General Information
Tort Law is a compulsory subject in the Juris Doctor Online. It explores the principles governing civil liability for harm, including intentional torts, negligence, statutory civil liability regimes, and emerging forms of responsibility. Students analyse how liability is allocated across complex factual scenarios and how responsibility is translated into remedies. The subject emphasises rigorous doctrinal reasoning alongside critical evaluation of the policy and normative foundations of tort law. Through applied problem-solving, students develop advanced skills in legal analysis and professional written argument. The subject covers the prescribed areas of knowledge in satisfaction of the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner.
-
Details
Academic unit: Faculty of Law Subject code: LAWS76-202 Subject title: Tort Law Subject level: Postgraduate Semester/Year: September 2026 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Online Workload items: - Seminar: x12 (Total hours: 24) - Online seminars
- Directed Online Activity: x12 (Total hours: 12) - Online interactive learning resources delivered by an AI tutor
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 84) - Self directed study
Attendance and learning activities: Subject content will be delivered fully online through a combination of online learning resources followed by 12 x weekly two-hour interactive online seminars commencing in Week 1 of the semester. Students should attend all seminars to consolidate their understanding of the weekly topic. Participation in the online seminars will be assessed. Seminars will not be recorded. -
Resources
Prescribed resources: Books
- Harold Luntz,David Hambly,Kylie Burns,Joachim Dietrich,Neil Foster,Genevieve Grant,Sirko Harder (2021). Luntz & Hambly's Torts: Cases, Legislation and Commentary. 9th, LexisNexis
iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications.
Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student.
To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
Class recordings: The majority of this subject's classes will not be recorded due to one of the reasons outlined in the Recording policy.
Students are encouraged to attend all sessions as these recordings will not be available for revision purposes.
For further information please contact the subject coordinator.
| Academic unit: | Faculty of Law |
|---|---|
| Subject code: | LAWS76-202 |
| Subject title: | Tort Law |
| Subject level: | Postgraduate |
| Semester/Year: | September 2026 |
| Credit points: | 10.000 |
| Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
|---|---|
| Delivery mode: | Online |
| Workload items: |
|
| Attendance and learning activities: | Subject content will be delivered fully online through a combination of online learning resources followed by 12 x weekly two-hour interactive online seminars commencing in Week 1 of the semester. Students should attend all seminars to consolidate their understanding of the weekly topic. Participation in the online seminars will be assessed. Seminars will not be recorded. |
| Prescribed resources: | Books
|
|---|---|
| iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
| Class recordings: | The majority of this subject's classes will not be recorded due to one of the reasons outlined in the Recording policy. Students are encouraged to attend all sessions as these recordings will not be available for revision purposes. For further information please contact the subject coordinator. |
Enrolment requirements
| Requisites: |
Nil |
|---|---|
| Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge. Assumed Prior Learning (or equivalent):
|
| Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Analyse the doctrinal structure of civil liability across intentional torts, negligence, and statutory regimes.
- Apply principles of breach, causation, and remoteness to allocate civil responsibility in complex scenarios.
- Write analytically rigorous legal analysis addressing tortious liability and remedies.
- Evaluate the policy rationales underpinning contemporary tort doctrine.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
-
Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed AI category Computer-Aided Examination (Limited Open) Final Assessment 50.00% Final Examination Period 1, 2, 3 Assignment Legal research memo of advice. 30.00% Week 6 1, 2, 3, 4 Student Engagement Preparation and engagement with seminar and online learning materials. 20.00% Ongoing 1, 2, 3, 4 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
AI Categories
Ai Prohibited: Learning to develop AI-free knowledge and skills.
Ai Supported: Learning with the help of AI as directed.
Ai Focussed: Learning AI expertise and mastery as directed.
Refer to the assessment task sheet for specific AI instructions and review the Bond University Gen-AI Guide.
-
Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
| Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed | AI category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer-Aided Examination (Limited Open) | Final Assessment | 50.00% | Final Examination Period | 1, 2, 3 | |
| Assignment | Legal research memo of advice. | 30.00% | Week 6 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | |
| Student Engagement | Preparation and engagement with seminar and online learning materials. | 20.00% | Ongoing | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
AI Categories
Ai Prohibited: Learning to develop AI-free knowledge and skills.
Ai Supported: Learning with the help of AI as directed.
Ai Focussed: Learning AI expertise and mastery as directed.
Refer to the assessment task sheet for specific AI instructions and review the Bond University Gen-AI Guide.
Assessment criteria
| High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
|---|---|---|
| Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
| Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
| Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
| Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.
Academic Integrity
Bond University‘s Student Code of Conduct Policy , Student Charter, Academic Integrity Policy and our Graduate Attributes guide expectations regarding student behaviour, their rights and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage recognising that academic integrity involves demonstrating the principles of integrity (honesty, fairness, trust, professionalism, courage, responsibility, and respect) in words and actions across all aspects of academic endeavour.
