Module Descriptors
LEGAL RESEARCH AND CLIENT CARE
LAWS41089
Key Facts
School of Justice, Security and Sustainability
Level 4
30 credits
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 90
Independent Study Hours: 210
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- PORTFOLIO weighted at 50%
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
Semester One:
How to find statutes, statutory instruments and case law.
Relationship between a statute and statutory instrument.
The purposes of statutory instruments.
Critical evaluation of supporting information on legislation provided on Government and Government-related websites.
How case reports are structured; how case law works and progresses.
Semester Two:
Identify key elements of a client interview
How to record a client interview
Drafting of an attendance note, matter creation form
Drafting of simple letters to clients and other professional bodies
Research on issues of client relations: money laundering, funding, professional ethics, confidentiality, fair disclosure and what makes a good interview.
How to handle client money
How to keep client files
The Solicitors' Code of Conduct rules
How to plan, conduct and then record an effective interview (practical role-play activities)
Funding for legal services
How to find statutes, statutory instruments and case law.
Relationship between a statute and statutory instrument.
The purposes of statutory instruments.
Critical evaluation of supporting information on legislation provided on Government and Government-related websites.
How case reports are structured; how case law works and progresses.
Semester Two:
Identify key elements of a client interview
How to record a client interview
Drafting of an attendance note, matter creation form
Drafting of simple letters to clients and other professional bodies
Research on issues of client relations: money laundering, funding, professional ethics, confidentiality, fair disclosure and what makes a good interview.
How to handle client money
How to keep client files
The Solicitors' Code of Conduct rules
How to plan, conduct and then record an effective interview (practical role-play activities)
Funding for legal services
Module Learning Strategies
The learning strategy for this module requires students to commit 300 hours (including assessment). Initial class sessions in each semester will focus on delivery and discussion of core material. Students will then spend remaining contact time in workshops where they work on Moodle-based assessment tasks.
Whole group sessions: Sessions are 1.5 hours twice weekly over 30 weeks
Independent reading: 100 hours
Independent work on tasks: 110 hours
Whole group sessions: Sessions are 1.5 hours twice weekly over 30 weeks
Independent reading: 100 hours
Independent work on tasks: 110 hours
Module Additional Assessment Details
Assignment 1: Written assignment (1500 words). 50%. Phase one: Working in groups students will use electronic resources to find a statute, two statutory instruments and a case report. Phase two: Working individually students will draft answers to questions on the statute and statutory instruments (Assesses Learning Outcomes 1-2).
Assignment 2 (final assessment): Portfolio. 50%. Students will submit a portfolio of documents (Attendance Note, Matter Creation Form, professional letters, answers to questions) based on the recorded interview they have watched; students will also submit a report and evaluation of a client interview they have conducted individually. (Assesses Learning Outcomes 3-4)
Both assessments must achieve a pass mark of 40%.
Formative assessment: Class discussions and debates will provide opportunities for peer and tutor feedback to guide developing knowledge, understanding and analysis of key concepts. Students will receive formative feedback from their tutor on assignment plans and mahara material during group and individual tutorials.
Assignment 2 (final assessment): Portfolio. 50%. Students will submit a portfolio of documents (Attendance Note, Matter Creation Form, professional letters, answers to questions) based on the recorded interview they have watched; students will also submit a report and evaluation of a client interview they have conducted individually. (Assesses Learning Outcomes 3-4)
Both assessments must achieve a pass mark of 40%.
Formative assessment: Class discussions and debates will provide opportunities for peer and tutor feedback to guide developing knowledge, understanding and analysis of key concepts. Students will receive formative feedback from their tutor on assignment plans and mahara material during group and individual tutorials.
Module Resources
Moodle resources
Solicitors' Code of Conduct http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/handbook/code/content.page
Module Study Guide
Appropriate texts, legislation and case law
Computing facilities for online resources
Westlaw, LexisNexis
Solicitors' Code of Conduct http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/handbook/code/content.page
Module Study Guide
Appropriate texts, legislation and case law
Computing facilities for online resources
Westlaw, LexisNexis
Module Texts
ESSENTIAL TEXT: Finch, D. and Fafinski, S. Legal Skills (3rd ed. Oxford University Press 2011)
Turner, C. And Boylan-Kemp, J Unlocking Legal Learning (3rd ed. Hodder Arnold London 2012)
Carr, H., Carter, S., and Horsey, K. Skills for Law Students (Oxford University Press, 2009)
Hanson, S. Legal Method, Skills and Reasoning (3rd ed. Routledge Cavendish Abingdon 2010)
Turner, C. And Boylan-Kemp, J Unlocking Legal Learning (3rd ed. Hodder Arnold London 2012)
Carr, H., Carter, S., and Horsey, K. Skills for Law Students (Oxford University Press, 2009)
Hanson, S. Legal Method, Skills and Reasoning (3rd ed. Routledge Cavendish Abingdon 2010)