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Legal Foundations 2

Module description

This module builds on the legal knowledge and skills developed in LAW1023C to give you a dynamic introduction to the world of legal practice. By working towards and taking part in client interviews, negotiations and a mock tribunal or court hearing, you will:

• continue the development of key academic, study and legal skills, using real world examples, practical experience, and role-play;
• continue to 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 interviewing, advising,  negotiation and advocacy 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:

1. to develop your use of sources of law in legal argument;
2. to begin the process of equipping you with the practical legal skills of client interviewing, the giving of advice, negotiation and advocacy;
3. to equip you with teamworking skills;
4. to equip you with the skill of critical self-evaluation in relation to skills development;
5. to provide you with an understanding of one area 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 one specified area of substantive law

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 2. conduct legal research to inform argument
• 3. demonstrate understanding of the sources of law
• 4. employ legal principles and rules in argument in a manner appropriate to the discipline
• 5. explain and apply foundational principles of client interviewing, advising, negotiation and legal advocacy

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. critically evaluate your personal contribution to teamwork and take steps to strengthen it
• 7. 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.

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover at least some of the following topics:

• Locating sources of law and reading cases
• Client interviewing
• Writing letters of advice
• Alternative dispute resolution
• Negotiation
• Trial advocacy
• Witness cross-examination
• One area 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)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to redo the assessment(s) as defined above. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

• S. Taylor and E.Emir, ‘Employment Law: An introduction’, (5^th edn, OUP, 2019)
• J. Holland and J. Webb, ‘Learning Legal Rules’ (10th edn, OUP 2019).
• R. Hyams, S. Campbell & A. Evans, ‘Practical Legal Skills: Developing Your Clinical Technique’ (4th edn, OUP 2014).
• E. Finch and S. Fafinski, ‘Legal Skills’ (8^th edn, OUP, 2021)
• S.Blake, J. Brown and S. Sime, ‘Overview of Negotiation and Mediation’ (5^th edn, OUP, 2022).
• S. Bake, ‘A Practical Approach to Effective Litigation, (8^th edn, OUP, 2015).
• J. Webb, C. Maughan & M. Maughan, ‘Lawyers Skills’ (22^nd edn OUP 2019).

You may also find Imogen Moore and Craig Newbery-Jones, ‘The Successful Law Student: An Insider's Guide to Studying Law’ (2^nd edn, OUP 2022) 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

• ELE – vle.exeter.ac.uk/
• 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.

Key words search

Law, foundations, practical, legal skills, mock trials