2023. Students are expected to attend all classes (1st and 8th March 2023 from 9.30am to 5pm)
NSLAWS6226International Human Rights Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Co-requisites
for Master of International Law (coursework) (21520) and Graduate Diploma in International Law (21320) students: LAWS5224 Foundations of Public International Law or equivalent.
for students in other courses: none
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5226 International Human Rights Law
Students must attend 3 days, face-to-face: Monday 29th May 2023, Wednesday 31st May 2023 and Friday 2nd June 2023.
NSLAWS6230Aviation Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
LAWS5230 Aviation Law
This unit will run 18-21 April 2023. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
NSLAWS6234Taxation of Trusts
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
LAWS5234 Taxation of Trusts
Students must attend every day of the intensive period 14-17 November 2023. Refer to the timetable website for further information.
NSLAWS6251International Sales LawNoneStudents must attend every day of the intensive period 27 February - 1 March 2024. Refer to the timetable website for further information.
NSLAWS6260Intersections of Law, Policy and Government
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
LAWS5260 Intersections of Law, Policy and Government
The unit is delivered in blended mode. This means that approximately half of the unit involves pre-recorded and prepared modules that you work through at your own pace. Online modules for this unit will open Late February Attendance required 16 March 2023 Online, 27April-2May 2023 on campus.
NSLAWS6261Planning Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5261 Planning Law
This unit will run intensively 6-10 February 2023. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
NSLAWS6296Technology Law and Governance
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5296 Technology Law and Governance
November Intensive. Attendance compulsory on 18/29/30 Nov; 5/6/7 Dec 2023
N/ALAWS6297The Global Lawyer
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5297 The Global Lawyer
5 full days
N/ALAWS6298Human Capital
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5298 Human Capital
3 hours per week
NSLAWS6327Advanced Evidence and ProofNoneThis unit will run 2-5 April 2024. Attendance at all sessions is compulsory.
NSLAWS6358Innovations in Legal Practice Management
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5358 Innovations in Legal Practice Management
Seminars: 5 days (9am - 4pm) January Intensive 28/29 Jan, 4/5/11 Feb 2023. Attendance compulsory
N/ALAWS6360Employment LawNone
NSLAWS6378Government Accountability—Law and Practice
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5378 Government Accountability—Law and Practice
January Intensive. 18-24 January 2023. Attendance compulsory
NSLAWS6398Construction Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Co-requisites
enrolment in
Master of Mining and Energy Laws (20550), Master of International Commercial Law (21510), Graduate Diploma in Mining and Energy Law (20370), Graduate Diploma in Law (20320), Master of Commercial and Resources Law (20560)
or Master of Laws (20500)
or Master of Architecture (25520)
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5398 Construction Law
This unit will run 21-24 November 2023. Please refer to the timetable website for session times and venues. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
N/ALAWS6504Insurance LawNonelectures: 2 hours per week; tutorials: 1 hour per week
NSLAWS6521Climate Change Law and Emissions TradingNoneStudents must attend every day of the intensive period 10-12 July 2024. Refer to the timetable website for further information.
NSLAWS6576International Commercial Arbitration
Incompatibility
LAWS3307 International Commercial Arbitration, LAWS5576 International Commercial Arbitration
Students must attend every day of the intensive period 24-28 June 2024. Refer to the timetable website for further information.
N/ALAWS6577Space and Satellite Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5577 Space and Satellite Law
5 full days of intensive teaching plus online modules before the intensive
N/ALAWS6589Energy Regulation: Sustainable Oil and Gas LawNoneStudents must attend every day of the intensive period 15-17 August Refer to the timetable website for further information.
N/ALAWS6590Water Resources LawNone
NSLAWS6596Mergers and Acquisitions
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5596 Mergers and Acquisitions
Students must attend every day of the intensive period 5-8 September 2023. Refer to the timetable website for further information.
N/ALAWS6713Environmental Protection LawNoneoffered intensively
NSLAWS6717Unjust Enrichment and Restitution
Incompatibility
LAWS3392 Unjust Enrichment and Restitution
Students must attend every day of the intensive period. 6-10 Feb 2023
NSLAWS6726Mining Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5517 Mining Law
Students must attend every day of the intensive period 25-27 October 2023. Refer to the timetable website for further information.
NSLAWS6727Energy Agreements: Oil and Gas, Alternative Energy and Sustainability
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5532 Energy Agreements: Oil and Gas, Alternative Energy and Sustainability
Students must attend every day of the intensive period 18-20 July 2023. Refer to the timetable website for further information.
S1, S2LAWS6750Research Paper INone
S1, S2LAWS6751Research Paper II (12 points)
Incompatibility
LAWS9752 Research Paper III Part 1
and LAWS9753 Research Paper III Part 2
S1, S2LAWS6752Research Paper III Part 1
Co-requisites
Students taking Part 1 in Semester 1 must take Part 2 in the following Semester 2.
students taking Part 1 in Semester 2 must take Part 2 in the following Semester 1.
Incompatibility
LAWS9751 Research Paper II
S1, S2LAWS6753Research Paper III Part 2
Prerequisites
Students may only take this unit if they have completed LAWS9752 in the previous semester.
Incompatibility
LAWS9751 Research Paper II
N/ALAWS6820Legislation in Practice
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20810 Doctor of Juridical Science
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
LAWS5820 Legislation in Practice
3 hours per week

