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Margaret Castles (Course Coordinator)
Paula Meegan (Magistrates Court Legal Advice Service Supervisor)
Ross Savvas (Adelaide Legal Outreach Service Supervisor)

Training Day 13 January 10.00 - 5.00

Seminars Monday weeks 3,4,5,6,7,8 (Summer Semester)

Seminars MONDAY 5-7 pm

Placement 2 days per week weeks 3-8

Some students may be required to attend agency induction in week prior to semester commencing, by arrangement.

This course offers a limited number of students the opportunity to participate in legal practice whilst completing a three point elective subject. Students are placed at one of two legal advice services operated by the Law School, or at other community focussed legal service agencies, for one day a week for 12 weeks in Semester 1 and 2, or for two days per week over 6 weeks in Summer semester, as well as participating in an academically focussed seminar program. This course will equip later year law students with a critical appreciation the operation of law in a practical setting, the day to day and long term impact of law on the community, justice access, dimensions of community lawyering as a social and professional phenomenon, and the ethical and professional dimensions of legal practice. These outcomes will provide students with a number of the Program Graduate Attributes for the Bachelor of Laws, including:

1. Advanced and applied understanding of the operation of theoretical legal principles in a practical legal setting
2. Critical appreciation of the role of the lawyer and the legal profession in the provision of a just and accessible legal syste
3. Advanced evidence based legal practice sk al in dealing with clients in legal practice, including the capacity to analyse and apply different theoretical models of client centered practice
4. The capacity to exercise judgment and make informed and considered decisions in a legal practice environment
5. The capacity to work effectively and reliably in a professional environment, both individually and as a member of a team
6. The refinement and development of oral and written communication skills of a high order;

Communication Skills: The continuing development of good inter-personal and communication skills is widely recognised as important for all graduates. This course specifically seeks to develop students’ abilities to engage in a wide range of written and oral communication activities, in the day to day clinical work on placement, and involvement in interactive seminar program. Assessment is also based in part upon communication skills in a range of different contexts.

All materials required for this course will be provided via MYUNI either in the form of allocated readings, seminar guides, training materials, and references to resources available online.

South Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules 2012

Most course materials will be provided via MYUNI.

If students are directed to participate in any online discussion forums as a result of absence from any class OR in substitute for seminars missed due to public holidays, participation in such forum will be compulsory.

Additional information and links to sites of interest or current interest will be accessed via MyUni links.

Students are required to check MyUni regularly (at least weekly) to keep up to date with online activities.

Online discussion forums and Facebook/blog activities may be introduced from time to time as advised to students during the semester.

Teaching in this subject is by way of one 7 hour training day, 6x2 hour weekly seminars, and two days per week on placement.

MYUNI, Facebook, or blogs may be used as a basis for online discussion and posting links.

Students in this course are required to attend and participate in the Training Day, and a minimum of 5 out of 6 face to face seminars as a prerequisite to passing the subject, and must participate in any online discussion forum set up as an alternative to classes missed due to absence of individual students or public holidays.

Seminars are an important component of learning in this course. The communication skills developed in tutorials by regularly and actively participating in discussions are considered to be most important by the School and are highly regarded by employers and professional bodies.

The modeling of cogent reporting, the open minded discussion of ideas and values, and the evaluative discussion of experience and practice by reference to principles set out in course materials are essential components in achieving the goals of the course (outlined above). 

Participation in seminars requires demonstrated familiarity with reading materials, preparation of tasks or preparation allocated before seminars, engagement in discussion or activities in seminars. Students are not able to demonstrate the above will be considered not to have "participated" in seminars to a satisfactory level. 

Students who fail to attend the Training Day without approval and completion of agreed substituted learning activities will not be permitted to attend placement or continue with the course.

The University expects full-time students to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies.

In this course students must attend a one day training/induction session preparatory to commencing their legal placement, 5 out of 6 x 2 hour seminars, and two days of placement (9 am - 5 pm) per week for 6 weeks. 

Students may be required to attend additional induction sessions (usually by negotiation in the week prior to the placement commencing). 

In addition students will be expected to complete assessment (journal, writing exercise, major project) outside placement/seminar hours.

The topics covered will include: 

• The concept of professionalism and models of lawyering 
• Client centered legal practice (theory and practice)
• Client Interviewing
• Legal Writing
• Evaluation of Different Models for dealing with clients 
• Reflective learning techniques and self reflective practices  
• Legal ethics  
• Justice access  
• Law reform
• Self care and care of others in the legal profession

One of the primary methodologies adopted in this course is the sharing of experience and insight obtained by students on placement in seminars. Students attend placement for one or two days per week, and then attend classes where one objective is the discussion, evaluation and critique of experiences they have had and observations they have made. The participation of students in a structured way in seminars is a critical aspect of the teaching methodology. In seminars students are also expected to demonstrate the capacity to relate what they are experiencing on placement to the theoretical issues that are dealt with in the materials. Small class size and a student led approach to discussion results in students having ample opportunity to participate in this way. Student articulation of observation and experience in turn provides the basis for evaluation by the class of issues, problems, and concepts experienced in practice with reference to legal theory. Class participation plays  a central
role in the presentation of seminars, and students have a responsible and significant role.

