Legal Foundations
| Module title | Legal Foundations |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW1022C |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr William White (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 120 |
|---|
Module description
This module gives you a dynamic introduction to the law and to legal practice. By working towards and taking part in two mock tribunals and/or court hearings, you will:
- start to develop key academic, study and legal skills, using real world examples, practical experience, and role-play;
- explore the primary sources of English law and the role of lawyers within the legal system;
- begin your development of the important legal practice skills of advocacy, negotiation, interviewing and the giving of advice, within a framework of professional ethics and teamwork.
Moreover, this module supports you in recognizing the importance of self-reflection in study and professional practice.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aims of this module are:
- to introduce you to the sources of law and their use in legal argument;
- to begin the process of equipping you with the practical legal skills of client interviewing, negotiation, advocacy, and the giving of advice;
- to equip you with teamworking skills;
- to equip you with the skill of critical self-evaluation in relation to skills development;
- to provide you with an understanding of two areas of substantive law.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. explain and apply foundational principles and rules governing two specified areas of substantive law
- 2. explain and apply foundational principles of negotiation
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. conduct legal research to inform argument
- 4. demonstrate understanding of the sources of law
- 5. employ legal principles and rules in argument in a manner appropriate to the discipline
- 6. explain and apply foundational principles of client interviewing
- 7. explain and apply foundational principles of client letter-writing
- 8. explain and apply foundational principles of legal advocacy
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. critically evaluate your personal contribution to teamwork and take steps to strengthen it
- 10. work effectively as part of a team
Syllabus plan
Please note that this module is exclusively available to students on the Cornwall campuses and differs materially from the Legal Foundations module available on the Streatham Campus.
It is envisaged that the syllabus will include the following topics, although the precise content and order may vary:
- Sources of law and statutory interpretation
- Judicial precedent and reading cases
- Client interviewing
- Writing letters of advice
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Negotiation
- Writing skeleton arguments
- Trial advocacy
- Witness cross-examination
- Two areas of substantive law
Legal principles, particularly equality and justice, professional ethical behaviour and teamwork skills are embedded throughout the course.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 75 | 225 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 13 | 13 x 1-hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 34 | 17 x 2-hour teacher-led seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 5 | 5 x 1-hour skills workshops |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 7 | 2 x 3.5-hour mock legal hearings |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 8 | Business & Law Hack |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 8 | Advocacy Week |
| Guided Independent Study | 14 | 14 x 1-hour 'law firm' peer-led meetings |
| Guided Independent Study | 16 | 8 x 2-hour 'law firm' peer-led meetings |
| Guided Independent Study | 80 | Individual reading and preparation for tasks |
| Guided IndepenGuided Independent Studydent Study | 68 | Seminar preparation (individual and with groups) |
| Guided Independent Study | 47 | Portfolio preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interviewing exercise | 2 hours | 1, 6 | Immediate oral peer feedback |
| Mock tribunal/court hearings | 3.5 hours | 1, 3-5, 8 | Immediate oral judge-given feedback |
| Negotiation exercise | 2 hours | 2, 3-5, 10 | Immediate oral peer feedback |
| Oral contributions to seminars | 17 x 2-hour seminars | 1-10 | Immediate oral feedback from peers and tutor |
| Peer assessment of contribution to teamwork | Conducted once in autumn and spring terms by law firm peers | 9, 10 | Moderated written peer feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of autumn term work | 40 | 2,250 words | 1, 3, 4, 5-7 | Individual written feedback. Supplementary oral feedback available |
| Portfolio of spring term work | 40 | 2,250 words | 1-5, 8 | Individual written feedback. Supplementary oral feedback available |
| Teamwork self-assessment | 20 | 2,000 words | 9, 10 | Individual written feedback. Supplementary oral feedback available |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of autumn term work | Resubmission of portfolio (2,250 words) | 1, 3, 4, 5-7 | August/September reassessment period |
| Portfolio of spring term work | Resubmission of portfolio (2,250 words) | 1-5, 8 | August/September reassessment period |
| Teamwork self-assessment | Resubmission of teamwork self-assessment (2,000 words) | 9, 10 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
- James Holland and Julian Webb, ‘Learning Legal Rules’ (10th edn, OUP 2019).
- Ross Hyams, Susan Campbell & Adrian Evans, ‘Practical Legal Skills: Developing Your Clinical Technique’ (4th edn, OUP 2014).
You may also find Imogen Moore and Craig Newbery-Jones, ‘The Successful Law Student: An Insider's Guide to Studying Law’ (OUP 2018) very useful.
There are other more specific books, which will be referred to for different stages of the module, and multiple copies of these are available in the Penryn Campus Library.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
An online reading list suggesting further reading and resources can be accessed via the Legal Foundations ELE page, and will be updated throughout the year. You are encouraged to make use of these resources to further your knowledge and understanding.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 03/04/2018 |
| Last revision date | 11/05/2021 |
