Students

LAWS217 – Equity and Trusts

2017 – S2 External

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Teresa Somes
Contact via teresa.somes@mq.edu.au
Room 539, W3A
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
LAWS216
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Law 317
Unit description Unit description
This unit relates to and continues on from LAW216 and focuses on equitable notions of property, with a particular emphasis of the law of trusts, but also covering the historical development of equity and its relationship to common law, the assignment and other dispositions of property in equity, the obligation of confidence in equity with respect to information, and fiduciary obligations. This unit will provide students with a theoretical grounding in the relevant principles as well as equip with the capacity to apply these principles in practice.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of legal principles relating to equity and trusts
  • Demonstrate an enquiring, critical, analytical and thoughtful approach to equitable property interests and their place in the overall scheme of property interests
  • Formulate, present and evaluate oral and written arguments about equity and trusts, drawing upon relevant precedent and policy considerations
  • Analyse hypothetical fact situations, identify legal and factual issues involving the law relating to equity and trusts, and apply relevant principles to solve legal problems
  • Demonstrate sophisticated research, writing and referencing skills appropriate to students undertaking a unit at this level
  • Take responsibility for one’s own learning by managing one’s time effectively so as to be able to undertake readings for weekly seminars on time as well as complete and submit assessment items on time

General Assessment Information

Detailed marking rubrics will be made available on iLearn. Markers in this unit undertake a process of 'blind marking' to establish a common marking standard and all Fail papers are double marked.

In the absence of a successful application for special consideration due to a disruption to studies, any assessment task submitted after its published deadline will not be graded and will receive a mark of zero.  Applications for a Disruption to Studies are made electronically via ask.mq.edu.au and should be accompanied by supporting documentation.  Students should refer to the Disruption to Studies policy for complete details of the policy and a description of the supporting documentation required.

Word limits will be strictly applied and work above the word limit will not be marked. 

All assessments in the unit are to be submitted electronically. Plagiarism detection software is used in this unit.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assignment 30% No 10am 4 September 2017
Final Examination (Take Home) 50% No 2 pm, 16 November 2017
Quiz 20% No Week 13

Assignment

Due: 10am 4 September 2017
Weighting: 30%

The Assignment in this unit is a research paper. 

The research question will be available on iLearn by the end of the first week of semester.

The research paper must be a properly referenced formal response with appropriate analysis and argument supported by relevant authoritative cases and commentary. The research paper must be typed and must be kept to a maximum 1,500 words (excluding footnotes and the bibliography). The word limit will be strictly applied and work above the word limit will not be marked.

The assignment must be electronically submitted. Plagiarism detection software is used in this unit.

In completing their research paper, students must comply with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation, compiled by the Melbourne University Law Review. The guide is available for download free at:

https://law.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1586203/FinalOnlinePDF-2012Reprint.pdf

Further instructions and information in relation to the assignment, including detailed marking rubrics, will be made available on iLearn. Markers in this unit undertake a process of 'blind marking' to establish a common marking standard and all fail papers are double marked.

If, for justifiable reasons, a student is unable to submit the assignment on time, he or she may submit an application for special consideration pursuant to the University's Disruption to Studies Policy. If special consideration is granted the student may be given a different research question to be completed at a time determined by the unit convenor in consultation with the student.

Applications for special consideration pursuant to the Disruption to Studies Policy are made electronically via ask.mq.edu.au and should be accompanied by supporting documentation. Students should refer to the Disruption to Studies Policy for complete details of the policy and a description of the supporting documentation required.

In the absence of a successful application for special consideration due to a disruption to studies, any assignment that is submitted after the due date will not be graded and will receive a mark of zero.

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

  • Demonstrate a detailed and thorough knowledge of legal principles relating to equity and trusts;

  • Formulate, present and evaluate oral and written arguments about equity and trusts, drawing upon relevant precedent and policy considerations; and

  • Demonstrate sophisticated research, writing and referencing skills appropriate to students undertaking a unit at this level.

