LAW4310: Trial, Practice and Advocacy

Review #1 - written in s2 2020

RECORDED LECTURES: 

No.

PLEASE COMMENT ON THE CONTENT OF THIS UNIT.

Approximately 4 hours of lectures per week for the first ~6 weeks, followed by 4 workshops (in smaller groups, during which each student must prepare and present either their Opening Statement, Exam-in-Chief, Cross-Exam or Closing Statement). While lectures encourage active participation, participation in the workshops are essential in order to gain tailored feedback in preparation for the exam.

WHAT WORKED WELL IN THIS UNIT, AND WHAT COULD BE IMPROVED?

Requirement of active participation in workshops pushed students to gain confidence, move outside their comfort zone and gain valuable feedback (as well as observe other students’ performances and learn from their feedback).

IS THERE A PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK? 

Hampel’s Advocacy Manual – essential.

WHAT UNITS SHARES THE DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THE UNIT YOU ARE REVIEWING?

Content overlaps in part with LAW4323 Evidence (this unit is basically an Applied version of Evidence).

ANY UNITS THAT WOULD PAIR WELL WITH THIS UNIT?

Finish Evidence before beginning this unit – it would be difficult to understand the content as well as all of the advocacy techniques without already having some background knowledge from Evidence).

HOW INTERESTING WAS THE UNIT CONTENT OUT OF 5?

5.

TIPS FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS: 

Put in as much effort into your Workshops – although they’re not assessed, you’ll learn a lot from it, gain heaps of feedback that’s helpful for the exam, and get some practice/exam prep and heaps of confidence 🙂