law4lpp legal practice
LEGAL PRACTICE AND CONDUCT CLINICAL PLACEMENT
LAW4LPP
2019
Credit points: 30
Subject outline
Ethical legal practice and conduct are the primary focus of this unit. This includes examining the legal practitioner's duty to the administration of law, the courts, clients and fellow practitioners, issues of personal and professional conduct and basic trust accounting. The context for this study is the issue of access to justice and recent reform to the legal system, in particular the legal profession. Additionally, students are placed in a legal aid environment where they have the opportunity to be practically involved in legal practice under supervision. Students are encouraged to reflect on how a legal practitioner's duties and ethics are relevant to daily legal practice, as well as on the efficacy of law, the legal system, the legal profession and the nature of justice. This unit meets the requirements of the Council of Legal Education for admission to practice in Victoria in the area Professional Conduct.
SchoolLa Trobe Law School
Credit points30
Subject Co-ordinatorSue Marshall
Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo
Subject year levelYear Level 4 - UG/Hons/1st Yr PG
Exchange StudentsNo
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Admission into this subject is by application only Students must complete 180 credit points including LAW1LIM and Admission Into: LBLX - Bachelor of Laws (Complementary) LVLGE;LVLGEB - Bachelor of Laws LVLUE;LVLUEB - Bachelor of Laws LWLAS - Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Asian Studies LWLAT;LWLATB - Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts LWLBUSB - Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business LWLEE LWLINT - Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of International Relations LWLMC - Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Media and Communication LWLPY;LWLPYB - Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science LWLSC;LWLSCB - Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Science LZCOML; LWCOML - Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws LZCRL;LZCRLB - Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Application into this subject is by application only. Application forms can be downloaded from the Law School's homepage.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Lawyers' Professional Responsibility | Prescribed | Dal Pont, G. E., | THOMSON (LAWBOOK CO.), 3RD EDITION |
| Readings | Legal Profession Act | Prescribed | . . . | 2004 (VIC). |
| Readings | Practical legal skills | Prescribed | Campbell and Evans | 3RD EDN. OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the regulatory, complaint and disciplinary processes for the legal profession
- Activities:
- Assignment, case study, participation in clinical placement, reflective journal
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legal aspects of the lawyer/client relationship including the contractual, tortious and fiduciary nature of the relationship
- Activities:
- Assignment, case study, participation in clinical placement, reflective journal
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the statutory and common law rules governing lawyers# professional conduct in relation to clients, the courts and third parties
- Activities:
- Assignment, case study, participation in clinical placement, reflective journal
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Demonstrate an understanding of the various frameworks/approaches for making ethical decisions in a practical context
- Activities:
- Assignment, case study, participation in clinical placement, reflective journal
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Analyse the professional responsibilities of a legal practitioner and apply these to real legal practice situations
- Activities:
- Assignment, case study, participation in clinical placement, reflective journal
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
06. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fiduciary nature of the lawyer/client relationship including knowledge of the statutory requirements regulating trust accounting.
- Activities:
- Assignment, case study, participation in clinical placement, reflective journal
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
07. Demonstrate reflective skills
- Activities:
- Reflective journals, participation in supervision discussions and final essay
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
08. Analyse, evaluate and perform the professional ethical responsibilities of a lawyer in the context of daily legal practice
- Activities:
- Clinical Placement participation and supervision discussions
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
09. Demonstrate effective legal interviewing, oral and written communication skills
- Activities:
- Clinical Placement participation
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
10. Demonstrate effective legal research skills with an immediate and practical purpose
- Activities:
- Clinical Placement participation
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment size12
Enrolment information Restricted by available external placement sites Ballot with preference to final year students.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorBen Walsh
Class requirements
TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
SeminarWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Placement - Off SiteWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 days placement - off site per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 2,000-word assignment | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 06 | |
| One 2,500-word case study | 30 | 04, 05, 07, 08 | |
| Supervised performance in clinical placement | 40 | 07, 08, 09, 10 | |
| Ten reflective journals -100 words each | 10 | 07 |
Melbourne, 2019, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment size12
Enrolment information Restricted by available external placement sites Ballot with preference to final year students.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorBen Walsh
Class requirements
TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Placement - Off SiteWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 days placement - off site per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 2,000-word assignment | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 06 | |
| One 2,500-word case study | 30 | 04, 05, 07, 08 | |
| Supervised performance in clinical placement | 40 | 07, 08, 09, 10 | |
| Ten reflective journals -100 words each | 10 | 07 |