Take unit(s) to the value of 102 points:

Group B
AvailabilityUnit codeUnitnameUnit requirementsContact hours
S1LAWS6979Advanced Legal Theory and Research MethodologyNoneThis unit will run as a mixture of compulsory and optional sessions. Compulsory sessions run 2-4pm 18 and 25 March, 8 and 15 April and 6 May.
S1, S2LAWS6980Doctoral Thesis (full-time) (96 points)
Prerequisites
successful completion of
Doctor of Juridical Science (20810) coursework units to a value of 48 points with a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent
S1, S2LAWS6981Doctoral Thesis (part-time) (96 points)
Prerequisites
successful completion of
Doctor of Juridical Science (20810) coursework units to a value of 48 points with a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent

See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.

Rules

Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures

1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.

(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules

2.(1) Except as stated in (2), a student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).

(2) A student who has previously achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the CARS module is not required to repeat the module.

(3) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.

English Language competency requirements

3.(1) To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.

(2) Applicants presenting with the IELTS Academic require an overall score of at least 7.0 and no band less than 6.5.

(3) Applicants presenting with the TOEFL iBT require an overall score of at least 106, a miminum score of 28 in the Speaking section, and no other sub-score less than 26.

(4) Applicants presenting with the TOEFL Paper Based score require an overall score of at least 580 and a miminum score of 5.0 in the Essay Rating / Test of Written English (TWE).

(5) Applicants presenting with the Pearson Test of English (PTE) (Academic) require an overall score of at least 70 and no sub-score less than 70.

(6) Applicants presenting with the UWA Centre for English Language Teaching (CELT) Bridging Course require a minimum grade of Grade A (85%) in the final CELT examination, with no band less than 80%.

Admission requirements

4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a) the Bachelor of Laws with first or upper second class honours; or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;

or

(b) (i) a Juris Doctor or Master of Laws, including a 12 point research project, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and

(ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 70 per cent;

or

(c) (i) a bachelor's degree in law, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA; and

(ii) evidence of adequate research preparation as recognised by UWA; and

(iii) at least two years of relevant professional experience, or

(d) (i) completed 24 points of a Master of Laws (LLM) at UWA or elsewhere, including a 12 points research paper;

(ii) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 70 percent on completed LLM units; and

(iii) a mark of at least 70 percent in the 12 points research paper.

Admission ranking and selection

5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.

