Disasters and the Law

This course provides students with the knowledge to incorporate awareness of disaster law into their future studies and careers. The course ensures that students are provided with a broad overview of the role of law in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and their management (DRM) in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific region and the globe. Key foundational topics include the theory of disasters, the disaster "cycle" and the importance of vulnerability to an understanding of the role of law in disasters. The course also provides students with key practical examples of the role and importance of law in the understanding of disasters and the practice of disaster management. These examples are drawn from a variety of legal disciplines, across public, private and criminal law. The specific examples will draw upon UC’s internationally recognised expertise (and guest lecturers) in the field of disaster law and may include, but are not limited to, topics such as family law, resource management, insurance, criminal justice, privacy law, legal obligations and employment law as they apply to all aspects of the disaster "cycle".