Hobart
Introduction
LAW452 focuses upon the main areas of professional responsibility of lawyers: (1) to clients; (2) to the court / administration of justice; and (3) to the profession and community. It commences with a discussion of ethics and professionalism, before moving onto the character (and other) requirements for admission to practice. The unit combines both theory and practical elements, and seeks to challenge students in assessing not only what ethical conduct for lawyers may involve, but to ponder the boundaries of ethical (and unethical) conduct in this context. To this end, beyond the three core sections noted above, the unit concludes by investigating standards of professional conduct from the perspective of professional discipline.
Summary
| Unit name | Legal Ethics |
| Unit code | LAW452 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | Arts and Society Faculty of Law |
| Discipline | Law |
| Coordinator | Doctor Olivia Rundle |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Honours |
Sustainable Development Goals
The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.
Availability
Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August
Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 21/2/2027 | 15/3/2027 | 18/4/2027 | 12/6/2027 |
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).
Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse, appraise and explain legal ethics and its relationship to the main areas of professional responsibility for lawyers.
- Apply and defend decisions chosen to resolve hypothetical factual scenarios demonstrating ethical conduct.
- Research and analyse a legal topic or problem pertaining to legal ethics.
- Work collaboratively in a group environment to prepare and submit an ethical approach to resolve a deliberately polemic topic.
Fee Information
2027 fee information will be available in August.
Requisites
Prerequisites
50 credit points of Advanced Law coreTeaching
| Teaching Pattern | Lecture: 2 hour weekly uploaded onto MyLO.
|
|---|---|
| Assessment | Assessment Task 1: Short essay assignment in teams (30%)|Assessment Task 2: Problem assignment (30%)|Assessment Task 3: Exam (40%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
G E Dal Pont, Lawyers’ Professional Responsibility, 8th ed, Lawbook Co, 2025 (or an alternative legal ethics book; eg Holmes and Bartlett, Parker and Evans's Inside Lawyers' Ethics : 4th ed, CUP, 2023).
You will also be required to access the following materials (available on-line):
https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sr-2016-077 |
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The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.