Module Information

Module Identifier
LA13110
Module Title
Legal Skills
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Also available in
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 16 x 1 Hour Lectures
Seminar 3 x 1 Hour Seminars
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Essay  70%
Semester Assessment Oral presentation by way of a moot (mock trial)  30%
Supplementary Assessment - Essay (if element failed)  70%
Supplementary Assessment - Written representation  - If moot is failed - resit is by way of written, as opposed to oral representations  30%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Show an ability to retrieve legal information by use of both electronic and hard copy research methods in order to demonstrate a basic level of competence in locating and using both primary and secondary sources of law.
2. Interpret, evaluate and critically analyse primary and secondary legal sources, and apply these in legal reasoning and problem-solving situations.
3. Demonstrate problem-solving, case-noting and critical analysis skills.
4. Organise ideas and arguments in applying the law to factual situations.
5. Construct legal arguments and apply legal reasoning in oral and written communication.
6. Effectively and coherently prepare, argue for and orally present a case for defendant or prosecution in a formally assessed moot (mock trial).

Brief description

The module prepares students for their other Law studies at University by introducing them to a range of skills they must master if they are to be successful in those studies. This will include reading legislation and cases; critical analysis; essay writing; case noting and problem solving.
Mooting, oral presentation and advocacy skills will be formally assessed, as this forms an important skill for vocational purposes.

Aims

The module aims to teach students the skills essential to (i) their law studies, and (ii) their future vocational/legal career.

Content

  • Legal information sources, including using the library and legal databases.
  • Reading cases and case noting
  • Reading and understanding legislation
  • Essay writing, footnoting and referencing
  • How to avoid unfair practice and plagiarism
  • Critical analysis of cases and commentaries
  • Problem solving in relation to both common law and legislative offences
  • Mooting and advocacy skills
  • Presentation skills

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number
Communication The module will develop students' written communication skills by way of the assessment. In addition, student will develop their oral communication skills through individual and group responses to set work on the seminars and in the moot.
Improving own Learning and Performance Pre and post-lecture research and seminar preparation; using legal databases in preparation for seminar work and in the assessment. Oral skills in the moot
Information Technology Students will be required to undertake research for the module using bibliographic search-engines and library catalogues in preparation for their assessment, (and their seminars). They will also use standard word-processing packages to carry out their work.
Personal Development and Career planning Learning throughout the module will be relevant to a career in the legal profession
Problem solving The module will develop students' problem-solving skills in a number of ways. Students will receive problem-solving lectures and examples; be required to analyse a range of sources and texts in order to answer problem-solving questions in the seminars; as part of their independent research for their written assessment.
Research skills Students are expected to research and synthesize a range of academic source material in preparing for their seminars and for their assessment.
Subject Specific Skills Legal research: use of legal databases as a resource for statute and case law; Reading primary sources in the way of cases and legislation; Problem solving, case noting and critical analysis exercises in lectures and seminars will assist in the written module assessment and, more widely, in the legal profession, as will the mooting and advocacy exercise.
Team work The seminars will include problem-solving and group discussions which will provide opportunities for students to develop team-working skills and discuss their thoughts with the rest of the class. Team work is also a key part of the assessed Moot

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4