LC7025 - Research Skills (2023/24)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2023/24 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Research Skills | ||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 2.75 | ||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 27.5 | ||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2023/24(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module teaches the skill of practical legal research.
The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop or improve their practical legal research skills to the standard required of a trainee solicitor.
Prior learning requirements
Qualifying Law Degree
Syllabus
1. Introduction to basic problem solving techniques
· recognising the significance of problem solving for solicitors
· understanding the importance of problem solving on the LPC and in examinations
· application of problem solving techniques to scenarios.
2. Finding and using sources of law other legal materials commonly found in a solicitor practitioner’s library.
· the range of library sources available to the practitioner;
· the importance checking that all materials used are up to date;
· practise using practitioner’s sources.
Covers all Learning Outcomes
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
This module is taught by an initial one hour Tutor Led Session and 3 one-hour and thirty minutes Student Led Session in the Foundation Course and further teaching and practice throughout the course with particular emphasis in civil litigation.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should:
1. understand the need for thorough investigation of all relevant factual and legal issues
involved in a transaction or matter
2. be able to undertake systematic and comprehensive legal research
3. be able to present the results of their research.
Element 1: Legal and Factual Issues
Students should be able to investigate legal and factual issues and:
1. determine the scope and identify the objectives of the research
2. determine whether additional information is required and identify appropriate sources
for factual investigation
3. identify the legal context(s) and analyse the legal issues
4. address all relevant legal and factual issues.
Element 2: Research
Students should be able to undertake systematic and comprehensive research and:
1. identify and apply current case law, statute law, statutory instruments, regulations
and rules to the research problem
2. identify, prioritise and use relevant primary and secondary sources
3. locate and update cases and statutes, and use indices and citators
4. use periodicals, digests and standard practitioner texts
5. select and use appropriate paper and electronic research tools.
Element 3: Presentation of Results
Students should be able to:
1. keep a methodical, accurate and complete record of the research undertaken
2. draw clear conclusions and identify courses of action
3. present the results of their investigation and research in a way which meets the
Course Skills outcomes.
Assessment strategy
The assessment is a take away assessment set in the context of litigation. The assessment is designed to replicate practice and enable students to demonstrate the application of legal principles in a realistic, practical context. Students are given a formative assessment and receive written feedback.
Students are given a formative assessment and receive individual written feedback. Group feedback is put on WebLearn. They also receive individual written feedback on the summative assessment.
Bibliography
Basic Texts
Skills for Lawyers, University of Law Publishing
Online Materials
Supporting WebLearn materials and student study materials