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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Practical Legal Skills
Reference LL3177 Version 4
Created February 2024 SCQF Level SCQF 9
Approved June 2017 SCQF Points 15
Amended March 2024 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
1. To develop the legal research skills to which the students are introduced in LL1330 Legal Systems, Skills and Ethics so as to enable students to design a research proposal and to apply these skills in the workplace. 2. To provide students with a working understanding of practical legal skills including dispute resolution, written and oral communication and advocacy, negotiation and client interviewing and counselling.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legal research process.
2 Make effective use of specialist legal data retrieval systems and critically evaluate the material forming the results of the search.
3 Via an oral presentation, effectively communicate the aims and objectives of research, methodology, interpretation of data and research findings.

Indicative Module Content
One half of the module will address legal information searching and retrieval, effective literature research strategies, critical analysis and evaluation of data, construction of a research proposal, management of a research project, the ethical dimension to research and presentation of research. The other half of the module will develop key practical transferrable skills required in the workplace such as dispute resolution skills,advocacy,client interviewing and counselling and drafting of documents. The module will cover the aforementioned topics whilst highlighting their alignment and significance with sustainability.

Module Delivery
Delivery of the subject matter will be through a combination of lectures and workshops, and case studies and practical exercises in seminars.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 36 36
Non-Contact Hours 114 114
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 150
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Coursework Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3
Description: Oral presentation focussed on a legal research proposal

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
Component 1 comprises 100% of the module grade. To pass the module a D grade is required.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A The student needs to achieve an A in C1
B The student needs to achieve a B in C1
C The student needs to achieve a C in C1
D The student needs to achieve a D in C1
E The student needs to achieve an E in C1
F The student needs to achieve an F in C1
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module None.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 BOYLE, F., AND CAPPS, D., 2019. A Practical Guide to Lawyering Skills 4th ed. London: Routledge.
2 CHERKASSKY, L. et al., 2011. Legal skills. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
3 COTTRELL, S., 2014. Dissertations and project reports a step by step guide. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
4 FINCH E. and FAFINSKI S., 2014. Employability Skills for Law Students. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
5 GRANT F., 2014. Legal research skills for Scots lawyers. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: W.Green.
6 KERRIGAN, K. and MURRAY, V., 2011. A student guide to clinical legal education and pro bono. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
7 LAMMASNIEMI, L., 2018. Law Dissertations A Step By Step Guide. . London: Routledge.
8 TODD A. and SIM I., 2019 Commercial awareness for lawyers. 2nd ed., Edinburgh: W.Green.

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781