LC2S167 - Introduction to Legal Practice 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 4
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | LC2S167 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Introduction to Legal Practice | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Business and Creative Industries | ||
| Faculty Group: | Law | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Law | ||
| Module Leader: | Hannah Menard | ||
| Module Team: | Hayley Brain, Holly Evans, Gemma Sweetman, Leane Barnes, Natalie Quartermaine | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2015 | Final Year of Intake: | |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 20 | Credit Level: | 5 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100692 - legal practice | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 4 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2020 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2026 |
Module Aims
1. To provide students with a basic knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and principles central to the work legal advisers.
2. To introduce students to the key skills required of a Legal Adviser.
3. To 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. To 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.
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 ½ day per week over a 12 week period from the start of the spring term.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 8 |
| Seminar | 40 |
| Independent Study | 20 |
| Placement | 48 |
| Directed Study | 80 |
| Formative Assessment - Scheduled | 4 |
| Total Hours Selected | 200 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | To develop legal skills through attendance, and engagement and completion of the Clinic placement. |
| LO2 | To effectively and clearly reflect on their experience in the Clinic. |
| LO3 | To have a basic understanding of the key requirements of the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules 2011. |
| LO4 | To understand the way in which the SRA principles apply to the handling of client money. |
| LO5 | 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. |
| LO6 | To be able to prepare a simple statement for clients on completion of a matter. |
| LO7 | To have a general overview of the content, format and validity of wills and codicils. |
| LO8 | To have a basic understanding of the rules relating to total and partial intestacy. |
| LO9 | To understand the powers and duties of Personal Representatives including obtaining grants of representation and administration of an estate. |
| LO10 | To understand 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. |
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 2 | Computer based/online examination | 60 | N/A | 20 | No | 50 |
| Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) | Onsite Open Book Examination 1 | Computer based/online exam | 120 | N/A | 20 | No | 50 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Observational Journal 1 | Students are required to compile a reflective portfolio of their work at the Clinic. The portfolio will comprise of an observational journal including a diary of their placement, evidence of engagement in the Clinic, and examples of advice provided and documents drafted. | 0 | 3000 | 60 | No | 50 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | LO3 | LO4 | LO5 | LO6 | LO7 | LO8 | LO9 | LO10 | |
| Onsite Open Book Examination 2 | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Onsite Open Book Examination 1 | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Observational Journal 1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |