
Course unit details:
Law in Action (semester 2)
Unit code | LAWS31202 |
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Credit rating | 20 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
- Introduction to Clinical Legal Education at the University, focusing on the work done in the Justice Hub (with an emphasis on the Legal Advice Centre)
- Reflective practice through group exercises and presentations
- Legal research using legal technology tools
- Legal Advice Centre casework
- Civil Justice Procedure and Legal Ethics
- Access to Civil Justice research and presentations
Pre/co-requisites
Restricted to final students within the School of Law on the LLB (Law), LLB (Law with Politics) and LLB (Law with Criminology) programmes.
Aims
The unit aims to:
1. Enhance students’ ability to identify, develop and evidence their oral and written skills
2. Understand the importance of and demonstrate critical reflection
3. Enable students to explore and apply legal rules, doctrines and concepts in the ‘real world’
4. Expose students to the professional and social contexts of law and facilitate students’ appreciation of ethics and values
5. Require students to understand and critically evaluate their learning experiences
This optional course unit is available to LLB Law, Law with Criminology and Law with Politics students in Year 3 of their studies.
Knowledge and understanding
Develop and awareness of the dynamics of legal relationships and processes in advice and casework.
Intellectual skills
Facilitate critically reflective appreciation of legal ethics and the professional / socio-economic context in which legal services are provided.
Practical skills
Demonstrate and understanding of the legal process and effective procedures of the Legal Advice Centre in preparing research, applying the law to facts and providing effective legal advice.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Demonstrate critical self-reflection and the development of personal and professional skills.
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
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Other | 50% |
Written assignment (inc essay) | 50% |
Assessment is -
Legal Advice Centre (‘LAC’) Case File & Reflective Coursework (2,000 words) (collective mark of 50%)
AND
Access to Justice Essay (2,000 words) (50%)
Legal Advice Centre Case File assessed against learning outcomes:
LO1: Demonstrate an understanding of the legal process and effective procedures of the legal advice centre in preparing research, applying the law to the facts and providing effective legal advice;
LO3: Develop an awareness of the dynamics of legal relationships and processes in advice and casework;
Reflective Coursework assessed against learning outcome:
LO2: Facilitate critically reflective appreciation of legal ethics and values and the professional and socio-economic context in which legal services are provided.
LO5: Demonstrate critical self-reflection and the development of personal and professional skills.
Access to Justice Essay assessed against learning outcomes:
LO2: Facilitate critically reflective appreciation of legal ethics and values and the professional and socio-economic context in which legal services are provided.
LO4: Demonstrate a critical understanding of access to justice and/or social justice issue through independent research.
Feedback methods
Formative
Submit Access to Justice Essay Title (compulsory) and Plan (optional) on or before specified date for approval and feedback.
Submit Reflective Coursework Plan (optional) on or before specified date for feedback.
Casework in the LAC.
Feedback is also provided in weekly group workshop sessions.
Recommended reading
You can find the recommended reading list here:
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
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Fintan Walker | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Contact Hours
Initial training - 6 hrs;
Workshop/lectures 10 x 2hrs;
Supervision in LAC clinics;
Online discussions/tutorials;
Meetings with Supervising Lawyers/LAC case work.