This course is a compulsory component of the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice Program.  Students are introduced to issues arising in commercial law practice. The emphasis is on understanding the legal and business issues that commercial clients may bring to a practitioner. Issues covered include:

• advising on the selection of appropriate business structures
• drafting and amending commercial documentation
• understanding loans and securities
• acting on the sale and purchase of  a business
• considering relevant State/Territory and Federal revenue law issues.

  Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• conduct commercial transactions
• set up commercial structures
• deal with loans and securities
• advise on Revenue Law and Practice
• advise certain aspects of Taxation Law.

Assessment for this course includes three major assessment pieces, comprising oral and written assessment, as well as reflective writing pieces.

It is expected that compulsory courses, in the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice Program, require students to set aside approximately 10-15 hours per week to dedicate towards each course.  All activities, for the course, occur on-line and there is no face to face component.

The course is designed for law graduates intending to proceed into legal practice.

Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice must complete the Skills for Practice course before beginning this course.

There are no incompatible courses.

It is helpful but not essential if students have completed taxation law in their undergraduate studies.

There are no prescribed texts for the course other than the course content book and resources provided on or as links to the course website.

Preliminary reading is advised to students through the course website in WebCT.

Reading lists are available through the course website in WebCT.

This course makes extensive use of online technology for accessing resources, activities and assessment.  It is in your best interests to ensure you have a secure computer, preferably at home, where you can access all on-line information without restriction or difficulty.

If you intend using IT supplied by your employer, please be aware that you are likely to experience difficulties accessing key on-line resources due to firewall and security restrictions.

The computer you intend to use should meet the following minimum specifications.

Hardware

• CD ROM/ DVD Player
• Sound Card and speakers
• Video Card
• Modem
• Broadband (dial-up access is not recommended) access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• Printer

Software

• Firefox is the recommended web browser
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free download)
• Real Player (Free download)
• Microsoft Word

WebCT relies heavily on the use of "pop ups". You will need to disable "pop up blockers" for WebCT on your internet browser and or Firewall/Anti virus software and toolbars.

When Offered and Delivery Mode:  This online 8 week course is offered twice a year in the 2^nd and 4^th teaching periods.

Classification in Graduate Studies Select:  Specialist. In addition an elective in the GDLP program, can be used as part of the articulation into the LLM and LLM (in practice) programs.