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COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

Hit your professional best with postgraduate study

A POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATION IN COMMERCIAL LITIGATION GIVES YOU AN EDGE

The College of Law helps you strengthen your expertise across pre-trial procedure, dispute resolution, and courtroom advocacy in commercial contexts. Your career is an opportunity to unlock your potential. Postgraduate study equips you with the practical skills to do it, helping you meet a version of yourself who can achieve things you could only imagine.

Advance your career with the practical skills to manage complex cases, refine your advocacy and develop effective litigation strategies. Study a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Laws and explore areas such as construction, insurance, intellectual property, insolvency, and corporations litigation.

Refine your advocacy, manage complex proceedings, and build recognition as a commercial litigation specialist.

Scroll down to explore postgraduate litigation law courses and subjects.

Enrol now Subjects by intake date Course guide Enquire

INTAKE 1 STARTS 9 FEB 2026

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PROGRAM OPTIONS - COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

Graduate Certificate in Applied Law

2

Choose any two subjects across practice areas

A recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent)

$4,150 per subject - FEE-HELP

Approx 6 months
Learn more

Graduate Diploma of Applied Law (Commercial Litigation)

4

3 core subjects (CLP1, CLP2, CLP3) and 1 CLP elective subject

A recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent)

$4,150 per subject - FEE-HELP

1 year part-time
Learn more

Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Commercial Litigation

8

3 CLP subjects, 4 elective subjects or a second major and the Capstone project in Commercial Litigation

A recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent)

$4,150 per subject - FEE-HELP

2 years part-time
Learn more

OR START WITH A GRADUATE CERTIFICATE

Take control of your career

If you decide later to progress towards a Masters, you’ll receive credit towards that award.

Learn more

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION SUBJECTS

CLP00 - Capstone Project (Commercial Litigation)

Intake 2, 4
The Capstone Project is taken as the final subject, as a culmination of the knowledge and skills attained throughout the major. It will allow students to demonstrate their skills in a specialist practice area using real-life scenarios and case studies. Throughout the intake, students will receive individualised feedback from their lecturer and will also have access to a rich array of skills modules that include guides, samples, and practice exercises for honing their legal skills. The highlight of the Capstone Project is the final task, where students will prepare a Final Portfolio that demonstrates their legal writing, research, and oral skills.

TOPICS

THE SUBJECT HAS FOUR COMPONENTS

  1. Four short answer questions
  2. Two legal writing samples
  3. Oral communication (e.g. client interview) assessment held through online conferencing
  4. Reflective analysis

CLP1 - Foundations of Commercial Litigation

Intake 1, 3
This subject provides an overview of commercial disputes, with particular focus on causes of action and remedies in commercial disputes. It is designed to expand the knowledge of contract law and to provide insight into the complexities of the typical commercial context in which litigators operate. This subject also examines tortious, equitable and statutory causes of action.

TOPICS

  • Commercial relationships and contractual disputes
  • Cutting across contracts
  • Termination without breach – frustration and mistake
  • Termination for breach of contract
  • Statutory overlays on contracts
  • Negligence, misrepresentation, and misleading and deceptive conduct
  • Damages and other forms of relief

CLP2 - Pre-trial Procedures

Intake 2
This foundational subject covers the purpose of, and law and practice relating to, pre-trial processes in commercial litigation. It focuses on the skills of analysis, problem solving and strategy in effectively carrying out the procedures required as a matter in the Federal Court progresses on its way to trial, including seeking interlocutory orders and directions. In addition, it will cover how to obtain instructions, give advice and utilise these procedures in the most efficient and effective manner to advance the clients’ interests.

TOPICS

  • Advising on commercial disputes
  • Security for costs
  • Preliminary discovery, search orders and freezing orders
  • Commencing proceedings and identification of issues
  • Preparing pre-trial applications and affidavits
  • Gathering and managing evidence
  • Conducting a hearing
  • Early resolution and practical outcomes of proceedings

CLP3 - Dispute Resolution Processes

Intake 4
This subject sets out the range of strategic choices available when a client is in dispute or anticipates a dispute. It is designed to enable students to identify and evaluate the main dispute resolution processes applicable in commercial matters and develop effective pre-trial strategies.

TOPICS

  • Dispute analysis and management
  • Alternative dispute resolution processes
  • Negotiation and conflict-handling skills
  • Expert determination and commercial arbitration
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative law and conciliation
  • Drafting deeds of release
  • Dispute resolution by court hearing

CLP4 - Managing Complex Litigation

Intake 3
Complex litigation can arise in a number of circumstances. It can include litigation involving multiple parties, voluminous statements of evidence, fast-paced and tightly managed court timetables, extensive discovery and numerous interlocutory procedures. It may also take the form of a representative or group proceeding (i.e. class action). To ensure that the proceedings run smoothly and both the court and the client are kept informed, careful case management is required. This will usually involve additional human resources and specialised technology to enable compliance with electronic discovery protocols and completion of detailed evidence.

