LA1107 - Contemporary Practice: The New Lawyer

Credit points:	03
Year:	2017
Student Contribution Band:	Band 3
Administered by:	College of Business, Law & Governance

This subject will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the role of lawyers in current-day practice together with an introduction to the wide range of attributes and skills, which lawyers need to acquire so as to represent their clients effectively and professionally. Nowadays lawyers are required to be more versatile and adaptable in their handling of disputes on behalf of their clients. Previously court litigation was the predominant way in which disputes were resolved. More recently, the legal system has evolved so as to require, in many instances, the consideration of non-adversarial approaches to dispute resolution before allowing a case to be determined by the Court. This subject will focus on the non-adversarial methods of dispute resolution. It will also focus on putting students in a position where they can develop the necessary interpersonal and communication proficiencies that lawyers require to represent their clients competently. Areas that will be explored include emotional intelligence and the philosophy of law and justice. Further topics comprise the diversity of the roles that lawyers can undertake, including their pivotal function in the area of dispute resolution, and the development of the basic skills and attributes needed by lawyers in contemporary practice.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate an understanding of the broader contexts within which legal issues arise;
• communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas for legal and non-legal audiences both (a) orally and (b) in writing;
• demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge and skills with initiative and judgement and with due consideration of ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts, appropriate approaches to ethical decision-making, professional responsibility and professional judgement in planning, problem solving and decision-making in professional practice and/or scholarship;
• learn and work independently, reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and make use of feedback as appropriate, to support personal and professional development;
• demonstrate an understanding of principles and values of justice and of ethical practice in lawyers roles.

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 24-Aug-2017
Coordinator:	Mr Neil Dunbar
Contact hours:	12 hours lectures - 12 x 2 hr lectures 12 hours tutorials - 12 x 1 hr tutorials
Assessment:	assignments (25%); oral presentation (20%); reflective assignment (25%); online multiple choice test (30%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 24-Aug-2017
Coordinator:	Mr Neil Dunbar
Contact hours:	12 hours lectures - 12 x 2 hr lectures 12 hours tutorials - 12 x 1 hr tutorials
Assessment:	assignments (25%); oral presentation (20%); reflective assignment (25%); online multiple choice test (30%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.