LawSubject regulations

The Rule of Law is a cornerstone of a civilised society. It defines rights and obligations and provides structure to institutions of government and commerce.

The LLB programme follows a course of study which, in addition to giving students a broad understanding of legal principles, meets the professional requirements to practice as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand.

Law is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Laws (LLB), the Bachelor of Arts (BA), the Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC), and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Law may also be taken as a second major in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Law as a single major for the LLB, students must gain 390 points from the papers listed for Law, including LEGAL103, LEGAL104, and LEGAL106; and LEGAL201, LEGAL203, LEGAL204, and LEGAL207; and; LEGAL301, LEGAL304, LEGAL306, LEGAL307, and LEGAL308; and 120 points of 400 level LEGAL papers including LEGAL413. The remaining 90 points of the Bachelor of Laws with Law as a single major must be gained from non-Law subjects. Of these 90 non-Law points, 60 points must be at or above 100 level, with 30 of those points being in the same subject; and 30 points at or above 200 level.

To complete Law as part of a double major for the Bachelor of Laws, students must gain 390 points from the papers listed for Law, including LEGAL103, LEGAL104, and LEGAL106; and LEGAL201, LEGAL203, LEGAL204, and LEGAL207; and; LEGAL301, LEGAL304, LEGAL306, LEGAL307, and LEGAL308; and 120 points of 400 level LEGAL papers including LEGAL413. A further 120 points are required in the double major subject taken by the student.

To complete a major in Law for the BA, BCC or BSocSc, students must gain 135 points from the papers listed for Law, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete LEGAL103, LEGAL104, a minimum 45 points from any 200 level LEGAL papers, and 60 points from any 300 or 400 level LEGAL papers.

To complete Law as part of a double major, students must gain 120 points from the papers listed for Law, including 90 points above 100 level and 45 points above 200 level. Students must complete LEGAL103, LEGAL104, 45 points from any 200 level LEGAL papers, and 45 points from any 300 or 400 level LEGAL papers.

To complete a minor in Law, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the BA Law major, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must complete LEGAL103 and LEGAL104.

Note:

Most Law papers are offered via FLEXI Async Delivery Mode and students may complete their studies either on campus or online or by a mix of on campus/online attendance. However, for the core papers for the LLB degree students may be required (under CLE moderation requirements to undertake their exams for these papers in person (rather than online) either at our Hamilton or Tauranga campuses in New Zealand or at a different place and time approved by the University.

Candidates must gain at least 60 points at 100 level in any subject(s) before enrolling in Law papers above 100 level, and at least 90 points at 100 and 200 level before enrolling in Law papers above 200 level.

Students who complete a major in Law towards any undergraduate degree other than the LLB will not be eligible to practice Law.

LEGAL436 is mandatory for all LLB students who wish to be admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Students who wish to be admitted must include LEGAL436 in their selection of 400 level LEGAL papers.

In order to undertake the Professional Legal Studies Course (PLSC) students must have satisfied all requirements for the LLB degree. This includes completing all 100, 200, 300, and 400 level LEGAL papers together with any required non-Law papers as noted above.

LLB Hons students are not required to complete their 500 level LEGAL papers before undertaking the PLSC but must satisfy all other LLB degree requirements.

Other qualifications

Prescriptions for:

To complete a DipLAW students must complete LEGAL103, LEGAL104, LEGAL106, LEGAL201, LEGAL204 and LEGAL207.
The Graduate Diploma in Dispute Resolution provides a practical and theoretical exploration of the processes of dispute resolution, and utilises the experience and expertise developed within the School of Law, Politics and Philosophy, the Schools of Management and the School of Education. Graduates of this qualification will satisfy the academic requirements for Associate status of the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ). For entry to the Graduate Diploma, candidates must have either a bachelors degree in any discipline or relevant work experience considered to be equivalent.
The programme consists of papers totalling 120 points, comprising LEGAL205, LEADR302, LEGAL306 and LEGAL449, and electives totalling 60 points chosen from HMDEV340, LEGAL405, LEGAL408, LEGAL420, or LEGAL434. One of the electives can be substituted for any other 400-level LEGAL coded paper (excluding LEGAL490) approved by the Faculty.
Note: LEGAL205, LEGAL306 and LEGAL449 are requirements for admission to Associate status in AMINZ.
A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Law at an advanced level in their first degree.
For further details, contact the School of Law, Politics and Philosophy.
The PGCert(Law) comprises 60 points, including LEGAL507 and 30 points from any other 500-level LEGAL coded papers.
The PGDip(Law) comprises 120 points, including LEGAL507 and 90 points from any other 500-level LEGAL coded papers.
To complete an LLB(Hons) with either Law as a single major, or Law as part of a double major, students must meet the requirements of those programmes as stipulated above. In addition, the LLB(Hons) includes 60 points chosen from any 500-level LEGAL coded papers excluding LEGAL500, LEGAL504, LEGAL506, LEGAL507, LEGAL509, LEGAL590, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, or LEGAL593. Students enrolling in the Honours programme may be subject to prerequisite and corequisite requirements.
The LLM comprises 120 points, including either ALPSS500 or LEGAL507 and at least 60 points from any other 500 level LEGAL coded papers, 45 points of which must be from any 500 level LEGAL coded paper excluding LEGAL504, LEGAL507, LEGAL560 and LEGAL575.
The LLM may be completed with an endorsement as follows:
For the LLM (Environmental and Climate Change Law) students must complete 60 points from the following papers: LEGAL505, LEGAL516, LEGAL520, LEGAL522, LEGAL528, LEGAL530, LEGAL531, LEGAL535, LEGAL540, LEGAL556, LEGAL562, LEGAL575, LEGAL576, LEGAL577, LEGAL583, LEGAL589, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, and LEGAL593.
For the LLM(Health Law) students must complete 60 points from the following papers: LEGAL505, LEGAL508, LEGAL577, LEGAL585, LEGAL586, LEGAL587, LEGAL588, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, and LEGAL593.
For the LLM(International Law) students must complete 60 points from the following papers: LEGAL505, LEGAL516, LEGAL522, LEGAL525, LEGAL531, LEGAL534, LEGAL537, LEGAL540, LEGAL544, LEGAL555, LEGAL560, LEGAL562, LEGAL569, LEGAL576, LEGAL577, LEGAL583, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, and LEGAL593.
For the LLM(New Technologies and Cyber Security Law) students must complete 60 points from the following papers: LEGAL505, LEGAL520, LEGAL526, LEGAL568, LEGAL574, LEGAL577, LEGAL586, LEGAL591, LEGAL592, and LEGAL593.
The LLM(Māori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples) comprises 120 points, including either ALPSS500 or LEGAL504 and at least 60 points from any other 500 level LEGAL coded papers, 45 points of which must be from any 500 level LEGAL coded paper excluding LEGAL504, LEGAL507, LEGAL560 and LEGAL575.
The MJur comprises 120 points, including either ALPSS500 or LEGAL507 and at least 60 points from any other 500 level LEGAL coded papers, 45 points of which must be from any 500 level LEGAL coded paper excluding LEGAL504, LEGAL507, LEGAL560 and LEGAL575.
The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
The Doctor of Philosophy is a four year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
The Doctor of Juridical Science consists of a research portfolio and a thesis which makes a contribution to knowledge consistent with at least three years of full-time research.
The Doctor of Laws higher doctorate degree may be awarded to candidates who successfully present for examination a collection of work, or a specially composed thesis based on such work, that constitutes an original, substantial and distinguished contribution to scholarship and establishes the candidate as an international authority in their particular field of study.
The level of attainment required for the Doctor of Laws (LEGAL990) is very substantially higher than that required for the PhD degree in Law and its award carries great prestige within the University, the international academic community and the legal profession. The successful award of this degree will normally reflect a significant body of post-doctoral work of international quality published over a sustained period.
Applications for the award of the Doctor of Laws degree may be submitted at any time to the School of Graduate Research in accordance with University regulations.

