Course Skills 1 (MLP) - BHL0073

Assessment 1: Other

Activities providing opportunities for formative assessment will generally be integrated into the teaching and learning process and apply to all components of summative assessment.  The nature of the formative assessment tasks used will be at the discretion of the tutor, to include for example, workshop exercises, quizzes, group discussions. 

Other

Assessment 2: Oral Assessment

The Course Skill of Advocacy is orally assessed on a Pass/Fail basis and recorded.

Oral Assessment 

Assessment 3: Written Assignment

The Course Skill of Legal Writing is assessed by way of a letter to a lay client on a Pass/Fail basis. These are discrete assessments and students must pass all elements on a competent or no competent basis to be able 

Written Assignment

Assessment 1: Written Assignment

The Course Skill of Practical Legal Research is assessed on a Pass/Fail basis by way of a written report with a prescribed word limit of 1500 words. 

On completion of this module, students will have gained competence in the Course Skills of Legal Writing, Legal Research and Advocacy.  Course Skills development is woven throughout all modules on the Master of Law &amp; Practice course and delivery of the modules of Civil and Criminal Litigation Practice (BHL0068) and Wills Probate and the Law of the Elderly Client (BHL0101) will enhance skills in letter writing, drafting, researching, interviewing and advising and advocacy.
Students receive an introduction to each Course Skill at the commencement of the year in which the Skill is assessed; however, all additional Course Skills teaching and self directed study occurs within the two modules referred to above.

Huddersfield Business School

<a href="https://library.hud.ac.uk/readinglists/BHL0073">https://library.hud.ac.uk/readinglists/BHL0073</a>

BHL0073 - Course Skills 1 (MLP)

Course Skills 1 (MLP)

Understand and be able to apply the appropriate method of communication and appropriate uses of emails, letters, memoranda and other forms of written communication;

In relation to the content of written work, produce work which:

- forms a coherent whole and, where appropriate, advances the matter;
- addresses accurately and correctly all the relevant legal and factual issues and, where appropriate, identifies practical options including the costs, benefits and risks of those options;
- identifies clearly clients’ objectives and priorities, addresses their concerns and carries out their instructions;
- accurately and systematically records a meeting or presentation and its outcomes.


In relation to writing style, produce work which is appropriate for the chosen medium of the recipient and which:

- uses accurate, straightforward and modern language;
- uses correct spelling, grammar, syntax and punctuation;
- has a clear, logical, consistent and appropriate structure and format;
- has been checked and edited.


Understand the nature of Practical Legal Research and the need for thorough investigation of all relevant factual and legal issues involved in a transaction or matter;

Understand the place of Advocacy within litigation;

In relation to the appropriate use of media:

- be able to choose the appropriate medium, form and style;
- be able to tailor the written communication to suit the purpose of the communication and the needs of different clients or recipients.


Undertake systematic and comprehensive research and:

- identify and apply current case law, statute law, statutory instruments, regulations and rules to the research problem;
- identify, prioritise and use relevant primary and secondary sources;
- locate and update cases and statutes, and use indices and citators;
- use periodicals, digests and standard practitioner texts;
- select and use appropriate paper and electronic research tools.


In relation to research students should be able to investigate legal and factual issues and:

- determine the scope and identify the objectives of the research;
- determine whether additional information is required and identify appropriate sources for factual investigation;
- identify the legal context(s) and critically analyse the legal issues;
- address all relevant legal and factual issues.


In relation to the skill of advocacy students should be able to undertake case analysis and preparation, make oral presentation and should be able to:

- identify and analyse the relevant facts, the legal context in which the factual issues arise, and how they relate to each other;
- summarise the strengths and weakness of the case from each party’s perspective;
- prepare the legal framework of the case, and a simple narrative outline of the facts;
- prepare the submission as a series of propositions based on the evidence;
- identify, analyse and assess the purpose and tactics of examination, cross-examination and re-examination to adduce, rebut and clarify evidence;
- identify, analyse and assess the specific communication skills and techniques employed by a presenting advocate;
- demonstrate an understanding of the ethics, etiquette and conventions of advocacy.


Understand the basic skills in the presentation of cases before courts and tribunals;

Students should be able to present results and:

- keep a methodical, accurate and complete record of the research undertaken
- draw clear conclusions and identify courses of action;
- present the results of their investigation and research in a way which meets the Course Skills outcomes.


Understand and be able to apply the principles of good writing.