This course allows students to apply the knowledge they have learned in Blockchain & Legal Innovation I to solving systemic legal problems by completely re-imagining how particular relationships or transactions can be automated by fusing traditional legal services with the "Lex Automagica" tech-sytack of blockchain, digital assets, smart contracts and AI. We begin with some initial workshops and a case study. Then the focus is on mentor-assisted team-based projects, applying knowledge from the previous course to the problem of designing specific solutions. The major assessment is a research or whitepaper addressing the technical and regulatory barriers to an original, innovatve, and holistic solution to a systemic legal problem, such as digital identity, bockchain-based real estate, online dispute resolution, international trade, money, finance and securities, government regulation and oversight, or any of the other potential use-cases for blockchain and smart contract technology.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Research and critically analyse the technical, legal, and policy issues involved in applying blockchain, digital assets, smart contracts, and AI to automate any given relationship, transaction or regulatory area.
- Synthesise and apply legal and technical knowledge to address major technical, legal or regulatory barriers and propose viable, innovative solutions to legal problems.
- Plan and conduct a project to research and critically analyse real-world, systemic legal problems and develop solutions to these problems using blockchain, digital assets, smart contracts and AI.
Work Integrated Learning
Projects
This course provides students with the opportunity to engage deeply with the technology of blockchain, smart contracts, and AI and explore the practical implications on the legal industry. The focus of this course is on mentor-assisted team-based projects, applying knowledge to the problem of designing specific solutions. The major assessment is a whitepaper addressing the technical and regulatory barriers to an original, innovative, and holistic solution to a systemic legal problem, such as digital identity, bockchain-based real estate, online dispute resolution, international trade, money, finance and securities, government regulation and oversight, or any of the other potential use-cases for blockchain and smart contract technology.
Indicative Assessment
- Minor Project: In small teams, describe & present 3 indicative solutions using the "lex automagica" tech-stack. Students are marked on their formal paper, not their presentation. (30) [LO 1,2]
- Major Project: In small teams (or individually, by election) describe & present a detailed solution to a systemic legal problem using the lex automagica tech-stack. Students are marked on their formal paper, not their presentation. (70) [LO 1,2,3]
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Workload
- Classes offered in non-standard sessions will be taught on an intensive base with compulsory contact hours (approximately 26 hours of face to face teaching). The course will also require advanced preparation through assigned readings. In total, it is anticipated that the hours required for completion of this course (class preparation, teaching and completion of assessment) will not exceed 120 hours.
- Classes offered during semester periods are expected to have three contact hours per week.
Click here for the LLM Masters Program course list
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Students must rely on the approved Class Summary which will be posted to the Programs and Courses site approximately two weeks prior to the commencement of the course. Alternatively, this information will be published in the Program course list when known.
Assumed Knowledge
General understanding or interest in blockchain/crypto-currencies
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 34
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5280 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8725 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | Online | N/A |