Client Advocacy and Communication Skills (7570.5)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | ||
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Business, Government & Law |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Canberra Law School | Level 4 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit | Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905) Band 5 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Have an enhanced capacity for the formal oral and written communication skills of the practicing lawyer and a deeper understanding of aspects of substantive law and procedure.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
Skills development
In order to get the most out of the unit, students will need to do a significant amount of preparation prior to the first day of the program. It is essential that prior to attending:
- Students are familiar with the case materials in the mock-trial of Rex Bronson. Although students will not be assigned roles as prosecution or defence lawyers until classes begin, early consideration of the facts, the law and the relevant issues will greatly enhance engagement with the unit.
- Students have researched the elements of the offences that Rex Bronson is charged with and any possible defences that may be available to him.
- Students have read the text and considered how it will assist them to prepare the case. Familiarity with the many insights contained within the text will ensure that students are well placed to keep up with unit content and assessment requirements. Students will return to the text to assist with each stage of preparation, but familiarity will make all the difference.
Prerequisites
Entry to the LLB program and the successful completion of at least 48 credit points from the discipline of Law.Assumed knowledge
Familiarity with the legal system, particularly the Australian system; basic legal research skills, understanding of judicial precedent and statutory interpretation.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|
Required texts
The textbook that has been prescribed for this unit is as follows:
Lee Stuesser An Introduction to Advocacy (Lawbook Co, 2nd ed 2011).
Students will need to access relevant legisltion, including the following legislation and rules:
Crimes Act 1900 (ACT)
Criminal Code 2002 (ACT)
Evidence Act 2011 (ACT)
Court Procedure Rules 2006 (ACT)
Australian Capital Territory Barristers' Rules
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
All assessable court presentations (ie the Closing Address, Examination in Chief, Cross Examiantion and the Opening Address) must be delivered in the Moot Court on the assigned date. Students who are not able to commit to this assessment regime should not undertake this unit.
Academic integrity
Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.
To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.
Use of Text-Matching Software
The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.
Participation requirements
Given the particular nature of this unit (ie learning and developing court advocacy skills, in particular) attendance during all classes is reqiuired for students to be able to successfully meet the learning outcomes of this unit.
Required IT skills
Basic IT skills are required in this unit, including researching legal databases via the LIbrary and on-line sources.
Work placement, internships or practicums
N/A.