Law papers

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
LEGAL100Pre Law While this paper is tailored to prepare new students who would like to study Law, it will also be of interest for students who will be studying for...	15	25JS (Hamilton) & 25JS (Tauranga)
LEGAL103Legal Method A This paper introduces students to the skills of the legal method in New Zealand, with particular emphasis on case law analysis, legal reasoning, and...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL104Legal Method B This paper introduces students to the skills of the legal method in New Zealand, with particular emphasis on statutory interpretation and introduces...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL105Introduction to New Zealand Law and Society An introduction for non lawyers to the nature and functions of law and the processes of lawmaking. The relationship between law and society will be...	15	25A (Online)
LEGAL106Legal Systems and Societies An historical introduction to, and a descriptive outline of, the legal systems in England and New Zealand, including the structure of government...	30	25D (Hamilton) & 25D (Tauranga)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
LEGAL201Public Law The principles and working of the constitution, the institutions of government, the exercise of public power and relations between the citizen and...	30	25D (Hamilton) & 25D (Tauranga)
LEGAL203Jurisprudence An analysis of legal theories and ideologies, emphasising different approaches to the meaning of law, examining the relationship between theory and...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL204Contracts The general principles of the law of contract and agency.	30	25D (Hamilton) & 25D (Tauranga)
LEGAL205Foundations in Legal Studies A paper to provide students with a basic understanding of the New Zealand legal system, and an introduction to the law of torts, contract, agency...	15	25A (Online)
LEGAL207Torts General principles of civil liability. The law as to the various kinds of torts. The law relating to compensation for personal injury by accident in...	30	25D (Hamilton) & 25D (Tauranga)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
HMDEV340Perspectives on Counselling This paper examines the philosophical, psychological and sociological principles that underpin the aims and methods of the helping professions in...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL301Crimes The general principles of criminal liability.	30	25D (Hamilton) & 25D (Tauranga)
LEGAL304Corporate Entities An introduction to the concept of corporate personality in the law including an introduction to the general principles of law relating to companies...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL306Dispute Resolution The objective/ethos of the paper is to expose students to the theory, general principles and practical dimensions of client interviewing...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL307Land Law The history and principles of Land Law	30	25D (Hamilton) & 25D (Tauranga)
LEGAL308Equity and Succession The principles of equity with particular reference to the law of trusts. The principles of the law of succession and of the administration of...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGLR300Summer Research Project This paper has been developed specifically for students who will be undertaking a summer research scholarship.	15	25C (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
LEGAL401The Law of Evidence An examination of the principles of the law of evidence in criminal and civil cases.	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL402Civil Procedure An examination of the jurisdiction and procedure of the District Court and the Senior Courts in civil cases, with particular emphasis on High Court...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL404Commercial Transactions An examination of the law on sale of goods, personal property securities, credit contracts and consumer finance, and aspects of fair trading and...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL405Treaty of Waitangi in Contemporary Aotearoa/New Zealand An examination of the Treaty of Waitangi 1840 in contemporary Aotearoa/New Zealand. Consideration will be given to ways in which the Treaty...	15	25G (Hamilton) & 25G (Tauranga)
LEGAL406Māori Land Law An examination of the legal practices applicable to Māori land; the history of Māori land legislation, present laws and practices, the effective...	15	No occurrences
LEGAL407Climate Change Law This paper addresses the law concerning climate change, including international law, emissions trading and other carbon pricing systems, sectoral...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL408Family Law A focus on the law and social policies involved in the formation and breakdown of family relationships. The paper specifically examines the matrix of...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL410Charity Law A detailed examination of Charity law and its public law role in the regulation of civil society.	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL413Ngā Tikanga Māori/Māori Customary Law This paper is designed for students who wish to function skillfully in the field of Indigenous and Māori law and/or deepen their knowledge of Tikanga...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL420Employment Law This course is a practical survey of employment law in New Zealand. It examines the formation, operation, and termination of the employment...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL424Elements of Taxation Law An introduction to some of the key principles and concepts of New Zealand's taxation system. Selected aspects of income tax law as well as the law on...	15	25G (Hamilton) & 25G (Tauranga)
LEGAL425Contemporary Indigenous Issues and the Law A detailed examination of law relating to contemporary indigenous issues raised at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues each year to provide a...	15	No occurrences
LEGAL434Environmental Law This paper examines the foundations and principles of environmental and resource management law, their expression in key areas (biodiversity, climate...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL435Cyber Law An exploration of the impact of the internet, including aspects of both criminal and civil arenas, with special emphasis on cybercrime, intellectual...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL436Legal Ethics An introduction to ethical analysis including an examination of various theories of ethics. The applicability of ethical analysis to legal practice...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL437Public International Law An introduction to public international law: evolution, sources, relationship between international and municipal law, the law of treaties, the law...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL440Pacific Peoples and the Law A critical study and comparison of legal systems and issues within the Pacific Region.	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL449Mediation: Law, Principles and Practice This paper will offer students an opportunity to understand mediation at an advanced level. It will examine legal aspects of mediation, theories in...	15	25G (Hamilton)
LEGAL453Organisational Psychology for Lawyers This course offers a general introduction to how psychology can be used to build better workplaces and work lives. It takes a problem-solving...	15	No occurrences
