11–12Legal Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2025)
The new Legal Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented from 2027 and will replace the Legal Studies Stage 6 Syllabus (2009).
2026
- Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
2027, Term 1
- Start teaching the new syllabus for Year 11
- Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
- Continue to teach the Legal Studies Stage 6 Syllabus (2009) for Year 12
2027, Term 4
- Start teaching the new syllabus for Year 12
- Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2028
- First HSC examination for the new syllabus
Content
Year 11
The Loading is to be integrated as appropriate.
Students examine TWO case studies of law reform:
- the recognition of land rights in NSW and native title for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- ONE other case study of law reform selected from NSW or the federal level.
Both case studies will draw on the following elements in the process of law reform in NSW and Australia:
Recognising changing values
Maintaining relevance in society
Adapting to technological change
Upholding international standards
Amending existing or outdated laws
Addressing the needs of individuals, groups or society
Ways to influence change, including activism, advocacy, public opinion, investigations, findings and recommendations
Informal methods of change by individuals, advocacy groups and the media
Formal methods of change through the legislative process, judicial decisions, royal commissions, law reform commissions and inquiries
Legislative methods
Executive methods
Judicial methods
Benefits of reform
Limitations of reform
Overview of land rights, including the role and impact of legislation in NSW
Overview of native title, including overturning the doctrine of terra nullius and the relationship to land rights
Drivers of change to native title
The process of developing laws through judicial decisions and legislation, including the Mabo and Wik decisions
Outcomes of change to native title law, including the benefits and limitations
Overview of the area of law reform
Reasons for change to the law
Drivers of change in the area of law reform
Processes of change used to address the area of law reform
Outcomes of the change, including benefits and limitations