Disciplinary knowledge

Being a knowledgeable lawyer

Knowledgeable lawyers have expertise in particular areas of their specialist focus, but maintain a general understanding of the basic areas of law established in the Priestly 11, including criminal law, contracts, torts, constitutional law, administrative law, corporate law, property law, equity and trusts, evidence, and professional conduct.

At UTS: Law we develop this attribute across every subject by teaching particular laws and how to apply them.

Becoming a knowledgeable lawyer

At UTS: Law we develop this attribute across the various subjects in the degree, where we teach the particular laws and how to apply them.

For example we teach substantive criminal law, which is the law itself ñ murder, manslaughter, larceny, assault, etc and we also teach procedural criminal law, which are the procedures by which the law is applied ñ arrest, detention, bail, trial, and sentencing.

Test your skills: Handy tips for stress-free case notes

To test your approach to researching and writing case notes, this activity was developed by Colin Hawes, Senior Lecturer at the UTS Faculty of Law:
Test your skills: Handy tips for stress-free case notes

Recommended reading

Adams, J.N. Understanding law, Sweet & Maxwell, London, 2nd ed, 1999
Available from UTS Library: Call No. 345.0994 ADAM (ED.2)

Chisholm, R.C. Understanding law: an introduction to Australiaís legal system, LexisNexis Butterworths, Sydney, 7th ed, 2007
Available from UTS Library: Call No. 345.0994 CHIS (ED.7)

Redfern Legal Centre The Law Handbook, Sydney, 11th ed
Available from UTS Library: Call No. 345.09944 MCAL (ED.11)