LAW30690

In this module students will be given an overview as to courtroom etiquette and behaviour so that they know how to address the court and are aware of various formalities that surround appearing in and representing a client in Court.

However the main focus of this module is to give students the practical opportunity to develop their research, legal writing and advocacy skills. Students will be given a set of �hypothetical� facts that will be similar to a factual scenario that they might in future years face in practice. Initially the students will be asked to identity the relevant legal issues arising from those facts and to prepare written legal submissions on behalf of their client. Having done this students will be asked to orally present their arguments as they would in court and will be expected to be able to answer any questions that the presiding judge will have. They will also be expected to respond to the arguments raised by the other side in their written and/or oral submissions and to respond to judges questions.

Resources permitting students will have the opportunity to enter other internal UCD or approved external moot court competitions.

Students considering taking this module should be aware that active participation will be required from them throughout the course. Most weeks preparatory work will be assigned prior to class and it is essential to the running of the class that all such preparatory work is done and that students are prepared to present to and actively participate in class. This module is therefore not suitable for any student not in a position to provide such ongoing commitment to their studies.