Law School

Federal Jurisdiction

A thorough understanding of jurisdiction is vital before commencing proceedings in any court. Chapter III of the Commonwealth Constitution and Commonwealth legislation enacted pursuant to Chapter III vests federal jurisdiction in courts and, in so doing, grants courts with the relevant authority to decide a ‘matter'. This unit will focus on the history of federal jurisdiction, the key concepts necessary for a working understanding of federal jurisdiction and the significance of its operation within the Australian federation. Students will acquire a practical understanding of how federal jurisdiction operates by analysing a range of High Court decisions and case studies.

Date: 28 September - 2 October 2020
Price: $3,300.00 + online fee
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Environmental Protection Law

This short course is for legal practitioners and other professionals interested in the environmental protection regulatory framework in Western Australia, in its national and international contexts.

The course will give a thorough insight into the State and Commonwealth law for the prevention of pollution and environmental harm and for environmental impact assessment in Western Australia law. We study the key legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA), Contaminated Sites Act 2003 (WA) and the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), and the developing body of case law. The course gives a foundation in core principles, notes significant recent developments and addresses reforms.

Date: 18 – 29 May 2020
CPD: Points for competency areas 2, 3 and 4.
Price: $1,365.00 + online fee for whole course; registrations may be shared. 
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Climate Change Law and Emissions Trading

This course will examine in detail the Commonwealth’s clean energy legislation and related policies, together with the climate change international law and policy framework in which it operates. It will also examine the laws and policies of the Australian states and territories. The workshop will benefit lawyers, business people, academics, those working at all levels of government, policymakers, and those from non-government organisations.

Date: 15 - 17 July 2020
Price: $2,530.00 + online fee
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Mining Law

This workshop will provide an intensive course of study on Mining Law in Western Australia. It is designed to be a comprehensive review for lawyers, for professionals and business people, non-government organisations and government administrators working in or with Mining Law. The three day workshop will comprise of five sessions, each morning and afternoon, comprising a lecture followed by a tutorial discussion of a problem raising the issues of law presented in the lecture.

Oil and Gas Agreements

Date: 11 - 13 November 2020
This three-day workshop provides a clear understanding of legal agreements which underpin the operation of the oil and gas industry. Lawyers, government officials and oil and gas company personnel who require an appreciation of the legal context of oil and gas agreements will benefit from the expertise gained in this course.

Price: $2,530.00 + online fee
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Construction Law

This course covers several important doctrines of contract law and equity, as well as key legislation specific to issues which commonly arise under construction contracts.

In an effort to explore all of these areas of the law, we will follow the journey through a hypothetical project for the design and construction of a power station on a mine site, from negotiation of the contract through some of the issues which most often arise, to a consideration of dispute resolution of those issues.

Date: 30 November - 2 December 2020
Price: $2,530.00 + online fee
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Base Erosion, Profit Shifting and Transfer Pricing

This short course examines the internationally important areas of transfer pricing and Base Erosion and Profit Shifting. The OECD led program on BEPS will be explored in depth and its international implications considered. The fundamental sources applicable to transfer pricing, how to carry out a functional analysis and other issues in a transfer pricing context will also be a core aspect of the program.

Date: 2 - 5 June 2020
Price: $3,300.00 + online fee
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Advanced Australian International Taxation

This unit reviews the application of Australian income tax law to international transactions and structures. It covers both inbound and outbound scenarios, as well as individuals and companies. The core areas to be studied are Australian law in relation to tax residence and source; the withholding tax regime; the elimination of double taxation; the controlled foreign company (CFC) regime; the transferor trusts regime; Australia's double taxation agreements; thin capitalisation and transfer pricing in Australian law.

Date: 7 - 10 July 2020
Price: $3,300.00 + online fee
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Resource Taxation

This four day workshop examines the taxation of resource projects and resource companies in Australia, it covers income tax, royalties, petroleum resource rent tax and state duties. The course will also look at common tax issues which arise for resource companies in domestic and cross-border transactions. A range of non-renewable resource industries are covered, including mining, oil and gas. Lawyers, accountants, government officials and resource company personnel who need a working knowledge of how resource projects and resource transactions are taxed will benefit from this course.