TOPICS

Taking initial instructions and managing the client Understanding litigation costs Managing a project team Electronic discovery Managing issues of privilege Urgent applications and injunctions Class actions Foreign judgments, service and evidence

CLP11 - Building and Construction Disputes

Intake 1
The building and construction industry in Australia is very large and generates a lot of disputes. With every building project that experiences a delay, or worse, comes to a complete standstill, there are potential job losses, lost revenue and in some cases, corporate collapses. Building and construction law covers large-scale commercial developments to small home improvement jobs. There are specific processes set up to deal with these disputes and to avoid or minimise the loss when a project does not proceed according to the building contract and plan. Large matters often proceed through the relevant technology and construction list in the Supreme Court, while smaller matters will often be dealt with expeditiously under the security of payment legislation. Building contracts will also usually compel the parties to use alternative dispute resolution to resolve the dispute.

TOPICS

  • Understanding building and construction contracts
  • Common disputes issues
  • Resolving disputes: Alternative dispute resolution and legal action
  • Adjudication and judicial review
  • Extra-contractual remedies in construction disputes
  • Actions concerning residential building work

CLP12 - Insurance Disputes

Intake 4
The insurance industry is a source of litigation both within Australia and overseas. Throughout their career, insurance lawyers may see themselves working on minor claims of only a few thousand dollars through to multi-million dollar claims. For any commercial litigator in Australia, knowledge of insurance law will aid practical success in recovering judgment and awareness of an insurers' roles in commercial litigation. With globalisation and thus the cross-boundary nature of corporate insurers, knowledge of international dispute resolution trends and private international law is also becoming increasingly relevant to insurance litigators. This subject will highlight important and common aspects of insurance disputes, raise awareness of potential issues in insurance law and enable students to practice in insurance litigation.

TOPICS

  • Regulatory environment for insurance
  • The contract of insurance
  • Specific insurance issues
  • Preparing and conducting insurance
  • Litigation relating to agents and brokers
  • Reinsurance arbitration

CLP13 - Intellectual Property Litigation

Intake 3
This subject focuses on the evaluation and employment of strategies for the enforcement of copyright, design, patents and trademarks. This subject will provide students with the tools to formulate courses of action and to advise clients on strategy, risk, costs and success prospects together with foundations for advanced and integrated understandings of the subject.

TOPICS

Introduction to intellectual property Intellectual property disputes Pre-emptive strategies for protecting intellectual property Litigation strategy Pleading infringement Defending an action Final relief, and providing and quantifying damages Expert evidence and appeals

CLP14 - Insolvency Litigation

Intake 2
This subject deals with insolvency disputes and proceedings, and the administration and management of insolvency matters following appointment of an insolvency practitioner, including issues and proceedings arising after commencement of a formal insolvency administration.

TOPICS

  • Introduction to insolvency Personal insolvency – bankruptcy proceedings and processes
  • Personal insolvency – administering a bankruptcy
  • Corporate insolvency – voluntary and involuntary liquidation
  • Corporate insolvency – administering a winding up and issues arising in an external administration
  • Corporate insolvency – voluntary administration and deeds of company arrangement
  • Corporate insolvency – receivers, managers and controllers, and the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) Examination by liquidators
  • Corporate insolvency – proceedings to recover creditors’ assets and cross-border insolvency

CLP15 - Corporations Litigation

Intake 1
This subject deals with the main aspects of corporations litigation. It covers the various parties that may be involved and the various grounds for disputes. As shown in this subject, the multi-party structure of the corporation may itself provide grounds for disputes. Understanding the way corporations operate and the legal principles applying to corporations may provide the key to success in disputes.

TOPICS

  • Corporate and other business structures
  • Regulatory framework in Australia
  • Obligations of directors and officers; defences, indemnity and directors' and officers' liability insurance
  • Boards and disputes between directors; members' rights and general meetings
  • Securities regulation; responding to an ASIC investigation
  • Shareholder class actions
  • Members’ remedies
  • Managed investment schemes

CLP16 - Competition Litigation

This subject covers the nature of competition law disputes. It looks at the regulatory environment (including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)) and the strategies and major issues prior to and after commencement of competition litigation.

