Learning Outcomes:
On completing this course, students should be able to:
Discuss, and engage reflectively with, the impact of law for participants in legal processes;
Elaborate on the significance of the client-lawyer relationship in legal practice;
Articulate the variety of norms governing professional practice;
Recognise conflicts in values inherent in professional practice;
Identify and apply the main ethical principles applying to the legal profession;
Critically evaluate both the content and application of ethical principles to the legal profession; Demonstrate the ability to apply a range of practical legal skills to common practice situations including: client interviewing and counselling; negotiation; writing and drafting; case preparation and management.
Students are strongly encouraged to contribute to class discussions, and to have done sufficient reading in advance to enable them to make reasoned contribution.
Indicative Module Content:
The relationship between a lawyer and his/her client, regulator and society will be considered and discussed. This involves examining the social position of a lawyer as a professional. As part of this relationship, we will look at the requirements of confidentiality and competence, and the line where zealousness in a client's interests should give way to countervailing factors.
In looking at these issues, we will engage in class discussions, based on scenarios. We will draw upon the academic literature relating to the exercise of legal professional judgment.
Assessment is continuous, so that students can develop their legal writing skills, focussing on analysis of problems and scenarios and the persuasiveness of legal argumentation.