Curriculum Information

The module is designed to ensure the student is able carry out independent research by identifying a specific and appropriate area of legal practice or clinical legal education to be investigated (including critically reflecting on the legal advice provided to clients by the student in the LAC).

Students will be given a choice of assessment; a traditional dissertation or a half a day per week (for 20 weeks) placement in the LAC supported by a reflective dissertation.

Students who select the traditional dissertation will be given guidance to the student on the principles, aims, objectives of legal research, and how to devise their specific aims, objectives and methods of research in relation to their chosen topic.

Emphasis will be placed on the conventions of research, citation, methodologies specific to legal research, identifying and addressing ethical issues, evaluating sources (primary and secondary) and critical thinking through constructive argument.

This will allow the student to develop the ability to engage in investigation and argument through a written piece of work, which will be the focus of this module, and also allow the student an opportunity to gain a depth of knowledge in a complex and specialised area of legal practice, clinical legal education or ethics.

Students who select the reflective dissertation will volunteer in the LAC for half a day per week across 20 weeks.

During this time students will be allocated into ‘student firms’ and will be supervised by a qualified Clinic supervisor.

Students will engage in a full induction programme covering topics such as GDPR, confidentiality, file management, an introduction to IT systems and operational day to day issues. The induction is compulsory and must be completed before the placement begins.

Students will have the opportunity to advise and assist clients in one or more areas including employment law, family law, housing law, consumer law, civil litigation, business law and general probate queries. In doing so, students will have the opportunity to develop their legal practice skills including research, writing, drafting and, interviewing and advising.

As well as assisting and advising clients with their immediate legal issues, emphasis will also be placed upon the students carrying out research to evaluate the wider context of law and justice relating to those client specific legal issues.

This will enable students to produce a reflective dissertation which critically analyses the legal issues they assisted clients with during their placement (with examples of work). Such critical analysis could include (but is not limited to) an evaluation of a particular area of law with recommendations for reform and whether there is sufficient access to justice for clients facing particular legal issues.

The reflective dissertation will also form a record of any Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) undertaken, which will be required should a student wish to subsequently claim QWE gained during the placement.