Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The unit involves attendance at a community legal service which endeavours to meet the needs of its community. Students learn a range of lawyers' skills and develop professional commitment and ethical standards. The subject adds a social dimension to academic training by creating an opportunity for students to assess the adequacy of law and legal processes in context.

Objectives

Students completing this unit should have acquired:

• the ability to critically analyse legal principles and the legal system in the context of contemporary society;

• an understanding of the extent to which the law and the legal system meet the needs of the community;

• skills involving judgment, such as the investigation of facts, the recognition of issues, the analysis of problems and situations, the use of tactics and decision-making;

• skills in oral and written communication required of lawyers, including interviewing, counselling, negotiating, advocacy and drafting;

• an understanding of professional legal issues of ethics and morality.

Assessment

Legal service work: 60%
Law reform and education group task: 20%
Reflective journal: 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Ross Hyams

Contact hours

One half-day Legal Service client intake session per week throughout semester (including non-teaching period) is mandatory. There is also a 2-hour seminar each week for the first 10-12 weeks and one 1-hour tutorial per week for the first 3-4 weeks of the teaching period.

Prerequisites

The achievement of at least 8 units or 48 credit points towards the Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) to include:

LAW7079 Legal research and problem solving,
LAW7264 Principles of criminal law and procedure,
LAW7428 Principles of contract law A,
LAW7429 Principles of contract law B; and
LAW7266 Principles of torts
Or equivalent.

Co-requisites

Nil

Prohibitions

Students may take no more than 18 credit points from units on the list of skills based or practical electives approved by PGSC.