 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of legal principles relating to equity and trusts
  • Demonstrate an enquiring, critical, analytical and thoughtful approach to equitable property interests and their place in the overall scheme of property interests
  • Formulate, present and evaluate oral and written arguments about equity and trusts, drawing upon relevant precedent and policy considerations
  • Demonstrate sophisticated research, writing and referencing skills appropriate to students undertaking a unit at this level

Final Examination (Take Home)

Due: 2 pm, 16 November 2017
Weighting: 50%

The final examination in this unit will be a take home examination.

The final examination will be based on material covered in the unit, ie all topics and materials covered in the unit.

The final examination will be in the form of a number of problem style questions. All questions will have to be answered.

Students will be able to access the final examination paper on iLearn from 10 am on Thursday 16 November 2017 and must submit their answers to the final examination paper by 2 pm on Thursday 16 November 2017. The assignment must be electronically submitted. Plagiarism detection software is used in this unit.

A student's answers to the final examination paper's questions cannot exceed 2,000 words (exclusive of footnotes). This is an upper word limit and a student need not write 2,000 words if he or she can answer the questions in less than 2,000 words. A bibliography is not required. The word limit will be strictly applied and work above the word limit will not be marked. The answers to the examination questions must be typed.

Students are not required to comply with strict AGLC referencing, however must provide authority which can be provided via footnotes. 

Further instructions and information in relation to the final examination will be made available on iLearn. 

If, for justifiable reasons, a student is unable to do the final examination at the above time or his or her performance in the final examination is adversely affected, he or she should submit an application for special consideration pursuant to the University's Disruption to Studies Policy, which, if granted, will enable the student to complete an alternative assessment. The alternative assessment may not be in the form of a take home examination - it may take some other form such as a formal sit down examination.

Applications for special consideration pursuant to the Disruption to Studies Policy are made electronically via ask.mq.edu.au and should be accompanied by supporting documentation. Students should refer to the Disruption to Studies Policy for complete details of the policy and a description of the supporting documentation required.

Any student who does not submit answers to the final examination or supplementary examination, as the case may be, on time or at all, will receive a zero mark for the this assessment item.

This assessment task relates to the following learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of legal principles relating to equity and trusts;
  • Analyse hypothetical fact situations, identify legal and factual issues involving the law relating to equity and trusts, and apply relevant principles to solve legal problems;
  • Formulate, present and evaluate oral and written arguments about equity and trusts, drawing upon relevant precedent and policy considerations; and
  • Take responsibility for one’s own learning by managing one’s time effectively so as to be able to undertake readings for weekly seminars on time as well as complete and submit assessment items on time.

On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of legal principles relating to equity and trusts
  • Demonstrate an enquiring, critical, analytical and thoughtful approach to equitable property interests and their place in the overall scheme of property interests
  • Analyse hypothetical fact situations, identify legal and factual issues involving the law relating to equity and trusts, and apply relevant principles to solve legal problems
  • Take responsibility for one’s own learning by managing one’s time effectively so as to be able to undertake readings for weekly seminars on time as well as complete and submit assessment items on time

Quiz

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 20%

Students will sit a number of non-assessable online quizzes throughout the semester. The questions will be based on work covered in any of the weeks prior to the quiz.

Students will then sit a final assessable quiz worth 20% of the overall mark.  The assessable quiz will be comprised of questions taken from the non-assessable quizzes.

This assessment relates to the following learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of legal principles relating to equity and trusts;
  • Analyse hypothetical fact situations, identify legal and factual issues involving the law relating to equity and trusts, and apply relevant principles to solve legal problems; and
  • Take responsibility for one’s own learning by managing one’s time effectively so as to be able to undertake readings for weekly seminars on time as well as complete and submit assessment items on time.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of legal principles relating to equity and trusts
  • Analyse hypothetical fact situations, identify legal and factual issues involving the law relating to equity and trusts, and apply relevant principles to solve legal problems
  • Take responsibility for one’s own learning by managing one’s time effectively so as to be able to undertake readings for weekly seminars on time as well as complete and submit assessment items on time

Delivery and Resources

DELIVERY OF UNIT

Weekly Lectures (Internal and Distance Students)

Weekly lectures  in this unit will be pre-recorded and available to students on iLearn. Weekly lectures will commence in Week 1 and go through to Week 12.

