Overview

Key themes of the course include but are not limited to:

• Introduction to legal writing, legal drafting, and case and matter analysis, across a selection of commonly occurring private, public, and criminal law issues
• The opportunity to develop skills in legal research, client interviewing, negotiation and/or advocacy
• An understanding of potential careers open to legally educated professionals (both legal and non legal careers) in contemporary context of the broader legal and justice system
• Enhancing skills, understandings and personal attributes that contribute to employability

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D- to D+ (40%-49%)For Core Skills (Legal writing & Legal Drafting) AssessmentWork that does not contain much of the material necessary to the task and/or contains irrelevant material, an answer which lacks accuracy and does not follow many of the relevant conventions to the specific skills task. An answer which contains some legal errors and/or is lacking in comprehensiveness. An answer which leaves significant room for improvement in terms using clear, succinct and accurate language, and an appropriate style of communication for the situation. The production of documentation which lacks some key legal effects and/or with significant room for improvement in terms of compliance with instructions.For Reflective Report A reflection on the careers, employability, and legal technology elements of the module. Provides some relevant commentary on a range of legal and non legal careers demonstrating basic awareness of the role of legally educated professionals within various careers in the contemporary context of the legal and justice system. Whilst some of the report is presented in a clear, logical and well-reasoned manner, there is significant room for improvement, and only a basic appreciation of personal skills development throughout the module. -good -Good: B- to B+ (60-69%)For Core Skills (Legal writing & Legal Drafting) AssessmentGood or very good work, containing all the material necessary to the task with little to no irrelevancy, all material being accurate, following all relevant conventions to the specific skills task. A legally correct and comprehensive answer. An answer which whilst using clear, succinct and accurate language, and an appropriate style of communication for the situation, leaves some room for improvement. The production of documentation which is largely legally effective and in accordance with instructions, but which may leave some room for improvement. For Reflective Report A good or very good reflection on the careers, employability, and legal technology elements of the module. Provides relevant and skilled commentary on a range of legal and non legal careers demonstrating a good to very good awareness of the role of legally educated professionals within various careers in the contemporary context of the legal and justice system. The whole report being presented for the most part in a clear, logical and well-reasoned manner, with some room for improvement, and a good to very good appreciation of personal skills development throughout the module. -excellent -Excellent: A- to A (70+%)For Core Skills Assessment (Legal writing & Legal Drafting)Outstanding work, containing all the material necessary to the task with no irrelevancy, all material being accurate, following all relevant conventions to the specific skills task. A legally correct and comprehensive answer. Use of clear, succinct and accurate language, using an appropriate style of communication for the situation, and producing legally effective documentation precisely in accordance with instructions. For Reflective Report An excellent reflection on the careers, employability, and legal technology elements of the module. Provides an insightful and skilled commentary on a range of legal and non legal careers demonstrating excellent awareness of the role of legally educated professionals within various careers in the contemporary context of the legal and justice system. The whole report being presented in a clear, logical and well-reasoned manner, with little room for improvement and excellent appreciation of personal skills development throughout the module. -another level-C- to C+ (50-59%)For Core Skills (Legal writing & Legal Drafting) AssessmentWork containing most of the material necessary to the task with some possible irrelevant material, and some material lacking in accuracy, following most relevant conventions to the specific skills task. An answer which may contain some legal errors and/or be lacking in comprehensiveness. An answer which leaves room for improvement in terms using clear, succinct and accurate language, and an appropriate style of communication for the situation. The production of documentation which is mostly legally effective and in accordance with instructions, but which leaves room for improvement. For Reflective Report* A satisfactory reflection on the careers, employability, and legal technology elements of the module. Provides relevant commentary on a range of legal and non legal careers demonstrating satisfactory awareness of the role of legally educated professionals within various careers in the contemporary context of the legal and justice system. Whilst some of the report is presented in a clear, logical and well-reasoned manner, there is room for improvement, and demonstrates a satisfactory appreciation of personal skills development throughout the module.

Learning Outcomes

• Conduct case and matter analysis in a client-focused manner, in clear written English reaching well-reasoned recommendations showing critical evaluation of relevant legal rules and precedents

• Demonstrate competence in legal drafting in either a public, private or criminal law topic, explain and use common clauses, drafting conventions, and layout, draft and/or amend legal documents accurately and consistently in accordance with client instructions

• Demonstrate competence in legal writing in either a public, private or criminal law topic, using modern plain English with correct spelling, grammar and punctuation reaching well-reasoned conclusions based on instructions received alongside an understanding of basic client care principles

• Demonstrate competence in one additional professional practical skill from amongst the following: legal research, negotiation, client interviewing, advocacy

• Recognise and critically reflect on the development of the skills, understandings and personal attributes that contribute to employability

• Show a critical appreciation of some key legal and non-legal careers open to legally educated professionals and reflect on these career routes and roles in the contemporary context of evaluating their place in the broader legal and justice system