Date: 17 - 25 September 2020
Price: $3,300.00 + online fee
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Taxation of Trusts

This unit covers the complex Australian taxation of trusts in relation to both domestic and foreign trusts. Core issues examines are—the nature of a trust; trusts in tax legislation; the statutory scheme in trust taxation; present entitlement; streaming of trust income; anti-avoidance; trust losses; capital gains and trusts; taxation of non-resident trusts and taxation of non-resident trust beneficiaries.

Date: 6 - 9 October 2020
Price: $3,300.00 + online fee
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Taxation Law of a Foreign State

This unit examines the core principles of the income taxation and other relevant tax of a foreign State. It also examines the tax administration system and relevant legal and equivalent institutions. The primary focus is on the taxation inbound investment, outbound investment and trade by the State. The operation of double taxation agreements is also covered. Core concepts studied are residence and source rules; corporate tax rules; taxation of passive income flows and anti-tax avoidance rules. In 2020, the foreign state focussed on will be China.

Date: 24 - 27 November 2020
Price: $3,300.00 + online fee
Register here

The Judge in Residence program encourages and fosters engagement between the judiciary and Law School staff and students. It supports sitting and retired judges to engage in academic activities, including writing and developing research topics and projects.

The 2020 Judge in Residence is The Honourable Justice Antony Siopis. Tony is interested in the extent to which the common law provides remedies for infringements of human dignity and he will be undertaking research into that topic. Open to sitting judges during a sabbatical (WA, Australia, overseas) or retired state, federal and High Court judges (including overseas judges) who wish to be part of the Law School community, the Judge in Residence program offers:

• The opportunity to be involved in the life of the UWA Law School.
• An office in the UWA Law School.
• Access to UWA Library facilities and service during your time in residence.
• Access to student researchers (with payment arrangements subject to negotiation).
• The opportunity to guest lecture and make other presentations to students and staff.
• Audit of postgraduate units taught by the UWA Law School.
  

In return, the Judge in Residence would:

• Have regular interaction with members of the Law School.
• Provide informal mentoring of academic staff and students.
• Maintain a regular presence at the Law School (at least once a week) throughout their residency. 

How to apply

Contact the Deputy Head (Community and Engagement) Professor Robyn Carroll:

Tel: +61 64882965
Email: robyn.carroll@uwa.edu.au

The UWA Mediation Clinic offers a tailored mediation service to help people to resolve University, workplace, family and community conflict.

Find out more

The UWA Law School’s Visiting Scholars Program hosts academics from around Australia and overseas to undertake research and to participate in the communal life of the Law School. Approved visiting scholars are provided with a workspace, IT access and a computer (where possible) and library access. They are encouraged to participate in the academic life of the Law School and University, including seminars and public lectures.

Application process

Prospective visitors should email the following to the visiting scholars coordinator at least three months prior to their intended visit:

• a brief curriculum vitae that includes details of academic employment, qualifications and publications
• a one- to two-page proposal outlining the research project, planned collaboration with UWA Law staff and any other activities intended during the visit
• a copy of a letter from your home university confirming that you are an academic (not a student) and will be taking sabbatical leave for the duration of your visiting academic appointment, and confirming that you will be returning to full-time employment when the visiting appointment ceases
• copy of biodata page (photograph page) of passport (if available). An appropriate visa must have been obtained to allow commencement of this appointment

Applications are considered in advance of the proposed visit and all applicants will be notified as soon as possible after a decision is reached. Any further information that is required to implement the decision will be sought at this point. The Visiting Scholars Program receives many applications from prospective visitors and unfortunately not all can be supported.

The Law School provides a Clinical Legal Education program through which our students can participate in local, national and international legal internships with law firms, courts, government agencies, non-governmental organisations and the UWA Mediation Clinic. The focus is upon social justice and commercial placements.