units

LAW7303

Faculty of Law

18 September 2017 19 April 2024
Monash University

Postgraduate - Unit

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

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

LevelPostgraduate
FacultyFaculty of Law
OfferedCity (Melbourne) Term 2 2014 (On-campus block of classes)
City (Melbourne) Trimester 3 2014 (On-campus block of classes)
Coordinator(s)Professor The Hon. George Hampel, QC

Notes

For postgraduate Law discontinuation dates, please see http://www.law.monash.edu.au/current-students/postgraduate/pg-disc-dates.html
For postgraduate Law unit timetables, please see http://law.monash.edu.au/current-students/course-unit-information/timetables/postgraduate/index.html

Quota applies

Postgraduate programs are based on a model of small group teaching and therefore class sizes need to be restricted.

Synopsis

The unit will develop a deeper theoretical understanding by students of the essential role of advocacy in the adversary system. It will enable students to better appreciate the way in which cases evolve through the courts and how the factual and evidentiary foundation relates to the legal results. Students will better understand the nature of the skills which are required of advocates, their ethical obligations and the importance of the advocate's role in the courts decision making process. This will be of benefit not only to students who are contemplating practice at the Bar, or as solicitor advocates, but also to those who will work in litigation and other dispute resolution.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. assess the strengths and weaknesses of their, and their opponent's, case
  2. integrate analysis of facts, evidence and substantive law to develop and write a consistent case theory and strategy required in a contested trial
  3. prepare for each stage of the trial process
  4. demonstrate understanding of the trial process through the application of forensic skills of examination in chief, cross-examination, re-examination and addresses in an ethical manner
  5. identify evidentiary issues and take and oppose evidentiary objections
  6. prepare a structured written summary of argument
  7. present a persuasive first instance and appellate legal argument
  8. demonstrate effective verbal and non verbal communication skills in the courtroom
  9. evaluate and critique advocacy skills in accordance with criteria established by the Australian Advocacy Institute.

Assessment

Written plans/articulation of case theory for workshop exercises: 10%
Written summary of argument: 10%
Compulsory class attendance and participation: pass/fail
Advocacy trial performance (videotaped): 30%
Other set advocacy performances (videotaped): 25%
Written reflective report: 25%.

Chief examiner(s)

Professor The Hon. George Hampel, QC Research ProfileResearch Profile (http://www.law.monash.edu.au/staff/ghampel.html)

Workload requirements

24 contact hours per semester (either intensive, semi-intensive or semester long, depending on the Faculty resources, timetabling and requirements)

Prerequisites

The unit is aimed at law graduates. Students with a non-Australian law degree will be required to demonstrate knowledge equivalent to:

LAW 1100 or LAW7212
LAW3300 and LAW3302 or LAW7264
LAW5159 or LAW7273
LAW 5104 or LAW7272

Students can undertake the unit as a Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) unit, LLM elective unit or as a single unit enrolment.