LC4U100 - Skills for Legal Practice 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 2
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | LC4U100 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Skills for Legal Practice | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Business and Creative Industries | ||
| Faculty Group: | Law | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Law | ||
| Module Leader: | Leane Barnes, Natalie Quartermaine | ||
| Module Team: | Adam Collins, Hannah Menard, Hayley Brain, Benjamin Jones | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2015 | Final Year of Intake: | |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 60 | Credit Level: | 7 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100692 - legal practice | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 2 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2020 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2027 |
Module Aims
The module aims to:
1. Provide students with a basic knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and principles central to the work of legal advisers.
2. Introduce students to the key skills required of a legal adviser.
3. Enable the students to acquire an overview of the content, format and validity of wills and the process of obtaining grants of representation and administration of an estate.
4.Enable students to develop an understanding of the Solicitors' Accounts Rules (SAR) in the context of the systems and procedures to which they will be exposed in practice.
5.Develop students’ problem-solving skills, so that they can identify, analyse and give accurate, relevant advice in relation to the legal, practical and commercial issues arising from clients’ instructions.
6.Develop a logical, methodical and efficient strategy for researching the law relevant to those issues and the ability to present that research in a clear, readable and authoritative manner.
7.Develop students’ ability to draft and edit formal legal documents in practice.
8.Develop the ability to use different forms of written communication and utilise the principles of good writing to identify the objectives for writing and facilitate communication with diverse audiences.
9.Develop the skills required for effective interviewing and advising and the ability to use these in practice.
10.Develop awareness of the principles of professional conduct and professional ethics.
Content Summary
The module examines a number of ethical and professional issues relevant to the provision of legal advice and will involve the student engaging with the University of South Wales’s Legal and Financial Advice Clinic (“the Clinic”).
The module begins with sessions on the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules, Wills and Administration of Estates and introductory sessions in the skills of Writing, Drafting, Practical Legal Research and Interviewing & Advising in preparation for engagement in the Clinic.
Students will have a Clinic induction sessions covering topics such as data protection, confidentiality, file management, an introduction to AdvicePro (the Clinic’s Case Management System) and AdviserNet, an online advice portal.
The module then reviews professional and ethical issues contained in the SRA Principles of Regulation and Code of Conduct such as confidentiality, conflict of interest as well as the Data Protection Act 1998.
Students will be directly involved in providing advice (under professional supervision) to Clinic clients in the following areas: debt and bankruptcy, social security law, equality law, housing law, consumer law, employment law, immigration law and family law. From time to time, students may also be involved in community education projects of a legal nature.
In order to complete this module, students are committing to train and volunteer at the Clinic. Therefore they are undertaking obligations to the Clinic including the commitment that they will volunteer for 2 hours a week throughout the academic year.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 8 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 66 |
| Independent Study | 192 |
| Placement | 54 |
| Directed Study | 260 |
| Formative Assessment - Scheduled | 20 |
| Total Hours Selected | 600 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | To demonstrate a good understanding of the powers and duties of Personal Representatives including obtaining grants of representation and administration of an estate. |
| LO2 | To be able to prepare a simple statement for clients on completion of a matter. |
| LO3 | To have a good general overview of the content, format and validity of wills and codicils. |
| LO4 | To have a good understanding of the rules relating to total and partial intestacy. |
| LO5 | To develop legal skills through attendance, and engagement and completion of the Clinic placement. |
| LO6 | To effectively and clearly reflect on their experience in the Clinic. |
| LO7 | To have a good understanding of the key requirements of the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules 2011. |
| LO8 | To demonstrate a good understanding of the way in which the SRA principles apply to the handling of client money. |
| LO9 | To be able to recognise, record and interpret receipts into and payments from office and client accounts, as well as transfers between office and client accounts and between two client accounts. |
| LO10 | To demonstrate a good understanding of the rules relating to collection of assets, claims on estates, payment of debts and inheritance tax and the distribution of pecuniary legacies and the residuary estate. |
| LO11 | To demonstrate a good understanding of the need for thorough investigation of all relevant factual and legal issues involved in a transaction or matter. |
| LO12 | To be able to undertake systematic and comprehensive legal research. |
| LO13 | To be able to present the results of their research. |
| LO14 | To demonstrate a good understanding of the content and requirements of formal legal documents in the core practice areas. |
| LO15 | To demonstrate a good understanding of the principles of good drafting and editing. |
| LO16 | To be able to explain their own drafting and that of third parties. |
| LO17 | To be able to apply the principles of good writing in their written communications. |
| LO18 | To be able to identify clearly the objectives of the written communication and where relevant, be able to produce written communications that advance the matter. |
| LO19 | To demonstrate a good understanding of the different forms of written communication and be able to select the most appropriate form of written communication to suit the circumstances and the requirements of the recipient. |
| LO20 | To demonstrate good understanding of the principles and techniques of the skills of interviewing and advising and be able to carry out an effective interview. |
| LO21 | To be able to identify and act in accordance with the core duties of professional conduct and professional ethics which are set out in the Solicitors Regulation Authority Code of Conduct 2011, the Money Laundering Regulations and the relevant Financial Conduct Authority rules and regulations. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) | Onsite Open Book Examination 3 | PCR Exam | 120 | N/A | 15 | No | 50 |
| Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment | Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1 | Interviewing and Advising Students will be provided with a research note based on the information as the PLR assessment. Students will engage in a 20 minute role play interview of a new client on the basis of the information in the PLR assessment. | 20 | N/A | 15 | No | 50 |
| Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) | Onsite Specialist Software Computer Based Examination 1 | The assessment will require the students to analyse client instructions, identify and research the legal and factual issues arising, and submit a report in a prescribed form containing the results of their research. | 240 | 1 | 10 | No | 50 |
| Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) | Onsite Open Book Examination 2 | Exam (Solicitors Accounts Rules 2011) | 120 | N/A | 15 | No | 50 |
| Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) | Onsite Open Book Examination 1 | Computer Based/Online examination | 60 | N/A | 15 | No | 50 |
| Synchronous Onsite Assessment | Onsite Specialist Computer Based Examination 2 | n/a | 120 | 1 | 15 | No | 50 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Clinical Learning 1 | On the basis of a clinic interview, students will produce written work addressing all relevant issues. | 0 | 3000 | 15 | No | 50 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | LO3 | LO4 | LO5 | LO6 | LO7 | LO8 | LO9 | LO10 | LO11 | LO12 | LO13 | LO14 | LO15 | LO16 | LO17 | LO18 | LO19 | LO20 | LO21 | |
| Onsite Open Book Examination 3 | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1 | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Onsite Specialist Software Computer Based Examination 1 | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Onsite Open Book Examination 2 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Onsite Open Book Examination 1 | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Onsite Specialist Computer Based Examination 2 | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Clinical Learning 1 | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |