LAWS 3003 Advocacy

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Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 200646

Coordinator David Collier Opens in new window

Description This subject imparts basic courtroom trial skills giving practice in applying substantive law, practice, procedure and evidence in a simulated courtroom. It also explores both professional and ethical issues involved in the courtroom. There is a limit on enrolment in this subject because of the teaching method adopted.

School Law

Discipline Law, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Co-requisite(s) LAWS 4004

Equivalent Subjects LGYB 0403 - Advocacy

Restrictions Successful completeion of 80 credit points of Bachelor of Laws core subjects. Enrolment in the subject is by invitation only following a call for expressions of interest and a merit selection process. Classes are kept small due to the practical nature of the subject.

Assumed Knowledge

Good communication skills; including the ability to construct a coherent argument and write in a manner that is grammatically correct.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

Demonstrate a clear understanding of: legal professional ethics; proper legal professional practice; and correct legal professional behaviour.
Demonstrate the essential requirements of good advocacy in general, and in particular and differing contexts: eg. the difference between conducting bail pending hearing and conducting an appeal in an appellate court.
Take up any case and analyse it succinctly, logically and accurately: the relevant facts; the relevant legal principles; and the intelligent application of the principles to the facts.
Present the oral distillation of a case analysis in a polite, polished and persuasive fashion.
Think quickly and adapt flexibly according to changing circumstances while engaged in presenting an oral argument.
Be aware of any relevant aspect of legal professional ethics and be at once able to mould any desired submission so as to accord strictly with that ethical aspect.
Present written submissions and analyses in a logically structured and grammatically correct manner.
Demonstrate a ready understanding and an intelligent acceptance of the nature of advocacy skills.

Subject Content

1. Introduction to Advocacy
2. Interlocutory Advocacy: Civil
3. Interlocutory Advocacy: Criminal
4. Some Special Types of Criminal Advocacy
5. Trial Advocacy: Opening and Examination in Chief
6. Trial Advocacy: Cross-examination
7. Appellate Advocacy

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type	Length	Percent	Threshold	Individual/Group Task
Reflection	1,500 words or equivalent	30	N	Individual
Professional Task	20 minutes in total	30	N	Individual
Professional Task	Oral submissions: 30 minutes in total. Written submissions: 750 words	40	N	Individual