LAW7079

Legal research and problem solving (6 points)

(LAW)

Leader: Dr Matthew Groves

Offered:
Clayton T1-58 2004 (Day)
Clayton T2-58 2004 (Day)
Clayton T1-58 2005 (Day)
Clayton T2-58 2005 (Day)

Synopsis:

Objectives: On completion of this subject students will have developed: (1) an understanding of the nature of legal research; (2) an ability for undertaking independent legal research; (3) sophisticated skills in legal research techniques; (4) the ability to analyse legal problems, to apply relevant law and to argue a case (in a written and oral form) to a level appropriate for qualified legal practitioners; (5) an ability to work in groups.

Assessment: Individual Research Test: 30%. This task requires students to research a legal problem and prepare an answer within a class (20%) and review and assess that answer in a subsequent class (10%). Group Research Topic: 70%. This task requires students to divide into groups (of 2-4 students) and research the answer to a large problem. Students are required to research and plan the topic in groups, but prepare and submit an individual answer to the problem. This exercise will require students to: research a legal issue; prepare a submission on the topic (maximum of 3,000 words, not including notes); present their paper, as a group, to the rest of the class (15 minutes); defend their paper against criticisms/comments made by the rest of the class (5-10 minutes). this exercise accounts for a total of 70% of the assessment for this unit, which consists of: 40% for the final paper (3,000 words): 20% for a narrative of the research undertakn for the paper; 10% for the presentation of the paper.

Contact Hours: 2 hours per week x 12 weeks