Bachelor of Laws: Overview

A comprehensive guide to legal research created by the VU Law Library

About this Guide

This guide provides a starting point for conducting legal research using the VU Library. It contains guidance on locating primary and secondary sources and links to resources for all subjects taught by the Victoria Law School.

ß Use the side menu to explore the contents of this guide.

Legal Research Classes.  Semester 1, Block 2,  2024.

The Law Library offer a range of legal research and referencing classes each block.  All classes are delivered online via Zoom.  Please click on the tabs below for details of each class.

Finding Case Law

An introduction to locating primary legal sources. Students will learn how to use a case citator to locate case law and information about case law.

12pm Thu 4 April (60 minutes)
2pm Mon 8 April (60 minutes)

Bookings may be made via the Learning Hub - link below.
https://learninghub.vu.edu.au/students/events?descending=false&page=1&sortBy=Start&studentSiteId=1&text=1898

 

Finding Legislation - Law and Criminology

Students will  learn how to locate up-to-date legislation and associated extrinsic materials.

1pm Wed 3 April (60 minutes)
1pm Thu 11 April (60 minutes)

Bookings may be made via the Learning Hub - link below.
https://learninghub.vu.edu.au/students/events?descending=false&page=1&sortBy=Start&studentSiteId=1&text=1896

Finding Secondary Sources for Law

The focus of the class is on analysing a question, using a legal dictionary and building a search statement to locate legal journal articles.  The class includes an overview of how to reference journal articles using AGLC.

2pm Thu 21 March (60 minutes)
12pm Mon 25 March (60 minutes)
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2pm Thu 28 March (60 minutes)
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​​​​​​​​​Bookings may be made via the Learning Hub - link below.
https://learninghub.vu.edu.au/students/events?descending=false&page=1&sortBy=Start&studentSiteId=1&text=1251

Library Inquiry - Law

This class takes students through the process of locating discussion of a legal principle in a textbook, locating case law that is referred to in the textbook and citing those cases correctly.

​​​​​2pm Thu 4 April (60 minutes)
12pm Mon 8 April (60 minutes)

Bookings may be made via the Learning Hub - link below.
https://learninghub.vu.edu.au/students/events?descending=false&page=1&sortBy=Start&studentSiteId=1&text=1431

AGLC4 - Referencing

This interactive class is suitable for beginners, or those wishing to improve their AGLC4 skills.

10am Mon 25 March (60 Minutes)
12pm Thu 28 March(60 minutes)

Bookings may be made via the Learning Hub - link below.
https://learninghub.vu.edu.au/students/events?descending=false&page=1&sortBy=Start&studentSiteId=1&text=1091

APA- Referencing

This interactive class is suitable for beginners, or those wishing to improve their APA skills.

12pm Tue 26 March (60 minutes)

Bookings may be made via the Learning Hub - link below.
https://learninghub.vu.edu.au/students/events?descending=false&page=1&sortBy=Start&studentSiteId=1&text=1927

 A variety of referencing styles are used at VU.  If you are unsure which style to use, ask your lecturer/tutor which style they require.  And, always refer to the instructions included with your assignment.

Criminology - Library Class

This class introduces criminology students to a step-by-step approach to quickly and efficiently locate journal articles for use in criminology assignments.

12pm Fri 22 March (60 minutes)

Bookings may be made via the Learning Hub - link below.
https://learninghub.vu.edu.au/students/events?descending=false&page=1&sortBy=Start&studentSiteId=1&text=1897

Useful eBooks

Useful Ebooks

Database Quick Find

Acknowledgement of Country

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Kulin Nation (Melbourne campuses), the Eora Nation (Sydney campus) and the Yulara/Yugarapul and Turrbal Nation (Brisbane campus) who are the traditional owners of University land. As we share our own knowledge practices within the University, may we pay respect to the deep knowledge embedded within the Aboriginal community and recognise their ownership of Country.

We acknowledge that the land on which we meet, learn, and share knowledge is a place of age-old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the Traditional Owners living culture and practices have a unique role in the life of this region. Learn more from our Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Unit.

Licence

     This content is licensed to Victoria University under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.