HSC Legal Studies Question Thread

[sarahhamilton]

Any predictions for the 2017 paper?

[fantasticbeasts3]

What is the best method of studying for the crime extended response?

LCMs. LCMs. LCMs. memorise as many as you can, and you'll be set! (but also know how to write an essay, and therefore, be able to make an argument on how effective certain laws with reference to cases and media articles)

Any predictions for the 2017 paper?

law reform and some other theme for the crime response. i most likely don't do the options you do (click the link in my signature and you'll figure out why) so i can't help you there.

best of luck for your hsc,
fantasticbeasts

[Korrasami]

Hey guys, currently writing an essay using this question from the 2010 HSC Consumers question: "Assess how compliance and non-compliance are demonstrated in the operation of consumer law."

Decided to talk about the role of mandatory standards, regulation of marketing, occupational licensing and role of media/NGOS.
However,  a bit stuck on the role of media/NGOS. So far I have - "The non-statutory mechanisms such as media scrutiny and the influence of NGOs, continue to have a significant role in ensuring compliance with consumer law. The media provides society with more information, forcing suppliers to comply in order to avoid criticism or the publicising cases of non-compliance."

However I don't know what else to write. Anyone have any ideas?

Also I have a feeling compliance and non-compliance may be one of the Consumer questions for this year..

[katie,rinos]

Hey guys, currently writing an essay using this question from the 2010 HSC Consumers question: "Assess how compliance and non-compliance are demonstrated in the operation of consumer law."

Decided to talk about the role of mandatory standards, regulation of marketing, occupational licensing and role of media/NGOS.
However,  a bit stuck on the role of media/NGOS. So far I have - "The non-statutory mechanisms such as media scrutiny and the influence of NGOs, continue to have a significant role in ensuring compliance with consumer law. The media provides society with more information, forcing suppliers to comply in order to avoid criticism or the publicising cases of non-compliance."

However I don't know what else to write. Anyone have any ideas?

Also I have a feeling compliance and non-compliance may be one of the Consumer questions for this year..

Hey,
In general terms, NGO's can provide information/advice to consumers and some attempt to influence the legislative programs of political parties in government (by pushing for new laws, or harsher ones, etc.) The media can heighten consumer awareness on unsafe products, the release/quality of products and dishonest sale techniques. However, the media can be biased towards one side, or sponsor and may sensationalise issues.

I normally use the Consumer NGO Choice but I usually integrate it with other points. So, for example in mandatory reporting the Thermomix case (can link to an article if you want one) Choice exposed the scale of this by revealing that the faulty product had led to at least 87 different incidents. So, in that case Choice can publicly humiliate businesses and expose them for not following the laws.

Similarly, with free range eggs Choice has made the cluck-AR app for consumers to find out if eggs are free range, a free-range egg buying guide, 2015 report, education page and they have also lobbied the government for a national free-range egg code. They also research and campaign for consumers, educating them on consumer practises and businesses that are not compliant.
Hope this helps

[Korrasami]

Hey,
In general terms, NGO's can provide information/advice to consumers and some attempt to influence the legislative programs of political parties in government (by pushing for new laws, or harsher ones, etc.) The media can heighten consumer awareness on unsafe products, the release/quality of products and dishonest sale techniques. However, the media can be biased towards one side, or sponsor and may sensationalise issues.

I normally use the Consumer NGO Choice but I usually integrate it with other points. So, for example in mandatory reporting the Thermomix case (can link to an article if you want one) Choice exposed the scale of this by revealing that the faulty product had led to at least 87 different incidents. So, in that case Choice can publicly humiliate businesses and expose them for not following the laws.

Similarly, with free range eggs Choice has made the cluck-AR app for consumers to find out if eggs are free range, a free-range egg buying guide, 2015 report, education page and they have also lobbied the government for a national free-range egg code. They also research and campaign for consumers, educating them on consumer practises and businesses that are not compliant.
Hope this helps

Thank you so much!

[austv99]

Hi,
Im a bit uneasy about the upcoming HSC exam due to the nature of legal studies exams esp in option topics.
My school and my notes for my options are heavily reliant on contemporary issues and only have short summaries for the rest of the dotpoints. (minimal LCMs) this is due to my teacher claiming that there will always be an option to write an essay entirely on contemporary issues or that we could use the issues in theme based questions. This was also the case in the CSSA trial paper we did.
Long story short,
Is it possible to solely rely on the contemporary issues?
Will we get marked down if we use them in theme based questions?
What's the possibility of the hsc choosing to give us a narrowed question not based off the issues?
Thanks.

