Area of Study 1: Dispute resolution methods

• Reasons for a court hierarchy
• Victorian Court Hierarchy
• Original and appellate jurisdiction
• Magistrates' Court jurisdiction
• County Court jurisdiction
• Supreme Court (Trial Division) jurisdiction
• Supreme Court (Court of Appeal) jurisdiction
• Role of VCAT
• Dispute resolution methods used by courts and VCAT
• Mediation
• Conciliation
• Arbitration
• Judicial determination
• Strengths and weaknesses of the way courts and VCAT operate to resolve disputes

Area of Study 2: Court processes and procedures, and engaging in justice

• Elements of an effective legal system
• Features of the adversary system of trial
• Strengths and weaknesses of the adversary system of trial
• The inquisitorial system
• Possible reforms to the adversary system
• Criminal pre-trial procedures
• Bail and remand
• Committal hearings
• Purposes of criminal pre-trial procedures
• General purposes of criminal sanctions
• Criminal sanctions
• Specific purposes of criminal sanctions
• Civil pre-trial procedures
• Purposes of civil pre-trial procedures
• Civil remedies and their purpose
• Role and composition of juries
• Strengths and weaknesses of the jury system
• Reforms to the jury system
• Alternatives to the jury system
• Problems and difficulties faced by individuals in using the legal system
• Recent changes and recommendations for change in the legal system designed to enhance its effective operation