Module Descriptors
PRACTICAL LEGAL RESEARCH SKILLS - BL
LAWS73009
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 A, Stoke Campus, PG Semester 1 to PG Semester 2
Sites
- Stoke Campus
Assessment
- 1 HOUR WRITTEN ASSESSMENT weighted at 100%
Module Details
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
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.
Assessment Details
1 hour written assessment on a Competent/Not yet Competent basis.
Resources
Lecture and workshop materials, library materials, Blackboard
Texts
Legal Foundations manual: College of Law Publishing (annually updated), OUP Lawyer's Skills (annually updated) Online resources.
Learning Outcome
1. DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA THAT UNDERPIN GOOD PERFORMANCE IN THIS SKILL BY EVALUATING COMPLEX ISSUES SYSTEMATICALLY AND SHOWING AN ABILITY TO ANALYSE AND SYNTHESISE THE INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE ATTAINED.
Analysis
2. DEMONSTRATE FAMILIARITY WITH METHODS OF COMMUNICATION AND ABLE TO CHOOSE AND TAILOR THE COMMUNICATION FORM AND STYLE TO SUIT THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNICATION AND NEEDS OF DIFFERENT RECIPIENTS AND TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY AND RELEVANTLY.
Communication
3. DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IN WRITING AND DRAFT AND AMEND DOCUMENTS IN A FORM, STYLE AND TONE APPROPRIATE FOR THE RECIPIENTS AND THE CONTEXT
Communication
4. DEMONSTRATE ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND DEMONSTRATE SELF-DIRECTION AND AN ASSUMPTION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN WORK AND PREPARATION
Analysis
5. IDENTIFY THE PRACTICAL, COMMERCIAL AND PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
Analysis
6. DEMONSTRATE A SYSTEMATIC UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUES ARISING AND SHOW AN ABILITY TO COMBINE THAT UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS WITH APPROPRIATE ADVICE OR RESPONSE
Communication
7. DISPLAY ORIGINALITY, WHERE APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY, IN SOLVING PROBLEMS
Analysis
8. IDENTIFY AND ASSESS AND APPROPRIATELY DEAL WITH RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT ISSUES Analysis
9. DEMONSTRATE SENSITIVITY TO ISSUES OF CULTURE, DIVERSITY AND DISABILITY IN COMMUNICATION WITH CLIENTS, COLLEAGUES AND OTHERS
Communication
10. DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO USE THE SKILLS IN COMBINATION WHERE APPROPRIATE.
Analysis
Analysis
2. DEMONSTRATE FAMILIARITY WITH METHODS OF COMMUNICATION AND ABLE TO CHOOSE AND TAILOR THE COMMUNICATION FORM AND STYLE TO SUIT THE PURPOSE OF THE COMMUNICATION AND NEEDS OF DIFFERENT RECIPIENTS AND TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY AND RELEVANTLY.
Communication
3. DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IN WRITING AND DRAFT AND AMEND DOCUMENTS IN A FORM, STYLE AND TONE APPROPRIATE FOR THE RECIPIENTS AND THE CONTEXT
Communication
4. DEMONSTRATE ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND DEMONSTRATE SELF-DIRECTION AND AN ASSUMPTION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN WORK AND PREPARATION
Analysis
5. IDENTIFY THE PRACTICAL, COMMERCIAL AND PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT
Analysis
6. DEMONSTRATE A SYSTEMATIC UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUES ARISING AND SHOW AN ABILITY TO COMBINE THAT UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS WITH APPROPRIATE ADVICE OR RESPONSE
Communication
7. DISPLAY ORIGINALITY, WHERE APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY, IN SOLVING PROBLEMS
Analysis
8. IDENTIFY AND ASSESS AND APPROPRIATELY DEAL WITH RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT ISSUES Analysis
9. DEMONSTRATE SENSITIVITY TO ISSUES OF CULTURE, DIVERSITY AND DISABILITY IN COMMUNICATION WITH CLIENTS, COLLEAGUES AND OTHERS
Communication
10. DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO USE THE SKILLS IN COMBINATION WHERE APPROPRIATE.
Analysis
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.