[fantasticbeasts3]

Hi,
Im a bit uneasy about the upcoming HSC exam due to the nature of legal studies exams esp in option topics.
My school and my notes for my options are heavily reliant on contemporary issues and only have short summaries for the rest of the dotpoints. (minimal LCMs) this is due to my teacher claiming that there will always be an option to write an essay entirely on contemporary issues or that we could use the issues in theme based questions. This was also the case in the CSSA trial paper we did.
Long story short,
Is it possible to solely rely on the contemporary issues?
Will we get marked down if we use them in theme based questions?
What's the possibility of the hsc choosing to give us a narrowed question not based off the issues?
Thanks.

hey!! nothing to be nervous about in the legal exam - you've done everything before :-)

on the contemporary issues, it's totally fine to use them in the options essays even though it's not specified :-) you won't be marked down for it. my teacher told my class the same thing about being able to use the contemporary issues for all essays. it's all good, as long as you answer the question!

best of luck for the hsc,
fantasticbeasts

[mystermark]

Hi everyone,
Is provocation abolished? Is it just in a couple of states or all across Australia?
This is for me law reform essay with r v singh

[isaacdelatorre]

Hi everyone,
Is provocation abolished? Is it just in a couple of states or all across Australia?
This is for me law reform essay with r v singh

Hi there,

Following the R v Singh case there was significant public outcry about how lenient the partial defence of provocation was. To ensure that the law reflected changing values and ethical standards law reform was introduced through the Crimes Amendment (Provocation) Act 2014 to change the partial defence of provocation to extreme provocation. This reform made it harder to claim provocation and instead listed out provisions that must be met to prove extreme provocation. These are listed out the Crimes Act 1990 s23(2).

Section 23(2) provides an act is done in response to extreme provocation if and only if:
(a) the accused acted in response to conduct of the deceased towards or affecting the accused; and
(b) the conduct of the deceased is a serious indictable offence (punishable by 5 years imprisonment or more); and
(c) the deceased’s conduct caused the accused to lose self-control; and
(d) the deceased’s conduct could have caused an ordinary person to lose self-control to the extent of intending to kill or inflict grievous bodily harm on the deceased.

Hope this helps!!!

[Korrasami]

Any predictions for the 2017 paper?

Crime - Law reform
Consumers - Compliance and non-compliance
Family - same thing

I don't do the other options

[oliviamarie]

Hi,
Im a bit uneasy about the upcoming HSC exam due to the nature of legal studies exams esp in option topics.
My school and my notes for my options are heavily reliant on contemporary issues and only have short summaries for the rest of the dotpoints. (minimal LCMs) this is due to my teacher claiming that there will always be an option to write an essay entirely on contemporary issues or that we could use the issues in theme based questions. This was also the case in the CSSA trial paper we did.
Long story short,
Is it possible to solely rely on the contemporary issues?
Will we get marked down if we use them in theme based questions?
What's the possibility of the hsc choosing to give us a narrowed question not based off the issues?
Thanks.

contemporary issues are universal to most of the previous dot points in the options so this should be fine ensure you know basic definitions from earlier topics though in case you want to establish this in your intro (e.g. family law- same sex couples- marriage is defined as " " as seen in case of " " best of luck!

[oliviamarie]

at this point - what should I be doing for legal? what are last minute tips for preparing for legal studies in the few weeks before the exam?

Also how do I deal with the fact I have society and culture on the same day as legal ? I need help aahhh

at this point Im working on essay plans for broad topics (eg. law reform) and drilling over main LCMS, definetly review themes and challenges!

can't say I have the issue of sac and legal- but hey at least the sac exam isn't worth as much as the others!

[fergo]

Hey!!

So my Legal Studies teacher only teaches from the textbook, and I am starting to get worried that we may be missing out on some important information because of it. How bad would it be to go into the HSC with textbook knowledge + cases and media? Where else can I gain information that may be important?

Thanks!!

[jamonwindeyer]

Hey!!

So my Legal Studies teacher only teaches from the textbook, and I am starting to get worried that we may be missing out on some important information because of it. How bad would it be to go into the HSC with textbook knowledge + cases and media? Where else can I gain information that may be important?

Thanks!!

Hey! Your textbook is going to have all of the content you need, so provided you are doing wider research for cases/laws/other evidence for your essays, that is going to be heaps!

If you are concerned, lots of free notes you can use to supplement here, or you could buy Elyse's awesome course notes. Or do neither and do your own independent research - You will be fine either way

[lauracabezas]

some one please help me haha I'm really really bad at essays for legal basically. and It's kinda weird (or maybe not?) considering i'm pretty good at English essays. I did pretty trash in my family essay in trials and I got 18/25 for world order which is okay i suppose but obviously lots of room to improve. I really have no idea how to write a confident, valid essay for legal. whether crime, family or world order or even just in general any tips would be amazing