LAWS6096Child Law

Course handbook

Description

The module is designed to reflect both academic theories associated with childhood and children's rights, while also containing a strong emphasis on legal practice and the practical components of child law. The content is relevant to all students who hope to specialise in child and family law in their legal career, but also those who wish to work in the advocacy and human rights sectors both in Australia or internationally. The topics covered in this course include: • International Law and Children’s Rights, attachment theory and the impact of trauma on child development • The impact of the law on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children • Juvenile justice and the age of criminal responsibility • Child protection laws and practice in the care and protection jurisdiction in NSW • Representation of children before the Children’s Court of NSW • Court practice and advocacy before the Children’s Court of NSW • Adoption • Children’s capacity and medical treatment • The parents patriae jurisdiction

Availability2024 Course Timetables

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Identify and discuss the elements of a children's rights approach to legal issues that affect children and young people with regard to international laws and policies;

2. Critically analyse the role of law and the limits of the domestic legislative framework from a children's rights perspective, including to consider areas requiring law reform;

3. Demonstrate understanding of juvenile justice and child protection law (including legislation and relevant case law) and apply the law to problem scenarios concerning children and young people;

4. Critically reflect upon legal material presented in the context of professional practice with children and apply this to problem scenarios, demonstrating awareness of a children's rights approach;

5. Employ advocacy techniques used in practice before the Children's Court of NSW;

6. Understand the principles relating to legal representation of children

Content

1. International Law and Children’s Rights
2. Attachment theory and the impact of trauma on child development
3. The impact of the law on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children
4. Juvenile justice in NSW and the age of criminal responsibility
5. Child protection laws and practice and procedure in the care and protection jurisdiction in NSW
6. Representation of children before the Children’s Court of NSW
7. Court practice and advocacy before the Children’s Court of NSW
8. Adoption
9. Children’s capacity and medical treatment 
10. The parens patriae jurisdiction

Requisite

This course is only available to students enrolled in the programs:

[12334] Juris Doctor/Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (JD)

[12340] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12341] Bachelor of Social Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12342] Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12343] Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice/Bachelor of Laws(Honours)

[12346] Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12347] Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Diploma of Legal Practice

[12348] Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40036] Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40037] Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40129] Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40130] Bachelor of Development Studies/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40150] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40188] Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40189] Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40272] Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40279] Bachelor of Coastal and Marine Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40280] Bachelor of Biomedicine/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40290] Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[50005] Bachelor of Media and Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[50016] Juris Doctor

Assumed knowledge

LAWS6000 Legal System and Method I, and LAWS6001 Legal System and Method II

LAWS6002A Torts Part A, or LAWS6120 Torts I

LAWS6002B Torts Part B, or LAWS6121 Torts II

LAWS6003A & LAWS6003B Criminal Law & Procedure Part A & B, or LAWS6130 Criminal Law & Procedure

LAWS6004A Contracts Part A, or LAWS6140 Contracts I

LAWS6004B Contracts Part B, or LAWS6141 Contracts II

Assessment items

Written Assignment: Written Assignment - Letter of Advice

Quiz: Online Quizzes

Presentation: Oral Submissions - Video Presentation

Proposal / Plan: Research Proposal

Contact hours

Semester 2 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.