End of Week 5 - 28 March 2008

Hi, all,

You should be well into Module 5 and have been working on Assignment 1 at the same time! On assignment 1, it is a 'stripped down' assignment - there is no need for an abstract, introduction or conclusion - just a direct response is called for! The second assignment is different and is more conventional. But assignment 1 is different! Thanks to the student that asked me a great question about this!

I had another great question during the week - it was essentially - "How do you write legally?". The answer is in your study materials. See that when law is explained it is usually by way of stating a principle of law and then providing a source for that principle. Look at the examples below:  

An alteration to a contract that materially alters the terms of a contract without reference to other party may give rise to a right of rescission (Birrell v Stafford [1988] VR 281 per Barron 2006, p.273).
[A statement of legal principle followed by its case law source]

OR

Australian bankruptcy law basically operates to discharge current contracts of the bankrupt person (Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Cmth) per Barron 2006, p.273)
[A statement of legal principle followed by its legislative law source]

(Note the examples used are not specific to Maritime Law, but the same practice appplies to all areas of law. It is an age old way of explaining the law.)

All best,
Peter Cain.