Melbourne Law School - Theses

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    Recent developments in the law of consumer guarantees and indemnities
    Bingham, Paul ( 1985)
    A brief examination of the history of the guarantee reveals that equity treated the guarantor as a favoured debtor, given the absence of real benefit to the guarantor. However, these protections have largely been removed by standard form guarantee contracts used by, credit providers, and the law is also otherwise deficient in protecting consumer guarantors. As the expansion of the use of credit in recent years has meant that guarantees are now sometimes given carelessly and thoughtlessly, by persons without adequate education and resources to protect their interests, regulation is required (Chapter 1). The statutory regulation of guarantees before the passing of the Credit Act was inadequate. After examining the scope and nature of the Credit Act, the effect of the Credit Act on the regulation of guarantees is examined (Chapter 2). The extent to which the common law and statute law regulate pre-contractual information given to guarantors is then examined. It is concluded that room for improvement exists (Chapter 3). The extent to which the common law and statute law regulate the exercise of undue influence, unfair pressure and the making of unconscionable bargains is then examined and it is concluded that developments will occur rapidly in this area (Chapter 4). Common law and statutory provisions which discharge the guarantor from liability are then examined in the light of the operation of the Credit Act and it is concluded that some flaws exist both in principle and in the operation of the law (Chapter 5). The extent to which the guarantor is entitled to control the appropriation of payments made by the debtor, and the extent to which the guarantor's liability is coextensive with that of the debtor is then examined and some changes suggested (Chapter 6). The guarantor's rights to have action taken first against the debtor and the debtor's assets, the guarantor's rights to notice before action, and the right of indemnification after action, are then examined (Chapter 7). The possible reasons for the non-regulation of guarantees are examined and dismissed; past suggestions for reform and possible future reforms are examined (Chapter 8). Standard form contracts of guarantee are discussed and the text of a draft fair, simple English, standard form guarantee is suggested (Chapter 9). The law is as stated at 30 November, 1985.
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    The concept of dishonesty in the law of theft in Victoria and England
    Kornblum, Abraham Zali ( 1983)
    This paper is en empirical examination of the concept of dishonesty in England and Victoria from its inception as a result of the recommendations of the Criminal Law Revision Committee in England to the present state of the authorities in England and Victoria. The paper follows the authorities in chronological order first in England and then in Victoria. Each authority is examined and analysed in order to see how the Courts have come to terms with the new concept in defining it, how the concept has developed and changed and the connection of the new concept with the old concepts of larceny and related offences. General criticisms are offered where it is believed that the Courts have strayed from the concept or where the Courts appear confused about defining the concept or where the reasoning appears erroneous. The adequacy or otherwise of the concept as it presently stands is assessed and what advantages and disadvantages exist in the two jurisdictions. Finally, a proposal for reform is suggested having regard to the present state of the authorities.
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    The selling of allotments on plans of subdivision prior to registration : an analysis of the existing legislative controls and suggestions for reform
    Hager, Rod ( 1983)
    The thesis will examine the development of legislation in Victoria controlling the practice of pre-selling real estate. Attention will be paid to the problems associated with uncontrolled pre-selling which became evident in the period 1960 - 1962. The effectiveness of the Sale of Land Act 1962 in dealing with pre-selling will be considered. Controls on pre-selling as are now contained in the Sale of Land Act 1962, the Strata Titles Act 1967, the Cluster Titles Act 1974 and which may be contained in the Companies (Victoria) Code 1981 will be analysed. The general contention of this thesis is that properly regulated pre-selling can play an important role in ensuring a more orderly and efficient property development industry. The present legislative controls are unduly restrictive and have only led property developers to seek artificial means of avoiding the controls and the present means of avoiding legislative restrictions will be considered at length. The thesis will conclude with a call for reform of legislation relating to the pre-selling of real estate and make suggestions of some considerations which should be taken into account when implementing legislative reform.
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    Administrative tribunals in Victoria
    Robbins, Adrian John ( 1982)