Articulations and exit awards

6.(1) This course has the following exit award:

  • 20500 Master of Laws (48 points)

(2) A student who withdraws from the Doctor of Juridical Science course before completing it, but after completing the requirements of a UWA Master of Laws, with a minimum WAM of 65%, may apply to the School to be awarded the Master of Laws.

Course structure

7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 144 points.

(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.

Satisfactory progress

8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.

9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.

Progress status

10. Unless the GRS determines otherwise in exceptional circumstances, a student who fails to achieve an overall average mark of 70 per cent in the units taken from Group A is assigned the progress status of 'Excluded' by the GRS.

11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.

Award with distinction

12. This rule is not applicable to this course.

Deferrals

13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).

Additional rules
Research proposal

14.(1) A student, other than one transferring from a Master of Laws, must provide a research proposal to the Graduate Research School for approval, through the Head of School and supervisor(s), within six months from the date of first enrolment for the course if enrolment is full-time, nine months part-time or the equivalent if the enrolment is part-time or a mixture of full- and part-time.

(2) A student who wishes to transfer from Master of Laws candidature must provide a research proposal for approval at the time of application for admission to the Doctor of Juridical Science.

Progress reports

15.(1) A student must provide an annual progress report, through the Head of School and supervisor(s), in accordance with procedures determined by the Board of the Graduate Research School.

(2) The report provided by the student must be forwarded by the Head of School to the Board of the Graduate Research School with a recommendation on whether the student should be permitted to re-enrol.

Credit

16. A student admitted into the Doctor of Juridical Science via clause 4(d) will be credited with 18 points of SJD coursework from their Master of Laws studies.

Academic Conduct and Research Integrity unit

17.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct and Research Integrity unit (the ACRI module) and complete within the first six months from the date of commencement in the course.

(2) A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the ACRI module when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in the rules for this course.

(3) A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of (2) is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation'.

Confirmation of Candidature

18.(1) Confirmation of candidature is subject to the student completing certain agreed requirements within an agreed timeline.

(2) The requirements to be completed by the student and the timeline within which they must be completed must be agreed in writing by the student and their supervisors and the Head of School.

(3) A student must include an outline of the agreed requirements with the research proposal submitted in accordance with Rule 14, and the requirements are approved with the Research Proposal

(4) Students who have been enrolled full-time must normally have completed all agreed requirements by the date for submission of the first annual progress report.

(5) Students who have been enrolled part-time must normally have completed all agreed requirements at least by the date for submission of the second annual progress report.

(6) If the student completes all agreed requirements satisfactorily by the agreed time, candidature is confirmed by the Board.

(7) If the student does not complete all agreed requirements satisfactorily by the agreed time, candidature is terminated by the Board unless—

(a) the student is granted an extension of time in accordance with (8);

or

(b) the student has been permitted to downgrade candidature to the Master of Laws

(8) The Board, in consultation with the relevant head(s) of school(s), may grant the student an extension of three months full-time equivalent in which to complete the agreed tasks.

(9) A student who has been granted an extension of time in accordance with (8) is required to submit an interim report certifying that the agreed tasks have been completed.

(10) If a student who has been granted an extension of time in accordance with (8) completes the agreed tasks satisfactorily by the end of the period of extension, candidature is confirmed.

(11) If a student who has been granted an extension of time in accordance with (8) does not complete the agreed tasks by the end of the period of extension and, in the opinion of the Board,

there are no exceptional circumstances, the Board, in consultation with the Head(s) of School, terminates the candidature.

Terms used:

19. the Board: means the Board of the Graduate Research School and includes any position to which the Board has delegated authority for a particular function.

Head of School: means a person appointed or acting in that capacity or the Graduate Research Coordinator of the school, Graduate Research Coordinators being designated academics who have been approved by the head of school and the Board to act on behalf of the head of school on matters pertaining to Higher Degrees by Research;