LEGAL454Fundamentals of Project Management for Lawyers This paper will provide insights into the fundamental approaches and applications for managing projects. Key material will be drawn from the Project...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online) & 25B (Online) & 25C (Online)
LEGAL461Issues in Property Law This paper provides an examination of contemporary issues in Property Law, which is the area of law that governs ownership in real and personal...	15	No occurrences
LEGAL462Law and Bioethics A detailed examination of Law and Bioethics encompassing the application of fundamental legal concepts to issues arising in the field of law and...	15	No occurrences
LEGAL463Cybersecurity Law and Policy This paper examines legal and policy challenges stemming from rapidly evolving cybersecurity threats. Legislation, case law, and issues at the...	15	No occurrences
LEGAL468Intellectual Property A study of the law of intellectual property in New Zealand, including the law of copyright, trade secrets, patents, designs, trade marks...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL476Laws of Armed Conflict and International Humanitarian Law An introduction to the laws of armed conflict and international humanitarian law. Students will explore the changing nature of international conflict...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL480Banking and Finance Law An examination of the law relating to the structuring and implementation of all forms of financing, funding and finance structures, including unit...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL481Immigration and Refugee Law A detailed examination of Immigration and Refugee Law as applied in the New Zealand and International contexts.	15	25C (Hamilton) & 25C (Tauranga)
LEGAL490Directed Study This paper is open to suitably qualified students who, under supervision of one or more academic staff members with experience in the appropriate...	15	25X (Hamilton)
LEGAL496Work Placement This paper enables students who are undertaking work in a Legal field to pursue supervised study in relation to that work.	15	25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
LEGAL501Advanced Evidence Law This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Evidence Law. Students complete a supervised research...	30	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL504Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Research Methodologies This paper will introduce students to core Māori, Pacific and indigenous research methodologies, principles, methods and ethics that will equip...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL505Critical Issues in the Treaty of Waitangi in Contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues regarding the Treaty of Waitangi in contemporary Aotearoa New...	30	25G (Hamilton) & 25G (Tauranga)
LEGAL507Academic Legal Research and Writing This paper will guide students through the principles and process of academic legal research and writing. They will learn how to develop, present and...	30	25A (Online) & 25B (Online)
LEGAL508Advanced Family Law This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Family Law. Students complete a supervised research project...	30	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL519Advanced Maritime Law This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Maritime Law. Students complete a supervised research...	30	No occurrences
LEGAL520Intellectual Property Law and Policy This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Intellectual Property Law and Policy. Students complete a...	30	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL521Advanced Employment Law This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Employment Law. Students complete a supervised research...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL523Advanced Civil Litigation This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Civil Litigation. Students complete a supervised research...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL524Advanced Taxation Law This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Taxation Law. Students complete a supervised research...	30	No occurrences
LEGAL525Critical Issues in Contemporary and International Indigenous Law This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Contemporary and International Indigenous Law. Students...	30	No occurrences
LEGAL526Legal Aspects of Cyber Security This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues regarding the legal aspects of Cyber Security. Students...	30	25A (Online)
LEGAL527Advanced Issues in Charity Law This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Charity Law. Students complete a supervised research project...	30	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL535Advanced Environmental Law This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Environmental Law. Students complete a supervised research...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL540Critical Issues for Pacific Peoples and the Law This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues for Pacific Peoples and the Law. Students complete a supervised...	30	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
LEGAL561Advanced Issues in Property Law This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of Property Law, which is the area of law that governs ownership in real and...	30	No occurrences
LEGAL582Advanced Banking and Finance Law An advanced-level examination from an Aotearoa New Zealand perspective of selected legal issues on banker-customer relationship, negotiable...	30	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
LEGAL583Advanced Immigration and Refugee Law This research seminar paper provides an advanced-level examination of critical issues in Immigration and Refugee Law. Students complete a supervised...	30	25C (Hamilton) & 25C (Tauranga)
LEGAL591Research Project Completion of a 12,500 word research project regarding a legal research subject that can properly be supervised in the Faculty.	30	25X (Hamilton)
LEGAL592Dissertation Completion of a 25,000 word dissertation regarding a legal research subject that can properly be supervised in the Faculty.	60	25X (Hamilton)
LEGAL593Thesis Completion of a 38,000 word thesis regarding a legal research subject that can properly be supervised in the Faculty.	90	25X (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
LEGAL800Law MPhil Thesis Completion of a 50,000 word thesis regarding a legal research subject that can properly be supervised in the Faculty.	120	25X (Hamilton)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
LEGAL900Law PhD Thesis Completion of a 80,000 - 100,000 word thesis regarding a legal research subject that can properly be supervised in the Faculty.	120	25I (Hamilton) & 25J (Hamilton) & 25K (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
LEGAL990Doctor of Laws The degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) may be awarded to a candidate who has successfully presented for examination a collection of work, or a specially...	0	25X (Hamilton)
LEGAL994SJD Thesis Completion of a 60,000 word thesis regarding a legal research subject that can properly be supervised in the Faculty.	120	25X (Hamilton)
LEGAL995Research Portfolio The production of two publishable quality research papers, and the production of a research proposal to the same level as a PhD proposal, regarding a...	120	25X (Hamilton)

2025 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 14 May 2025 01:00am

LawSubject regulations

Other qualifications

DipLAW

GradDip(DR)

GradCert(Law) and GradDip(Law)

PGCert(Law), PGDip(Law), LLB(Hons), LLM, LLM(Māori/Pacific and Indigenous Peoples), and MJur

MPhil

PhD and SJD

LLD

Law papers