LQ7W01 - SQE Pro Bono Clinic (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26, but may be subject to modification | |||||||||||||||
| Module title | SQE Pro Bono Clinic | |||||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | |||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | |||||||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | |||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | |||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
Pro Bono Clinic provides you with an understanding of civil law in a legal practice context. The course introduces you to the civil law process, including the civil court system; alternative dispute resolution; the Civil Procedure Rules; and strategic issues related to settling civil disputes. The module also introduces you to professional conduct rules in a legal practice context.
Module aims
The module aims to develop several key transferable skills including independent research, critical analysis and written and oral presentation skills in the context of a practical legal subject. It also aims to give you an insight into the practical aspects of law which is particularly valuable if you are contemplating a career in legal practice.
Your employability will be enhanced by the development both of these skills and also by the experiential learning involved in the practical exercises and the pro bono work which is integral both to the study and assessment of this module.
The knowledge and skills gained on this module will also assist you if you wish to go on to the admission courses set by the professional legal bodies, such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board, and will give you 6 months Qualifying Work Experience towards your solicitor’s qualification.
Syllabus
• The civil court system
• Alternative dispute resolution
• Civil Procedure Rules
• The path of a claim
• Pre-action matters
• Issuing proceedings and court documents
• Case management
• Disclosure of documents
• Witness statements
• Expert evidence
• Hearing
• Costs
• Funding
• Enforcement of judgment
• Offers to settle
• Offer to settle a dispute using ADR
• Injunctions
• Security for costs
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Overview
You will be taught by a combination of on-campus and online lectures, interactive seminars, one-to-one supervision, and self-study, and will be encouraged to read from specified case law, practitioners’ text books and legal journals. (Evening students will study entirely by distance learning.)
You will be given the opportunity to discuss theoretical issues as well as practical problem solving. You will be supported in undertaking on-line research using electronic law databases and encouraged to use on line legal resources on a regular basis. There is a virtual learning environment containing handbooks, lecture notes, weblinks, discussion groups, study skills materials and assessment criteria.
Experiential Learning
You will be encouraged to respond to realistic case-studies relating to the sector in the style of a professional legal advisor. You will also be able to participate in the extracurricular experiential learning offered within the Law School, including the Pro Bono Clinic and the Mooting Club.
Study Support
You will have regular access to module tutors in person, by email and by one-to-one video conferences to support their studies. You will also engage with one formative assessment for each module, which will be marked promptly with opportunities for feedback either by email or individual discussion.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to do the following:
• demonstrate a knowledge of the key principles of civil litigation.
• demonstrate the ability to apply legal and factual information relating to civil litigation procedure to a range of hypothetical scenarios.
• demonstrate the ability to contribute to a pro bono clinic either by giving cogent, practical and accurate legal advice to a real-life client; or by a simulation exercise.