TOPICS

  • Introduction to competition and consumer law in Australia
  • Identifying the market and understanding competition
  • Restrictive trade practices
  • Consumer protection
  • The written brief and strategies for dispute resolution
  • ACCC investigations
  • Understanding litigation in the Federal Court
  • Expert evidence

START DATES

Showing options for 'General'. Select a different tab to view options for that tab.
Feb Intake 1 May Intake 2 Aug Intake 3 Nov Intake 4
START DATE 09 Feb 2026 11 May 2026 10 Aug 2026 09 Nov 2026
CENSUS 25 Feb 2026 27 May 2026 26 Aug 2026 02 Dec 2026
END DATE 01 May 2026 31 Jul 2026 30 Oct 2026 05 Feb 2027
Showing options for 'Intensives'. Select a different tab to view options for that tab.
Subject Start Date Census End Date Workshop Date
DRP3 - Advocacy 21 Sep 2026 30 Sep 2026 30 Oct 2026
DRP4 - Mediation 19 Jan 2026 28 Jan 2026 27 Feb 2026

9 - 13 February 2026
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 09 Feb 2026 18 Feb 2026 20 Mar 2026

Intake 1
2-4 March 2026 NSW/VIC
5-7 March 2026 QLD/WA

Intake 2
31 Aug - 2 Sep 2026 NSW/VIC
3 -5 Sept 2026 QLD/WA
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 10 Aug 2026 19 Aug 2026 18 Sep 2026

Intake 1
2-4 March 2026 NSW/VIC
5-7 March 2026 QLD/WA

Intake 2
31 Aug - 2 Sep 2026 NSW/VIC
3 -5 Sept 2026 QLD/WA
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution 23 Mar 2026 01 Apr 2026 01 May 2026

Intake 1, 2026
16 - 18 April 2026   NSW/VIC
13 - 15 April 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
15 - 17 October 2026   NSW/VIC
12 - 14 October 2026  QLD/WA
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution 21 Sep 2026 30 Sep 2026 30 Oct 2026

Intake 1, 2026
16 - 18 April 2026   NSW/VIC
13 - 15 April 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
15 - 17 October 2026   NSW/VIC
12 - 14 October 2026  QLD/WA
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 04 May 2026 13 May 2026 12 Jun 2026

Intake 1, 2026
25 - 27 May 2026  NSW/VIC
28 - 30 May 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
23 - 25 November 2026 NSW/VIC
26 - 28 November 2026 QLD/WA
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 02 Nov 2026 11 Nov 2026 11 Dec 2026

Intake 1, 2026
25 - 27 May 2026  NSW/VIC
28 - 30 May 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
23 - 25 November 2026 NSW/VIC
26 - 28 November 2026 QLD/WA
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 26 Jan 2026 04 Feb 2026 06 Mar 2026

Intake 2, 2025
16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA
19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 1, 2026
6 - 8 July 2026 QLD & WA
9 - 11 July 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1, 12 February 2027
Day 2-4, 15 - 17 Feb 2027 QLD & WA
Day 2-4, 18 - 20 Feb 2027 NSW & VIC 
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 15 Jun 2026 24 Jun 2026 24 Jul 2026

Intake 2, 2025
16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA
19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 1, 2026
6 - 8 July 2026 QLD & WA
9 - 11 July 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1, 12 February 2027
Day 2-4, 15 - 17 Feb 2027 QLD & WA
Day 2-4, 18 - 20 Feb 2027 NSW & VIC 
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 25 Jan 2027 03 Feb 2027 05 Mar 2027

Intake 2, 2025
16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA
19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 1, 2026
6 - 8 July 2026 QLD & WA
9 - 11 July 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1, 12 February 2027
Day 2-4, 15 - 17 Feb 2027 QLD & WA
Day 2-4, 18 - 20 Feb 2027 NSW & VIC 
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 06 Apr 2026 16 Apr 2026 29 May 2026

Intake 1, 2026
Day 1: 23 April 2026    
Days 2-4: 28-30 April 2026
Day 5: 20 May 2026

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1: 25 September 2026    
Days 2-4: 29 September - 1 October 2026
Day 5: 21 October 2026
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 07 Sep 2026 17 Sep 2026 30 Oct 2026

Intake 1, 2026
Day 1: 23 April 2026    
Days 2-4: 28-30 April 2026
Day 5: 20 May 2026

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1: 25 September 2026    
Days 2-4: 29 September - 1 October 2026
Day 5: 21 October 2026
LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success 04 May 2026 13 May 2026 12 Jun 2026
LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success 02 Nov 2026 11 Nov 2026 11 Dec 2025
Showing options for 'FDRP'. Select a different tab to view options for that tab.
Subject Start Date Census End Date Workshop Date
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 09 Feb 2026 18 Feb 2026 20 Mar 2026

