Module Descriptors
PRACTICAL LEGAL RESEARCH SKILLS
LAWS70786
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 7
1 credits
Contact
Leader: Natasha Thomas
Email: natasha.thomas@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities:
Independent Study Hours:
Total Learning Hours:
Pattern of Delivery
- Occurrence B, Stoke Campus, PG Semester 1 to PG Semester 2
Sites
- Stoke Campus
Assessment
- 1 HOUR WRITTEN ASSESSMENT weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
ELEMENT 1: LEGAL AND FACTUAL ISSUES
1. identify the objectives of the research
2. limitations of the analysis
3. identify the legal context(s) and analyse the legal issues
4. relevant legal and factual issues.
ELEMENT 2: RESEARCH
1. independent research/ self-direction /responsibility
2. current case law, statute law, statutory instruments, regulations and
2. primary and secondary sources
3. cases and statutes, indices and citators
4. periodicals, digests and standard practitioner texts
5. paper and electronic research tools
ELEMENT 3: PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
1. record of research
2. courses of action
3. results of their investigation and research
1. identify the objectives of the research
2. limitations of the analysis
3. identify the legal context(s) and analyse the legal issues
4. relevant legal and factual issues.
ELEMENT 2: RESEARCH
1. independent research/ self-direction /responsibility
2. current case law, statute law, statutory instruments, regulations and
2. primary and secondary sources
3. cases and statutes, indices and citators
4. periodicals, digests and standard practitioner texts
5. paper and electronic research tools
ELEMENT 3: PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
1. record of research
2. courses of action
3. results of their investigation and research
Module Learning Strategies
Research is taught within 8 hours of small group and one to one sessions and a formative assessment with one to one feedback. Additionally, for students following a blended-learning mode of delivery there will be on-line activities.
Module Additional Assessment Details
1 hour written assessment on a Competent/Not yet Competent basis.
Module Resources
Lecture and workshop materials, library materials, Blackboard
Module Texts
Legal Foundations manual: College of Law Publishing (annually updated), OUP Lawyer's Skills (annually updated) Online resources.
Module Special Admissions Requirements
None
Web Descriptor
Students will learn to research practical issues commonly found in legal practice, by carrying out independent research. For example, students will use primary and secondary sources, cases and statutes and paper and electronic tools to identify legal issues and present a course of action.