Weekly Tutorials (Internal Students)

For internal students, weekly tutorials of two (2) hours duration commence in Week 1 of the semester (ie the week beginning Monday 31 July 2017). The last tutorial will be in Week 13. Attendance at tutorials is compulsory.

For tutorial times and classrooms students should consult the MQ Timetable website.

The problem and discussion questions for each tutorial are available on iLearn.

On Campus Sessions (Distance Students)

For distance students there are two days of on campus sessions. Attendance at the on campus sessions is compulsory. On campus sessions will run from 9 am to 12 noon and 1 pm to 4 pm on each of the two days.

Students who are unable to attend must apply for a disruption to studies. If that application is accepted, alternative work will be set in lieu of on-campus attendance.

For the dates and venues of the on campus sessions students should consult the MQ Timetable website.

The topics for the on campus sessions will be selected from the topics covered in the semester.

The problem and discussion questions for the on campus sessions will be made available on iLearn prior to the on campus session dates.

 

RESOURCES

Prescribed Materials

P Radan & C Stewart, Principles of Australian Equity & Trusts, 3rd ed, LexisNexis, Sydney, 2016

P Radan, C Stewart & I Vickovich, Principles of Australian Equity & Trusts, Cases & Materials, 3rd ed, LexisNexis, Sydney, 2016

Up-dates to the textbook and other additional materials available on iLearn

 

 

Unit Schedule

TOPICS STUDIES IN THIS UNIT

The schedule of topics covered in this unit is available on iLearn.

 

Week

Topic(s)

1

Introduction; History & Nature of Equity

2

Law and Equity; Equitable Estates and Interests

3

Dispositions in Equity I

4

Dispositions in Equity II

5

Fiduciary Obligations; Introduction to Trusts

6

Express Trusts

7

Variation & Termination of Trusts; Trustees

8

Beneficiaries; Tracing

9

Charitable Trusts

10

Resulting Trusts

11

Constructive Trusts

12

Equitable Estoppel; Confidential Information

13

Revision

 

The required readings for the above topics are set out in detail on iLearn.

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Formulate, present and evaluate oral and written arguments about equity and trusts, drawing upon relevant precedent and policy considerations
  • Take responsibility for one’s own learning by managing one’s time effectively so as to be able to undertake readings for weekly seminars on time as well as complete and submit assessment items on time

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of legal principles relating to equity and trusts
  • Demonstrate an enquiring, critical, analytical and thoughtful approach to equitable property interests and their place in the overall scheme of property interests

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment
  • Final Examination (Take Home)
  • Quiz

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of legal principles relating to equity and trusts
  • Demonstrate an enquiring, critical, analytical and thoughtful approach to equitable property interests and their place in the overall scheme of property interests
  • Formulate, present and evaluate oral and written arguments about equity and trusts, drawing upon relevant precedent and policy considerations
  • Analyse hypothetical fact situations, identify legal and factual issues involving the law relating to equity and trusts, and apply relevant principles to solve legal problems
  • Demonstrate sophisticated research, writing and referencing skills appropriate to students undertaking a unit at this level

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment
  • Final Examination (Take Home)
  • Quiz

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of legal principles relating to equity and trusts
  • Demonstrate an enquiring, critical, analytical and thoughtful approach to equitable property interests and their place in the overall scheme of property interests
  • Formulate, present and evaluate oral and written arguments about equity and trusts, drawing upon relevant precedent and policy considerations
  • Analyse hypothetical fact situations, identify legal and factual issues involving the law relating to equity and trusts, and apply relevant principles to solve legal problems
  • Take responsibility for one’s own learning by managing one’s time effectively so as to be able to undertake readings for weekly seminars on time as well as complete and submit assessment items on time

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment
  • Final Examination (Take Home)
  • Quiz

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate sophisticated research, writing and referencing skills appropriate to students undertaking a unit at this level

Assessment task

  • Assignment