LAW4176 - Applied legal research - 2018

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.

Upon completion of this unit 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 case law, 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.

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

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information