Authors Lisa Filippin, Josie Gray, Margaret Beazer, Annie Wilson and Peter Farrar bring their years of classroom experience to the new editions and provide unparalleled depth and coverage in an easy to read, easy to understand and easy to master format.Lisa Filippin is an experienced solicitor, teacher, assessor and examiner. She is currently a practising solicitor, working predominantly in the areas of commercial litigation and insolvency. Prior to working as a solicitor, Lisa taught at Melbourne Girls Grammar in the areas of Legal Studies and Business Management and was also the Year 10 Coordinator.Lisa has held several roles involving exam development, assessment and curriculum development, and was involved in the re-accreditation of the VCE Legal Studies course in 2009-2010 and 2016-17.Josie Gray has 30 years' experience in the planning and delivery of both academic and vocational education and training programs. She has taught business and law-related subjects to both school-age and adult learners. Josie taught VCE Legal Studies for many years before working as an Assistant Principal in the Victorian government school sector for 10 years, and as an educator in the Vocational Education and Training sector delivering law-related units. She is currently employed in the Victorian public sector where she designs, delivers and provides advice on professional development programs in education.Margaret Beazer has been involved with Legal Studies in Victoria for many years. She has been writing Legal Studies text books since 1990 and ran her own publishing business for many years. Prior to publishing and authoring, Margaret taught Legal Studies at Monash High School and Trinity Grammar School; worked in curriculum development for the then Board of Studies; and was the Legal Studies State Reviewer for over 20 years.Annie Wilson is an experienced VCE Legal Studies and commerce teacher who has been passionately teaching and developing curriculum materials for over 30 years. She is the author of numerous textbooks and has prepared a range of teaching and learning resources for various publishers and subject associations including the Victorian Commercial Teachers Association (VCTA). Annie is currently teaching at Camberwell Girls Grammar School and is actively involved in providing professional development to VCE Legal Studies teachers and student revision lectures.Peter Farrar has taught VCE Legal Studies for over 25 years. He is passionate about learning and teaching and is highly skilled at developing a range learning materials to meet the needs of a diverse range of students. During his career, he has authored over 20 books and also served in numerous senior leadership roles. Peter is actively involved with the VCTA, and has been a regular presenter at Comview since 1992. He currently teaches at Star of the Sea College.

Chapter 1: Legal toolkit 1.1 Introduction to VCE Legal Studies Units 1 & 2 1.2 How to succeed in VCE Legal Studies 1.3 Mastering legal citation 1.4 Careers in the law Chapter 2: Introduction to Unit 1 2.1 The meaning of laws 2.2 Australia's political and legal structures 2.3 The parliaments of Australia Chapter 3: Legal foundations 3.1 Social cohesion and the rights of individuals 3.2 The principles of justice 3.3 Characteristics of an effective law 3.4 Introduction to parliament and the courts 3.5 Sources of law 3.6 The relationship between parliament and the courts 3.7 Types of law 3.8 The distinction between criminal law and civil law 3.9 The Victorian court hierarchy Chapter 3 Review: Chapter summary, revision questions and practice assessment task Chapter 4: The presumption of innocence 4.1 The purposes of criminal law 4.2 The presumption of innocence 4.3 Key concepts of criminal law 4.4 Types of crime 4.5 The distinction between summary offences and indictable offences 4.6 Possible participants in a crime Chapter 4 Review: Chapter summary, revision questions and practice assessment task Chapter 5: Indictable offences 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Murder 5.3 Culpable driving 5.4 Rape 5.5 Theft 5.6 Other indictable offences Chapter 5 Review: Chapter summary, revision questions and practice assessment task Chapter 6: Summary offences 6.1 Graffiti 6.2 Assault 6.3 Drinking in a public place 6.4 Offensive behaviour 6.5 Other summary offences Chapter 6 Review: Chapter summary, revision questions and practice assessment task Chapter 7: Civil liability 7.1 Purposes of civil law 7.2 Types of civil law 7.3 Key concepts of civil law 7.4 Possible parties to a civil dispute Chapter 7 Review: Chapter summary, revision questions and practice assessment task Chapter 8: Tort law 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Negligence 8.3 Defamation 8.4 Nuisance Chapter 8 Review: Chapter summary, revision questions and practice assessment task Chapter 9: Other areas of civil law 9.1 Harassment and discrimination 9.2 Marriage and divorce 9.3 Online shopping 9.4 Work pay and conditions Chapter 9 Review: Chapter summary, revision questions and practice assessment task Chapter 10: Introduction to Unit 2 10.1 The meaning of laws 10.2 Criminal law 10.3 Civil law 10.4 Key differences between criminal cases and civil disputesChapter 11: Sanctions 11.1 Introduction 11.2 The principles of justice 11.3 Institutions that enforce civil law 11.4 The balance between institutional powers and individual rights 11.5 The Victorian courts 11.6 The role of the jury in a criminal trial 11.7 The purposes of sanctions 11.8 Types of sanctions 11.9 Factors considered by judges in sentencing 11.10 Sentencing practices in Victoria and one other jurisdiction 11.11 Alternative approaches to sentencing Chapter 11 Review: Chapter summary, revision questions and practice assessment task Chapter 12: Recent criminal cases 12.1 The man who shot a corpse. R v Darrington [2016] VSC 60 (29 February 2016) 12.2 L-plater causes death. DPP v Singh [2016] VCC 1826 (25 November 2016) 12.3 High Court steps in on domestic violence murder. R v Kilic [2016] HCA 48 (7 December 2016) 12.4 Violent armed robbery by young offender. DPP v Gatkuoth [2016] VCC 634 (17 May 2016) Chapter 12 Review: Chapter summary, revision questions and practice assessment task Chapter 13: Remedies 13.1 The principles of justice 13.2 Methods used to resolve a civil dispute 13.3 Institutions that resolve civil disputes 13.4 The Victorian courts 13.5 The role of the jury in a civil trial 13.6 The purposes of remedies 13.7 Types of remedies Chapter 13 Review: Chapter summary, revision questions and practice assessment task Chapter 14: Recent civil cases 14.1 Rebel with a cause - Wilson v Bauer Media Pty Ltd14.2 Bendigo mosque. Hoskin v Greater Bendigo CC and Anor [2015] VCAT 1124 (6 August 2015) 14.3 Detention centre class action - Kamasee v Commonwealth 14.4 The acoustic bird in Bairnsdale. Courtney & Jackson v Howell [2016] VMC011 (26 July 2016) Chapter 14 Review: Chapter summary, revision questions and practice assessment task Chapter 15: Rights 15.1 Introduction 15.2 The way in which Australia protects rights 15.3 The influence of international declarations and treaties on Australia's protection of rights 15.4 The approach adopted by other countries in protecting rights 15.5 Possible reforms to the protection of rights in Australia 15.6 Rights cases Chapter 15 Review: Chapter summary, revision questions and practice assessment task Glossary Acknowledgements List of acts and cases Index