LAW3003

Skills, ethics and research C 303 ( 3 points, SCA Band 3, 0.063 EFTSL)

Leader: Mr Andrew Crockett

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis: The unit starts in first semester and extends into second semester. The unit is designed to develop legal drafting skills and develop ethical awareness. It starts with prescribed readings and a seminar on drafting principles, following which students assume the role of a solicitor in a law firm and receive instructions to draft documents concerning a client's affairs.

Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, students will understand: (a) the principles applied by the courts in construing legal documents; (b) how to identify and analyse drafting defects in a legal document; (c) how to draft in concise modern English, a contract and a pleading in a contractual claim; and (d) ethical issues that arise in the context of legal drafting and how to resolve them.

Assessment: There are three assessable drafting tasks. A memorandum of advice (1,200 words): 14% + A contract (1,600 words): 20% + A statement of claim (1,200 words): 16%

Contact Hours: Taught by CD rom and online, plus workshops in March and August (check unit web page for instructions)

Prerequisites: LAW1100 Legal process OR LAW1101 Introduction to legal reasoning and LAW1102 Law in society; LAW2100 or LAW2101 Contract A and LAW2102 Contract B