Undergraduate - UnitLAW5127 - Trial practice and advocacy 506

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 3, 0.125 EFTSL

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Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Law
Offered	City (Melbourne) First semester 2014 (Day)

Synopsis

Introductory lectures on basic advocacy concepts and techniques are conducted by Professor Hampel or by a senior member of the judiciary or the bar. Students participate in three workshops dealing with examination in chief, cross-examination and addresses. These workshops are conducted by advocacy teachers who are members of the Victorian bar and are trained Australian Advocacy Institute teachers. A series of eight mock jury trials are then conducted. Students must participate as counsel in one of these trials, and attend all others. This unit is subject to a quota. Applications are available from the Law Faculty website.

Outcomes

To introduce students to trial practice and the role of the advocate in the adversary system
To introduce students to basic advocacy skills and techniques in: conceptualisation and preparation, opening and closing addresses, examination of witnesses, cross examination, and communication skills in the court room
To assess students' understanding of these skills and ability to perform them at a basic level.

Assessment

Written case theory for final assessment, prepared jointly by students and both students receiving the same mark (500 words): 10%
Oral assessment (jury trial): 20%
Final oral assessment (assessment trial): 70%
Compulsory Attendance*: Pass/Fail
The consequence of not meeting the hurdle requirement of 100% attendance will be a 0 N result.
*Exemption from 100% attendance may be awarded in mitigating circumstances. Applications are to be addressed by email to the CE with supporting documentation and will be assessed on an individual basis.

Chief examiner(s)

Professor the Hon George Hampel QC (Semester 1)

Workload requirements

Two (evening) classes per week, consisting of 4 x 2-3 hour lectures, 3 x 3 hour workshops and 8 mock trials.

Prerequisites

LAW1100 or LAW1101 and LAW1102 or LAW1104; LAW3300 or LAW3301 and LAW3302