Interviewing and Advocacy

Unit code: LLW4009 | Study level: Undergraduate
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
City Campus
Online Real Time
BLB1101 - Australian Legal System in Context
BLB1114 - Legal Research Methods
LLW3009 - Lawyers' Ethics and Professional Responsibility
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Overview
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Overview


This subject is a legal ‘skills’ subject and develops this practical aspect as relevant to the legal profession. There are two components of this unit; interviewing and advocacy. The interviewing component focuses on developing students' client interviewing skills. The unit also explores the nexus between interviewing and negotiation and the interdependence of the two competencies through role-play and other approaches. The advocacy component will focus on developing skills in introductory examinations of court presentations and contextualisation of advocacy skills in the presentation of cases within the court environment. Specifically, this unit will focus on developing the basics of case theory through interactive seminars and practical legal skills through role-playing and working with peers. The focus will be on developing the professional practitioner.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Exemplify the fundamental skills of client interviewing within the context of legal practice;
  2. Strategise and conduct oral interviews in the manner of legal practitioners interviewing clients or other parties to legal action;
  3. Discriminate between the types of oral argument and questioning most suitable when conducting the different stages of presenting cases in court (opening and closing cases, examination in chief, re-examination and cross examinations);
  4. Construct and present persuasive oral legal argument to influence relevant professional and non-professional audiences;
  5. Role-play common legal advocacy tasks in the manner of a legal practitioner appearing before a court or tribunal situation; and
  6. Advocate with responsibility and accountability, verbally and in writing for a hypothetical client or cause towards resolution of the problem.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Assignment
|
Grade: 25%
Mock interview and written submission (1500 words)
Assessment type: Assignment
|
Grade: 25%
Critical reflection on advocacy (1500 words)
Assessment type: Presentation
|
Grade: 50%
Oral presentation with written submission (1500 words)

Required reading

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

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