Gleneagles Secondary College
Legal Studies 2015
Area of Study 3 – The law in focus
Outcome: At the completion of this unit you should be able to explain one area of law and
discuss the legal systems capacity to respond to issues and disputes related to the selected
area of law.
Research Report Assessment Criteria
Key Knowledge
 Understanding of legal principles relevant to the selected area of law
 Examination of a contemporary issue for the selected area of law
 Evaluation of the capacity for the legal system to respond to the demands for change
 Identifying the methods and institutions for resolving disputes arising under the
selected area of law
Key Skills
 Define key terminology and show you can use it
 Research and gather information on your legal issue (print/electronic)
 Explain the current law and related legal issues
 Discuss the ability of the law to respond to demands for change
 Explain the different methods of dispute resolution to resolve problems
Instructions
You will be working on your own to produce a research task on a selected area of law. This
research task will be due on the negotiated SAC day where you will use it as a basis for your
area of 3 SAC result. Both assignment and SAC questions will form the end result of your
grade.
Topics to choose from:
1. Contract law
2. Family law
3. Workplace law
4. Sports and the law
5. Environmental law
Your final product can be hand written or typed however progress needs to be demonstrated
in class for authentication purposes.
Don’t forget to include a bibliography. An easy template has been provided for you on the
website
Section 1 Brief outline of the area of law
a) Using your text book headings as a guide, create a brief mind map showing the
different aspects of the area of law you have chosen. (see example below). This can be
done using computer or hand drawn.
learningfundamentals.com.au
bized.co.uk
b) Choose at least 10 key terminologies relevant to you topic and write down a definition
of each in your own words in a table as indicated below. You will need to use these
words correctly throughout your report that shows you know its meaning.
Underline/highlight or bold these key words when used. e.g.
Key Terminology
Meaning/Definition
Section 2 Key principles in the law
a) Use your text book to summarise the key theory and issues demonstrating knowledge
of key principles on the relevant areas of law
Section 3 A contemporary legal issue
b) Make a list of current issues relevant to your chosen area. Use current media reports,
text book, and other sources to brainstorm your ideas.
c) Choose one of these contemporary issues to conduct further research on. Describe
and discuss the various issues relevant in this area of law
d) Find at least 2 cases that demonstrate the issue and discuss these (5 whys’ s) Include
the articles in your research report.
e) What individuals/groups are affected by this area of law
f) What are the different attitudes/opinions on this issue? You will need to read media
reports and other sources of information to gauge public opinion. (you can seek to
conduct your own poll)
Section 4 Interview
g) Conduct an interview with a person who has had an issue in this area of law.
Develop some questions to enable you to find out what the issue was, what they did to
resolve it and whether the issue was resolved in a fair and appropriate manner. (first
have your teacher check and approve your questions)
Section 5 Responding to change
h) What are the recent changes to the law?
i) Explain the institutions that resolves legal issues in this area
j) What methods do they use?
k) How has the legal system been able to respond to the demands for change?
l) Evaluate the legal system in its ability to deal with issues relating to your case or
issues in this area of law.
m) Recommend two changes to the law that could be made to improve outcomes to this
area.