Staff are required to report suspected misconduct. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication or falsification of data/content or other misconduct relating to assessment such as the falsification of medical certificates for assessment extensions. The longer term personal, social and financial consequences of misconduct can be severe, so please ask for help if you are unsure.
If your work is subject to an inquiry, you will be given an opportunity to respond and appropriate support will be provided. Academic work under inquiry will not be marked until the process has concluded. Penalties for misconduct include a warning, reduced grade, a requirement to repeat the assessment, suspension or expulsion from the University.
Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students according to the requirements of the Assessment Procedure Schedule A - Assessment Communication Procedure.
Whilst in most cases feedback should be provided within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, the Procedure should be checked if the assessment is linked to others or if the subject is a non-standard (e.g., intensive) subject.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
Support is available to students where a physical, mental or neurological condition exists that would impact the student’s capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks. For effective support, special requirement needs should be arranged with the University in advance of or at the start of each semester, or, for acute conditions, as soon as practicable after the condition arises. Reasonable adjustments are not guaranteed where applications are submitted late in the semester (for example, when lodged just prior to critical assessment and examination dates).
As outlined in the Accessibility and Inclusion Policy, to qualify for support, students must meet certain criteria. Students are also required to meet with the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor who will ensure that reasonable adjustments are afforded to qualifying students.
For more information and to apply online, visit BondAbility.
Additional subject information
This subject contains content that some students may find distressing, disturbing or culturally challenging. Students with concerns about the content of any subject are encouraged to discuss this with their coordinator and consider how best to prepare themselves to study challenging material in a way that is appropriate for them. | Students may be asked to respond to questions from the subject coordinator regarding the content of their assessments. Students are expected to keep evidence of drafting and research.
Subject curriculum
-
Introduction to tort law
This topic situates the law of tort within the broader context of private law development, including its relationship with other private law disciplines including contract and equity, and its overlap with criminal law and human rights. Students consider the purposes and functions of tort law, its historical development, and its role in allocating responsibility for civil wrongs across different areas of private law.
-
Introduction to trespass, and trespass against property.
Students are introduced to the elements of trespass and learn to apply them to claims involving interference with land and personal property. The topic examines property based trespass actions, associated remedies, and available defences, with a strong focus on possessory rights and the strict liability nature of these torts.
-
Trespass against the person
Students build on their understanding of trespass by examining assault, battery, false imprisonment, and related intentional wrongs. They analyse the elements of these torts and key defences such as consent, necessity, and self defence, and explore how intentional torts differ conceptually from negligence.
-
Negligence: Harm and duty of care
Key negligence principles are introduced through examination of harm and duty of care. Students explore the development of duty doctrine, including analysis of novel duties of care, and assess how courts determine whether legal responsibility should arise for particular forms of harm. The topic situates duty analysis within broader policy considerations influencing negligence law.
-
Negligence: Breach of duty of care
This topics shifts students’ focus to determining whether duty of care has been breached, through the defendant’s failure to meet the applicable standard of care. Students analyse the reasonable person standard, before considering statutory and common law modifications affecting breach determinations.
-
Negligence: Causation
This topic examines how liability is attributed by exploring factual causation, the scope of liability, and situations involving multiple causes or defendants (Concurrent liability). Students learn how courts reason about causation using tools such as the “necessary condition” test and consider the limits placed on responsibility. The topic also integrates common law principles with statutory civil liability frameworks.
-
Negligence: Defences and compensatory damages
This topic explores key defences and damages in tort law, including contributory negligence, voluntary assumption of risk, illegality, and other doctrines that limit liability. Students also examine principles governing compensatory remedies and how damages are assessed. The topic further considers how common law compensation principles interact with statutory reforms.
-
Defamation
This topic introduces the law of defamation, with a focus on the national Uniform Defamation Laws. Students examine the elements of defamatory liability, the defences available, and the remedies provided under the legislative scheme. The topic also considers how the law balances protection of reputation with freedom of expression.
-
Nuisance
This topic introduces the law of nuisance as a form of land based interference, covering both private and public nuisance. Students examine what constitutes unreasonable interference with land use and enjoyment, along with related remedies and defences. The topic also highlights the relationship between nuisance doctrine, property rights, and environmental regulation, and the overlap between nuisance and negligence, and nuisance and trespass against property.
-
Statutory Reform including compensation schemes
This topic provides an overview of legislative interventions in common law torts, including the development of no fault and limited liability compensation schemes. Students evaluate the policy rationales for statutory reform and its effects on traditional principles of liability and compensation. Comparative models of injury compensation are also explored.
-
Contemporary issues
This topic engages students with contemporary issues in tort law, examining emerging doctrinal developments and policy debates. Areas of focus include technological harms, institutional liability, evolving approaches to compensation and responsibility, and emerging areas of tort law such as privacy. Students are encouraged to critically reflect on the future direction of tort law.