LAW4176

Applied legal research 406 ( 6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader:

Offered:
Not offered in 2005.

Synopsis: Classes in legal problem-solving techniques. A guide to the theory of legal argumentation and explains how those skills can be applied for maximum benefit in dealing with legal problems. Development of students' legal research skills with emphasis on teaching students how these skills can be applied to produce efficient and accurate legal writing. Presentation and defence of a legal submission, enhancing their oral presentation skills and their ability to work with others. While print sources will be referred to, a greater emphasis will be placed on electronic sources with the resources of the Internet.

Objectives: Upon completion of this subject students should have developed (1) an ability to undertake independent legal research, both electronic and paper based; (2) an understanding of the method for location of caselaw, legislation and secondary sources together with the relevant methods and sources for updating; (3) an ability effectively and efficiently to apply the results of research to draft a variety of legal documents, including academic style papers, letters of advice and court submissions; (4) an ability to present legal arguments orally.

Assessment: Individual Research Project: 30% + Group Research Topic (written group submission: 30% and oral presentation/defence of submission: 30%): 60% + Class participation: 10%

Contact Hours: 3 hrs per week

Prerequisites: LAW1100 Legal process OR LAW1101 Introduction to legal reasoning and LAW1102 Law in society; LAW3300 Criminal law and procedure OR LAW3301 Criminal law and procedure A and LAW3302 Criminal law B; LAW2100 Contract OR LAW2101 Contract A and LAW2102 Contract B; LAW2200 Torts OR LAW2201 Torts A and LAW2202 Torts B