In order to recognise gender, cultural, and learning preferences in the class context, the following strategies are used in seminars:

• small group collaborative work on specified short exercises for reporting to larger group (groups of 2 – 6),
• large group discussion,
• allocated questions, 
• role plays,
• invitations to speak on issues arising on placement,
• small group discussion,
• quizzes, hypotheticals,  and problem solving exercises

Students must attend on placement and demonstrate capacity to engage in placement activities including interviewing clients, written work, and case management, with the support and direction of a placement supervisor. Students must receive at least 50% (Pass) for the placement component of the course to pass the course.

Clinical Legal Education is of its nature a small group discovery experience. Students work in small teams of 2 - 8 under the supervision of a solicitor. The primary learning methodology of CLE is student led exploration and investigation in acheiving case work outcomes, and completing self directed project work. Autonomy, personal responsiblity, evaluation and reflection are critical aspects of the pedagogy of CLE and are embedded in all aspects of the student experience.

Assessment Item	% of final mark	Due Date	Note
Professional Journal	30%	To be advised in Week 1 of Summer Semester via MyUni
Class Participation	P/F
Project and explanatory methodology	30%	Due date to be advised in Week 1 of Summer Semester via MyUni	Students have the option of working in groups for the Project. Grades may be differentially awarded if different levels of contribution and participation are evident. Methodology submitted as part of the project assignment is required and indicates the nature participation of each student in any group project work.
Performance on placement	20% (assessment by supervisor)
Communication Practicum	20%	Due Date to be advised in Week 1 of Summer Semester

IMPORTANT NOTE: Students wishing to graduate in May 2017 will be required to submit assessable work earlier than other students in order to meet graduation sign off deadlines. Graduating students will be advised in Week 1 of Summer Semester when their assessment is due.
 

Detailed information about 

• Content of Assessment
• Grade Descriptors and Grading evaluation
• Marking rubrics

will be provided on MYUNI

Details of assessment activities including expectations for individual assessment items and marking criteria will be provided on MyUni.

Submission of Journal (Parts 1 and 2) must be submitted electronically via Turnitin. This means that all papers will be electronically checked for plagiarism.

Submission of Project and Methodolgy is in hard copy (with electronic back up copies to be provided if requested)

Communication Practicum is on TURNITIN.

Grade descriptors will be provided on MYUNI and in the Course Guide (part of materials provided for students) for each piece of assessment.

Courses for which a result of conceded pass has been obtained may not be presented towards the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Laws or the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Laws programs, or any postgraduate law program, nor to satisfy prerequisite requirements within any law course.

Approval of Results by Board of Examiners

Students are reminded that all assessment results are subject to approval (and possible  moderation/change) by the Law School’s Board of Examiners. Assessment  results at the University are not scaled. Under the Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, students are assessed ‘by reference to their performance against pre-determined criteria and standards … and not by ranking against the performance of the student cohort in the course’. However, under that same policy, the Board of Examiners (as the relevant Assessment Review Committee for courses at Adelaide Law School) is  required to ‘ensure comparability of standards and consistency’ in assessment. On occasions, the Board of Examiners will form the view that some moderation is required to ensure the comparability of standards and consistency across courses and years, and accordingly provide fairness to all law students. All assessment results are therefore subject to approval (and possible change) until confirmed by the Board of Examiners and posted on Acess Adelaide at the end of each semester.

The University Writing Centre provides academic learning and language development services and resources for local, international, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrolled at the ³ÉÈË´óƬ.

The centre offers practical advice and strategies for students to master reading, writing, note-taking, time management, oral presentation skills, referencing techniques and exam preparation for success at university through seminars, workshops and individual consultations.

For more information please check out the Writing Centre website at  

Lex Salus Program

Lex Salus was founded in 2013 by Adelaide Law School Wellbeing officers Ms Corinne Walding, Ms Kellie Toole and Dr Mark Giancaspro. Lex Salus is an initiative of the Adelaide Law School aimed at raising law student awareness of the importance of mental, physical and nutritional health across all year levels of the degree, and of the various counselling, disability and equity services both within and outside the University that can provide help. Research shows that law students, both in Australia and in many jurisdictions around the world, experience the highest levels of stress, anxiety and depression out of any other discipline. Many do not get enough sleep, maintain a healthy diet or achieve a realistic work/life balance. Making matters worse, they are unwilling or afraid to speak up for fear of feeling 'weak' or because of the negative stigma that attaches to seeking help. Lex Salus is dedicated to tackling these problems head-on.

Counselling Service

The University Counselling Service provides a free and confidential service to all enrolled students. We encourage you to contact the Counselling service on 8313 5663 to make an appointment to deal with any issues that may be affecting your study and life. More information is available at /counselling_centre/. 

Further information regarding the Law School Policies and Procedures in relation to Supplementary Assessment, Extensions, and Remarks etc can be found at:

Plagiarism and other forms of cheating

Plagiarism is a serious act of academic misconduct. All students must be familiar with the Adelaide Law School Enrolment Guide, and should note in particular the sections relating to plagiarism, grievance procedures and academic conduct within the Law School and the University.

Plagiarism is a serious matter and is treated as such by the Law School and the University. Please be aware that “academic dishonesty” (which goes beyond plagiarism) can be a ground for a refusal by the Supreme Court of South Australia to refuse to admit a person to practice as a legal practitioner in South Australia.

Academic honesty is an essential aspect of ethical and honest behaviour, which is central to the practice of the law and an understanding of what it is to be a lawyer.