LAWS10111 Legal systems and skills

The unit aims to:

• Examine the role of written and oral advocacy in the legal process.
• Enhance self-confidence in public speaking.
• Improve the cogency of students' legal and factual analysis.
• Develop questioning, independent research, and drafting skills.
• Enhance students' ability to persuade orally and in writing by reasoned argument in a courtroom setting.
• Develop an awareness of legal rules and procedures in the context of high ethical standards.

This is second semester unit will be delivered through lectures and small group fortnightly workshops, as well as directed and independent learning. The direct contact hours consist of:

Lectures: 10 hours

Recorded external lectures: 10 hours

Workshops: 2hrs x 5wks = 10 hours

Court observation: 5 hours

E-learning: 2hr (deductive and inductive reasoning tests) = 2 hour

Total: 37 hours

We will use real life scenarios in criminal and civil law that closely simulate legal practice. Applying the lecture content and directed learning, students will practise and develop their advocacy skills through a range of tasks in a courtroom atmosphere. Questioning technique will be taught to enable students to apply their knowledge. The role of advocacy in the making of court applications and the development of legal argument will then be explored and practised. The tutor will give individual feedback on performances, with time for self-reflection upon reviewing the recorded workshop.

• Know how to structure persuasive legal argument;
• Understand the manner in which legal submissions should be made and responded to;
• Understand and observe the rules of professional conduct, inside and outside the courtroom.

• Present and respond to legal argument, both orally and in writing;
• Effectively persuade;
• Critically analyse the law and formulate legal argument at the appellate level.

• Display confidence when addressing an audience;
• Advocate at a sensible pace, with appropriate tonation.

• Whether students enter the legal profession or not, their knowledge and development of the art of advocacy will be readily transferable to any profession

Oral advocacy exam - 20 minutes - 50%
Written work  - 2000 words - 50%
 

See associated reading list

Open book examination.

Information

Restricted to: Law school students only.

Co-requisites: none

Timetable

See Law School timetable