Intake 1
2-4 March 2026 NSW/VIC
5-7 March 2026 QLD/WA

Intake 2
31 Aug - 2 Sep 2026 NSW/VIC
3 -5 Sept 2026 QLD/WA
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 10 Aug 2026 19 Aug 2026 18 Sep 2026

Intake 1
2-4 March 2026 NSW/VIC
5-7 March 2026 QLD/WA

Intake 2
31 Aug - 2 Sep 2026 NSW/VIC
3 -5 Sept 2026 QLD/WA
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution 23 Mar 2026 01 Apr 2026 01 May 2026

Intake 1, 2026
16 - 18 April 2026   NSW/VIC
13 - 15 April 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
15 - 17 October 2026   NSW/VIC
12 - 14 October 2026  QLD/WA
FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution 21 Sep 2026 30 Sep 2026 30 Oct 2026

Intake 1, 2026
16 - 18 April 2026   NSW/VIC
13 - 15 April 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
15 - 17 October 2026   NSW/VIC
12 - 14 October 2026  QLD/WA
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 04 May 2026 13 May 2026 12 Jun 2026

Intake 1, 2026
25 - 27 May 2026  NSW/VIC
28 - 30 May 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
23 - 25 November 2026 NSW/VIC
26 - 28 November 2026 QLD/WA
FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 02 Nov 2026 11 Nov 2026 11 Dec 2026

Intake 1, 2026
25 - 27 May 2026  NSW/VIC
28 - 30 May 2026  QLD/WA

Intake 2, 2026
23 - 25 November 2026 NSW/VIC
26 - 28 November 2026 QLD/WA
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 26 Jan 2026 04 Feb 2026 06 Mar 2026

Intake 2, 2025
16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA
19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 1, 2026
6 - 8 July 2026 QLD & WA
9 - 11 July 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1, 12 February 2027
Day 2-4, 15 - 17 Feb 2027 QLD & WA
Day 2-4, 18 - 20 Feb 2027 NSW & VIC 

 
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 15 Jun 2026 24 Jun 2026 24 Jul 2026

Intake 2, 2025
16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA
19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 1, 2026
6 - 8 July 2026 QLD & WA
9 - 11 July 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1, 12 February 2027
Day 2-4, 15 - 17 Feb 2027 QLD & WA
Day 2-4, 18 - 20 Feb 2027 NSW & VIC 

 
FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 25 Jan 2027 03 Feb 2027 05 Mar 2027

Intake 2, 2025
16 - 18 Feb 2026 QLD & WA
19 - 21 Feb 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 1, 2026
6 - 8 July 2026 QLD & WA
9 - 11 July 2026 NSW & VIC 

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1, 12 February 2027
Day 2-4, 15 - 17 Feb 2027 QLD & WA
Day 2-4, 18 - 20 Feb 2027 NSW & VIC 

 
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 06 Apr 2026 16 Apr 2026 29 May 2026

Intake 1, 2026
Day 1: 23 April 2026    
Days 2-4: 28-30 April 2026
Day 5: 20 May 2026

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1: 25 Sept 2026    
Days 2-4: 29 Sept - 1 Oct 2026
Day 5: 21 Oct 2026
FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 07 Sep 2026 17 Sep 2026 30 Oct 2026

Intake 1, 2026
Day 1: 23 April 2026    
Days 2-4: 28-30 April 2026
Day 5: 20 May 2026

Intake 2, 2026
Day 1: 25 Sept 2026    
Days 2-4: 29 Sept - 1 Oct 2026
Day 5: 21 Oct 2026

TEACHING STAFF

Anthony Kaufmann

Barrister
Wentworth Chambers
Find out more

Danny Moujalli

Barrister and part-time Senior Member of NCAT
Ground Floor Wentworth Chambers
Find out more

Darrell Kake

Partner
Longton Legal
Find out more

Kendall Odgers

Special Counsel
Polczynski Robinson
Find out more

Lachlan Menzies

Barrister
8th Floor Wentworth Chambers
Find out more

BECOME AN EXPERT

Commercial Litigation Course Guide

Career in Commercial Litigation Guide

Graduate Certificate Course Guide

5 Tips for Choosing Postgraduate Subjects

How to Ask Your Employer to Fund Your Postgraduate Studies

HAVE QUESTIONS OR READY TO ENROL?

Book a call back with one of our Customer and Student Engagement Advisors

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I was able to sharpen my skills working on course assignments, which were mostly very practical. I also gained insightful feedback in relation to a number of points that I could improve upon to become a better lawyer.

 Tiago Silva, LLM Graduate- Commercial Litigation

Earlier in my career, flexibility was important to me. I also needed a course that was delivered online. The College of Law’s Masters of Commercial Litigation met both requirements.

Krish Nath, LLM Graduate- Commercial Litigation

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