School: Business and Law

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2020 Units. Students will be notified of all approved modifications by Unit Coordinators via email and Unit Blackboard sites. Where changes have been made, these are designed to ensure that you still meet the unit learning outcomes in the context of our adjusted teaching and learning arrangements.

  • Unit Title

    Legal Writing and Research
  • Unit Code

    LAW1600
  • Year

    2020
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    5
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Nachshon GOLTZ

Description

This unit is a basic introduction to legal research and writing skills that law students will need in order to successfully complete a law degree and become work ready practitioners. This unit will introduce students to: legal research skills; types of legal communication, both verbal and written; plain English drafting techniques and correct legal citation; the importance of professional presentation and style; and oral presentation skills. It is expected that students will exercise and sharpen these skills in other law units as they progress through their law degree. This unit also includes an introduction to the Australian legal system and to the various sources of law in Australia.

Co-Requisite Rule

Only students studying K30,K50,K58,V72,W28,Y04,Y11,Y66,Y67 X01,X03,X05 or 999 can enrol into this unit. Students studying the major: MABUUT (Law in Business) in the following courses can also enrol into this unit: G95, W23, W24, W27, Y14, Y65, Y70 or Y88.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Explain the structure of the Australian legal system and the various sources of law in Australia.
  2. Conduct legal research using primary and secondary materials, utilising both hard copy and electronic resources and sustainable practices.
  3. Identify and extract legal principle from cases and articles.
  4. Communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, using plain English and correct legal citations.
  5. Demonstrate correct, formal communication techniques in all forms of legal communications (both written and verbal).

Unit Content

  1. Legal writing skills for varied audiences, including Plain English drafting techniques.
  2. Oral presentation skills.
  3. Appropriate citation of legislation, cases and other materials.
  4. Legal research skills.
  5. Introduction to the Australian legal system and sources of law.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 113 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 113 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-campus students will attend a weekly information session and a tutorial. All students, both on and off-campus, will be required to engage in interactive online teaching and learning processes via Blackboard. Regular online access is required for both on-campus and off-campus students. Students will be guided through several important exercises in library use and research, communication and analysing legal doctrine. Off-campus students who cant access physical libraries will nonetheless be introduced to how law libraries work. Tutorials will consist of research exercises, and exercises in the various forms of legal writing.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline quiz10%
AssignmentLegal Research Skills Assignment20%
AssignmentEssay Plan Assignment20%
ParticipationParticipation including presentation skills10%
AssignmentFinal Essay40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline quiz10%
AssignmentLegal Research Skills Assignment20%
AssignmentEssay Plan Assignment20%
ParticipationParticipation including presentation skills10%
AssignmentFinal Essay40%

Core Reading(s)

  • Melbourne University Law Review Association. (2018). Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition). Melbourne: Melbourne University Law Review Association. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1087497869
  • (2017). Laying Down the Law (10th ed.). LexisNexis. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/989975612

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

LAW1600|5|1

School: Business and Law

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for this unit. All assessment changes will be published by 27 July 2020. All students are reminded to check handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Legal Writing and Research
  • Unit Code

    LAW1600
  • Year

    2020
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    5
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Nachshon GOLTZ

Description

This unit is a basic introduction to legal research and writing skills that law students will need in order to successfully complete a law degree and become work ready practitioners. This unit will introduce students to: legal research skills; types of legal communication, both verbal and written; plain English drafting techniques and correct legal citation; the importance of professional presentation and style; and oral presentation skills. It is expected that students will exercise and sharpen these skills in other law units as they progress through their law degree. This unit also includes an introduction to the Australian legal system and to the various sources of law in Australia.

Co-Requisite Rule

Only students studying K30,K50,K58,V72,W28,Y04,Y11,Y66,Y67 X01,X03,X05 or 999 can enrol into this unit. Students studying the major: MABUUT (Law in Business) in the following courses can also enrol into this unit: G95, W23, W24, W27, Y14, Y65, Y70 or Y88.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Explain the structure of the Australian legal system and the various sources of law in Australia.
  2. Conduct legal research using primary and secondary materials, utilising both hard copy and electronic resources and sustainable practices.
  3. Identify and extract legal principle from cases and articles.
  4. Communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, using plain English and correct legal citations.
  5. Demonstrate correct, formal communication techniques in all forms of legal communications (both written and verbal).

Unit Content

  1. Legal writing skills for varied audiences, including Plain English drafting techniques.
  2. Oral presentation skills.
  3. Appropriate citation of legislation, cases and other materials.
  4. Legal research skills.
  5. Introduction to the Australian legal system and sources of law.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 113 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 113 x 1 hour tutorialNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-campus students will attend a weekly information session and a tutorial. All students, both on and off-campus, will be required to engage in interactive online teaching and learning processes via Blackboard. Regular online access is required for both on-campus and off-campus students. Students will be guided through several important exercises in library use and research, communication and analysing legal doctrine. Off-campus students who cant access physical libraries will nonetheless be introduced to how law libraries work. Tutorials will consist of research exercises, and exercises in the various forms of legal writing.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline quiz10%
AssignmentLegal Research Skills Assignment20%
AssignmentEssay Plan Assignment20%
ParticipationParticipation including presentation skills10%
AssignmentFinal Essay40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline quiz10%
AssignmentLegal Research Skills Assignment20%
AssignmentEssay Plan Assignment20%
ParticipationParticipation including presentation skills10%
AssignmentFinal Essay40%

Core Reading(s)

  • Melbourne University Law Review Association. (2018). Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition). Melbourne: Melbourne University Law Review Association. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1087497869
  • (2017). Laying Down the Law (10th ed.). LexisNexis. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/989975612

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

LAW1600|5|2