The module seeks to build up the professional skills required by Lawyers, specifically Client Interviewing and Negotiation. As well as looking at strategies and practical application, the module will also look at the regulation of these skills. .The syllabus includes the following topics:

Preparing for a practical client interviewing/negotiation exercise
Legal research
Undertaking a practical client interviewing/negotiation exercise
Negotiation Skills
Client Interviewing skills
Legal writing to present advice or outcome of negotiation
Professional Conduct and SRA Code of Conduct

The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 300 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will include a weekly 3 hour workshop developing and practicing the skills needed, and self-study and preparation for exercises.

Learning will be organised into a series of sessions where students will be required to participate. Each session will be based around a problem of mock interview or negotiations, and students will work towards a range of solutions by specifying objectives, identifying constraints, obtaining background information, applying related theory and knowledge based around the subject matter. They will also role play a wide variety of scenarios for client interviewing and negotiation.

The guided learning will be facilitated by use of the VLE platform and discussions/interactions between students and tutors. Generally this will involve researching theories around these professional skills, and preparing for forthcoming mock interviews or negotiations. Students will also be given the opportunity to take part in national competitions, and some of their guided learning time will be needed to prepare for those.

Students will be expected to be familiar with contemporary discussions in this area of legal Skills, and to bring a range of ideas to bear on the discussions. These part time students will all be employed in a range of legal settings which will equip them with actual practical knowledge and application of the learning that they can share in their studies. Thus, although there will be a framework of knowledge and understanding, students will be actively, rather than passively, engaged in the process of both learning about, and increasing understanding of, the subject matter, as well as applying the learning to actual employment situations which will further enhance their knowledge, understanding and application.

The module will use a blend of teaching methods to enable different styles of learning to be facilitated. The differing methods will also be a platform for the development of essential skills such as intellectual skills, communication skills and problem solving, as well as research, teamwork, negotiation, presentation, referencing, argument, judgement and appropriate use of IT

ASSESSMENTS

NEGOTITATION EXERCISE REQUIRING LEGAL RESEARCH IN THE PREPARATION AND LEGAL WRITING IN A FOLLOW UP LETTER – weighted at 50%
CLIENT INTERVIEWING EXERCISE REQUIRING LEGAL RESEARCH IN THE PREPARATION AND LEGAL WRITING IN A FOLLOW UP LETTER – weighted at 50%

To pass this module, you must obtain a mark of at least 40%

Access to appropriate texts, legislation and case law.
Module Study Guide
Computing facilities will be needed to access material available on Blackboard and specialist on-line databases such as Lexis, Westlaw, BAILII and the Law Commission site.

Employability Skills for Law Students Finch and Fafinski 1st Edition 2014
Legal Skills Finch and Fafinski 5th Edition 2016
LPC Text Books

1. DEMONSTRATE A KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE SKILLS OF CLIENT INTERVIEWING AND NEGOTIATION
Knowledge and Understanding
Learning

2. APPLY THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE LEGAL SKILLS OF CLIENT INTERVIEWING AND NEGOTIATION IN A REAL LIFE CONTEXT
Application
Reflection

3. EXERCISE INTELLECTUAL SKILLS TO SHOW COMPETENCY IN THE ABILITY TO ANALYSE FACTS, RULES AND CONCEPTS IN THE CONTEX OF CLIENT INTERVIEWS AND NEGOTIATIONS.
Analysis

4. DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS BY ANALYSIS AND THE APPLICATION OF THE SKILLS OF CLIENT INTERVIEWNG AND NEGOTIATION IN A REASONED AND COGENT MANNER.
Analysis
Application
Problem solving

5. DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO CONDUCT EFFECTIVE RESEARCH AND TO UTILISE SUCH RESEARCH IN AN EFFECTIVE MANNER IN MOCK CLIENT INTERVIEW AND NEGOTIATION EXERCISES .
Enquiry

6. DEMONSTRATE AN ABILITY TO EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE KNOWLEDGE ,UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION OF THE LEGAL SKILLS OF CLIENT INTERVIEWING AND NEGOTIATION VERBALLY AND IN WRITING
Communication
Application