Program Overview
This Master of Mining and Energy Law program equips legal and non-legal professionals with the knowledge and skills for careers in the mining and energy industries. Through a combination of core and optional units, students gain a comprehensive understanding of legal considerations, regulatory frameworks, and practical aspects of the sector. The program emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability and international law, providing graduates with the expertise to navigate the complex legal landscape of this dynamic industry.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This Master of Mining and Energy Law is designed to provide legal and non-legal professionals with the expertise to pursue careers in the mining and energy industries. The course is ideal for those looking to expand their knowledge of or seek a new career in the mining, energy, and natural resources sector.
Outline:
The program is structured around core and optional units. Students without a recognized Law degree take all units from the core group (18 points). Students with a recognized Law degree take all units from the core group (12 points). All students take units from Group A to a minimum value of 12 points and a maximum of 18 points. Students with a recognized Law degree take units from Group B to complete the remainder of points (18-24). Students without a recognized Law degree take units from Group C to complete the remainder of points (12-18).
Core Units:
- LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions (6 points): This unit is only required for students without a recognized Law degree.
- LAWS5517 Mining Law (6 points): This unit covers the legal framework governing mining in Australia, including exploration, development, and production.
- LAWS5589 Energy Regulation: Sustainable Oil and Gas and Alternative Energy Production (6 points): This unit examines the legal and regulatory framework for the energy sector, including oil and gas, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.
Option - Group A Units:
- LAWS5260 Intersections of Law, Policy and Government (6 points): This unit explores the relationship between law, policy, and government in the context of resource development.
- LAWS5398 Construction Law (6 points): This unit examines the legal framework governing construction projects, including contracts, liability, and dispute resolution.
- LAWS5507 International Oil and Gas Law (6 points): This unit covers the international legal framework governing the oil and gas industry, including exploration, production, and transportation.
- LAWS5521 Climate Change Law and Emissions Trading (6 points): This unit examines the legal and regulatory framework for addressing climate change, including emissions trading schemes and carbon pricing.
- LAWS5540 Environmental Protection Law (6 points): This unit examines the legal framework for protecting the environment, including pollution control, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.
Option - Group B Units:
- LAWS5100 Sustainability Law and Policy in Resource Development (6 points): This unit explores the legal and policy frameworks for promoting sustainable resource development.
- LAWS5114 International Environmental Law (6 points): This unit covers the international legal framework for protecting the environment, including treaties, conventions, and customary law.
- LAWS5132 Income Taxation Law (6 points): This unit examines the legal framework for income taxation in Australia, including the taxation of mining and energy companies.
- LAWS5215 Theory & Practice of Risk Regulation (6 points): This unit explores the theory and practice of risk regulation, including the identification, assessment, and management of risks.
- LAWS5239 Resource Taxation (6 points): This unit examines the legal framework for resource taxation in Australia, including royalties, levies, and other taxes.
- LAWS5360 Employment Law (6 points): This unit examines the legal framework governing employment relationships, including contracts, discrimination, and workplace safety.
- LAWS5521 Climate Change Law and Emissions Trading (6 points): This unit examines the legal and regulatory framework for addressing climate change, including emissions trading schemes and carbon pricing.
- LAWS5694 Research Paper I (6 points): This unit provides students with the opportunity to develop their research skills and write a research paper on a topic related to mining and energy law.
- LAWS5695 Research Paper II (12 points): This unit provides students with the opportunity to develop their research skills and write a research paper on a topic related to mining and energy law.
- LAWS5696 Research Paper III Part 1 (6 points): This unit provides students with the opportunity to develop their research skills and write a research paper on a topic related to mining and energy law.
- LAWS5697 Research Paper III Part 2 (6 points): This unit provides students with the opportunity to develop their research skills and write a research paper on a topic related to mining and energy law.
- LAWS5114 International Environmental Law (6 points): This unit covers the international legal framework for protecting the environment, including treaties, conventions, and customary law.
- LAWS5132 Income Taxation Law (6 points): This unit examines the legal framework for income taxation in Australia, including the taxation of mining and energy companies.
- LAWS5167 Comparative Legal Method (6 points): This unit examines the different legal systems around the world, including common law, civil law, and religious law.
- LAWS5215 Theory & Practice of Risk Regulation (6 points): This unit explores the theory and practice of risk regulation, including the identification, assessment, and management of risks.
- LAWS5239 Resource Taxation (6 points): This unit examines the legal framework for resource taxation in Australia, including royalties, levies, and other taxes.
- LAWS5261 Planning Law (6 points): This unit examines the legal framework governing land use planning, including zoning, development approvals, and environmental impact assessment.
- LAWS5360 Employment Law (6 points): This unit examines the legal framework governing employment relationships, including contracts, discrimination, and workplace safety.
- LAWS5398 Construction Law (6 points): This unit examines the legal framework governing construction projects, including contracts, liability, and dispute resolution.
- LAWS5694 Research Paper I (6 points): This unit provides students with the opportunity to develop their research skills and write a research paper on a topic related to mining and energy law.
- LAWS5695 Research Paper II (12 points): This unit provides students with the opportunity to develop their research skills and write a research paper on a topic related to mining and energy law.
- LAWS5696 Research Paper III Part 1 (6 points): This unit provides students with the opportunity to develop their research skills and write a research paper on a topic related to mining and energy law.
- LAWS5697 Research Paper III Part 2 (6 points): This unit provides students with the opportunity to develop their research skills and write a research paper on a topic related to mining and energy law.
Teaching:
The program makes extensive use of outside industry experts who provide meaningful and current insights. Professionals in industry participate in these case studies, adding to their relevance and practicality. Assignments are designed to improve students' skills in identifying and analyzing commercial and legal issues and writing in a clear and well-reasoned manner.
Careers:
Career opportunities exist in resource companies, law firms, and local and state government. The course will appeal to lawyers wanting to move into the mining and energy area and for non-lawyers such as engineers, geologists, marketing professionals, and commercial and finance professionals who wish to develop their skills to advance their careers.
Other:
The UWA Law School is certified by the Australian Law School Standards. The UWA Law School is ranked in the top 150 law schools in the world for Law and Legal Studies (QS 2023).
