LAWS4054B

Legal Practice 1 - Part B

10 Units 4000 Level Course

Available in 2014

Newcastle City Precinct Semester 2

Previously offered in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Legal Practice (LAWS/DipLegPrac) degree program.

This course is Part B of a multi-term sequence. Part A must be successfully completed before undertaking Part B.

It introduces the practice of law, focussing on litigation and legal transactions legal actions and and gives emphasis to professional responsibility and ethical behaviour. The course is made up of a number of components and modules which cover a variety of areas of practice where communication, research, advocacy and legal transaction skills are utilised.

Students undertake placement at the University of Newcastle Legal Centre interviewing clients and undertaking in-depth casework, simulation exercises and attend legal office placements in the general areas of litigation and legal transactions.

Objectives The primary objective of this course is to enable students to acquire, by way of experiential learning, the knowledge and skills required of entry level lawyers.

The course aims to build upon, and enable students to apply, earlier learning in both substantive and procedual law, particularly in the areas of Torts, Contract Law and Criminal Law. The course complements courses studied simultaneously such as, Civil Procedure and Property Law.

The course will enable students to develop and practise the broad lawyer and other skills needed in litigation and legal transactions, including effective written and oral communication with clients, court room advocacy, drafting and settlement of non litigious matters, such as conveyancing and legal research.

Students will also develop and understand professional responsibility and professional ethics and be able to build upon the skills, knowledge and ethics acquired in this course in their professional lives.
Content The course introduces the practice of law focussing on litigation, legal transactions and dispute resolution and gives emphasis to professional
responsibility and ethical behaviour.

The course is made up of components and modules which cover a variety of areas where advocacy skills and legal transaction skills are utilised. These include Family Law Practice, Comsumer Credit, Professional Practice, Dispute Resolution Practice and Environmental Law Practice. Professional Skills builds on the first year Legal System and Method component, Legal Method (Communication Skills.)

Students deal with real clients, undertake simulation exercises and attend legal office placements in the areas of litigation and legal transactions. The
course examines alternatives to litigation and gives students opportunity to practice alternative dispute resolution skills. It also examines oral and written communication skills, legal letter writing, document drafting, interviewing, research, non litigious negotiation and settlement skills.
Replacing Course(s) NA
Transition NA
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge LAWS1001A, LAWS1001B, LAWS1002A, LAWS1002B, LAWS2003A, LAWS2003B, LAWS3004A, LAWS3004B, LAWS3005
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Problem Based Learning
Lecture
Seminar
Tutorial
Assessment Items
Other: (please specify) Assessment items listed for LAWS4054A and LAWS4054B are undertaken over the full academic year. There is a combination of assessment tools used, including problem-based tasks, simulated, professional placement and other practical exercises and portfolio work. In addition, students are required to produce a reflective journal of their placement experience. Students must achieve an ungraded pass in all clinical parts of this course. To achieve an ungraded pass students must successfully complete all assessment tasks including all simulated and other practical exercises and all clinical placements to a satisfactory standard.
Other: (please specify) Attendance at all classes is compulsory
Contact Hours Practical: for 8 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Clinical: for 4 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Seminar: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Timetables 2014 Course Timetables for LAWS4054B