Law

Many of our everyday actions are influenced by the legal system. The law provides a structure that helps society to operate.

The study and practice of law is both challenging and rewarding. Studying Law will teach you to think rationally and express yourself clearly and, because the law is so closely linked to society, you’ll also gain a better understanding of human behaviour.

A Law degree will open up numerous career opportunities, from environmental consultancy to merger and acquisition deals to criminal law. Law at Waikato has a strong emphasis on professionalism, and practical skills such as client interviewing and negotiation, as well as the study of Law in context – how society and its development influence laws and the legal system.

Career Opportunities

• Barrister
• Business Consultant  
• In-house Legal Adviser  
• Judge’s Clerk  
• Policy Adviser/Analyst
• Solicitor  

Potential Employers

• Courts
• Crown Law Office
• Government Departments
• Investment Banks
• Law Firms
• National and Multinational Companies

Degrees

• Bachelor of Laws

Law can also be taken as a second major or supporting subject within most degrees.

School subjects

Although there are no specific subjects you need to study at secondary school to study Law at Waikato, we recommend that you include one or more “writing” subjects e.g. classical studies, economics, English, geography, history.

Other subjects that may interest you

Management subjects, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Treaty of Waitangi Studies/Akoranga te Tiriti o Waitangi (see Māori).

Papers

LAWS103 Legal Method
An introduction to the skills of legal reasoning and legal writing through practical exercises and lectures. The paper will include a series of case analyses of decisions of courts at all levels; the application of rules of statutory interpretation to selected Acts and Regulations; and an introduction to computer skills, including database searches.

LAWS105 Introduction to New Zealand Law and Society
This paper is offered as a NET and STAR paper, taught entirely via the internet. The paper is not available for LLB students.

LAWS106 Legal Systems and Societies
An introduction to the sources and institutions of law in New Zealand, with particular reference to statute, common law, customs illustrated by Māori customary law, and the distinctive position of the Treaty of Waitangi. The paper will survey the institutions of law and their roles in the making and enforcement of law in their social and historical contexts.

LAWS107 Constitutional Law
This paper examines principles of constitutionalism and the framework of the New Zealand system of government, including the structure, processes and functions of key public institutions such as the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary, and their interrelationship. The importance of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, the Human Rights Act, and the Treaty of Waitangi, their impact on the public sector and their impact on the relationship between citizens and the state will be examined in relation to the overall constitutional framework.

200 Level and Beyond
200 and 300 level papers include jurisprudence, contract law, criminal law, dispute resolution and land law. For 400 level papers, students are able to study a broad range of specialist law subjects e.g. advocacy, employment, environmental law, law and information technology, commercial transactions and intellectual property.