Available in 2024
Course code

LAWS6014B

Units

10 units

Level

6000 level

Course handbook

Description

The primary objective of this course is to enable a student to acquire, by way of experiential learning, the specialised technical knowledge and skills required of entry level lawyers. Legal Practice aims to build upon and apply earlier learning in both substantive and procedural law, particularly in the areas of Torts, Contract Law, Criminal Law and Property. The course complements courses such as Civil Procedure and Professional Conduct. The course will enable students to develop and practice the specialised technical knowledge and legal and other skills needed for litigation and legal transactions, including effective written and oral communication with clients and parties, court room advocacy, drafting letters and legal documents and settlement of litigious and non-litigious matters.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Newcastle City Precinct

  • Semester 2 - 2024

Multi-term sequence

This course is part of a multi-term sequence. Both Part A and Part B must be completed to meet the requirements of the sequence. Part A and Part B must be completed in consecutive terms. Students must complete Part A before completing Part B. Students must complete the sequence within a twelve month period. If students complete Part A but are unable to complete Part B within the timeframe, they must re-enrol in Part A. Part A cannot be completed as a standalone course, it will only count towards your program once you have successfully completed Part B.


Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate specialised technical knowledge of legal practice areas including Professional Practice and Dispute Resolution.

2. Communicate with real clients, draft letters of advice and legal documents, undertake detailed legal research, effectively participate in negotiation exercises and develop high-level advocacy skills.

3. Identify and critically analyse and reflect on the broader issues in legal practice including the importance of pro bono contributions by the legal profession to the public.

4. Critically reflect on the role of the legal profession in promoting justice and service to the community.

5. Demonstrate judgment, creativity and initiative in applying the law to new and novel factual situations in professional legal practice.

6. Critically reflect on student's own capabilities and performance and employ the use of feedback in undertaking such reflection.


Content

The topics in this course include the following:

  1. Introduction to clinical placement and clinical legal education
  2. Litigation and legal transactions
  3. Communication skills
  4. Advocacy
  5. Drafting of legal documents
  6. Professional practice
  7. Legal research skills and legal reasoning
  8. Dispute resolution
  9. Thinking skills and self-management
  10. Trust and office accounting

Requisite

Students must  be active in the Juris Doctor / Grad Dip in Legal Practice [12334] to enrol in this course.


Assumed knowledge

Students active in the Juris Doctor/Grad Dip Legal Practice program must have successfully completed the following courses: LAWS6000, LAWS6001, LAWS6120, LAWS6121 (or LAWS6002B), LAWS6130 (or LAWS6003B), LAWS6140, LAWS6141 (or LAWS6004B) to enrol in this course.


Assessment items

Demonstrated competency: Students must demonstrate competency in all below listed assessment items
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.

Professional Task: Professional Placement Tasks

Participation: Mandatory attendance at all practicums and legal advice clinics

Case Study / Problem Based Learning: Problem-based assessment tasks

Practical Demonstration: Practical Exercises

Journal: Reflective Journal


Contact hours

Semester 2 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct

Clinical-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 45 hour(s) per term
  • A Total of 105 Placement hours are to be completed for Legal Practice 1 Part A and B.
  • Compulsory Requirement: Students must attend 100% of sessions.
Seminar-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 5 week(s) starting in week 1
  • Trust Accounting
  • Compulsory Requirement: Students must attend 100% of sessions.
Seminar-2
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
  • Civil Litigation Practice
  • Compulsory Requirement: Students must attend 100% of sessions.

Course outline