Overview
In this unit you will examine the jurisdiction of Equity, which includes the law of Trusts. Weeks 1-3 focus on the history of Equity and its relationship with the common law, equitable rights and interests, equitable assignment, and fiduciary obligations. Weeks 4-8 focus on the law of Trusts, including types of trusts, trust creation and variation, trustee duties, rights and powers, breach of trust, beneficiary rights and remedies, resulting trusts, and constructive trusts. Weeks 9-12 focus on undue influence, unconscionable transactions, estoppel in equity and equitable remedies. This unit meets the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board requirements for Equity, including Trusts.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite: 24 credit points of Law units including LAWS11057.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluation 2023
Useful feedback score lower
I will review my feedback processes for unit 1 2025.
Feedback from Unsolicited email feedback 2023 T1 student
Courtesy email to thank you for your time and effort you have put into the unit, in particular the learning material. The shorter videos are great and the revise and reflect on your PP are fantastic, allowing students to learn the material in small bite size pieces before moving onto the next concept.
I will continue to develop resources using this approach.
Feedback from The exam content should be reduced for the 2.5hrs
Student evaluation 2023 T3
I reviewed the complexity of exam questions following the 2023 T3 exams and implemented changes in 2024 T1.
- Explain the principles of Equity and Trusts and examine their relationship to broader legal principles
- Identify relevant equitable doctrines and apply them to problem-based scenarios
- Analyse and evaluate the role played by equity and trusts in common law jurisdictions
- Research, critically analyse, and evaluate case law and theoretical aspects of equity.
This unit satisfies the Priestley 11 requirements for Equity, which also includes Trusts, as approved by the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online discussion forum - 10% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 3 - Examination - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Principles of Australian Equity and Trusts, 6th edition
Edition: 6th (2024)
Authors: Peter Radan and Cameron Stewart
Lexis Nexis
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780409359145
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 4th ed
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.mcewan@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
The nature of equity: history and
interaction with the common law
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom workshop: 2 hours.
Module/Topic
Equitable interests and equitable
assignment
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom workshop: 2 hours
Module/Topic
Fiduciary relationships and obligations
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom workshop: 2 hours
Module/Topic
The trust: introduction, creation and
variation
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom workshop: 2 hours
Online discussion forum Due: Week 4 Friday (4 Apr 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
The trustee
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom workshop: 2 hours
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Breach of trust, beneficiary rights and
remedies
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom workshop: 2 hours
Module/Topic
Resulting trusts
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom workshop: 2 hours
Written Assessment Due: Week 7 Friday (2 May 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Constructive trusts
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom workshop: 2 hours
Module/Topic
Undue influence; unconscionable
transactions
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom workshop: 2 hours
Module/Topic
Equitable estoppel
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom workshop: 2 hours
Module/Topic
Equitable remedies 1: declarations;
specific Performance
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom workshop: 2 hours
Module/Topic
Equitable remedies 2: injunctions,
monetary temedies
Chapter
See weekly study guide
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom workshop: 2 hours
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
My contact details: a.mcewan@cqu.edu.au
Consultation Hours: I am generally available for consultation on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 12 noon (Eastern
Standard Time). The best way to contact me is by email. I check my emails regularly and will get back to you to arrange
a time to talk.
1 Online discussion forum
The online discussion forum assessment is worth 10% of the total unit mark.
You must not use any generative AI, large language model or equivalent tool in any manner for this assessment.
You will make two posts to assessment discussion forums set up on Moodle specifically for this
purpose.
You will be required to enter one post in two forums, i.e., two posts in total. You will choose from a selection of questions
and topics based on unit content from weeks one, two, and three.
Post One: You will make an original post responding to one of the set questions or topics.
Post Two: You will make a post replying to another student’s post.
The word limit for each post is 200 words, excluding references. There is a word minimum of 150 words for each post.
Each post is worth 5 marks, with a total of 10 marks.
Posts will be assessed according to assessment criteria that will be uploaded to Moodle. You must submit your two posts
in a single Word document via the usual Moodle assignment submission process. In the Word document:
1. Note the discussion forum number and title for each post;
2. Use headings 'original post' and 'reply post'; and
3. Include the word count and your other details, i.e., student name, study ID number, and name of the assignment.
For students who complete the task on the discussion forum, though fail to submit their assignment in a Word
document, a late penalty will be applied until the forum posts are submitted via Moodle in a Word document
in accordance with the task instructions.
Week 4 Friday (4 Apr 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Estimated time for return is two weeks for the due date/time.
Each post will be marked according to assessment criteria focusing on:
Accuracy of information;
Quality of argument;
Critical reflection; and
Acknowledgement of sources, and communication skills.
The assessment criteria sheet will be uploaded to Moodle at the beginning of term.
- Explain the principles of Equity and Trusts and examine their relationship to broader legal principles
- Analyse and evaluate the role played by equity and trusts in common law jurisdictions
- Research, critically analyse, and evaluate case law and theoretical aspects of equity.
2 Written Assessment
This assessment is worth 40% of the total unit mark.
You must not use any generative AI, large language model or equivalent tool in any manner for this assessment.
The assessment will include at least one problem question.
The total word count for the written assessment will be 2200 words. You must state the word count on the first page.
Headings and sub-headings form part of the word count. Footnotes do not form part of the word count. You will be
required to refer to relevant case law and statute, apply legal reasoning and critical thinking skills, and engage in
research to support your arguments. You must reference your work in accordance with the Australian Guide to Legal
Citation (AGLC) 4th Edition and adhere to standards of academic integrity.
The assessment will be marked against a rubric that will be made available on the Moodle page.
Week 7 Friday (2 May 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Estimated return date is two weeks from the due date and time.
The written assessment task will be marked according to the following criteria:
Understanding of factual basis and relevant law;
Presentation of answers in a logical structure;
Application of the law to the facts for the problem question;
Exploration of legal issues and legal analysis; and
Written expression and AGLC referencing.
The assessment criteria sheet will be uploaded to Moodle at the beginning of term.
- Explain the principles of Equity and Trusts and examine their relationship to broader legal principles
- Identify relevant equitable doctrines and apply them to problem-based scenarios
- Analyse and evaluate the role played by equity and trusts in common law jurisdictions
- Analyse and evaluate the role played by equity and trusts in common law jurisdictions
- Research, critically analyse, and evaluate case law and theoretical aspects of equity.
Examination
No calculators permitted
Law dictionaries, Business and Law dictionaries (discipline specific dictionaries) are authorised.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
